Honoring Our Servicemen, Quilts for Veterans

On Tuesday of this week Pat Kilmark from Quilts for Veterans was in our office to present to Shaun Anderson a quilt in honor of his service in the United States Army. Shaun served active duty 1990-1995 and 1996-1998 in the reserves.

Our company honors Shaun for his military service and honoring Pat Kilmark for her service work for veterans.

Pat’s group could use your help. Below is a letter Pat sent to me with the needs for her group.

Dear Chris

“I've sewn all my life.  I was a 4-H'er in Michigan for many years and owe my knowledge of sewing to making different projects/garments from ages 10-17.  From my accomplishments in various 4-H projects I earned several trips to Michigan State University for State competitions.  That experience helped me to know that that was where I wanted to go to college and major in Home Economics Education.

After graduating from Michigan State, I taught school, returned to grad school (Murray State University, Murray, KY); taught school 3 more years before joining the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and later the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, from which I retired (early) in 1993.  While with the UGA Extension Service, I taught homemakers in DeKalb and Forsyth Counties how to be more efficient and economical at operating their homes.

In 1994, a friend invited me to a quilt guild meeting and I was hooked. I now identify myself as an avid, passionate quilter.

At one time, I was a member of 6 different Guilds.

Over the years I've become more and more proficient and skilled at making quilts.  I travel out of state taking quilting classes/workshops; enter fairs and quilt shows.

 As a Guild member, we make quilts for battered & abused women's shelters, children's homes, etc.

I've always appreciated the freedom I have and have always had an American flag flying from the front of my home.  In fact, I have a spare when one wears out.  As I've matured, I realize that freedom is not free.  Much has been sacrificed for the freedom

I enjoy.  Because of this feeling, I wanted to show my appreciation to veterans for what they and their families have done for those of us who often take freedom for granted.  It's not guaranteed.  It can unfortunately be taken from us......let's hope that never happens!

So, because of my gratefulness for the freedom I have, I wanted to do something to express my appreciation to veterans.

I organized a group of volunteers and reserved the Cobb County Government Community Room each month (usually the 2nd or 3rd Thursday) to meet for a day long Stitch-In.  Volunteers (usually quilters from Woodstock, Marietta, Chamblee, Canton,

Atlanta,) arrive whenever they can get there and stay until they need to leave.  I'm there at 7:30 AM and remain until around 4, 5, or 6PM.  (I have to leave my home @ 6:45am to beat the traffic traveling north on GA 400.)

I send out email notices reminding volunteers about the meetings.

Publix & Starbucks,  provide 'sweets', coffee & Chick-Fil-a has been supportive in the past by providing sandwiches for lunch.

We are most grateful for any and all support we receive from the community.

At the Stitch-In, each quilter brings all her own equipment/supplies needed for her project including fabric from her stash.  It takes anywhere from 4 to 12 months to make a quilt.

Donors (Lutheran Thrivent Action Team, Appleton, WI and World Toyota, Chamblee, GA) have made funds available in the past for the purchase of 108" wide fabric for 'backs' of quilts (so we didn't have to piece them.)  Wholesale fabric companies (Checkers and Wilmington Fabrics) have been gracious and sold us fabric at discounted prices and they even paid the tax & shipping on it for us.....we really appreciated that gesture.

We only use Patriotic colored fabric (no flowers) for our quilts for Veterans.  We follow the requirements of the National Organization on size, etc.

Volunteer quilters from the East Cobb Quilt Guild have been very accommodating and have been quilting quilts that we need quilted (if the quilter that made them didn't quilt them.)

What are our needs?

It would be nice if there was a closer meeting place to do our sewing in. (1 with good lighting, easy parking & accessibility to the room.)

We can always use MORE volunteer sewers/quilters men & women;

Bolts of 100% COTTON patriotic colored (red, white, blue &/or gold) fabric. 100% cotton Batting twin size (72" x 90"). Batting goes between the top and back layers of the quilt.)

Spools of  Lt. Grey cotton Auriful thread; 45mm & 60mm Olfa Rotary Blades; Olfa acrylic rulers 9" square, 12 1/2" square, & 6" x 24";

Oliso electric iron, color catchers (used to capture dye when red fabric is washed.)

Glass head pins & hand stitching needles.

We could also use 1 of those round, multiple outlet, extension cord 'things' to plug sewing machines in at the Community room. (Home Depot).

I am delighted that you would consider sharing our Community Service mission with others in the community.

We like what we do and enjoy doing it (anything to get out of housework) for those, who with their families, have sacrificed so much.

Should you desire more information or have questions, just let me know.  

It was a pleasure meeting you, Shaun, Fred and Patrick.

Thank you,

Sincerely,

Pat Kilmark

To donate to Pat's group email me at toyotechs3atgmail.com and I will get you in touch with her