Quilt auction to raise money for LIC

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

A quilt can be much more than a way to stay warm in the cold winter months. Quilts are a work of art that can tell a story of a person’s life, provide a decorative feature piece in a room and more-times-than-naught, be a piece offering and gift that can be cherished for future generations.

This weekend Lutheran Island Camp is hoping that close to 240 quilts can provide warmth and comfort for the rural Henning camp as the camp hosts its annual quilt auction. The quilt auction will be held on Saturday with viewing starting at 8:30 a.m. with the live auction beginning at 10:30 a.m. 

Proceeds from the quilt auction will benefit the camp and its youth summer program. The program provides funding necessary for families who cannot afford to send their child to the summer camp.

“To keep it affordable for kids who want to come to camp,” said Lutheran Island Camp Executive Director Stacy Lung.

Quilts for the auction are donated by organizations, individuals and groups from across the region. They are a mixture of handmade and machine sewn, meaning there is a bit of something for everyone at the large auction at the camp. 

Half of the quilts will be sold as part of the live auction, while the remaining quilts will be auctioned off online at www.islandcamp.org/quilt-auction on Proxibid.

The online auction really gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic and has expanded the reach of the single largest annual fundraiser for Lutheran Island Camp. Last year volunteers sent quilts to 13 states and Canada as part of the online auction.

“It expands the number of people who are able to purchase quilts,” said Lung. “Some of our supporters who don’t live nearby are able to be part of it.”

While quilting remains popular by people throughout rural Minnesota, the art form isn’t quite as prevalent in other parts of the country. Lung said the online auction allows people from across the country to purchase a custom-created quilt where they may not easily be able to purchase one, while also benefiting Lutheran Island Camp. 

In addition to the quilts, Saturday will also include a new grab and go “Handmade Treasures Boutique.” Lung said the boutique will feature everything from afghans to maple syrup and candy that will be able available to purchase during the quilt auction. 

“We will have various handmade items that will be pre-priced so it will be kind of a grab and go option,” she said. 

The quilt auction is open to the public and will get underway at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the camp. Lutheran Island Camp is located at 45011 230th St. in rural Henning.