Local sewing group donates dozens of handmade quilts to ECMC patients

BUFFALO, NY — There’s nothing better than being wrapped in a warm hug when you’re going through a tough time, and that’s how one Erie County Medical Center patient feels when he receives the gift of a handmade quilt.

“These quilts really mean comfort to the patient and the family,” said Charlene Ludlow, ECMC’s senior vice president of nursing, as the women of Wayside Presbyterian Church presented a donation of quilts to the hospital.

The colorful blankets, each unique, are carefully crafted by the women of Wayside during their weekly meetings.

“We meet every Wednesday and sew for about six hours,” Glass said. “In total, over 25 years, we have donated 1,000 quilts to ECMC and surrounding hospitals and areas that need them.”

Duvets given to ECMC’s most at-risk patients.

“This is another expression of kindness to our patients. These blankets are given to our critical care patients, our palliative care patients, in some of their most vulnerable moments,” said President and CEO Tom Quatroche. “The families really appreciate it. The patients’ eyes light up when they receive these blankets. It’s really a beautiful expression of love and kindness from our community.”

Although each quilt takes hours to complete, the women of Wayside say they receive much more than they give.

“It’s a very tight-knit group and it’s wonderful. It’s like therapy,” said Shirley Vandepoll.

“We all love to sew. We love being together and it not only brings us a lot of fun, but it also allows us to do something small for someone who really needs it right now,” Glass said.