Oct 2005
Freedom Quilts has been behind on our newsletter due to so many things piling up. This summer some of the ladies got together and decided that we can try and get together and work on quilts. We have been just taking a break until after harvest to start up again but this year was been done a little different. We try to meet at least once or twice a month until we really got busy out in the field. Now that field work has wind down it's time to start preparing to get busy with sewing, putting quilt tops together and tie the quilts. As always Mrs. Pudenz is awesome with all the volunteering she does to keep the project alive. She sews for us everyday which helps greatly in getting this project ready for when the rest of the ladies start up again. Alrene Pedersen also is a great help she makes sure she helps with embroidery the soldiers names and any information to be put on the quilts to personalize each quilt for the families as does Wilma and myself.
Freedom Quilts donated 239 quilts to the hurricane victim also and now we are focus on making sure the fallen soldiers families quilts get made and send out. So far Freedom Quilts has sent out 438 quilts and soon we will be sending more. Each family besides receiving a quilt or quilts will also receive a letter explaining why the quilt was made for them. It's very important to let the families know that we do care.
This year we made it a point to make sure and invited some of the fallen soldier families to actually see what it takes to make a quilt so they know all the hours and love that it takes to make a quilt for them. Those families that gave us a lot of detail we made sure the quilt reflected on what they inform us of their love ones. Those that we had very little to go by we still personalize their quilts by making sure their love one name, rank, regiment, and day they died was on the quilt along with the branch of services. Freedom Quilts wants to make sure that if a spouse's husband has been killed then we American will do what we can to comfort the family. We come to realize how important these quilts are to the children also and if we can bring a little smile in there faces then it's all worth it. Parents are also thought of and made quilts for also. This project has taken a life of it's own and we are willing to continue as long as we can get the support of our fellow American. We need to do a fundraiser and we decided on a mailer fundraiser. We are hoping this mailer fundraiser will help with all the supplies and equipment that we need to continue the project. Freedom Quilts is also talking about another fundraiser which hopefully will be a book that will be out hopefully be for the 2006 fundraiser along with mailer fundraiser. Those that have help and continue to help bless you for it is your caring that has brought comfort to families that need us all.
Freedom Quilts thanks you and so does the families.
Betty Nielsen