Stuarts Quilt is On It's Way Home

All packaged up, signed, sealed and placed into the post office's capable hands with priority mail and and confirmation, Stuarts quilt left my hands today to be delivered to someone who will prayerfully get as much use out of it as intended.

I also go the money orders in the mail today for the other fabric for the next quilt I will be making and hopefully have done and in the mail prior to Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving and Blessings to all Emergency Telecommunications Operators everywhere! If you are home with family and loved ones, I know how much you will cherish this day.

If you are working, I wish you the time to enjoy a peaceful meal with a co-worker, calm phones and a relaxed day.

Police/Fire/ EMS...dispatchers everywhere are the most dedicated and hard working people I know. They have the ability to remain calm in a crisis when everything is falling down around them and they have the special ability to keep others calm.

They endure a lot of pain and anguish in the calls they receive...calls from children who are watching their parents beat on each other, calls from elderly who just woke up to find their spouse has passed on, calls from families that have just witnessed their pets death, drug induced calls that lead to insanity instead of answers.

And yet...they are always there. Day in and day out, they are there taking the calls and the abuse from the public and many times the officers they are trained to be helping.

Many of us may never need 911 and others seem to need it more often. But no matter what walk of life you are on, take a moment and remember these unsung, unseen heroes. Because 911 saves seconds and seconds save lives!

From my heart to your center, God Bless each and all of you!

Looking For A Quilt Sponsor...

I have a quilt I am making for someone else in need. The cost for the fabric and bamboo batting has cost me $66.60. Then there will be postage costs of another $16 at least. If anyone would like to sponsor this quilt for a total amount of $82.60, please let me know. Even if you can just sponsor a portion of this it will help out. I have money order receipts to show for those who question my costs.

All Ready To Go....

I know that many of my postings on my 911 blog sites seem to be repetitive, but I try to change things up a bit. I need to really figure out how to roll them both into one without loosing my followers.

This is the finished quilt I made for Stuart Owen, the young man whose mom is a dispatcher for the Indianapolis airport and who himself has been recently diagnosed with Histiocytosis. Stuart also is Autistic, but from everything I hear is taking this very well.

The quilt came out to be 35" x 50" a pretty average size for the hug quilts I make. I am hoping he can take this to treatment when he goes to give him some comfort.

I just make things up as I go along and I think I found the original pattern on the internet and think it is called Holland by Rail and I just cut it down to what I wanted it to look like.

Here is the back with the label I made to go on it. I loved the stars and dark background on this as it just jumped out at me as for an older child or teen.

The quilt next to it is my step-fathers that his grandmother made for him when he was a child!

Its Knot Done Yet

Well, the quilt I am making for Stuart is knot quite done yet. That is a little tongue in cheek/play on words from the quilting world. Actually I only have the knotting to do and it will be finished by this evening...well at least by tomorrow evening and in the mail just as soon as I get paid next week.

The last thing I always do is add a quilt label and take a picture of it for my album and then off it goes to hopefully cheer up the person that receives it.

Next on my list is a beautiful one done in all purples. Don't know why, but I am just getting strong feeling the recipient loves bright purples.

An Inspirational Letter

This letter was found today in: The West Valley View.

'An inspiration for everyone
Editor:
I, along with hundreds of other attendees at the third annual Guns-N-Hoses charity football game (Goodyear Fire vs. Police) at Desert Edge High School Saturday evening witnessed not only an exciting football game (Hoses won 13-12), but all left the stadium emotionally drained.

Each year, 100 percent of proceeds are given to local charities, and this year's recipients were Kim Miller, 29-year-old wife of Sgt. Deron Miller, the family of Officer Barry Scott, and the 100 Club.

Officer Miller's wife is suffering from stage 4 cancer. But those of us who saw her walk onto the field after the game would never have known it had not the public address system announced her appearance.

After the game, everyone's attention was on Kim. I saw her smiles for each of those hugging her, and she exhibited a serene calmness as player after player was trying hard to fight back tears. Her smile and twinkle in her eyes belied the internal struggle she and Deron must have carried with them as they walked off the football field.

