When I contemplated retiring from my career as a social worker, I knew that I would have to continue to give back to the community. I decided to use my skill and love of quilting to fund the Jolly Ruby Fund. In the 25+ years that I'd been an advocate for adults with disabilities, I realized that when an unexpected financial need arises, many times they simply don't have the resources to handle it. I've met people who have lost all their food when they lost electricity in a summer storm. I remember the woman who had severe respiratory disease and couldn't afford the air conditioner that she needed or to pay the higher electricity bill. There was the man who didn't have money to pay for the car repairs needed so he could get to and from his part time job. And there were many other people who needed a little boost to get them through this kind of temporary financial crisis.

There are no programs that I know of to help in these kinds of situations so I decided to start a program which would. I knew I would continue to make quilts and that there are only so many my family and friends could absorb, so the idea of using my quilting to fund the July Ruby Fund came about.

I donate the materials and labor in each item for sale in the store so every dollar in sales goes directly into the Jolly Ruby fund where it is used 100% to help people in the above types of situations.

When you purchase a Jolly Ruby item, you not only get an article which enhances your home, you get the satisfaction of knowing you are helping a very deserving person have a better life. And I thank you so much.