When Lowell Felder walked into the main room of Calcutta House on a recent Thursday evening, he made a beeline for a red-and-brown plaid pillow.
“It’s wide and I like the color,” said Felder, a resident of the HIV hospice in Northern Liberties. “I’ve got gratitude today. Nobody ever really gave me anything that’s handmade. People took their time to make this pillow and I appreciate that.”
Other Calcutta residents sought out purple pillows because of the royal hue or something with a leaf pattern for the fall. The pillows were made of second-hand materials, including from Philly AIDS Thrift. A favorite pillow featured mirrors and puka shells from a skirt donated by the thrift store.
Twelve people from Siloam, an HIV organization in Spring Garden, started making quilted pillows in August. As part of the group’s Gratitude Pillow Project, they distributed 34 pillows to Calcutta House residents on Nov. 19.
David Moore, who founded the project last year, gave out pillows alongside people who helped make them: Darlene King, Charlotte Dye and Jeanette Murdock. Alberta Bertolino, the acting director of Siloam, was also on hand.
“HIV is relentless,” Moore said. “It doesn’t give up. You can’t take a vacation from it. As the holidays come around, people need to know that someone cares about them.”
Moore said HIV organizations in the city can become isolated from each other. He said the Gratitude Pillow Project provides an opportunity to continue fostering community.
King agreed that the project generated fellowship among the Siloam volunteers and those living with or affected by HIV.
“The joy comes from the fact that someone’s going to receive this pillow and feel that love and joy we had while making it,” she said.
Kim McGrory, director of Calcutta House, thanked the volunteers for taking their time with the project.
“We depend on volunteers to make the holidays warm for our residents,” McGrory said. “So many times our residents feel isolated or ostracized from their families. We’re all about gratitude and empowerment here.”