Volunteers made Quilt Show a success

Hundreds of volunteers helped stage a flawless Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show last Saturday. As attendees strolled downtown admiring 1,200 quilts, little did they know a huge team had worked countless hours to make the show a smooth event.

From individual volunteers to civic clubs, businesses and school sports teams, much of the community is involved in folding quilts, hanging quilts, and roping off parking before the big day.

“It takes a lot of people and we couldn’t do it without them,” said Ann Richardson, Executive Director of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show.

Richardson said people are willing to volunteer for the event because they feel a sense of pride in showing off their beautiful community at its best.

More than 175 people volunteered to be part of the “put up and take down team.” There are 160 Information Hostesses, 75 people who worked in the quilt show office and 20 people who volunteered to be on the Quilt Rescue Team. Richardson said she was glad the rescue team wasn’t very busy last Saturday since it was not windy and quilts stayed up nicely.

Of the approximately 500 people who volunteered, the Quilt Show team chose to honor one as Volunteer of the Year. Linda Brunanchon wore several hats in the months before the show, but was especially appreciated for running the Quilts for Kids activity area. This popular area provided volunteers, supplies and sewing machines to guide young quilters through their projects.

“It was just an idea and we needed someone to coordinate the effort,” Richardson said. “She stuck her hand up and said, ‘I will.’”

For her part, Brunanchon said she was “just shocked by the honor,” noting that with so many volunteers contributing so much, it seems impossible to single out one whose contributions exceed others’.

One large group of volunteers, the Information Hostesses, has been led by volunteer Kathy Pazera for the past seven years. Her team fans out to twenty locations downtown ready to answer common questions. Show attendees ask everything from where to find where specific quilts are hanging to where to find water.

“They are kind of our ambassadors out there,” said Pazera.

Pazera said she and her team enjoy interacting with the public because quilt goers are in a good mood.

“It’s a magical atmosphere,” said Pazera.

Pazera said after each show, she writes a review listing the highlights and things that need improvement. She is appreciative that the team reviewing feedback takes it seriously and the show continues to operate more smoothly.

Don Minson might not have the most glamorous volunteer job but he is happy to head up the Trash Pick-Up team. For six years, Minson and Boy Scout Troop 188 have been in charge of removing all the trash on Quilt Show day. This requires emptying every trash receptacle downtown several times that day.

“We make the rounds every hour and a half,” said Minson.

Minson said he enjoys the job because he is out for the whole show talking with all the visitors.

“For me, I would stay out there all day,” said Minson.