Quilting for a Cause

Hi, I'm Nathan, and it is my great privilege to have the role of receiving donations at The Mustard Seed. It is truly fantastic to regularly hear the stories of how our donations arrive at our door. Many of our donors are especially thoughtful and put an incredible amount of work into making or collecting the items that we need. The following is one of those great stories.

This is Jeanette Glockner. She is 86 years old and lives alone amongst a community of seniors in Ft. Saskatchewan. For the last ten years, Jeanette has been making quilts for those in poverty in Edmonton’s inner city. She is an example of someone whose personal vision makes her an incredible, independent partner to The Mustard Seed. Just like The Mustard Seed, Jeanette chooses to intentionally follow Jesus Christ by working against the root causes of poverty.

Jeanette’s quilts are an interesting patchwork of varying fabrics that she receives from the surrounding community. She says that very rarely will she need to ask anyone for the fabric. Friends and acquaintances will stop by with material, or on occasion a bag will just show up on Jeanette’s doorstep. Jeanette says, “The Lord Provides.”

While sewing, Jeanette makes a point of incorporating a special message on every quilt. One patch of fabric will always contain the statement, “Jesus Saves. Call on him.” Jeanette hopes that her blankets would help those who receive them to “Come into saving knowledge” of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Jeanette says that it can be difficult for people her age to get out and to make friends. But, she also says, “My best friend is the Lord,” and, “Don’t just sit around.” There are many ways to get involved in taking care of those in need, even from home. It is commendable that Jeanette has so thoroughly committed herself to this idea, especially considering the regular cost of electricity and repairs for her sewing machine.

As a lifeguard in her younger years, Jeanette developed a love for swimming. She still frequents her local, indoor pool as often as five times a week. It was at this swimming pool that, more than ten years ago, Jeanette struck up a conversation with her now long-time friend, Don Adams. Jeanette and Don soon found common ground in their Christian values and desire to help people in need. While Jeanette is able to stay active swimming, she is unable to make the trip to donate her beautiful quilts. This is where Don fits in. For as long as Jeanette has been making her quilts, Don has been regularly making the trip from Ft. Saskatchewan to the heart of Edmonton to make the delivery.

I want to take this opportunity to praise the efforts of those who thoughtfully contribute to the cause of The Mustard Seed. You are not only part of an incredible movement that changes lives daily, but also part of a community that offers hope to the hopeless.

Finally, I want to thank Jeanette and Don who have both inspired me with their humble generosity and incredible kindness.