12th Annual Festival of Quilts

Celebrating a tradition that offers warmth, comfort, and hope for every child.

There are many ways to participate in the Festival of Quilts; quilters, bakers, crafters, business people, and community members can all help our mission to provide hope to kids who need it most.

You can get involved by:

Attending the FestivalEnjoy the show quilts, bid on an auction quilt, shop for one-of-a-kind gifts or have a treat from our Bake Sale.

Sponsoring the Festival of QuiltsDirectly help youth build better lives for themselves and our community by supporting programs and services for our kids.

Donating a handmade quilt Proceeds from the silent auction and boutique help ensure that kids receive the care they need to heal, learn, and grow.

Showing your quilt in the showProud of a favorite quilt you made? Want to display your grandma’s heirloom quilt? Judges will be on hand to award prizes in various categories, but the real thrill is seeing your quilt among the other works of art in the show.

Baking goodies for the bake saleCookies, cakes, full-size pies, breads, and more help make the bake sale the sweetest part of the Festival experience.

Creating homemade items for the gift shopFeeling crafty? Donate a handmade item to the gift shop. Items that sell well include crocheted and knit dish cloths, baked potato bags, baby quilts, hand knit hats and scarves, aprons, and handmade pot scrubbers.

Volunteering your time to help with the Festival It takes a lot of help to make the Festival run smoothly. From ticket taking to serving in the Café and everything in between, we can use your help!

Help us build hope

For more information, or to get involved, please visit cunninghamhome.org or contactGinger McKee at 217.337.9074 or gmckee@cunninghamhome.org.

The impact of the Festival of Quilts on the lives of our kids is directly related to the number of like-minded sponsors we have each year. Join us this year as a Friend or Patron of the Festival and count yourself among those who:

•Celebratethetraditionofgiving every Cunningham kid a hand-made quilt that is theirs to keep

•Believeeverychilddeservestobe wrapped in warmth and love

•Givehopetoyoungpeoplebuilding better lives for themselves and for our community

See the Sponsorship Form inside this packet for full details.

12th Annual Festival of QuiltsFriday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9, 20169:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Presented by:

Young people are referred to Cunningham Children’s Home for many reasons, including a history of abuse, neglect, trauma, mental illness, and neurological disorders. Many have experienced rejection and loss.

Cunningham offers opportunities for healing and hope. When a young person arrives at Cunningham, they are greeted with awelcomebasketfilledwithsuppliesandahandmadequiltthat is theirs to keep.

Since Cunningham opened in 1895, United Methodist Women from across Illinois have made quilts for our kids. Thanks to them, thousands of young lives have been wrapped in warmth, safety, and love.

Your support of the Festival helps Cunningham create, inspire, and nurture hope for the future. Thanks to your support, we are able to:

• Help youth understand their self-worth through individualized therapy sessions

• Provide around-the-clock care for youth in crisis

• Teach kids valuable life and work skills through Vocational Education

• Tap into each youth’s potential through pet therapy, art therapy, music therapy, and more

• Educate our students so they can live happy, productive lives

• Transform lives through education, advocacy, and compassion

• Match youth with Foster Parents so they can findaforeverhome

• Quilt Exhibit featuring dozens of hand and machine-quilted pieces including contemporary designs as well as antique quilts on loan for the show

• Silent Auction of traditional and contemporary quilts and wall hangings

• Gift Shop of hand crafted items and a bake sale with delicious homemade goodies

• Quilt Boutique of cash and carry quilts and wall hangings

• Patchwork Café where guests can enjoy an inexpensive lunch and a visit with friends• Walking Tours of Cunningham’s Urbana campus to learn more about the mission and ministry of Cunningham Children’s Home

A Quilt of Their Own

Providing Warmth, Comfort, and Hope

About the Festival

An antique quilt donated to Cunningham - “The

Home” circa 1896.

The diverse faces and stories of our kids quilted together in a

colorful tapestry.

Quilts are a part of life at Cunningham, they cover each child’s bed at night, and

offer a comfortable seat in the sun or the shade during the day.

The Festival of Quilts attracts more than 1,000 visitors every year and raised more than $52,000 in 2015 to help bring hope to hundreds of youth and families. The Festival features something for everyone: