Terri Sheckler of Lehighton wanted to support the Palmerton Area Library. Between budget cuts and decreasing popularity, the institution was suffering, and Sheckler wanted to help ease its burden.

“It’s such a beautiful library in Palmerton,” Sheckler said. “We’re very lucky to have such a nice library.”

“A lot of people really use the library, more than people think,” she added.

Sheckler said she has fond memories about libraries. When she was younger and money was tight, Sheckler recalled, libraries offered her a place of solace, somewhere to pass time by reading.

To raise funds for Palmerton’s library, Sheckler looked to something else close to her heart: quilting. Sheckler started quilting after meeting her husband, and many of her friends engaged in the hobby as well. But what stood out to Sheckler, besides the time, energy and love quilting requires, was that often, the work of her peers went unnoticed. Despite there being a decent number of quilters in the area, she said, few people had their work seen, let alone put on display.

That’s where Sheckler got the idea for the quilt show at the Palmerton Area Library, which will be hosting its 12th annual exhibition at noon this Sunday.

“(Through the show) people can come out and actually see the quilts,” said Sheckler, who acts as the quilt show coordinator. “Everybody can enjoy them.”

The show features a mass of handmade crafts and approximately 80 new or antique quilts. Some quilts will even be available for purchase. Other handmade items will also be on display.

Admission to Sunday’s show is a $5 donation to the Palmerton Area Library. Along with the array of crafts, there will also be a basket raffle and door prizes.

Quilting isn’t for everybody. It takes a lot of patience and dedication. But for Sheckler, Sunday’s show isn’t just about the craft itself. It’s about giving back.

“We each can do something that we’re good at. If you’re not a quilter, you can still do something else for your community,” she said.