Our 5th Year of Hope

We kicked of the 5th Annual Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS on August 1st and have shaken up the challenge a little bit.  Some categories remained the same and some changed.  The "Sew Lovely," "Sew Generous Individual," and "Sew Popular categories remained the same.  For those that might not be familiar with these categories -

Sew Lovely 

Everyone individual that donates a quilt is entered to win great prizes from our fabulous sponsors, such as fabric, books, patterns, notions, and Quilters Dream Batting totaling $1,000.

Sew Generous Individual 

The individual who donates the most quilts during the challenge year (August 1, 2013 - July 31, 2014) will also win a $1,000 worth of wonderful prizes from our sponsors, as well as Quilters Dream Batting

Sew Popular 

The top 10 to 15 quilts submitted in the challenge year are posted on Facebook and voted on by our friends.  The individual submitting the quilt that receives the most votes will likewise enjoy $1,000 worth of great prizes and batting.

The four categories we are shaking up a bit are "Sew Generous Quilt Guild," "Sew Generous Professional," "Sew Generous Quilt Shop," and "Sew Creative."

Sew Generous Quilt Guild

The Quilt Guild that donates the most quilts in the challenge year will receive $500 worth of Quilters Dream Batting and other great items from our wonderful sponsors totaling $1,000.

Sew Generous Professional

The Professional Quilter, Longarm Quilter and/or Quilt Teacher donating the most quilts will win $500 worth of Quilters Dream Batting and other great items from our wonderful sponsors totaling $1,000.

Sew Generous Quilt Shop

Quilt Shops donating 20 quilts are entered into a drawing to receive $1,000 in Quilters Dream Batting. Quilt Shops will earn one additional bonus entry for each quilt donated over 20.

The category that has changed significantly is "Sew Creative."  Many of you have expressed an interest in participating in the Hopes & Dreams Challenge and you sew, but don't make large quilts.  This category is for you.

Sew Creative

Fabric postcards, handbags and accessories, miniature quilts, mug rugs, paintings, placemats, tablerunners, table toppers, wall quilts, watercolors and more.  These items will be sold to raise funds for ALS Research.  All donations will be entered into a drawing to win a $250 gift card.

We still need quilts and that is our priority - to warm the life, heart and lap of an ALS patient.  However, many people want to help in a way that allows them to use their creative talents and this category welcomes your participation knowing 100% of any profits from the sale of your donations goes to ALS Research.



Josh and Joy Thompson

 



As most of you know, the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS was created to raise awareness about ALS and research funds for ALS research shortly after Josh Thompson was diagnosed with this devastating disease.  Josh's lovely wife Joy is often asked about how she feels to see so many people participating in the JT Walk and Hopes & Dreams.  We leave you with her words of love and thanks to each of you.

          First and foremost I want to thank each and everyone of you for your love, kindness and      generosity.  Our story, mine and Josh, began about 11 years ago. I was leaving a store and someone had opened the door for me. I looked up to say "thanks" and  gazed into the most beautiful smile I had ever seen. If the world could have stopped turning (cue in the music and birds encompassing us in a whirlwind of love) it would  have been in that exact moment.  At least for me.

A few months later we met at one of our favorite restaurants for drinks and appetizers.  Josh wasn't completely sure if he had the right girl in mind so he had a good friend come along, just in case.  Needless to say, I AM the right girl and three years later we had a fairytale wedding surrounded by our loving family and friends.

But our fairytale wasn't written like the traditional story. Less than a year into our marriage, and one month prior to our first son Wyatt's birth, we were given the most horrific and hopeless news imaginable. Josh has ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease. We were all so devastated. I was in a state of shock and denial.  "No, no way....that is not our story.....they don't write fairy tales like that!"

Since that day in March 2007 I have learned that we have to write our own story.  One few have to write. But now a story influenced more by fact than fiction.

Our love story is based on the most recognizable book ever written.  We have learned that LOVE never fails; LOVE never dies; that HOPE, COURAGE, PATIENCE,  FORGIVENESS,  and FORTITUDE are the best lessons in life.

To have a belief that everything is the way it is for a reason....a higher purpose.  And that has led us to you.....our family, our friends, your family and your friends. This wonderful collaboration  of love, friendship, hope and generosity! We thank each and everyone one of you. 

THANK YOU!!!

Thank you for becoming part of our story. It would not be complete without you.  Without the support from OUR FAMILY and FRIENDS.

God Bless!

Much love,
Joy Thompson