The Mountain Hug Project began in Estes Park with a simple conversation at the kitchen table. Dawn’s mother‑in‑law, a lifelong quilter, shared how she used to sew baby quilts in Maryland and donate them to local doctor offices, where they were given to new mothers as a special keepsake for their newborns. She talked about how even the smallest pieces most people would toss aside could be stitched into something beautiful, useful, and meaningful.

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That idea stuck.

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In a mountain community where resilience and resourcefulness are part of daily life, the thought that “small pieces can become comfort” felt exactly right. What started as a family story became a community effort: local quilters ... even knitters or crocheters, coming together to turn leftover fabric, extra blocks, and donated materials into handmade items that carry warmth, dignity, and human connection.

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Founded in 2026, The Mountain Hug Project brings those creations to newborns, displaced children, isolated seniors, and veterans throughout the Estes Valley. Every quilted item we give begins with someone choosing to make something with care, transforming simple materials into a reminder that no one is forgotten.

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We are rooted in family, strengthened by community, and inspired by the belief that small pieces, stitched with intention, can make a big difference.