On the second floor of Wilcox Hospital in a brightly lit room brimming with Christmas decor, carols spill into the hallway. Dozens of long-term care patients are wheeled into the festive atmosphere by aides wearing Santa hats and garland leis.
On the second floor of Wilcox Hospital in a brightly lit room brimming with Christmas decor, carols spill into the hallway. Dozens of long-term care patients are wheeled into the festive atmosphere by aides wearing Santa hats and garland leis.
Every Monday, patients are entertained in song by members of New Beginning Christian Center. This particular Monday features the group’s Christmas program plus an added bonus in keeping with the season — handmade gifts.
In September, the quilting group Nonene was asked if they’d like to be part of a Christmas surprise for the patients on the second floor. The 30-member informal group heartily agreed — choosing worthy projects to receive their quilts is not new to them.
“We do a lot of quilt projects for donations,” said quilt artist Lea Ingram. “This is the most we’ve ever made though.”
Nonene quilts are familiar wares at many of the silent auction fundraisers island wide, possibly the most familiar of which is the Kaua‘i Humane Society benefit in the spring when they donate a queen size quilt for auction. The 90 quilts made by the group for Wilcox patients are 36-inch one-of-a-kind quilts with a front, back and batting filling.
“No two are alike,” Ingram said. “Everyone did a pattern they wanted, so every quilt is different.”
Twenty of the quilts were made by Lihu‘e Lutheran Church members who hand embroidered designs on some squares. Each quilt was rolled up and tied with a big bow.
“Our fabric was donated by Kapaia Stitchery when Julie Yukimura was still alive,” Ingram said.
After the Christian Center Christmas program each patient was presented with a quilt. For the women socks were included and for the men, a handkerchief.
Christian Center member Elaine Seals conceived of a hospital ministry eight months ago. The 30-year Kaua‘i resident first sang in hospitals while living on O‘ahu. She launched the program in April. Every Monday since then, she’s been joined by five to 10 members who arrive on the second floor to sing to long-term patients weekly.
“We don’t preach,” Seals said. “We sing church songs and share scriptures. You give love here and they give it back.”
