Sewing support: Friends Village resident creates quilt to comfort the community
On November 21, Friends Village resident Janet Crum presented the community with a heartfelt creation: the “Healing Hands” quilt. Designed to provide comfort during times of illness, the quilt symbolizes a collective embrace, offering a warm reminder of support and care. It features handprints from Friends Village residents and staff, each representing a shared wish for healing.
Janet collaborated with staff members Laura Hornyak and Olivia Lord to gather the handprints before dedicating 75 hours to sewing the quilt. Janet, a resident of Friends Village for the past year, has long been a source of inspiration and creativity. A passionate quilter, she has crafted 1-2 quilts per month for nearly a decade for Quilts for Kids, an organization that provides quilts to children in need.
Her quilting journey began nine years ago when she created a quilt to celebrate the birth of her great-niece, and her skills have only flourished since.
A retired public servant with a master’s degree in business from the College of New Jersey, Janet’s career included time with the New Jersey State Police and leadership roles in banking and elections. She also dedicated over 50 years to volunteering as an EMT, achieving the rank of EMS Chief with Union Fire Company and Rescue Squad in Titusville.
Beyond quilting, Janet plays the hammered dulcimer and tends a garden plot at Friends Village, further enriching the community.
Her contributions reflect the importance of fostering connections to support the wellbeing of those around her.
Friends Village Executive Director Chiyo Moriuchi praised the quilt as a testament to the supportive spirit of their residents. “Janet’s generosity reminds us that community is about lifting each other up, and this quilt will serve as a physical reminder of that care.” Janet’s dedication exemplifies the strength of community in promoting healing and comfort.
For more information about Friends Village, or to schedule a tour, visit www.friends-village.org, or call 215-968-3346 extension 108.
