(By Sarah Oltrogge, Central Iowa Power Cooperative)
For Ellen Campbell, volunteering has always been about bringing people together to help others. Now, her dedication has earned statewide recognition.
Campbell, of Panora, has been named a 2026 Shine the Light winner, a contest sponsored by the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives of Iowa that recognizes outstanding community volunteers. As one of three statewide winners, Campbell selected The Stitch & Chatter Club to receive a $3,000 charitable donation. She was nominated by longtime friend and Guthrie County REC member Luann Waldo.
Campbell joined Stitch & Chatter after retiring from Panorama Schools in 2015, seeing it as “a way I could keep busy and be productive at the same time.” What began with borrowed sewing machines has grown into a thriving volunteer group with members from towns as far away as Jefferson that create quilts, pillowcases, toys and other handmade gifts for people throughout the community.
“Each and every member is a delight to be around,” Campbell said. “Without them, none of this could happen. We talk about who should be given a quilt, then invite the community to view them and see who will receive them. Probably the most rewarding part is the delivery of the quilts to so many people.”
The group relies on donated fabric and grant funding to support its work, providing handmade items to organizations including Children’s Clothes Closet (Three C’s), medical facilities and others in need. Campbell also helps organize donations, write grants and coordinate the group’s annual quilt showcase, where community members can see the finished projects before they are distributed.
Waldo said Campbell’s leadership and commitment made her an easy choice for the nomination.
“Ellen likes to keep busy. She is very good at organizing whatever task is put before her,” Waldo said. “She has a talent of recruiting people to help her, but she never asks anyone to do anything that she won’t do herself.”
Waldo added that the quilts are “made with love for fellow citizens. It’s a gift that shows the recipient someone cares about and for them.”
Campbell hopes the recognition inspires others to get involved in their own communities.
“I would encourage others to find a group in their community they could join and discuss how they could help someone,” she said. “Maybe random acts of kindness to a neighbor, business or even family member to bring a smile to their face.”
To learn about Stitch & Chatter, visit. www.panorafcc.org/stitch-and-chatter .
