“We also have a very special group of ‘Angels’ who contribute their quilting talents for several worthy causes, including the Praxair Cancer Center at Danbury Hospital, Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang (for kids with cancer) and more. The gals even designed special pillows for women coming out of breast surgery that are such a comfort—they’re like a teddy bear for grownups,” Vivian explains.

Quilts donated to Danbury Hospital.

The name ‘Angels’ came about as a tribute to her mother, who she lost to cancer. Every time she had to leave her mother’s bedside at the hospital, Vivian would prop up a small angel on her bedside tray.

Vivian still gets teary at the memory, and the loss. “That way the angel would be the first thing my mama would see when she’d open her eyes. And she would know she would have an angel watching over her all the time…”

Luckily, now there are Angels to watch over all of us. They work with love and laughter whenever they can find a free hour or two from a cozy back room full of cheerful fabrics at Homestead Viking. (Photos of Angels quilting)

The hands of these angels create gifts of warmth and comfort, stitch by stitch. They give expecting nothing in return: to sick children at area hospitals, to the forgotten at nursing homes, to those in the grips of cancer and end-stage diseases at hospices. These gifts truly touch the lives of both the givers and receivers, because they come with a personal, handmade touch that is incredibly special and unlike any other. It is a gift that comes from the heart.

“It’s Quilting 101!” Rudi exclaims happily.
“I look at it as a ministry,” says Heslin.
“It’s a win-win situation, giving to someone,” adds Campbell. “We really enjoy doing it.”