Ten years ago I wanted to go to New Orleans and help where I could with
the 911 centers that needed some relief. I had other priorities and my
husband suggested I make and send quilts. I did and after years of doing
it on my own, I realized I needed help and thus, Layers Of Hope, Quilting 911
was given a name and I have been blessed to be able to reach out to so
many of our 'unseen heroes,' during their time of need as well as family
members and first responder's during so many difficult times in their
lives.
So many people ask me why do I do this? Why quilts? I do this
because I grew up with a grandmother who believed you gave back to those
in need and while we may not have much, she told me you can always find
someone who has less! I do this because in the midst of tragedy or
disaster, a quilt brings a small slice of warmth, hope and love to a
complete stranger. Perhaps I do it for small children like Eliza whose
letter I still have: Eliza wrote:
'I love the quilt color and size and I sleep
with it every night and share it with my sister.' PS, 'Our dad is a
policeman.'
In ten years of doing this, Eliza's letter was the first I
ever received from a child. Why quilts? Because I do NOT have unlimited
funding like Red Cross, United Way and other non-profits, because we
operate out of our own pockets and I do not have a warehouse to store
things, I do not own semi's to transport anything and quilts just seem
to make people smile.
Maybe I do it because when you give a quilt to a
first responder who gives so much to everyone else and they realize that
quilt is for them to keep and they look at you with tears flowing down
their cheeks, I realize why I do this!
When people have blankets
given to them and they choose a quilt we gave them to sleep under or
even hang on a wall to remind them to never give up hope, I realize why I
do this!
In a time when our world seems to be falling apart and
complete strangers trust me to do what I say I will and send me quilts
to pass out, I realize why I do this!
When a family loses a family member to a
tragedy and contacts me and asks to reach out to a family that recently
is suffering the same pain, agony and tragic loss they did, I realize
why I do this!
Gods hands have been on this
ministry since day one and I will continue to do what I can to help
others until I can no longer do so!
Today, if you are reading this,
it means you have more right now that many people who are affected by
the wildfires across our states.
You may not quilt, but I ask today
that you spend some time hugging your family tighter and reaching out
to someone that needs hope in their life!
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