Community Comes Together Through Quilting
June 24-26, 2010
There are many good people around the world who do great things simply to help the community. When these great things are done with their sewing machines, it is exciting; When Janome is able to be involved in these great deeds, the pride we feel to be a part of this makes it newsworthy!
The story of the Southern New Mexico Festival of Quilts, sponsored by First National Bank of Alamogordo, is heart-warming! Pam Holland, globally recognized quilter from Australia, has been visiting a friend and fellow quilter in the Alamogordo area for many years. In 2009 Pam was introduced to the community through a “lunch and learn” event sponsored by First National Bank of Alamogordo. Not unexpectedly, Pam was a hit with local quilters and artists and the lecture was presented to a standing room only crowd. Pam did not want to just stop there. She was determined to find a way to use sewing to reach out and help this wonderful community. To make a long story short, an idea came about to try and put on a quilting event with proceeds that would benefit area youth.
Pam offered to teach a series of classes and present a dinner lecture as a means to get the idea off the ground floor. After a long year of planning and organizing, talking to Pam via email and calls on Skype, the event came to life and was a resounding success and the first Southern New Mexico Festival of Quilts was born!
Vendors from all over the State came to support the cause and put their faith in this first-ever, uniquely designed program. Bruce Dickinson from Bob's Discount in Albuquerque, NM also jumped at the chance to help. When Janome heard about this fantastic event, we knew we had to aid this great cause through a national sponsorship and donations to the youth clubs. Additional national sponsorship came from Tsukeneko, Superior Threads and a fabric dealer in Australia in conjunction with Maywood fabrics. Quilts were displayed with care by local quilters, kits were filled for the students and area youth groups prepared to man concession areas. Jumping at the chance to take a class from Pam Holland students signed up from around the State, as well as Texas and Colorado. With lots of excitement and some trepidation, the doors opened. Students lined up to pick up their registration packets and check out the new sewing machines, fabrics and notions while visitors lined up to see the quilts, shop and see Pam Holland’s extraordinary quilts. Even the Otero County Sheriff Deputy Reserve unit joined in by providing free security for the facility at night.
Over $10,000 was raised which, after expenses, will be presented to the 4-H, Future Farmers of America and Boys and Girls Clubs and a charity raffle quilt was donated.
Pam has made a wonderful impact she has had on this community and its youth programs. Beyond the dollar amount raised, Pam managed to bring together an entire community through their love of quilting. Feedback has been tremendous, and the vendors and students are already looking forward to next year.
A dream became reality with the help of a true professional and charitable person, Pam Holland as well as the generous support of First Nation al Bank of Alamogordo. Plans are underway for another event in 2011.
When a community comes together, great things can happen!
