Blanket Ministry at Zion Lutheran Church - with the Samaritan Quilt Group - helps warm the worldEvery Monday morning by about 8:00am, the basement here in Glen Rock at Zion Lutheran Church starts to buzz with the sounds of measuring, cutting, and stitching as well as a lot of friendly conversation.  That is when our group of approximately 14 women and men get together to make quilts. Most of us are over 65 (our oldest member is in her 90s) and retired. Some folks bring their lunch and stay until mid-afternoon. 

We call Ourselves the Samaritan Quilt Ministry

The group was started in the late 1970s by two women who, at the time, were members of Zion. Their mission was to fulfill an appeal from Lutheran World Relief expressing a need for quilts to be distributed worldwide – wherever there was a need. As word spread, more people began helping and the group expanded.  One of the original two women still heads the group.

Zion Lutheran Church Blanket Ministry - finished blanketsWhat do we do?

Mostly, we make quilts; but more recently, we also have been making some dog and cat beds for the local Animal Rescue group.

We have finished well over 40,000 quilts, each measuring 60” X 80” and having three layers (front, middle/lining, and back) which have been pieced from donated fabrics.  After stitching and binding, the quilts are taken to the South Central Senior Center in New Freedom where members there “knot” them to hold the layers together  --  just as they have been doing since the late 70s.

Want to Learn More?

Read York County Samaritan Quilt Ministry Weaves On.

If you’d like to know more about what we do, how to volunteer, or how to donate materials and supplies, you can reach either Sandy Fair (717-235-6657) or Norma Day (717-235-3583).

Blanket Sunday at Zion Lutheran Church in Glen Rock, PABlanket Sunday at Zion

Each year, before our quilts are shipped out, we fill the Sanctuary with them so that they may be blessed during that Sunday’s worship service.

Where do Our Quilts go?

Twice each year, we take our finished quilts to a distribution Center in New Windsor, MD, where they are “Bundled” and distributed to wherever in the world they are needed.  Many of our quilts find their way to such places as the Philippines, Serbia, countries in Africa to name a few.

Where do we Get Our Supplies?

We rely on donated fabrics and sewing supplies, most of which come from the community but also occasionally come from other parts of the country such as the Carolinas and the western U.S. We use fabric, old and new; and we accept fabric, used sheets, pillowcases, blankets, curtains and more. What is not suitable for the outside of the quilt will be used for lining.  We receive donations from individuals but also from companies.  We receive some supplies from sewing factories in Baltimore, and we are seeking worn bed linens from hotels and nursing facilities. Sometimes, as needed, we purchase supplies (pins, thread, scissors) at our own expense. 

How Can You Get Donations to us?

Drop off donations at the Church Office at Zion Lutheran Church during regular office hours (usually Monday – Friday, 9:30am – 12:30pm),