Since 1966, the Northern Michigan Relief Sale has beenraising funds on the first Saurday in August each year to support missionary work in 58 countries.
The purpose of the sale is to help the hungry, the
homeless, the war torn, the sick, the handicapped and the illiterate around the world
Rosey Ross is one of the quilters involved in both making quilts and helping organize the quilts to be auctioned off at the sale.
Her quilts are all made by handand take about six weeks to finish. She sets aside about eight hours a day for quilting in the winter months. That is about enough time for three quilts each year.
During the rest of the year, she does gardening, raising a wide variety of vegetables.
“I like to sew. Quilting is very restful, but also productive. I have something to give to others, ” says Rosey.
While she works at her home, often with music playing, she also works on another quilt with the women at her church who get together once a week for the project.
“It’s rewarding. Makes me feel good inside helping others who are less fortunate,” Rosey notes.
Like most quilters in Northern Michigan, Rosey learned the art of quilting from her mother, who
learned it from hers.
“I often wonder what my grandmother would think of quilting today. Back in her day, they just used scraps for quilts, even feed sacks. They used feed sacks to make clothes -- shirts and dresses. Today we buy all new material made for quilts.”
One of the great aspects of the Relief Sale is it allows people locally assist in helping others in need around the world.
The Relief Sale in Fairview itself is expected to raise about $200,000, with about $60,000 coming from the quilt auction.
For more information go to www.reliefsale.org, or emailinfo@reliefsale.org or call 989-848-5904.
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