LYMAN — “Make a Child Smile” quilts provide comfort for children and their families in a difficult time, and also become a heartfelt reminder there are people in the world who care.

This information was shared at the 18^th annual “Make a Child Smile” quilt program Tuesday evening at the Heritage barn in Lyman. The downstairs was decorated in gay, vibrant colors for participants to enjoy a lite-bite after looking at the bounty of hand-made quilts adoring the upper room. Quilts of many kinds and colors were hung on the wall, laid across tables and proved a colorful backdrop for the area. But the important part, the quilts, hand-made by area residents and others who wanted to contribute, will be donated to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. The quilts are then handed out to patients.

The event started as a 4-H project 18 years ago, according to organizer Ruth Rees, as she initiated a project for 4-Hers to make quilts and then donate them to the hospital as a community service program.

Rees wanted to open the project up to crafters of all ages and a couple of years later Lori Jensen was on board helping with the program.

Since then, the program has continued to grow to the size it is today. This year there were about 150 quilts