In mid-summer, the Bay Quilters of Mathews held a program titled “Christmas in July.” There were gifts and patterns and demonstrations and food. And members were given a project.

During the spring, Beth Smith and Ruth Morgan contacted Mathews Social Services to find what could be done to help brighten the Christmas holiday for some county residents.

They were told that clients normally receive little red stockings. “Would the quilters be willing to make a few quilted stockings that could be purchased with clients’ points,” they were asked.

The project was presented at the July meeting. Members who wanted to take part received instructions and a pattern for the basic stocking. How it was to be decorated was left totally to the imagination.

The goal was to have 20 stockings completed by the November meeting. November arrived and the goal was met and exceeded. In fact, a total of 67 stockings were presented to Social Services with the request that they be given to clients rat...