Staff photos by Gage Cureton Handmade quilts were auctioned at the Sewing for Sight fundraiser at St. George Catholic Church Saturday. All proceeds go to the Foundation for Saving Sight and the people of San Lucas-Toliman, Guatemala. See more photos on page 8A.

ST. GEORGE — Members of the community and parish of St. George’s Catholic Church came together for the 8th annual Sewing For Sight fundraiser on the church’s grounds Saturday.

The fundraiser featured an auction of handmade quilts donated from around the community with 60 volunteers sewing tirelessly to add to the growing collection of quilts being offered up for auction.

All proceeds and funds collected from the auction are donated to the Foundation for Saving Sight and the people of San Lucas-Toliman, Guatemala.

“It’s really just a forever gift to give to something like this because you’re just directly helping someone,” event coordinator Ann Wendinger said. “It’s right from our hearts.”

The Foundation for Saving Sight is a non-profit charitable organization founded by Dr. Christopher Wallyn and Dr. Michael Merck of the Regional Eye Center in Hutchinson.

Wendinger said the doctors travel to San Lucas twice a year to restore vision to impoverished people who’ve been blinded by severe cataracts.

“These people are blind,” she said. “Their cataracts are so dense, they’re like stones in their eyes.”

Wendinger said St. George has been a hub for collections and donations to San Lucas for years. Members of the parish hope to grow this close relationship and increase their assistance.

“The first seven (fundraisers) we (raised) over $88,000,” event coordinator Jackie Forst said. “So we’re hoping to make it to the $100,000 mark this year.”

Forst said they hope to raise upwards of $20,000 this year to meet their goal.

“Our money has helped revamp the hospital — the air system and the air quality,” Wendinger said. “And all these improvements make it more attractive for other medical personnel to come from around the country down to the hospital.”

Many of the volunteers at the fundraiser have travelled to San Lucas to assist medical staff and with building maintenance.

“I have been fortunate enough to visit the mission in San Lucas-Toliman, in Guatemala,” event volunteer Anita Esser said. “And knowing what is done down there and being able to contribute to this in a small way is just thrilling for me.”

This year’s featured quilter, Mike Ellingsen, had over 150 of his quilts featured on display and in the auction. Quilts handmade in Egypt were also on display for the public to view and admire.

The Foundation for Saving Sight accepts donations to its cause year-round.

For information on how to donate visit: http://foundation.regeyecenter.com/contact/

gcureton@nujournal.com.