Trail Ridge Quilters donate “Welcome to Estes” quilt to EPH
With a design that includes a beautiful section of Front Range mountains from the valley and the iconic rock Estes Park sign, the new quilt hanging in the lobby of Estes Park Health is a tribute to the local community.
The new “Welcome to Estes” quilt was installed on Thursday, May 2. Estes Park Health approached the Trail Ridge Quilters in January about donating one of their wonderful works of art to decorate the hospital lobby. The group immediately said, “yes.”
Over the past 35 years, the Trail Ridge Quilters have raised more than $200,000 for Estes Park Health. They hold three public sales each year, with the next scheduled for Saturday, June 8th, 2024, from 9am to 3pm at Mountain View Bible Fellowship in Estes Park (1575 South St. Vrain Avenue).
All proceeds support EPH.
The new quilt hanging in the lobby of Estes Park Health is called “Welcome to Estes.” The Trail Ridge Quilters made the wall hanging and donated it to EPH. (Photo by Wendy Rigby/Estes Park Health)
The leader of the Trail Ridge Quilters for the past six years is Donna Bryson. The group used to be an interest group of the Newcomers Club. As of 2024, the quilters are part of the Estes Park Health Foundation.
“It’s fun and we get to continue to sew and make quilted items,” Bryson said. “It goes to a good cause. We’re doing a good thing for the hospital.”
With a design that includes a beautiful section of Front Range mountains from the valley and the iconic rock Estes Park sign, the new quilt hanging in the lobby of Estes Park Health is a tribute to the local community.
“I love quilting,” explained Jeanne Allen, a 14-year member of the Trail Ridge Quilters. “I used to own a quilt shop. I didn’t have time to sew then. But I accumulated a lot of fabric and projects I wanted to work on. Now it gives me a chance to make them. If I think it’s something that no one in our family wants or no longer goes with our house, I know it’s something I can donate here and get the joy out of making it and maybe make some money for the hospital.”
Allen said raising money for the hospital means she benefits, too.
“I’m a patient here,” she commented. “Recently I had many, many tests here. I was very happy that I could have them done here and not have to drive to the valley. I have been pleased with the quality of service from EPH over the years. If it was something that couldn’t be handled here, I got very good referrals. And there is always a log of communication between the doctors I’m referred to and the doctors up here. So that’s great.”
Gray Rueppel has been with Trail Ridge Quilters for two decades. She said she was happy to donate her time for the “Welcome to Estes” project.
“We see ourselves almost as part of the hospital,” Rueppel stressed. “It’s what all of us like to contribute to. I like the character of the fabric for the one we made for the EPH lobby. It makes it special for Estes Park.”
The EPH Foundation is happy to have the Trail Ridge Quilters as part of the organization. Estes Park Health has a more inviting and beautiful lobby. Look above the elevator the next time you come to EPH. (Photo by Wendy Rigby/Estes Park Health)
The women who helped sew the 77” by 85” quilt are Suzanne Wheatley, Gray Rueppel, Tammy Carlson, Jeanne Allen, Kathy Bryson, Nancy Taylor, Joanie Jonell, and Donna Bryson
The next two Trail Ridge Quilters sales are on June 8th at Mountainview Bible Fellowship and on August 9th at Estes Park Health.
Besides quilts (baby to king sized), the group also makes and sells table runners, napkins, silverware holders, microwavable bowl holders, hot pads, carrying bags, cloth baby books, pillows, wall hangings, eyeglass cases, Christmas ornaments, and Christmas tree skirts.
The EPH Foundation is happy to have the Trail Ridge Quilters as part of the organization. Estes Park Health has a more inviting and beautiful lobby. Look above the elevator the next time you come to EPH.
A plaque by the elevator recognizes the generous donation of the quilt. (Photo by Wendy Rigby/Estes Park Health)
A plaque by the elevator recognizes the generous donation of the quilt. It says, “This “Welcome to Estes” quilt was lovingly stitched in March of 2024 by the Trail Ridge Quilters using Peak to Peak Stitching’s exclusive Estes Park fabric collection by Northcott.”
The Trail Ridge Quilters who made the “Welcome to Estes” quilt for the EPH lobby signed their work. (Photo by Wendy Rigby/Estes Park Health)