OdessaQuilts

I've read everything written here to this point, and I can see this is a very polarizing issue for all of us, isn't it? It seems no one feels "wishy-washy" on this issue. And before I say anything else, I want to thank all of you who do donate quilts to charity. You provide inspiration and comfort to others and it is a pretty selfless act of generosity. Keep up your good works!

That being said, I am curious to know if Extreme Quilter has followed up yet, and in what manner?

The original post indicated that "...I received an e-mail from an unknown person who said her daughter had "bought two quilts" from RMH that she thought were "so pretty." She wanted me to make one for her bed and asked me to call her. I wondered if she was a patient's mother, who her daughter was, and if my quilts were being sold rather than going directly to the ailing children."

I wonder: did this "unknown person" understand correctly that her daughter had "bought two quilts"? Perhaps she had children staying @ RMH and they were given to the kids, not that daughter had purchased them? This is the first point of miscommunication, I believe. There are others, I'm convinced. But the director not returning calls/e-mails is most concerning to me.

I know people are busy, and organizations are trying to do more with less. But this lady needs to get to the bottom of this if for no other reason than her own piece of mind. Please be persistent and report back to us. We are concerned and we care.

I shall step down off my soapbox now and relinquish the floor to someone else who has an opinion or a question, but will be watching for follow-up.

Odessa

Oklahoma Suzie

I would want to find out what was going on. If at all possible go down there to see the director.

MadQuilter

...and therein lies the crux.
It is a very solid argument EQ, one that could lead someone in hot water.

If the understanding is that the quilt is GIVEN to a patient for comfort, then the quilt should be used in that way. OF COURSE without confirmation of what really happened - and why - you are only wondering.

At my company the employees donate monies to local organizations and we specify what those grants are to be used for (based on what the organization requests). We had some instances where an organization would contact us and ask if the monies could be used in a different way which is perfectly fine.

This year we visited an organization and the equipment that we paid for was nowhere to be seen. After much hemming and hawing and deflection from their board, we still have no idea where $2,400 went and we do not have a sense of honesty or integrity. The organization will not receive further funds.

Fortunately, that is the exception - not the rule. We found that when things go South, it is often due to poor actions of one of few misguided individuals while the organization and the volunteers do a bangup job.

Hope you get a satisfactory answer. Don't wait too long.

wraez

This is a tough one for sure. We want our quilts to go to the proper recipients and not get sold or 'stolen' by staffers etc.

I have heard more than once that there are hospitals and other charities that receive quilt donations and the nurses etc 'fall in love' with quilts and take them home. Shame on them!

That is why I would prefer that a representative from a quilting group go with quilts in hand and personally hand them to the children or parents. I understand that is not always possible because of 'privacy' policies.

warm quilt hugs, sue in CA

Joanne

I would email again telling them you will go to the newspapers to put the word out-they are selling goods donated to the sick children! I know the same thing happened to me and my knitting group, we knit items for premies and the poor babies so they have something to wear home, and the hospital gift shop was selling them! I was not happy that time. :(

babyquilter

I donate my quilts to a Crises Pregnancy Home in Colorado and I know they are given to the moms when their babies are born. I would be very hurt if they were put up for sale. If funds are needed, please ask first.

May in Jersey

wrae wrote, "That is why I would prefer that a representative from a quilting group go with quilts in hand and personally hand them to the children or parents. I understand that is not always possible because of 'privacy' policies."

We try to do that with the pillowcases our group makes for kids in hospitals but it isn't always possible to be there when each and every pillowcase is given out. This thread reminds me to discuss the distribution of the pillowcases with the social workers next time we're at the hospitals. At Christmas we gave 125 pillowcases to one hospital to be included with the gifts for the clinic kids and their families. We have no objection to pillowcases given to the patient's siblings, etc. but would object to having them For Sale in the hospital gift shop.
May in Jersey

marla

I used to volunteer with the ARC and they are not allowed to use any donations for other than what they are designated to. Write a complaint letter to the HQ of RMH director. Ask for a response and when they do, ask for a follow up on the results. If they refuse, then repoort them and the next ones could go to St. Jude's after you get teh contact person.

marla

Joann, I hope you spoke to the hospital director about the gift shop episode. I hope you raised a runkus in the gift shop too.

Joanne

You bet we did! Now we donate to an inner city hospital not just for the babies, but children too! We think people who work work at the first hospital do not always know what they are doing-educated beyond their intelligence!