Executive Director Dawn Saffayeh accepts eleven handmade quilts from Theresa Moran, who is a member of NYC Metro Modern Quilters Guild. Her grandfather grew up in the care of the former St. Vincent’s Services.

Theresa Moran donated handmade quilts to the children and youth of HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services on Monday, June 12.

Moran is a member of the NYC Metro Modern Quilters Guild, which creates and donates quilts to worthy organizations throughout New York City. The group’s mission is “to develop and promote the art of modern quilting through cooperation, education and community.” It was established by Victoria Findlay Wolfe in early 2010.

The group meets once monthly, where the 80 members share their contributions. “We often make the squares at home and then come together to assemble the quilts,” said Moran. “I’ve been a member of the group for six years.”

Why donate quilts to HeartShare St. Vincent’s?

“My grandfather, Joseph Lutfy, was kidnapped from Damascus and brought to the United States. At age 5, he entered the orphanage at St. Vincent’s,” Theresa said. The agency, formerly St. Vincent’s Services, first opened its doors to New York’s orphans in 1869. Theresa’s grandfather lived at St. Vincent’s from age 5 to 18. “I looked up the agency and I found HeartShare St. Vincent’s,” explained Moran. Theresa seems to have inherited her grandparents’ artisanship. “They both worked in the Garment District.”

“I’m very glad that we decided to donate the quilts to HSVS. It means a lot that our handmade quilts are for children in foster care,” Theresa said. In her spare time, the Pratt alum volunteers actively at her children’s schools, including teaching a cooking class weekly. Her four children range from first grade to middle school.

“Thank you to the NYC Metro Modern Quilters Guild for this generous and thoughtful donation,” said Executive Director Dawn Saffayeh. “A special thank you to Theresa for sharing her skills and her special family history with the HSVS community.”