As both teams gathered in the middle of the field, suddenly a few players appeared with electric shears, lines began to form, and one by one every player's head was shaved (including some of the players' tiny tots), all in honor of Kim Miller.

I have two grandsons with the Goodyear P.D., and both have said how this happening has affected them, and how they've gained inner strength, and as one of them told me, "Hey, Papa, don't forget, they both are my family too."

Those attending that evening felt the raw emotion much more than those reading this letter. I too, as many others who know Kim and Deron, wish to let them know that we too share in their grief.'

Ken Wood
Goodyear

(Obtained from the World Wide Web on November 21, 2008. www.westvalleyview.com. Letters to the Editor. Letter written by Wood, Ken.)

As soon as I get some pictures large enough to post I will do so. Many of us struggle with the daily drudgery of work, home, etc. Kim is dealing with cancer and doing so with an amazing spirit and attitude.

A Quilt Sponsor and Center Donation

I was contacted this evening by a communications center supervisor who not only graciously offered to have his center put up a change collection bucket to help support my quilts, but even asked aside from that to sponsor one of my quilts.

How wonderful is that? I am elbows deep in quilts right now, but should have one completed this week-end and another one started. Of course, they will take a back seat to the holiday while we are out of town, but I am planning on taking my Christmas cross stitch and working very diligently on it.

After all, I don't cook the bird!

Whats Orange and Yellow and Full of Flames?

The answer is Stuart's quilt of course. Here is just a sneak peek in case he knows I am making him a quilt. It really is coming out great and today while being at home, I put the border on it.

The border has some hints of green as his favorite color is green and orange.
Stuart has Histiocytosis, a rare disorder that strikes children between the ages of birth to 15 and Stuart just happens to be 15. Though if I understand it correctly, it is not cancer, however it is treated like cancer.

Stuart is also Autistic. His mom is a dispatcher for the Indianapolis Airport Communications center and has to take lots of time off to be with her son while he undergoes treatment.

To send a personal note to Stuart, mail it to:
Stuart Owen P.O. Box 21 Bainbridge, Indiana 46105

Since Sarah has had to take so much time off and her insurance is for herself and not her family when it comes to short term disability, they have lost a huge portion of their income. An account has been set up to help their family at:
Tri-County Bank of Bainbridge, Indiana FBO Account for Harrison "Stuart" Owen 203 East US Highway 36 East Bainbridge, Indiana 46105

Yeah, yeah, I know it is the holidays, the economy stinks, etc. But if you aren't reading this at the public library, I am assuming you have a job and can pay your bills, so shoot them some help if you can. If not, there will be other opportunities I am sure!

A Dispatcher Looses Everything In A Fire

Calling all police/fire/EMS telecommunications operators and dispatch centers, please consider helping me make a quilt for another dispatcher in need. This one will be for a young woman who lost everything in a fire and I am making her a quilt for her bed.

I can use batting, thread, fabric and postage fee's. If you would like to adopt this quilt, please let me know & I will tell you more about it.

Working on Stuarts Quilt

I have the blocks all sewn together for the quilt I am making Stuart so he can have something to take to his treatments. I am using green fleece for the back as he has Autism and loves soft things and I am using a flame print for the front because it was the only thing I could find for a young man with orange in it and he loves orange and green!

I am looking for a sponsor for this quilt, so if there are any dispatch centers out there who would like to sponsor this quilt by paying for the shipping, I would truly appreciate it. The cost to send a quilt priority mail with confirmation will cost about $12.00.

Any monies left over will be put into my change jar which when full is used to buy the things necessary to keep this business going.

It just amazes me that for 13 years as a police dispatcher, I saw so many of us so complacent when it comes to helping others. Why is that? Is it a trust issue? Is it the mindset of 'so many people will donate, why should I? I would say it is the economy, but this has been going on way before the economy tanked.

