Moda is pleased to announce that the proceeds from this year's Collection for a Cause by Howard Marcus will go to the Libby Lehman Medical Fund. Libby, whose quilt Joy Ride was chosen as one of the Best 100 American Quilts of the 20th Century and who is known for her supportive and playful teaching style, is continuing to recover from a burst aneurysm and subsequent stroke suffered in April 2013. Moda is pleased to help support this internationally known designer, teacher, and author.

This line of fabric, the 15th in the Collection for a Cause series, is called Community and is based on an 1840s cotton-and-chintz quilt from the collection of antique quilts and textiles owned by Moda founder and CEO Howard Marcus Dunn, better known as Mark Dunn. This year and every year the Collection honors the spirit of the cause it supports, as well as the spirit of the generous and creative individuals who share a common passion for quilting, textiles, and design.

In an email, Libby's sister Cathy Arnold expressed her family's delight with Community and with Moda's generous donation. "The colors and patterns are exquisite...Libby loves the fabrics!" Cathy went on to say that Libby's medical fund was nearing depletion and timing of this generous gift couldn't have been better. "Your support will help us to continue giving Libby the best medical and physical care during this challenging time for her. Moda/United Notions is an incredible company that truly gives back to the community."

Giving back is important to Mark Dunn. He started Collection for a Cause in 2009, when proceeds from the first Collection benefitted Gilda's Club, in honor of Moda sales rep Pam Wieland who lost her fight with ovarian cancer in 2008.  Pam's daughter Stephanie Hove, also a Moda rep, says "Not many people get to 'see' their mom everyday in beautiful quilts made out of love and fabric, but I do. What a gift it is."

Subsequent collections have benefitted causes that touch Moda customers and employees, including the Juvenile Diabetes, the ALS Association, Habitat for Humanity, 4-H Clubs of America, Feeding America, and many others. In recent years, Mark's focus has been on the quilting industry and Collections for a Cause proceeds have gone to the National Quilt Museum and the Quilt Alliance. Supporting Libby's medical fund fit that approach. "Everyone knows Libby—she's a great teacher, speaker, quilter, a great person," says Mark. " She's making progress, and it warms your heart to be able to help someone in our business."

Reproducing fabrics from his antique quilts doubles the pleasure Mark takes in his Collection for a Cause. "We have a lot of fun with it," he says. "Our goal isn't to restore the past, but to carry forward the artwork and style of the period. Some customers simply appreciate the fabric and others are interested in the charity. Either way, we get a lot of satisfaction."