BONNERS FERRY — Tables lined the room with colorful bits of cloth adorning their tops as the sewing machines of the ladies in Quilts Beyond Borders whirred, bringing their patterns together.

Quilts Beyond Borders is a charity organization which was founded in 2007, that provides quilts to those in need all around the world. From orphans in Ethiopia and Syrian refugees, to new mothers and their babies in Guatemala, the quilts are intended to spread love, hope, and comfort.

Northwest Regional coordinator, Susan Schmidt, brought together ladies from Boundary County at the Kootenai River Inn on Saturday, Sept. 9, in a gathering intended not only to make quilts, but to also say ‘thank you’ for their dedication. The group was able to complete 88 quilts and 149 quilt tops since the beginning of 2017 through Saturdays event.

In lieu of the hurricane disaster in Texas, the group has responded with preparations, but are waiting to send quilts until the relief efforts and the weather have reached the point where the quilts will be best placed in order for them to be the most effective.

According to the Quilts Beyond Borders website: “Based upon feedback from our volunteers living in Houston, Quilts Beyond Borders will be waiting until after the immediate disaster is over, and once those who can return to their homes have done so, we will be sending quilts to shelters for homeless women and children who have been affected by the storm. In the meantime, we will continue with our current initiatives.”

The warmth and comfort that the quilts provide to those in need passes along the message of love and compassion to people that have been through tough times. This group has successfully passed warm hugs around the globe, and in turn have shown that it takes a little bit of consideration and some elbow grease to show the world that they care.

For more information: https://quiltsbeyondborders.wordpress.com.