The Friends Foundation (formerly known as Friends of Emmaus) will hold its annual festival and quilt auction Sunday, Oct. 8, from noon to 5 p.m. at Boone Monument Village in Marthasville. 

The foundation raises money for developmentally disabled adults residing in Warren and Franklin counties.

For many years quilters from around the state have donated handmade quilts to the cause. At least 50 quilts will be on the auction block beginning at 3 p.m. Quilts have been auctioned at amounts ranging from $100 to $5,000 each.

Some of the quilters from the festival planning committee gathered to finalize festival plans and highlight some of the donated quilts. Margaret Ramey of Wright City; Dee Turner of Holstein; Mary Fischer of Lake St. Louis; and Betty Shrum of Foley said the festival is supported by quilting groups, churches, civic groups and families of area disabled adults.

“There is a long list of churches that donate a quilt each year,” said Turner.

Shrum is in charge of sending out letters to at least 150 churches each year seeking quilts. She and other volunteers gather the quilts, display them and direct the order of auction, ending with a king sized beauty. Vintage quilts are also available.

The women said for at least five years, women from a prison in Vandalia donated one or two quilts each year.

“There is a strategy to the auction,” Shrum said. “We start out with something catchy. We vary colors and designs and sizes.”

Turner said quilting is popular again and people are looking for the opportunity to add a handmade quilt to their homes.

“More people are coming back to quilt,” she said. “Maybe they learned a little bit from Grandma and now they want to learn more.”

Although long hours of tedious work are put into every quilt, the women say they have never had a problem receiving treasured donations.

“It’s just a wonderful feeling to see your quilt auctioned,” said Ramey. “It makes you really proud.”

This year will be the first time to hold the festival at Boone Monument Village, owned by Bernardo Brunetti. The restored village is located at 15226 Boone Monument Road and is east of the Daniel Boone Monument site.

A variety of activities will take place during the festival. There will be music, picnic-style food, face painting and MarthaBelle the milking cow. A high school choir will be on hand as well as a martial arts team to demonstrate their skills.

Homemade items created by people from Developmental Services of Franklin County’s Ability group, Warren County Handicapped Services and Emmaus residents will be available for purchase.

A demonstration from Exceptional Equestrians also will take place. The Friends Foundation helps fund the program for the adults with proceeds from the festival and other fundraising events. They also fund Special Olympics and the Heifer Project.

The festival is made possible with the help of many volunteers, including area Boy Scouts, 4-H students and community residents. Volunteers from CenturyTel have helped for many years with decorating and setup.

“People really have a heart for the physically challenged and people with developmentally disabilities,” said Fischer. “This community really has a heart. We feel the support.”

The Friends Foundation is an organization dedicated to the advancement and general welfare of persons with developmental disabilities.