T-R PHOTO BY SARA JORDAN-HEINTZ Trinity Lutheran Church is raffling off this quilt made by congregant Dorothy Williamson, right, from now until April 23. But what makes this quilt special, is it’s the second time it has been raffled off; the first time was back in 2000. However, the quilt was recently returned by the person who won it, for lack of storage space, and is now being raffled again, with the funds to benefit Community Health Initiative Haiti, an organization in which congregant Kim Riley-Adams, left, volunteers.

Sometimes, good fortune comes around for a second time. That is the circumstance in which members of Trinity Lutheran Church find themselves. The congregation is selling raffle tickets to raise money for a charity in Haiti, with the prize being a special quilt made by one of its congregants.

This is the second time the quilt is being raffled.

“Dorothy Williamson made the quilt in 2000 to raise money for the New Hope Host Home through Youth & Shelter Services (a house for homeless young women who are pregnant or have children),” said Pastor Gregg Davison.

The woman who won the quilt held onto it for many years, but when she decided to downsize her living quarters, she concluded there was no room to store the quilt.

“She asked me if I wanted the quilt back, and I said of course, then talked with Pastor Davison about what to do with it now,” Williamson said. “I didn’t have room for it either, and it’s too pretty to lay in someone’s cedar chest.”

It was decided the quilt would again be raffled off, this time with proceeds going to a charity called Community Health Initiative Haiti. Church member Kim Riley-Adams, a volunteer with the organization, said the group works to help build wells and proper sanitation and provide medical care for the people of Haiti.

“I started going on medical mission trips through this organization and will be going again in October,” Riley-Adams said.

The quilt, titled “Hope’s Star” the first time it was raffled off, has been renamed “Second Chance.” It measures 72×92 inch and would easily cover a full-sized bed. It took Williamson several months to complete the intricate pattern, using a variety of colorful materials.

Raffle tickets are available now until Sunday, April 23, and sell for one for $5, three for $10, and seven for $20 (with discounts provided for those who wish to buy in bulk). Tickets are available at the parish office Monday-Thursday from 8:30 to noon and from 1-4 p.m., and after every worship service. The church is located at 1011 S. 3rd Ave in Marshalltown, and may be reached at: 641-753-7769.