Quilts tell a story: Fund-raiser to benefit Grace Place, Serenity Home

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Quilter Darcy Thompson will present “Quilts of Comfort and Hope: Voices through the Times” from 1-3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 6, at a fund-raiser for Grace Place and Serenity Home shelters at Ready Randy’s in New Richmond.

Thompson says that every quilt tells a story. “Some of the stories weave through historic periods when secret messages were delivered tucked away inside quilts.”

The Salvation Army of Polk and St. Croix Counties has provided homeless prevention services to county residents for the past 20 years. Services include rent, utility, transportation, medication and dental along with a transitional shelter at Grace Place, Serenity Home and other facilities across the counties.

Grace Place is located in Somerset and opened in 2001 providing shelter for up to eight families or 24 individuals. Serenity Home in Balsam Lake opened in 2008 and provides shelter to 18 individuals. Residents stay approximately 30-90 days at Grace Place and up to 18 months at other facilities. While at the shelters, residents are provided with food, personal care items, educational opportunities, after-school tutoring, counseling, transportation, assistance in finding employment and permanent housing. At Serenity Home, AODA counseling and groups are provided on site. The goal of these programs is to empower individuals to become independent.

Currently these shelters are the only 24-hour staffed homeless shelters within a five-county area. All of the facilities operated by the Salvation Army are currently full with a waiting list.

Last year Serenity Home provided shelter to 130 individuals and turned away 122 individuals due to lack of space. During this same period Grace Place provided shelter to 29 families and 34 single individuals. More than 60 families were turned away at Grace Place due to lack of space.

The event includes appetizers, beverages, coupons for quilting and a silent auction.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, and are available by calling Serenity Home at (715) 485-1221 or Ready Randy’s at (715) 246-4446.

Ready Randy’s is located at 1490 131 St. at the junction of Hwy. 65 and County G.

Tags: home and garden, lifestyle, arts, events