Matt Tillson
VELMA — With the Thanksgiving holiday over it can mean only one thing, that Christmas is right around the corner. A time for families to come together to enjoy one another, by going out and seeing the Christmas lights, going to a Christmas parade or by enjoying a Christmas program. Christmas is not just about receiving gifts it is about giving and showing appreciation for one another.
The Velma Quilters organization is taking the holiday spirit and showing their appreciation for the Velma Volunteer Fire Department. The quilters are selling raffle tickets for a quilt that they have been working on and will give to the winner at 6 p.m. Dec. 7 during the Velma United Methodist Church Community Christmas program. The money raised will then go to the fire department.
Velma United Methodist Church Pastor Rev. Linda Lusina said that ladies in the organization have worked extremely hard putting this quilt together and that this is just to show a little bit of their appreciation.
“Working with this group of ladies has been such an inspiration and I’m glad I’m a part of it,” Lusina said. “These volunteer fire fighters have done so much for the community that we just wanted to help them out any way we could.”
According to one of the organizations members Tommy Roskam most of the material was donated by Rita Hill of Lawton.
“Rita used to own a quilting store in Lawton and is starting to close up shop due to getting older,” Roskam said. “She has donated material to various quilters organizations around the state and we were just fortunate enough to get material from her.”
So far the quilters organization alone has raised over $700 in raffle tickets but there are still plenty more tickets for sale.
“I’m very pleased with the great amount of interest that we have had for this drawing so far,” Lusina said. “It’s great to see how much the community and area are wanting to help out.”
Lusina said that those interested in purchasing tickets can talk to any of the Velma Volunteer fire fighters, any members in the quilters organization or by calling the church at (580)255-0727.
Roskam also said that anyone wanting to attend a quilters fellowship get together are more than welcome to at 8 a.m. every Tuesday at the Velma United Methodist Church.
“Everyone is welcome to join us you don’t have to be Methodist and you don’t even have to quilt you can just come for fellowship,” Roskam said. “There are several ladies that just come in the mornings just visit and have fellowship.
— Matt Tillson is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 142, or via e-mail at matt.tillson@duncanbanner.com.
