The St. Joseph, Missouri YWCA celebrated its centennial October 7 & 8, 1988. The celebration included a quilt show. They gave those attending an opportunity to sign up if they were interested in forming a local quilt guild.
Eight enthusiastic quilters attended the organizational meeting November 17, 1988. It was soon discovered that they had a lot in common and wanted to form a guild. The YWCA sponsored the group. A month later, the guild adopted its name. “Piece Corps Quilters Guild”
From the beginning the guild has had a monthly newsletter and a wonderful variety of programs and projects taught by members and guest teachers. The members have also enjoyed many field trips. Christmas is a favorite time of the year and is topped off with a special party. Summer is also celebrated with a picnic. Each year the guild has a quilt retreat in the fall and spring.
In August 1990, the guild embarked on a special fund raising project in conjunction with the Pony Express Museum. In February 1997, the guild started the second museum project at the Iowa-Sac Museum in Kansas. These projects have been completed. Quilt shows began in October 1999 and have continued every two years.
Every year the guild sponsors service projects. Organizations receiving quilts and other items include the Window, Helen M. Davis State School, Noyes Home for Children, Green Acres, United Cerebral Palsy, Children’s Mercy Hospital, YWCA Women’s Shelter, and area nursing homes.