Scholarships & Quilts! And a Volunteer Opportunity

Witness the joy of our 2026 RARE Scholarship winner, Kenya Lewin, wrapped in a custom-made quilt designed especially for her by longtime RARE volunteer Julia Douthwaite Viglione, a 1975 RHS alumna.

Kenya begins her freshman year at Seattle University and has this wonderful gift to keep her warm while she studies. Lucky her!

Julia has been making quilts for scholarship winners since RARE began. Each quilt is theme-based, and students get to choose their favorite. Sometimes they even inspire Julia with a new theme idea! This year ‘Mille Fleurs’ struck Kenya’s fancy.

Themes chosen in the past include respect, Seattle scenes, certain storybooks/movies, and rainbows. Julia applies her artistry and skill as she chooses fabrics and imagery that match the theme. If you are interested in seeing more of Julia’s work, you can google www.honeygirlbooks.com.

So, you see, there are so many ways to volunteer with RARE!

Currently the Scholarship and Awards Committee seeks volunteers to help interview and evaluate our 2027 JAD scholarship applicants next March.

Joining the interview committee  takes volunteering just five evenings by zoom. It’s so inspirational to hear what the students have to say and gratifying to help the two winners achieve their goals by awarding them the James A. Davis, Jr. Scholarships.

We are grateful for Julia’s continued contributions as a quilter extraordinaire volunteer.

Thinking about your time, talents and skills to share? Here’s hoping you’d like to volunteer, too!

Learn more and sign up on RARE’s Volunteer With Us page.