Caregiver's National Quilt Contest Supports ALS Association's Global Resear...(oup and we are thankful that so many hav...),Health

Individual quilters as well as groups of quilters have until July 30, 2010 to submit their quilts. The select quilts will be sold in an online raffle and auction beginning next August. The quilts that are not offered online will be distributed by The Association to people with ALS and their families. Other quilts will be featured in a traveling tour.

“There are going to be many beautiful quilts,” Thompson said. “Quilters of all abilities are eligible to participate. Some quilts may be more beautiful than others, but every quilt will be made with love and care for an ALS patient.”

All participants are eligible to win prizes including batting, fabrics, patterns, quilting DVDs, gift certificates, magazine subscriptions and sewing machines. In addition, thousands of dollars in cash and prizes will be given for the best themed quilts, most quilts submitted by individual quilters and most quilts submitted by groups of quilters.

Thompson is the owner of Quilters Dream Batting. The company was founded 15 years ago and does business with 5,000 retail stores.

“We are so active in the quilt industry,” Thompson said. “Quilters are so generous. We wanted the quilters to be aware of ALS.”

Thompson received positive feedback about the contest in Houston last month at an international quilting industry show. She was not prepared for the some of the comments she heard.

“What was interesting to me, and sad at the same time, is how many people’s lives have been touched by ALS,” she said. “When we were going from vendor to vendor to pass out our flyers asking them to join us as
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