I am grateful to those that have donated in the past (911 Cares, Novi, Michigan police dispatchers, military family and retired military members, some of my family and friends). But not once, have I have taken in a donation from my old department (and they know I make quilts for people in need), or from other dispatch centers I have helped.

I can do this on my own and was confirmed yesterday in church that I should continue this work because it is bringing people to the Lord and it is showing people that are in pain someone cares.
I will not stop making quilts for those people (dispatchers) that are hurting and their families when they have a need.

At this time, I have 5 quilts to make and it may take time, but each and everyone that I promised to make a quilt for will get one.

I have asked in the past for people to start a change collection in their department for one to two months and place a change jar in their center and gather coins. At the end of the time frame you have designated, send me a check or money order for the amount.

It costs me $15.00 for a great bamboo or soy batting, $3 for a good spool of thread, $2 for sewing needles, $3-$10 per yard for fabric.

Sponsor a quilt for holidays and know that when it is made, I will include your name and agency on the card that goes with it.

Dispatchers need to become a team and reach out to help others!

Thank You Veterans For Your Service

Lets all reach out to veterans this veterans day and say thank you and buy them lunch, coffee, a soda, there is always something and someone we can thank for the many freedoms we have today!

The Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. 'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. 'Chicago - to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq'

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time.

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to Chicago '

His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant afifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?'

'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. 'This is your thanks.'

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, an said, 'I want to shake your hand.'

Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.'

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals.

It seemed so little...

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check Made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in This country who no longer understand it.'

Tracy Corbin

Close to my Heart

911 Cares Supports Breast Cancer Awareness

Do you want to help support two causes at once? In todays economy, I understand that most of us are beginning to look at the causes we support and really decide which ones we can continue to support. It breaks my heart that many of the charities I have supported in the past will take a back seat this year to things my family needs to survive such as food and firewood.

911 Cares has an amazing Breast Cancer support shirt with a butterfly on it. You DO NOT have to be a police/fire/EMS dispatcher to wear this shirt or to give it to someone else and for the low price of $20, it comes in sizes from small to 5X, it is the perfect gift for a breast cancer survivor, a family member, a walking team member or someone on your list that doesn't want a gift.

You are supporting both 911 Cares and the hard working dispatchers that are working hard to fight breast cancer themselves or supporting the breast cancer awareness by walking. You just can't go wrong with this type of a gift.
http://911cares.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=9C&Product_Code=BC-SHIRT&Category_Code=NEW

While you are checking out all the really cool things at 911 Cares, drop into the 911 activation section and see if you can't reach out to one of these everyday heroes. Remember, there are many police & fire support agencies such as the 100 Club in Arizona, but to the best of my knowledge, the only 911 dispatcher support group is 911 Cares and trust me, Kevin and his 911 Cares family are awesome!

Check it out and if you decide to do something or purchase something, tell them the Quilting Dispatcher sent you!

End of the year Charity Donations

This blog is specifically for thos police/fire/emergency telecommunications operators in need. I help those I can when and where I can. This year has seen many agencies get hit hard during the storms, floods and other daily needs we all go through.

There is something that makes me feel a bit closer to my roots, to God and to others when I can reach out and help others and make their day seem a bit brighter. I do not think now nor will I ever be a great quilter, I am just an average quilter with a huge heart for those I called family for so many years.

Once again I am asked for you to donate to 911 Cares. This agency truly has a calling and heart for dispatchers in need and agencies and they are the first usually to deliver good or bad news on their web-sites so others can reach out and help. Not to mention, they have some really cool stuff in their store!

I have been blessed that when Kevin can, they assist me in purchasing things I need to continue my quilting. I am not a non-profit, but I do use every bit of fabric, batting, thread, etc. to continue the cause in helping those in need.

I have a huge need for batting. If you would like to donate warm batting, polyester batting or even bamboo batting, I am open to taking what you can send. I use all sizes from crib sized to king size.

Sulky threads is another thing I need.

Send anything you might want to donate for my quilts to help others to:

Jean Kester
906 N. Rice Street
Aberdeen, WA 98520