Ellen Campbell of Panora, right, accepted a $3,000 check from the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives of Iowa for Stitch and Chatter after being selected as one of three statewide winners in the Shine the Light contest. There were almost 80 entries in the contest from the rural electric cooperatives in Iowa. Making the presentation were, Cozy Nelsen, left, CEO of Guthrie County Rural Electric Cooperative, and Luann Waldo, center, who nominated Campbell and Stitch and Chatter for the honor.
By Sarah Oltrogge, Central Iowa Power Cooperative | Special to the Times Vedette
For Ellen Campbell, volunteering has been about bringing people together to help others. Now, her dedication has earned statewide recognition.
Campbell, of Panora, has been named a 2026 Shine the Light winner, a contest sponsored by the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives of Iowa that recognizes outstanding community volunteers. As one of three statewide winners, Campbell selected The Stitch and Chatter Club to receive a $3,000 charitable donation. She was nominated by longtime friend and Guthrie County REC member Luann Waldo.
Campbell joined Stitch and Chatter after retiring from Panorama Schools in 2015, seeing it as “a way I could keep busy and be productive at the same time.” What began with borrowed sewing machines has grown into a thriving volunteer group with members from towns as far away as Jefferson that create quilts, pillowcases, toys and other handmade gifts for people throughout the community.
“Each and every member is a delight to be around,” Campbell said. “Without them, none of this could happen. We talk about who should be given a quilt, then invite the community to view them and see who will receive them. Probably the most rewarding part is the delivery of the quilts to so many people.”
The group relies on donated fabric and grant funding to support its work, providing handmade items to organizations including Children’s Clothes Closet (Three C’s), medical facilities and others in need. Campbell also helps organize donations, write grants and coordinate the group’s annual quilt showcase, where community members can see the finished projects before they are distributed.
Waldo said Campbell’s leadership and commitment made her an easy choice for the nomination.
“Ellen likes to keep busy. She is very good at organizing whatever task is put before her,” Waldo said. “She has a talent of recruiting people to help her, but she never asks anyone to do anything that she won’t do herself.”
Waldo added that the quilts are “made with love for fellow citizens. It’s a gift that shows the recipient someone cares about and for them.”
Campbell hopes the recognition inspires others to get involved in their own communities.
“I would encourage others to find a group in their community they could join and discuss how they could help someone,” she said. “Maybe random acts of kindness to a neighbor, business or even family member to bring a smile to their face.”
To learn about Stitch and Chatter, visit. www.panorafcc.org/stitch-and-chatter .
Members of Stitch and Chatter meet every Tuesday and Wednesday at the First Christian Church in Panora where they assemble quilts to give away to those in need. In addition to more than 200 quilts, the ladies also make doll blankets, balls and burp clothes. They also refurbish dolls and provide new clothes for them to give away to children. More members are welcome to join the group to “stitch” and “chatter.”