'Papa' makes quilts to wrap people in need with love
For 15 years, Brent Rushton — affectionately known as "Papa" — has pieced together beautiful quilts to donate.
"I've given them to the Road Home shelters and the veterans," said Rushton.
His latest batch of masterpieces is going to refugees.
"Most of them come in with no belongings, except the clothes that's on them," explained Rushton.
One year he made a quilt for the Festival of Trees, which sold for $3,000.
He gives quilts away to family, friends, and neighbors, too.
I spent the first 75 years of my life being mean, so all of a sudden I decided I better turn over a new leaf," laughed Rushton.
He says he's probably made between 200 and 300 quilts over the years. That's a lot of time spent in his shop — which was originally meant for wood working. He used to spend 12 hours a day in there, quilting away.
"I'm down to about six hours a day these days," Rushton said.
But "Papa" doesn't mind at all.
"I'd go nuts if I didn't have something to do," he said. "And it happens that this interests me."
The 80-year-old says he doesn't show much emotion, but he does like the way it feels when he finds out one of his quilts has made an impact on someone.
"I feel pretty good about helping somebody get a smile on their face," he said.
Rushton has received some donated fabric, but buys most of the supplies himself.
Mountain America Credit Union donated $500 to Rushton to help him keep making the beautiful quilts.
If you want to donate, reach out to us through the Pay it Forward nomination page.
