Quilt raises funds to help Furry Friends Foundation

Valerie Fercho-Tillery's latest in a series of quilts made to support Furry Friends Foundation celebrates something besides happy dogs. This year's quilt honors America's national parks.

"They're kind of under siege at the moment," she told The Nugget. "I kind of wanted to show that our national parks are something our tax dollars pay for and something we should treasure and hold dear."

The quilt features dogs frolicking among the Grand Canyon; Arches National Park; the Everglades; Yosemite; and among the redwoods.

This is the sixth year that Furry Friends has offered a fundraiser quilt - and the fifth quilt Fercho-Tillery has made. One year a patron donated the quilt back for resale to increase its impact.

This quilt took about three months to make.

"I am thrilled with Valerie's creation this year," said FFF founder Kiki Dolson. "Truly one-of-a-kind and beautifully detailed. We are so fortunate to receive another of her quilts for our fundraiser."

The funds raised through sale of tickets for a drawing are needed now more than ever. Furry Friends Foundation helps families in Sisters by operating two pet-food banks and providing no-cost spay/neuter and vaccination sponsorships and assistance with emergency medical needs to families in financial hardship.

"Donations have really dropped off this year, I think at least in part because our visibility is less since our move from The Nugget office, but in turn the number of families we are helping has increased," Dolson said. "The no-cost spay/neuter sponsorships are up by about 30 percent. Purchasing tickets to win this beautiful quilt is just one of the many ways to support Furry Friends."

The quilt will be on regular display at the Furry Friends office through the summer and at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show on Saturday, July 14, at Fir Street Park.

Tickets are available online at www.furryfriendsfoundation.org, and at the Furry Friends office from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The office is located at 204 W. Adams Ave., Ste. 109 inside the Sisters Art Works building.

Tickets are $1 each, 6 for $5 or 25 for $20. The drawing will be held on Labor Day, September 3. You need not be present to win, and the quilt can be shipped to the winner.

For more information call 541-797-4023 or email [email protected]