Stacks of colorful quilts decorated a long a table at the Washington senior center, all of them destined for those in need of a little warmth and comfort.

Wednesday, the members of Pamlico River Quilters Guild held their annual charity quilt luncheon at the Grace Harwell Senior Center in Washington, to deliver their donations to several area agencies. Patients and clients of Marion Shepard Cancer Center, Ridgewood and Rivertrace nursing homes in Washington, Willow Manor in Chocowinity, the Ronald McDonald House and Vidant Medical Center’s neonatal unit in Greenville and Coastal Pregnancy Center were all on the list of this year’s recipients.

Each year, the guild’s quilters donate their time and materials to make a variety of items: tiny quilts for hospitalized infants and larger ones to be used as lap blankets by the elderly in local rest homes; quilted bags to hang on walkers and diaper bags for new teenage mothers. The luncheon is a festive event, as each quilter stands and displays their donation. The quilts are bright and cheerful, ranging in styles from single pieces featuring printed illustrations to hand-quilted creations pieced together from small triangles of many colors, ranging in fabric from cotton to fleece. One has red, white and blue blocking, made specifically for a veteran, another has a colorful array of fish — each is different, but what unites them all is how appreciated they are by those who receive them.

“The thrill on their faces when they get a quilt is just amazing,” said Barbara Goll, of Ridgewood Manor Nursing Home.

“Your creativity is awesome. The clients love, love, love them,” Jerome Ward, of Rivertrace Nursing and Rehab Center.

At Ronald McDonald House in Greenville, families of ill children are given a quilt to take home with them when their child has been discharged from the hospital. At Coastal Carolina Pregnancy Center, quilt giveaways coincide with new life.

“Just prior to motherhood, we let them pick out a quilt,” said Susie Rollins. “It’s a very sweet, special moment.”

According to Megan King, of Ronald McDonald House, the appreciation on behalf of the families is enormous.

“To know that a complete stranger made this beautiful thing to take home for their child, that people out there are thinking about them — we really appreciate it,” King said.