Sun City-Huntley seniors finish 10,000th quilt to benefit suffering children

Retirement can be about a somewhat self-centered, passive activity.

Not for these residents of a massive retirement community in Huntley. They're contributing to society with a project that keeps them sharp, active - and benefits a much younger generation.

Members of the Sun City Huntley Sew'n Sews club recently completed their 10,000th quilt for Project Linus - so named for the Peanuts cartoon character and a group that provides security blankets to critically ill and traumatized children.

"It took us 15 years to do it," said Charleen Kelly, 81, who started a Project Linus group within Sew'n Sews. "It is amazing."

Sun City, with more than 5,450 homes, is the largest active adult community in the suburbs. It's also among the biggest suppliers for Project Linus' North and Central Chicagoland chapter, a credit to the stick-to-itiveness of the Huntley residents.

"They are so remarkable," said Judi Goldman, chapter coordinator. "They all have a story to tell and come to us with such wisdom and lifetime experience."

Roughly 80 volunteers - of whom many have passed on - spent untold hours sewing spools of donated material to complete 10,130 blankets. The group has about 50 active members today, ages 55 to 89.

Every two months, Sun City volunteers deliver roughly 200 blankets to Project Linus's Northbrook drop-off site. The next batch of about 230 blankets will be delivered Saturday, July 11. Half are sent to University of Chicago's Comer Children's Hospital, while the rest are distributed to other area hospitals.

Project Linus marks its 20th anniversary this year. The charity long ago received permission from the estate of the late Charles Schulz to use his popular Peanuts comic character, the blanket-toting Linus, on its logo.

The North and Central Chicagoland chapter, which has roughly 600 members, has donated 116,000 blankets to 20 hospitals and 20 agencies serving children throughout the region, Goldman said.

The handmade blankets and afghans comfort children suffering from terminal illnesses, and those who have been sexually abused or have a mother in prison and need loving reassurance.

It also provides a benefit for many of the participating seniors.

"We have had people say Project Linus has really saved their lives because they had no purpose before. Some are very troubled, and being able to give to somebody else saved them," Goldman said.

Sun City seniors also made and sent 1,000 quilts to children in Afghanistan and "Quilts of Valor" for local veterans.

"Quilts of Valor" - part of the Huntley Gazebo Quilters Guild - will present 15 local veterans and their families with quilts Saturday at American Community Bank & Trust in Huntley. The group has given out about 750 quilts to veterans in northern Illinois, said Sue Bruss, 73.

"We've been doing it for four years," Bruss said.

"It started out just for McHenry County and northern Kane County. There's probably 40 to 45 women involved that are actively doing it."

Aside from being a rewarding community service, sewing quilts is a fun hobby that helps them stay mentally sharp, many seniors say.

"It keeps our old minds working," said Liss Kundich, 74. "There's a lot of math involved. I like angles. I enjoy the math and the geometry of it."

"I enjoy the creativity and the friendships," said Doris Capito, 72, who has been sewing with the Sew'n Sews for five years and helped make quilts for children in Afghanistan before joining the Project Linus team.

Each member of the Project Linus group has a task she enjoys doing.

"I love to iron," said Dee Lawrence, 84.

"I love to see things that are wrinkled made (neat)."

"I've done gazillions of quilts," adds Joan Longmire, 73, who has been with the Sew'n Sews since 2003.

"Everything else is ready for me and I just put it together. I'm a finisher."

Much of the fabric, yarn, thread and other materials for quilting, crocheting and knitting for Project Linus is donated. Yet Sun City residents organize a craft fair every fall to help pay for some sewing expenses, such as the batting needed to fill the blankets.

This year's fair is Oct. 18 at the community's Drendel Ballroom.

"We sell some blankets. We make some special ones," said Kelly, noting they also make table runners, microwave bowls, potholders, crocheted dish rags and thread catchers.

While members come and go, Kelly said the group will carry on its work for as long as members' hands are able.

As she puts it: "We probably will be around for the 20,000th (quilt)."