By Mark Rosman
Staff Writer
ALLENTOWN – A young resident of Allentown is doing her part to assist an organization that offers programs to support the community.
Ava Strovinsky, 12, a seventh-grader at the Stone Bridge Middle School, is creating a quilt she will raffle off in October.
Ava said all proceeds from the raffle will be donated to the Allentown Lions Club, which has a long history of community service.
“I wanted to raise money for a good cause and show that young people can make a difference and help the community. I really like living in Allentown and I wanted to raise money to help other people,” she said.
Ava, who began quilting last year, is working on a 6-foot by 6-foot rag quilt. Raffle tickets will be sold during the Allentown Fall Festival on Oct. 8-9 and the winner of the quilt will be notified at the close of the festival.
Asked how she became involved in quilting, Ava said, “I was interested in learning how to sew and my dad signed me up for a class at Mood Fabrics in New York City. We went on Saturdays and I made a messenger bag and a lined jacket.
“I was really lucky to have a relative in the area, Lynn Jaczynski, who is a really good sewer and she offered to teach me how to quilt. I learned how to quilt with her and made my first quilt earlier this year for my parents as a surprise.”
Ava said apart from attending school and creating beautiful quilts, she enjoys spending time with her dog, Tess, seeing her friends and shopping.
The Allentown Lions Club supports the Upper Freehold Regional School District, which includes the Newell Elementary School, the Stone Bridge Middle School and Allentown High School, through scholarships, free eye exams and sponsorship of the high school’s Leo Club.
Lions Club members organize Allentown’s Easter egg hunt, Memorial Day parade and Fourth of July fishing contest.