I am happy to report a resolution in the matter of my quilt donation.

I heeded the advice of several people on this board and contacted RMH headquarters in Oak Brook, IL., which referred me to the field manager for my area. I forwarded to him all my e-mails to and from the director prior to my donation, all my e-mails to the director and staffer following my donation and the e-mail between the mystery woman and myself. I asked him to please clarify, first, RMH's policy regarding donated quilts, if quilts are ever sold contrary to a quilter's wishes and intentions; second, the disposition of my five quilts and three quilted storybooks; third, the answer as to why my e-mails were ignored. He promised to conduct a full investigation into the matter and speak to all the parties involved.

Shortly after being in contact with the field manager, I received a very gracious and apologetic e-mail from the chapter director herself, thanking me for the quilts and storybooks and expressing her regrets at not keeping the appointment with me when I delivered the quilts. I accepted her offer to tour RMH and discuss the matter more fully with her.

I was warmly received by the director today and came away with a much better understanding of RMH's mission and the loving housing afforded the families who come to stay under its roof. The director reiterated the policy as stated to me by the field manager that RMH does not sell donated quilts, that these quilts are kept in house and made available in a common area to any child or family to use or keep. She also added that families often elect to make a donation, though none is expected. In the case of my quilts, two went to a family who stays at RMH on a recurring basis, and the mother made a monetary donation to RMH in appreciation. It was her mother (the child's grandmother) who e-mailed me asking me to make her a quilt, but since she did not respond to my reply, her identity remained unknown. My other quilts and quilted storybooks went into the common area and were not sold.

Although neither the field manager nor the director was able to explain why my e-mails went unanswered, which would have prevented the escalation of this matter to the attention of upper management in the first place, I accept both their apologies and acknowledge their efforts to rectify the situation. I also accept their representations that there was no impropriety or unjust enrichment from my donations.

So now I have my answers, sincere apologies and expressions of gratitude from RMH. Thank you, all, for your input and support.

thanks for the update. It seems it was worth the effort to understand the chain of events.

I'm so glad you got some answers and I'm glad they were positive. Thanks for letting us know.

Thanks for the update.

Thanks for the update. Don't you feel all better now with this load off your mind?

I recently had to get closure about a situation too, so applauding you for taking the necessary steps.
MY steps helped me...
and it sounds like yours helped you a lot. good for you :thumbup:
Finding out or making ppl face the music, if that's all you can do, is better in the long run, than stewing and wondering. :-D

I am very happy to hear this.

This is all good to hear. Thanks for bringing us up to date.

I too am so glad you followed up on this. You were so hurt by what appeared to happen, so it is nice that you quilts and books are being appreciated by these families. :-D

Coming in late on this, but thank you for posting about your situation. Learn something new every day, I do! :D

Good to hear. You sound like a gracious person all around. :)

I'm a late comer on this subject also but am glad you did not let this matter continue to bother you. To often people will not step up and have themselves heard.Instead they let things bother them and press on their spirits.Glad to hear you are a person that demands answets to your quetions. This fequently is the best way to handle things.It makes you feel better and makes places give answers that should have been forth- come before hands.Good lesson for all of us.

And thats the rest of the story. :thumbup:

Glad to hear of the good result and update. I am sure you feel much better and I am glad you have an answer to your issue.

I am very happy to hear that this matter has been resolved. I feel that I must reiterate that there are state laws/statutes governing donations, and dealing with donations earmarked for a specific purpose. I posted a detailed description of such a situation which occurred with a non-profit organization in which I was involved. If it becomes impossible to utilize donations for the specific purpose the donor designates, the donation should be returned to the original donor. Using a donation for a different purpose than that designated by the donor would, in Florida, be contrary to state statutes. It's good to know that the quilts were not, in fact, sold!