We’re happy to share this wonderful letter, received from 2010 Quilt Raffle winner:
October 15th, 2010
To the Members of Hancock Shaker Village,
As winner of this year’s quilt, I wanted to send along my deepest thanks for the gift of such a treasure. The story that put me in a position of visiting there was unusual indeed. While visiting our time share in Pittsfield, a friend from Connecticut called and suggested we visit your village. Once my husband, two grandsons and I arrived, I was transformed into a period of time that touched my life. I spent eighteen years caring for homeless teenage girls in a group home in Connecticut. I am now the Director of a homeless shelter for families. The fact that the Shakers shared their lives with homeless children touched the core of my soul. We spent the day reading every signs, walking through the halls of what was once their home. I utilized the opportunity to share with my grandsons the importance of all of us being there for the needs of children.
The final strange event in this was when I received the call that I had won the quilt, I called the friend from Connecticut that suggested we visit in the first place. She went silent on the phone, then replied, “we’re here”. My response of “where?” was replied to with, “Shaker’s Village”. She was visiting the Village on her birthday and had purchased raffle tickets. She left the village about a half-hour prior to the drawing.
All of these co-incidents add up to a much deeper connection between the past and present. I did promise the friend that I would leave the quilt to her in my will, giving her a sense of connection to the Shakers as I feel. I proudly set the quilt in an honorable place on a quilt rack and offer the “story” of the quilt to everyone that visits. God bless all of you and the great work that you do. We as a team can continue to work for a better world for the children of the future.
Sincerely,
Joy Hall
If this story has touched your heart, won’t you please consider supporting the Village by becoming a member? Thank you! Memberships help to underwrite our children’s program, which provides free admission for kids 12 and younger.
