HUDSON, Fla. — A group of women is making 200 handmade quilts each year at the Hope Lutheran Church in Hudson. The women are led by 90-year-old Carol Bussian and they find her inspirational.
What You Need To Know
- Women at Hope Lutheran Church in Hudson starting making quilts in 2008
- Most of the quilts go to Lutheran World Relief and are given to needy people in places like refugee camps
- The group is led by 90-year-old Carol Bussian who is happy to do good each week
- Members of the quilting group find Bussian to be an inspirational figure
The idea for making the quilts came up in 2008 at a church ladies’ guild meeting. Now, most of the quilts are given to Lutheran World Relief, and they are provided to people in places like refugee camps.
Bussian looks forward to the Tuesday morning meeting where the women make the quilts out of materials like old sheets.
“Just the fellowship with my friends and sharing our faith,” said Bussian.
Carol Bussian sews a quilt. (Spectrum News)
Making the quilts is part practical and part art form. Some of the women cut used pieces of cloth into squares. Others sew them together and tie the batting center into place.
“But here’s an example of putting material together and coming up with something we can share with the world,” said Carla Fox Norris as she held up a completed quilt with another woman.
Bussian hopes that needy people who get one of the quilts will feel the love that helped to create them.
“Grateful and hopeful. And protected from the elements,” she said.
Before the quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief or local first responders who give them to people going through a crisis, the church pastor prays a blessing over them at a special event each year.
Carla Fox Norris holds up a quilt. (Spectrum News)
“When I think about a refugee child wrapped around with one of these quilts, it really touches my heart,” said Fox Norris. “And Carol is the one that inspires all of us. And she’s really a blessing to us.”
Bussian is happy she still has a way to do good each week. “Oh, you know God is good. I just every day thank him for another day to serve him in some way.”
