A number of locals have stepped up to the challenge of making pillowcases for local charities and organizations in the community.
The ‘1 Million Pillowcase Challenge’ has been organized by American Patchwork and Quilting. The competition is going on in various communities all over North America, all with the common aim to make one million pillowcases for those in need.
Janet Bangs from the Vanderhoof Department Store found the challenge in a quilting magazine and decided to register at the beginning of June.
Since then she has emailed all of her fabric customers asking for their help in making the pillowcases. So far 199 have been made and given into the department store for donation from local residents as well as customers from Prince George.
All donated pillowcases were made from each customers personal materials and during the month of June, Bangs gave away a free 18x22 fat quarter (a one-fourth yard cut of fabric) to anyone who made pillowcases for the challenge.
Last Thursday, Bangs donated 106 of the pillowcases to the Stuart Nechako Manor. She also plans to donate 40 pillowcases to a residential home in Burns Lake.
Customers who have donated pillowcases so far include Chris Simrose, Elsie Olesik, Fran Sheeley, Verna Teichroeb, Monica Teichroeb, Diane Rempel, Geraldine Pritchard, Janette Loewen, Debra Sewell and Barb Stolz.
The challenge will continue until a total of one million pillowcases have been donated all across North America.
A pillowcase counter has been set up online. Anyone interested can see how many have been donated so far at www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases/.
The Vanderhoof Department Store is still excepting pillowcases as Bangs is planning to donate some to the Omineca Safe Home and also a number to a residential home in Prince George.