Crafts for a Cause, a quilting group based at the Woodward Public Library, recently donated a batch of 25 blankets to the Dallas County Sheriff’s Benevolent Association, bringing to almost 200 the number of blankets the group has created since it founding.
In addition, U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War and Purple Heart awardee Robert Eugene Peterson recently received a Quilt of Valor, awarded by the Ogden Quilt of Valor Piecemakers on the occasion of his 86th birthday. Peterson received the award at the Ogden home of his daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Gary Friedrichsen.
“Though we will never fully know the depth of your service to protect and defend the United States of America,” the Quilt of Valor dedication certificate read, “please accept your Quilt of Valor and the love that comes from within.”
The Woodward Public Library started the blanket-making group called Crafts for a Cause following a large donation of fleece from Andrea Boilesen of Webster City, owner of Andy’s Annex Arts and Crafts Store.
Boilesen, a prolific maker of fleece blankets sold at craft sales and flea markets, donated fleece to the Woodward project, and the Woodward ladies took it from there. By October Crafts for a Cause converted Boilesen’s donation into 60 fleece blankets and donated them to Iowa Veterans Home, Bidwell, the Ronald McDonald House, Blank Children’s Hospital and the Boone Area Humane Society.
“With today’s donation of 25 blankets to the Dallas County Sheriff’s Benevolent Association, 186 blankets have been distributed,” said Jeanne Arends, Boilesen’s niece and a member of the Woodward Public Library Board of Directors.
“It’s been a win-win-win project,” Arends said. “Andrea is happy to see her fleece supply reduced and contributing to the project. Community members have enjoyed visiting with others while together, and recipients are pleased with the warm, cozy blankets.”
