(PHOENIX, Ariz., Oct. 10, 2003) – Imagine the faces of more than 75 smiling children as they view for the first time an amazing display of 200 donated nap quilts made especially for each of them. Add in an array of color and the creative patchwork design from these quilts and you have one magical moment – the Phoenix College Nap Quilt Ceremony.

On Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 3 p.m., the president of the Arizona Sewing Guild – Phoenix Chapter, Karen Weaver, will present 200 nap quilts to children of the Phoenix College Family Care and Head Start Center. These donated quilts will be used in three classrooms during rest period for years to come. In addition, in May when children graduate from the Family Care and Head Start Center and leave Phoenix College, they will be presented with a keepsake quilt of their very own.

"More than half of the families that use our facility meet the U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines for low income; therefore, I cannot stress how grateful we are for this donation," said Alverta McKenzie, director of the Family Care and Head Start Center. "This is a wonderful learning experience for our children. When they graduate from the Center, the keepsake quilt that they get to home with them will remind them of all the love, fun, learning and comfort they experienced while at Phoenix College."

McKenzie also plans to incorporate a teaching unit on the importance of quilts and how they are unique in many cultures and in different families.

During the ceremony, one of the instructors from the Family Care and Head Start Center, Kathleen Rabb, will read from "The Keeping Quilt" by Patricia Polacco. This book, which is used in the Intercultural/Generations Curriculum, reveals the importance of tradition and keepsake items.

The assortment of 200 quilts will be on display throughout the ceremony at the Family Care and Head Start Center, located at 11th Ave. and Osborn.

The Phoenix College Family Care and Head Start Center, which serves 78 children ages two to five, is especially designed for the children of college students who are also parents. Parents must be enrolled in a minimum of three credit hours at Phoenix College.

The American Sewing Guild, a national non-profit organization, is active in promoting sewing for the enjoyment, artistic enrichment and teaching of others. Members work toward educating themselves and host nationally known sewists, designers, pattern makers and machine embroidery designers for mini-workshops. The organization is dedicated to community and charitable sewing. The Phoenix chapter has more than 600 members.

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