Quilt distributions and Thank-you's!!

Where has summer gone?? Soon the leaves will be turning and the snow falling! Our project continues to move forward, seeking ways to reach the families of the fallen. . .

A very HUGE Thank-you to Chris of Lolly's Fabrics in Shipshewana, who delivered 21 finished quilts to me this week! Her store participated in a Quilts of Valor/Soldier Quilts project, and she very generously donated some to our project. What beautiful works of art and care and compassion we have been receiving! We have been able to finish quilts with the donations given earlier this year and begin to set up appointments for distribution.

Steve and Ronda Hunsberger coordinate the meetings with other families and have been a tremendous source of support, encouragement, and help. Their heart of compassion for others who, like themselves, have experienced the ultimate sacrifice is amazing! We have been able to meet with 5 families so far and plans for more meetings are in the works. If you are reading this and are the family member of a fallen soldier, or personally know someone, PLEASE contact me. We are doing our best to reach the families in Indiana, but it takes time. It can be from any state, we are focusing on Indiana, but will certainly not turn away anyone! It has been our mission from the start to share support, love, and compassion through the comfort of a quilt.

While in my heart I wish that I would not be meeting these families for this reason, it is an honor and a privilege to spend some time with them. . .to hear their stories and the stories of their loved one. My life changed on June 27, 2008 and God willing, I will never be the same!

Following are a few pictures from our recent gatherings. I'm choosing not to identify individuals to respect their privacy. When you look at them, see the faces of the men and women who serve to keep us free. Say a prayer for the ones left behind, and one for those still serving and protecting. I will never stop reminding us all. . . our freedom is not free!! God bless you and God bless the USA

Thank-you isn't enough. . .

Since my last posting, donations have poured in! Many, many thanks to the American Legion Riders, Sons of the American Legion, American Legion Post 154, and the American Legion Auxiliary 154! Other personal monetary donations have been received as well. Many hours of sewing and quilting have been donated by a wonderful group of ladies. I was able to set up a display at Nappanee's Second Saturday event on June 12th. A customer from the store where I work dropped of five completed quilt tops, our sewing club made quilt blocks, and several more ladies are bringing in finished quilts in the next few weeks! I am completely humbled and extremely grateful!! Steve and Ronda have been able to make contact with a couple local families and have been delivering the completed quilts. God bless them for their willingness to share in this way. We are currently looking for a way to contact the families of the fallen here in Indiana so that they know we are "legit". If you are reading this blog and have lost a loved one in conflict since 9/11 or personally know someone who has, PLEASE email me at mamabech@msn.com with contact information. We want to get our quilts wrapped around those who need them most. . .

Progress!!

Thank-you never seems like enough to say when people give so generously! The last year has been difficult. . . As I've sought direction and guidance as to where to go with this project, I kept seemingly running into walls instead of open doors. In December in a conversation with two good friends, things changed. Thank you Mike and Tracey for your generous donation that allowed me to purchase the materials I needed to finish the 12 quilt tops that have been laying in my sewing room waiting. Through them I also had the honor of speaking to the American Legion Riders of Nappanee. Before I left that evening, I had a check in hand that will allow me to do some great things to keep the project alive! And it's not stopping! Meetings are being scheduled with other organizations that want to hear about what we are doing and possibly support us. Thank you Mike for being excited and for spreading the word and handing out brochures! After talking to Ronda about some ideas shared with me, it was exciting to learn she and Steve had also been thinking of some of the same things. A few changes will be made to how we distribute quilts. Our focus, for now, is going to be the families of fallen Indiana soldiers. Our desire is to continue to bring comfort in a small way, and to show our support for those who serve and those who sacrifice. As we work out the details, I will share more at a later date.
And I cannot forget to say a HUGE Thank-you to the faithful women who help me sew, quilt, and finish our quilts! They are some of the most caring, kind, and wonderful people and great friends! Thank-you Carolyn, Sandy, Rose Ann, Lynn, & Connie for jumping in to help keep the ball rolling! Special thanks to Lois for her beautiful works of art and the time and care she puts into every quilt she sews. I know I have not mentioned every person by name, and I apologize. I am overwhelmed. . . God is good! I am excited to be able to be a part of this project. I am humbled by the response. My heart aches for those who have lost a loved one in service to our country. May we never, ever forget that our freedom is not free!