Quilt Donations Needed to Help 1 October Survivors

For the past three years, volunteers have provided hundreds of 1 October survivors, relatives impacted by 1 October, and first responders with handmade quilts through a free raffle to show encouragement and remembrance.

To continue that project for the fourth anniversary, the Vegas Strong Resiliency Center needs more than 150 lap-sized quilts.

“These quilts are more than just cloth and thread,” says Tennille Pereira, director of the Vegas Strong Resiliency Center. “They’re symbols of comfort and warmth to those impacted by 1 October. We want to ensure those impacted by 1 October, including survivors, relatives of those lost, and first responders across the world, to know they are loved and that we are grateful for them.”

Due to the hard work and time to produce each quilt, the Resiliency Center is enlisting the public’s help. Quilt should be:

• Lap-size (approximately 50 x 65 inches)
• Neutral on religious and political messages (fabric should be appropriate for adults)
• The quilter’s name, date, city, state, and notes attached to the quilt are welcome.
• The Resiliency Center will provide a label for each quilt to be sewn on. That label will measure approximately 3 x 6 inches.

The Resiliency Center seeks to collect 150 or more quilts by September 17. At that point, they will be organized and then raffled off in early November. People eligible to enter this free raffle include 1 October survivors, victims’ families, and first responders. For more information and to enter the drawing, go to vsrcquilts.eventbrite.com. 

Those interested in donating a quilt should contact Lorea Arostegui, social worker at the Resiliency Center from Clark County Department of Social Services; she can be reached via email at VegasStrongResiliencyCenter@ClarkCountyNV.gov. To learn more about the Resiliency Center, visit vegasstrongrc.org.