"I can’t believe that someone I don’t even know cares enough about me to make a handmade quilt for me.”

“If they think that I am special, then God must think that I am special too.”

That is precisely the reason the “Each Stitch by a Million” quilt project was started. When the children come to Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Home with very few possessions, it is a time of uncertainty and adjustment. It is important for a child to have a sense of stability and security. Isn’t that what a quilt represents to most of us – “comfort and safety?” We now know that a handmade quilt made – often times by women that they will never meet or even see – does provide exactly that for the children. The children and youth at Vera Lloyd who have received these quilts over the past 1 ½ years have responded to these gifts of love with amazing appreciation, a little awe, and a deep sense that they truly are special, not only to the women who have contributed these quilts, but more importantly, they are special in the eyes of God.

To date more than 57 quilts have been presented. With the “Each Stitch by a Million” quilt project, each child can now select a twin sized, handmade quilt to have during their stay at Vera Lloyd. The quilt is theirs to take with them after leaving Vera Lloyd as a reminder of the positive, enriched learning experience.

Carolyn also writes "Since the youth that we serve range from 8 to 18 years old, all sleep on a twin size bed. I usually tell people that 72x90 are the approximate sizes. The kids do not care - they just feel so special when a quilt is presented to them!"

If you would like to participate in this worthy project, please email Carolyn at cbeane@arkansas.net