"God's Garden has been filled with Love"
Roberts@hometownnewsol.com
In the past 21 years, hundreds of children throughout the Space Coast have received love and support from Candlelighters of Brevard.
While many overcame a difficult fight with cancer, others lost the battle.
The lives of 43 children will forever be remembered through the countless stitches of a homemade quilt, sponsored by Candlelighters of Brevard.
A nonprofit organization based in Indian Harbour Beach, Candlelighters provides emotional and financial support for children with cancer and their families.
Its members and volunteers are currently caring for 52 families in Brevard County, currently undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation, said Adis Perez, family services coordinator for the organization.
"Overall, we have 192 Candlelighter families," she said. "Once a family, always a family."
While the organization has initiated numerous fundraisers and activities since its inception, the idea to create a quilt came from longtime volunteer Elaine Lewis.
An Indialantic resident, Mrs. Lewis witnessed first-hand the devastating effects of cancer when she performed research at Columbia University and while tutoring young cancer patients.
"The quilt is a memorial to their short lives here on earth," she said. "We hold their memories in our hearts."
With the help of her fellow volunteers, Mrs. Lewis discovered a local quilter, Maria Parkhurst of Melbourne Beach.
Ms. Parkhurst first began sewing as a teenager, but took her first quilting class 19 years ago and said she has been in love with the process ever since.
"After Elaine asked me to create the quilt, I prayed about it and felt like God wanted me to do this," she said. "I have two sons of my own and cannot imagine the pain of losing my child."
Within the past year, Ms. Parkhurst volunteered 170 hours to design and construct the quilt.
At 75-by-52-inches, the handmade quilt features photographs of all 43 children who have died from various types of childhood cancer since Candlelighters was founded in 1989.
Mrs. Lewis' brother, James Gordon of St. Cloud, assisted with embedding the photos of the children onto the patches.
"My hope is that this quilt will help to honor the memories of these beautiful children, who, I believe, are now with God in his garden," Ms. Parkhurst said. "Hence the title on the quilt:
'God's garden has been filled with love.'"
Inscribed on the back of the quilt is a dedication, also written by Ms. Parkhurst.
It reads: "In memory of the love of these beautiful lives that blessed us for too short a time."
More than 50 guests attended an unveiling ceremony Dec. 14, in which families and friends of the departed children viewed the quilt for the first time.
The quilt will remain at the Candlelighters' office and be taken to the various functions attended by its members throughout the year.
"It's so sad to think there is no end to the children and families who will be affected," Ms. Parkhurst said. "Cancer is a mean thing, but it gives us an opportunity to share love with others, which we may otherwise not have done."
The Candlelighters of Brevard office and thrift shop is at 1875-A South Patrick Drive, Indian Harbour Beach.