PROGRAM IMPACT - Rainbow of Hope fundraiser

Local quilters honor hospice patients through annual Rainbow of Hope fundraiser.

Local Giving. Local Impact.

One of Tamera Ehlinger’s greatest hopes is that someday the Rainbow of Hope quilt auction will run out of people to honor or remember.

But for now, 13 years after the first quilt auction raised $18,000 to benefit Centra Hospice, Tamera, retired manager of Quilted Expressions of Lynchburg, which sponsored the first auction, and Terri Layne, business development manager for Centra Hospice, plus their army of volunteers and quilters, will continue to bring a rainbow of hope to local hospice patients.

The auction has raised more than $500,000 to benefit hospice patients since it began in 2006. The most recent auction in November raised almost $40,000. The funds, which are managed by the Centra Foundation, have gone toward myriad projects that benefit Centra Hospice patients at the Bedford Hospice House and the former Lynchburg Hospice House.

The idea for the auction originated from the women who frequented Quilted Expressions.

Over a period of time, everyone who walked in the door seemed to be affected by cancer,” Tamera said. “It was overwhelming, so we decided to quilt for a reason.

"An auction appealed to everyone as the best way to raise money. My customers selected Hospice of the Hills (now Centra Hospice) as their reason to quilt because hospice had helped them through some of their worst times.”

“There is great therapy in ‘doing something.’

Projects are completed by sisters remembering Grandma, friends celebrating so many years cancer free, and individuals battling by themselves. There is a story behind every project and probably a tear or two within each one.”

“We are always amazed by all the quilts that arrive on the first weekend in October for the auction,” said Terri. “Some people have participated for years. Others find a need to be part of this journey and join us. People take classes to learn how to quilt just so they can participate. There are so many people who want to be a part of this. The money that is raised is wonderful, but the lives that are touched along the way are even more meaningful.”

Two of the stories behind the 78 quilting projects donated to the 2018

Jennifer Capone

This quilt (below), my very first attempt at quilting is in honor of my daughter, Jennifer Capone, who started her music therapy practice here in Lynchburg when discovering a lack of such services available to the community. With determination and persistence, her practice has flourished for those in the care of hospice…

“Singing you home” Machine pieced and quilted by Karen Cossman

I chose this pattern because of the “rainbow” of colors that represent the diseases her patients may have when they enter hospice care.

Kali Hurd

"Virginia Rails and Trails" (pictured below) was made to honor a brave young woman, Kali Hurd. Kali Hurd was born in Virginia in 1991 with her twin brother. She attended Mount Pleasant Elementary School and William Byrd Middle and High Schools…As a teen she began volunteering at the Mount Pleasant Fire Dept. and fell in love with firefighting. She went on to school and fulfilled her dream of becoming a professional firefighter here in Roanoke valley. Then Kali was diagnosed with colon cancer. She fought the battle with all her might. The sign in front of the Mount Pleasant Fire Dept changed from “Kali strong” to “Kali soars high” when she lost the fight. Kali was 26 years old.

“Virginia Rails and Trails” Machine pieced and quilted by Kathy Wickham

To read more about the people who inspired 2018 quilters, visit roh4hospice.org.

13 | CENTRAFOUNDATION.COM