From staff reports
The Sea Island Quilters, an organization of more than 70 area quilters, raised more than $2,500 for the City of Ostroh, Ukraine when they met Sunday, July 24 to raffle its “Hearts for Ukraine” quilt to support the City of Beaufort’s partner city.
Ali and Duane Averette of Coosaw Point had the winning raffle ticket.
Barbara Elder, one of the organizers of the project, said there was an enthusiastic response from people who both admired the quilt and wanted to support Ukraine. Beaufort City Council member Mitch
Mitchell and Beaufort City Manager Bill Prokop and were present to draw the winning ticket.
In March, the City of Beaufort, through the initiative of Mayor Stephen Murray, started a campaign to support Ostroh in its effort to help Ukrainian refugees and Ukraine’s army with supplies. The Sea Island Quilters started the quilt project at that time and finished the intricate quilt almost three months later. It is a unique work of art that captures the artisans’ strong support for Ukraine. The quilt was designed by members of Sea Island Quilters and made from 56 blocks pieced by individual quilters in the organization.
The stunning quilt is fronted by hearts pieced in shades of blue and yellow, the colors of Ukraine’s flag, and the reverse has a single blue and yellow star block on a yellow background with a saw tooth edge. The quilting is a pattern of sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine.
