Firehouse Quilting Bee Donates Quilt to Helpmate Shelter
A refuge for abused women and children should be welcoming, comforting, and beautiful. The Helpmate shelter for victims of domestic violence in Asheville has recently been graced by two lovely wall hanging quilts through the talented work of the Firehouse Quilting Bee.
The group, so named because they meet at the Beaverdam Fire Department for their weekly quilting, is one of the many bees of the Asheville Quilt Guild. According to quilter Jean Karpen, her mother-in-law, Helpmate supporter and volunteer Leah Karpen, told her that a quilt, providing both beauty and sound baffling, was needed to cover a large bare wall in the conference room of the new shelter and office building. All the quilters were glad to donate to such a worthy cause. They measured the wall, and noted the color of the carpet and furnishings, to tie in the border and quilted squares. "After the quilt was planned, it took just over a year for everyone to work on the squares and to put the quilts together," said Jean Karpen.
The finished quilts in shades of teal and purple, show variations of traditional patterns with familiar names like Sunbonnet Sue, Friendship Star, Grandmother's Fan, Shoo Fly, and Virginia Reel.
Valerie Collins, Helpmate's Executive Director said that she and the staff were overwhelmed with the time, energy and thoughtfulness the quilters put into the project. "They worked so very hard to compliment our space perfectly.
Collins explained how appreciated these works of art are for Helpmate's clients, most of whom have had to flee from difficult circumstances. "It is good for them to know that they deserve something that is so beautiful."
Helpmate has been providing service to victims of domestic violence in Buncombe County for over 30 years. Their services include an emergency shelter, a 24-hour assistance phone line, counseling, court advocacy programs, and community education.
Members of the Firehouse Quilting Bee and the Helpmate quilts: Front Row LtR: Deborah Williams, Jean Karpen, Donna Hughes. Back row, LtR: Sheila Cheek, Janie Wilson, Helen Kehoe, Helen McCarthy, Norene Goard. Not pictured are Susan Driscoll, Roma Wimberly, and Karen Hartman.
