By DEWEY TERRILL
JC Post
JUNCTION CITY — Quilts have been made for families who had their homes and livelihood destroyed by the big Dec. 15 fires in six western Kansas counties. The quilt project has been undertaken in the east central part of the state by the Sunflower Quilters Guild and a number of other area volunteers.
Donna Martinson proposed the project and noted that as a result of the winds there were a number of wildfires, particularly in western Kansas. "In a six-county area there were 31 occupied homes that were totally destroyed in addition to the farm and out buildings, fences, the pasture, feed, vehicles, the livestock equipment was all lost as well as the livestock. "
Sunflower Quilters Guild supports Quilts of Valor for veterans, but now a number of members have made quilts for this project. Others helped also, explained Martinson. "We really need to thank Lori Bond from Wakefield. She gathered a lot of her friends in the Wakefield area and they have made quilts specifically for this project, as well as looked through what they might have made previously." Martinson also thanked Sunflower Quilt Guild Chair Trudy Barker and the Alida Upland Church as a supporter and the hub for the entire project.
Church pastor Maria Foerschler said points of contact were located through Disaster Preparedness and churches for each county. Donna will deliver them ( quilts ) out there and distribute them as instructed by the counties. "
Debbie McCarrell, who worked on the project, provided her message to the families who will receive the quilts. " I think of you and your families out there so much. I hope that my quilt and others will help you a little bit to help you understand how much we think of you."
The quilts are being sent to Osborne, Russell, Ellis, Trego, Lane and Wichita counties.
