ASHFIELD — Thanks to a donation from two local quilters, each Ashfield Police cruiser will now bring an added layer of support to emergency responses by carrying a “Local Love” comfort quilt.

The quilts, donated earlier this week, come as a welcome addition to the collection of supplies the Police Department keeps on hand to aid people in emergencies, according to Police Chief Beth Bezio. The department already keeps stuffed animals, dog biscuits and other comfort items in the cruisers.

Bezio said the quilts will help the police support residents on “what’s probably the worst day of their lives.”

Ashfield Police received five quilts from 2 Friends Quilting, a quilting studio in Haydenville co-owned by Ashfield resident Suzi Kingsley Day and her friend Denise LeDuc. The quilters also donated five quilts to the Goshen Police Department and another five to the Williamsburg Police Department.

Kingsley Day said the quilting studio — which was given its name simply because it was created by two friends who like to quilt together — hosts classes and workshops and makes a lot of quilts for charity in coordination with the Hilltown Artisans Guild.

The studio hosts workshops for the guild about once a month, and Kingsley Day spends about one day each week just making quilts for charities. But she said she likes to experiment with her quilts and the charities do not always want smaller quilts.

“I like to do small ones and try new things,” she said.

So, faced with leftover design experiments, Kingsley Day and LeDuc decided to give the quilts to a few local police departments that could use them to comfort people during emergencies.

“Who doesn’t need a blankie every now and then?” Kingsley Day said.

Bezio said the quilts are beautiful, and she is thankful to 2 Friends Quilting and other community members who have supported her in keeping a stash of emergency comfort supplies in the cruisers.

“People have these ideas and we get to run with it,” Bezio said. “I’m eternally grateful for the support we’ve gotten from the community.”

Reach Madison Schofield at 413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com.