They are piece makers in the aesthetic sense. But they also help those who helped bring peace to the world – America’s veterans.

These are the members of the Manteca Quilters Guild who are staging their perennially popular annual Quilt and Doll Show for the 32nd year in a row this weekend – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The venue, as usual, is the MRPS Hall on Grant Street in the first block on the north side of East Yosemite Avenue in downtown Manteca.

Everyone who goes to the quilt and doll show may not be aware of it, but proceeds from this educational and entertaining event go to a lot of civic and philanthropic causes. For starters, money generated from the show, the only fund-raiser the group holds during the year, is used to:

• help the quilters make Quilts of Honor for soldiers including those who are at the Veterans Hospital in Livermore;

• buy materials that the quilters use to make quilted wheelchair and walker aids to hold necessities such as pillow cases that are often filled with such necessities as socks, small sanitizers, toothbrush and toothpaste, wash rag, personal hygiene items, diapers, among many others which are also donated by the group;

• make lap quilts “in large amounts” for the homeless, Hospice cancer patients and dialysis patients;

• make preemie blankets, tiny caps for newborn and many other things for babies at San Joaquin General Hospital;

• provide knitted and crocheted hats and scarves to the more than 700 children in the Manteca Unified School District who are homeless.

“There’s no shortage of need. Our members give their time and resources to fill all needs we can,” said Quilters Guild member Judy Quiner who is sharing quilt show coordinator duties with fellow members LeAnne McNabb and Jan Truscott.

“We love giving to our soldiers; so many have sacrificed so much,” Quiner said.

The donations given to the above individuals and groups by the quilters are not just in the form of hard cash. What they give are even more valuable when one factors in the time and talents they put into each item donated.

Every Tuesday at First Baptist Church, volunteer quilters led by Barbara Winder gather for four hours, transforming a large room of the church into a busy shop that rivals that of Santa and his elves in the North Pole during the Christmas season.

There are many ways quilt show visitors can help the non-profit organization raise funds this weekend for their many philanthropic projects. If they are lucky, they can even go home with something that’s worth even more than they have spent or donated.

They can purchase tickets for the opportunity drawing. The prize is a large quilt made by the quilters and designed by the featured quilt artist of this year’s event. For the first time this year, the show is also offering a smaller version of the main prize for the drawing.

There are many theme baskets for which tickets will be sold as well both days. Tickets are six for $5 or 12 for $10. They will be available for purchase both days. One need not be present to win. Simply write your name and phone number on the ticket. There will be door prizes given away as well, with the tickets handed out to visitors as they are given a copy of the program at the door.

Both halls of MRPS will be open. There will be a food court catered by Jakkie Arellano, former owner of the now-defunct Main Street Care. This is the last event she is catering.

The boutique, which is always a big attraction, will be open as well to those who are looking to buy hand-made and one-of-a-kind items such as totes, aprons, purses, and a wide array of knickknacks.