Region 5

Southern Illinois quilt raffle raises $1,013 for Common Cents for Kids

From the time Betty Hutchens realized she would one day be the First Lady of the Southern Illinois Unit of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International, she had a goal.

Her grandmother had always machine quilted and she became fascinated with quilting at a variety of levels. Creating a quilt became a project dear to her heart.

The chance to turn her dream turn into reality came at the April Rally of the Southern Illinois Unit when she discussed with the members the idea of making a group quilt at the May Rally and then raffling it off with the proceeds going to Common Cents for Kids.

The membership warmly embraced the idea so the project for the May Rally was set.

Before the Rally Betty decided on the pattern for the quilt. She wanted something simple but pretty. Fellow member Carol White had a program on her computer for designing a quilt. The next step was to get the material pre-cut.

And so when the May Rally came around the ladies were ready to go. The 15 participants divided into rippers, cutters, stitchers and other tasks necessary to create a quilt.

Before the day was over the top was finished entirely. It was then taken to a professional who put the front and back together.

All the costs associated with the quilt project including materials and professional services were donated by Jim and Betty Hutchens so all the proceeds would go to Common Cents.

Southern Illinois Unit members took the quilt to the 50th International Rally in Perry, Ga. to begin selling chances. Before the Rally was over a total of $680 had been raised for Common Cents for Kids and was presented to Chairman Linda Amme.

Selling raffle tickets didn’t stop there. The Southern Illinois Unit continued ticket sales at their future rallies and at other events they attended, culminating with the Region 5 Rally in Rantoul, Ill. in September.

By Saturday evening when it was time to draw the name of the winner a total of $1,013 tickets had been sold. WBCCI International Third Vice President Tom Collier drew out the winning. It was Betty Zimmerman from Paradise Park in Punta Gorda, Fla.

“Fortunately, Jim and I winter in Paradise Park,” Betty said, “so it makes it special to actually know who won the quilt. Thanks to all who purchased tickets, helped in selling tickets and all who had a hand in it. I think the good Lord for giving me the idea and for the members of the Southern Illinois Unit for making it happen. But it really isn’t about the quilt. It is about the children who will benefit from the money we collected and that, my friend, is the blessing.”

Gordon White, right, then First Vice President of the Southern Illinois Unit presents a check for $680 to Family and Youth Committee Chairman Linda Amme at the International Rally in Perry, Ga. This was the proceeds from the Quilt Raffle at that point. Since then the figure has ballooned to $1,013.

Ladies from the Southern Illinois Unit took on a project of creating a quilt at the May Rally to be raffled off with proceeds going to the Common Cents for Kids fund. Among those participating in the project were, from left, are Linda Zoeller, Sarah Doerr, Carol White, Rose Ann Schwartz, Doris Meier, Betty Hutchens, Stella Thompson, Norma Koen and Marian Hoffmann.

Southern Illinois Unit member Doris Meier sells raffle tickets at the Region 5 Rally in Rantoul, Ill.