By Valerie Posthumus
The Haldimand Press
DUNNVILLE—Local quilting group Dunnville’s Own Tiny Stitchers (DOTS) has been busy making quilts for a group called Quilts for Survivors. Based in Timmins, Quilts for Survivors is a nation-wide collective effort of volunteer quilters crafting full-sized blankets that are gifted to survivors of the residential school system and other trauma.
Bonnie Robins, President of DOTS, learned of Quilts for Survivors in 2021. She explained, “I was moved by the discovery of the children’s graves in BC and then spent some time learning about residential schools; I had never heard of them. I was appalled and ashamed of what I learned. So, I did what quilters do best when there is a need – I started making quilts.”
Robins works on the quilts at home and at a DOTS function called Day Away, where a group of 16 or so ladies get together at the First Baptist Church in Dunnville twice a month to sew.
“To date we have sent out 20 quilts to survivors across Canada. I am continuing to work on quilts for this project,” said Robins. As each one is ready, Robins contacts Quilts for Survivors for a name and address to mail the quilt to.
Robins hopes to let local survivors know about the program so they can add their name to the list online at the website quiltsforsurvivors.ca. Also, she hopes others who quilt or sew may want to become involved in the program.
“This project touches my heart.… I am so honoured to think that this small act of love could bring some comfort and hope to help the survivor recipient on their healing journey,” Robins said. “This project brings me much joy.”
Along with creating quilts for survivors, Robins noted that DOTS also meets at The Minga in Dunnville to make Comfort Quilts “for members of our community who need encouragement. The recipients may be ill, taking treatments, have had a house fire, or some other tragedy that has occurred.”
The 57-member group has previously sent quilts to Alberta following floods and fires, and to Humboldt, Saskatchewan after the tragic crash involving youth hockey players. They also support other local organizations such as the food bank, the Legion’s Poppy Fund, the Salvation Army, the Haldimand Pregnancy Care and Family Centre’s Dunnville location, and Quilts of Valor for veterans.
Any residential school survivors who would like to receive a quilt must sign up on the website. The wait time is about six months. Now, as an official non-profit organization, monetary donations can also be made at quiltsforsurvivors.ca.
For more information on DOTS, find them on Facebook and request to join the group. They have regular meetings at Maple Creek Community Church the first Wednesday of the month, September to June. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and meeting begins 7 p.m. Guests are welcome to join for a $5 admission fee to see what the group is about.
