Quilters Donate 38 Handmade Quilts to Support Women in Recovery Through the Sisters of St. Benedict

What began as a gift of 12 unfinished quilt tops grew into a beautiful act of generosity, bringing comfort and hope to women rebuilding their lives through recovery.

In late 2025, Sheri Meier, a longarm quilter and member of the Raintree Quilters Guild, Inc., received 12 quilt tops from a friend who had purchased them at an estate sale. Sheri’s first thought was to find the perfect home for the quilts, knowing the comfort a handmade quilt can bring during difficult times.

She began quilting the tops and invited friends to help by binding them. Before long, the project grew far beyond its original scope.

While attending a quilting retreat at Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana, Sheri shared the project with Sister Rose Mary Rexing and asked whether the Sisters knew of a local organization that could benefit from the quilts.

Sister Rose Mary suggested Dove Recovery House for Women in Jasper, a ministry partner supported by the Sisters of St. Benedict. Sheri immediately knew the quilts had found their destination.

As word spread among fellow quilters, more volunteers offered to sew quilt tops, quilt them, and bind the finished pieces. The generosity was so overwhelming that Sheri soon found it difficult to keep track of how many quilts were being created.

By early 2026, as the Raintree Quilters Guild prepared for its annual retreat at the monastery, Sheri and retreat chair Perri Kentner began planning a special presentation. Sister Jackie Kissel helped coordinate an opportunity for the quilters to share their work with the Sisters, many of whom regularly visit the retreat to admire the beautiful craftsmanship.

On March 19, following dinner, the retreat participants gathered with the Sisters in the monastery dining room. Sister Jackie shared the story behind the growing quilting project before the quilters presented each handmade creation in a joyful Quilt Parade. Walking from table to table, they displayed all 38 quilts, earning smiles, admiration, and plenty of “oohs” and “aahs” from the Sisters.

Soon afterward, the quilts were delivered to Dove Recovery House for Women, where they will provide warmth, comfort, and encouragement to women working to overcome substance use disorder.

The Sisters were deeply grateful for the generosity shown by the quilting community and for the opportunity to extend their mission of compassion through this partnership. Likewise, the quilters found joy in using their talents to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Dove Recovery House for Women is the largest recovery residence serving women in Marion and Dubois counties. Since opening in 2000, thousands of women have called Dove House home while pursuing recovery from substance use disorder. Today, nearly 80% of residents either successfully complete the program or remain on track to do so.

This inspiring collaboration reminds us that when compassionate people share their gifts—whether through ministry, service, or the simple act of stitching a quilt—they create hope, healing, and lasting comfort for others.