A handcrafted quilt celebrating the Eastern Shore is set to be auctioned at an upcoming fundraiser in Pocomoke City, while also telling a deeper story of appreciation and community partnership.
Members of the Shore Birds Quilt Guild of Pocomoke presented the custom-made quilt to the Pocomoke Elks Lodge #1624 on Tuesday, April 14. The quilt will be auctioned during the Elks’ annual “Big Money Blowout” fundraiser on May 16, with proceeds benefiting local community efforts.
In a letter submitted by the guild, Pam Lynn described the piece as “an Eastern Shore / Delmarva themed Queen size quilt” that is “an original one-of-a-kind quilt” featuring custom-designed blocks representing the region. Guild member Donna Clarke provided additional insight into the meaning behind the project, explaining that the quilt was created “for the purpose of thanking the Pocomoke Elks Lodge,” which has allowed the group to use its facility for charitable sewing projects.
The quilt took nearly two years to complete and includes 18 blocks depicting scenes from across the Eastern Shore. Clarke said the designs include “crabs and shells, docks and boats, farms and farming, lighthouses and state birds,” along with a block representing the Pocomoke River Bridge.
Founded in 1981, the Shore Birds Quilt Guild is a group of fiber arts enthusiasts dedicated to promoting and preserving quilting through shared knowledge, educational opportunities, and community service. According to Lynn, the guild’s mission includes “providing educational opportunities through lectures, workshops, demonstrations, and displays, and supporting community service projects,” with those efforts reaching organizations across Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware.
The guild’s charitable work includes quilts for children in crisis through Project Linus, tote bags for children served by the Child Advocacy Center, walker bags for seniors in assisted living facilities, hug shawls for infusion centers, and lap quilts for veterans in nursing homes. Additional projects, as described by members, include placemats for Meals on Wheels recipients and toiletry bags for individuals in need. Clarke noted that the group’s involvement with Project Linus has resulted in more than 18,000 blankets being distributed to children on the lower Eastern Shore over the past 23 years.
The guild meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon at Salem Church, and meetings are open to the public. Lynn stated that anyone interested in quilting is invited to attend.
The upcoming fundraiser will offer the public an opportunity to support both the Elks and the guild’s broader mission, while bidding on a unique piece of local craftsmanship that reflects the culture and character of the region. Mail-in bids will also be accepted, and those interested in the fundraiser at the Elks can visit www.pocomokecityelks.org for more information.
Photo provided by the Shore Birds Quilt Guild.
