VETERANS QUILTS

VETERANS QUILTS: I just recieved this info from Pat of Quilts for Wounded Soldiers and am posting it here for anyone interested with her permission.

QUILTS FOR INJURED SOLDIERS PROJECT AS OF DECEMBER 2010
Our project began in 2003 and to date, we have received in excess of 10,700 quilts, afghans and fleece blankets. They have come from all over the US, Canada and Australia. In the beginning, our quilts were delivered to Andrews Air Force Base, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Bethesda Naval Medical Center, all in the Washington, DC area; Fort Sam Houston Burn Center, Texas; Fort Stewart, GA and Camp Lejeune, NC. In 2006, we began giving only to Andrews Air Force Base, as the other facilities had groups contributing to them. We asked guilds from Texas to send their quilts directly to Fort Sam Houston rather than mail them here and then for us to re-mail them back to Texas.Upon receipt of a box, it is logged in with the name, address, city, and state of the donors on an alphabetical database. A letter is attached to each quilt about the project with only the donor’s name, group name (if applicable) city and state; acknowledgement of the donation is sent out by email or mail; quilts counted and bagged for delivery. We have a liaison from the base that calls when they need the quilts and we deliver them. There is a set schedule of three flights per week coming in from Germany and more if needed. The number of injured aboard very with each flight.
Over the years, the process that we follow has changed based on the Commander of Andrews Air Force Base as well as the hospital Commander. Now, in view of the HIPAA laws and the new Commander, only hospital personnel and the Andrews Air Force Base Red Cross volunteers (primarily retired military) can distribute the quilts to our injured coming in at Andrews. Andrews is usually the first stop after coming from overseas. The injured are examined after being taken off the plane, assigned a room and then after they are settled, the Red Cross volunteers come in, greet them and offer them their choice of quilt, afghan or blanket. Those who are ambulatory usually congregate in a large room newly furnished for their comfort and are offered their choice of the donated items. They are informed of the project and that all of the items have been made especially for them. Being there in the beginning, these men and women are genuinely touched that the American people are doing this. We do receive “thank you’s” from some of the injured or family members but not all. None of us do this for a thank you, but it sure makes you feel good when one comes! We will forward any thank you that comes in your name or that of your group.
We do not give out any info on anyone other than our letter that tells the name of the quilter and/or the organization, city and state. We encourage any donor to add a card or letter and feel free to give a full mailing address if you wish.
For our records, we ask that one person act as a contact if you belong to a guild or sewing group, giving us a mailing address, email address (if you have one) and a list of all those who participated in the project. We have over 2,700 people/groups participating at this time.
SIZE: Minimum 40” x 60”
Preferably twin (anything larger is too hard to pack & carry on the planes per the base)
COLOR: Red/white/blue seems to be the color of choice. There are some who prefer something different. We accept any color combination. Feminine colors and patterns also accepted. There are women coming in injured on the flights but some of the men see a quilt with a particular color and say “Oh my wife would like that one.” May I take it?” 100% cotton fabric is best. No polyester as it gets too heavy (polyester batting is fine). Quilts can be tied or quilted. We have even received some that have been totally hand quilted.
If you (or your group) have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Thank you for your interest in our project.
Pat Baker
Quilts for Injured Soldiers
Quilters Guild of Southern Maryland
7295 Stoneleigh Court
Hughesville, MD 20637
301 392-0113
RB395@aol.com





GRAND TOTAL 10,773


For 2011
Jan 68
Feb 78