| Quilting group presents its work to Palmetto police back seats of police cars Published Wednesday, July 22, 2009 1:00 am by Vincent F. Safuto PALMETTO - Few things can be more traumatic or troubling for a child than a ride in the back of a police car after an incident at home or a vehicle accident, but the Manatee Patchworkers are working to stitch together some comfort. Four members of the group and some helpers got busy before Monday night's Palmetto City Commission meeting and appropriated a table in the front of the chambers to place their loving handiwork, which they said would be donated to the Palmetto Police Department. "One of our missions is to provide quilts for the less fortunate," said Sheila Walker. "So Victoria (Baily) came up with this wonderful idea called 'Quilts for Cruisers.' And we are putting quilts in hopefully all of the cruisers in Bradenton and Palmetto for them to keep in the back of their cruisers to support and help any children who are in distress." They could be a source of comfort after a domestic incident or an accident. "In the ideal world, this would never happen, our children would always be safe and secure and happy," she said. "Well, you know that's not what happens. These are just cuddle quilts the children can take with them and keep as a sort of security blanket." Rose Ryan said the project started about 18 months ago and is continuing. "These are made with fabric donated by the members of the quilt guild and their local quilt shops. If we had to purchase fabric, the fabric would run anywhere from $25 to $40 per quilt," she said. |
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| 2009 Quilt's for Cruisers Program Bradenton and Palmetto Police Departments to be available in police cruisers and given to children in distress (See article below) |
| people who work on each quilt, each doing something different to help get it finished," Ryan said. "We could always use more hands to help, and more fabrics, especially children's fabrics." Lowe got the commissioners' approval to accept the quilts. "Tonight, I have these beautiful quilts in front. They all belong to me," he said, getting a laugh from the audience. It's an important job, Walker said, and they're working to finish the quilts. "We've got 36 quilts here this evening, and the Palmetto Police Department has requested 50, and in the next month or two we'll have all 50 in their cruisers," she said. http://www.thebradentontimes.com/index.php?src= news&refno=423&category=Local%20news |
| Rose Ryan, Sandra Ruthier, Sheila Garry Lowe. Back row, Mayor Commissioners Alan Zirkelback, Commissioners Tamara Cornwell and Commissioner Mary Lancaster. |
A Grant, submitted by Rose Ryan and Sheila Walker was received via a presentation at the Palmetto Walmart. Sherry Ebey represented the Guild and received a check for $200.00 for the Quilts for Cruisers project. |
| Our Community Service Display South Branch Library - Manatee County |
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| Delivery of "Quilts for Cruisers" to Manatee County Sheriff's Department |
| Delivery of "Quilts for Cruisers" to Bradenton Police Department |
| ‘Weds., Nov. 10, 2010 - Bradenton Herald Quilts for Cruisers’ provides blankets for kids in need -- Manatee Patchworkers donate quilts to sheriff’s office By BETH BURGER - bburger@bradenton.com MANATEE — Deputies dealing with children will now be able to comfort them with a blanket after a local organization donated about 40 quilts to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday. “It’s kind of comforting if they’ve had a trauma in their life,” said Pam Lichanski, a member of Manatee Patchworkers Quilting Guild. “Some of the children don’t have any personal possessions. So the quilt is great comfort to them. It’s something they can take possession of.” Manatee Patchworkers began the “Quilts for Cruisers” project about three years ago and have gradually expanded it to all law enforcement agencies in Manatee County. “It’s a continuing project. We do this every year. If you finish a quilt, you can donate it,” said Hilary Macdonald, another member. Deputy First Class Craig Davis, who has worked in patrol for more than five years, picked up one of the quilts from the group Tuesday afternoon at the sheriff’s office to place in his patrol car. He said there have been times when a quilt would be useful when going to calls involving children. “I’ve had one where the kid was in the back of a car and mom was on drugs. The kid was cold and had been in there two to three hours. It would have been good in that case,” Davis said. There are more than 100 members in the quilters’ group, and it takes about 10 to 15 hours of work to complete a lap quilt for a child. “We do it because we like to sew. We like to quilt. I just think everyone should have a quilt,” Macdonald said. |
| A sample workshop.... |
Community Service Next workshop: MTI Campus between 34th and 26th Sts West on 57th Ave West Bradenton |
| If you plan to place a label on your Community Service Quilt, please follow the example below: This quilt is given to you by Manatee Patchworkers Quilt Guild Bradenton, Florida A hand-written or stitched label is your preference. Thank you. |
| Click on photos to enlarge. |
| Our standard size for charity quilts is 40” x 50” Donated fabric always welcome. |