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| By Courtney Llewellyn Reminder Assistant Editor EAST LONGMEADOW There is something cathartic about sewing. Using only your hands, you can create something new and beautiful a dress, a blanket, or even a quilt. Valerie Morton, owner of Quilts & Treasures in East Longmeadow, realizes how important releasing one's feeling can be. This year, her shop will be hosting its tenth annual Quilt for a Cure Day on Sept. 29, raising both awareness and funds for breast cancer research. "Our first year, we had a goal of raising $1,000 and earned $600," Morton said. "The next year, however, we raised $2,000." The most the yearly event has raised is $8,500, with $6,500 collected last year. "We would love to match that figure," Morton added. Quilts & Treasures holds the fund raising event throughout the day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All those who register will receive a gift bag filled with items donated by local businesses. There will be a fabric swap, a silent auction and a block auction of quilt squares. A speaker will be addressing those in attendance as well. "In the past we've had breast cancer survivors serve as speakers," Quilts & Treasures employee and teacher Jan Gilbert said. "We've also had a visiting nurse demonstrate how to properly perform a self breast exam," Morton added. The speaker for this year's event has yet to be confirmed. Another aspect of Quilt for a Cure Day is the donation of homemade mastectomy pillows. "These are soft pillows that protect the tender area where the lymph nodes have been removed during a mastectomy," Gilbert explained. "Women use them in the hospital to relieve some pressure from their IVs, and in the car under their seat belts." The homemade pillows are donated to local hospitals. In addition to the funds raised by the events throughout the day, 10 percent of the day's sales from the store will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. "Even if you can't attend the event, if you come in to purchase a spool of thread you're helping out," Morton said. The event usually averages about 50 people throughout the day, but Morton is being optimistic and hopes to have at least 75 attendees this year. "Any little thing that people can do will help," Morton stated. "A lot of little things add up to a lot." Morton would like to thank all the local businesses that have donated for the event: Stony Hill Quilting, Finishing Touches, Cozy Quilts, Pleasant Valley Quilting, Charlie's So Unique Studio, Tiddlywinks, White Rug, Pendleton, Colorful Creations, La Fiorentina and Heartsong Yoga Center. For more information on the Quilt for a Cure Day, visit Quilts & Treasures' Web site at www.quiltsandtreasuresinc.com. |