The story of Sarah's quilt.

Little Swatara Church of the Brethren member Sarah Wise had never really sewn before when she chose her senior project for graduation from high school: to make a quilt and donate it to the Atlantic Northeast and Southern Pennsylvania District Disaster Relief Auction.

Sarah's goal was to choose something that would make an impact helping others. Already an accomplished musician, she plays the piano, saxophone, clarinet, and hand bells, sings in the church choir, and is a member of the Tulpenhocken Junior/Senior High School Show Choir.

She now can add seamstress and quilter to her list of accomplishments.

Encouraged to attend a work camp by the enthusiasm of the Little Swatara Youth, Sarah has participated in three workcamps and has seen first-hand the difference disaster relief efforts make in people's lives. Her hard work paid off when her quilt sold not once, but twice, netting a total of $4,200 for disaster relief.

The winning bid was $2,200, but the buyer immediately put Sarah's quilt back up for sale to boost the charitable donation. Her parents, John and Jamie Wise, then paid $2,000 to take their daughter's first quilt home to Bethel Township.

The pinwheel quilt of varying shades and patterns of green consists of more than 1,200 pieces of fabric. Sarah started the project in June last year, and worked about 25 hours a week through September, giving up time with her closely knit family.

She thought the quilt would go for about $500. Sarah said she was excited and ready to cry at the end result. "I didn't expect it to go that well at all," she said. She plans to attend Lebanon Valley College in the fall to study for a doctor of physical therapy degree. With her Christian love and desire to serve others, Sarah is and will be a blessing to many.

-- Jean Myers of Little Swatara Church of the Brethren provided this story.

Source: 3/10/2010 Newsline