Lights Out, Goodnight

Have you stumbled upon this blog by accident? Quilting 911 was a great concept when I started it. Make quilts for those in need and have them adopted by those people who work 911.

Initially, it worked great and I was able to make quilts and received fabric, batting and funds to make quilts for 911 dispatchers during Hurricane Katrina. Flood victims have received quilts from me, but the sad fact is, while 911 dispatchers are great, no one followed through with the promise to support this venue.

It is with sadness, I bid farewell to Quilting 911. While I will continue the endeavor, it will be over at Quiltingranny.blogspot.com

Last one out, don't forget the lights!

Wow! Almost There

What brings traffic to one blog and not another? It can't just be the free gimme's, though I do giveaway little things each month on my grand parenting blog.

I am a retired police dispatcher and currently a substitute teacher and when I have time, I make quilts for family, friends and police dispatchers in need. The one above is almost complete and ready to be shipped out to its new owner. It has taken more time than most due to some medical issues that I am hoping are almost gone.

This quilt is larger than a full size and smaller than a queen sized and I love the way the color combination came out with the various blues, purple and golds.

I used so many fabrics out of my fabric stash to make the windows with and then used some pieces for the veins between the panes.

I didn't want to leave the dark blue border, so I added the floral border and then decided it would be fun to make some throw pillows to match the border. The pillow at the top has white eyelet all the way around it. The pillow on the left has eyelet on each end and the other 2 pillows are plain.

They will be stuffed this week-end and the quilt should go on the machine tomorrow. Just for information, my machine is a 1960's model Kenmore, nothing special with the exception that it was my grandma's and that it is a Kenmore.

So I should be able to do some machine quilting over the next few days and then over the week-end tie it and stuff the pillows.

The shipping for this quilt has been generously offered by the receivers supervisor.

However, as soon as this one is complete, I must dash off and make a small hug quilt for another dispatcher in need and I am always accepting money, batting, fabric, etc. to help support this mission.

I know the economy is tight right now, but if you are lucky to have your job and make good money, than you can help support others in the field of dispatching.

Summer is just around the corner and during the summer, I do not work because there is no work in the education field in the summer and our town just lost over 200 local jobs and for a small town, that means tighter job opportunities.

I want to be able to continue my quilts year around, but I can't ask my husband to pay for them, he is already working 6 days a week to keep our heads above water. But I can ask each one of you to help off set the costs.

1- Take up a change collection at your center for 3-6 months and send me what you have saved.
2- Take up a one time collection at your center and send it to me.
3- Purchase the fabric, batting, thread for the next quilt (write me for details) or send me an entire bolt of batting
4- Sponsor a quilt. That means I buy everything, send you the receipts and you send me the money for the materials and the money to cover postage & I in turn let the recipient know that your center sponsored this for them.
5- Pass this onto other dispatch centers so they will know what I am doing.

I was one of you for over 12 years and I still am in many ways. Help me continue this cause!

If You Can't Walk the Walk...

Dear Emergency Telecommunications Dispatchers Everywhere:
Please excuse this terse interruption into your day. But if you can't walk the walk with me, please don't waste your vocal chords, breathing air and headset time talking smack about how much you want to help me reach others.
When you send me Emails asking me how you can help me with my quilts for fellow dispatchers and I reply and you are so excited and ready to get going to help and volunteer yourself or your agency to help on the next project, I depend on that.
What frustrates me and never ceases to amaze me is how many of you never follow through and then disappear from my Email altogether when I ask for your assistance. Why bother in the first place?
Are you afraid I won't complete the project? I will be the first to admit, I fell down on four quilts for Hurricane Katrina victims when my health took a turn for the worse and some other health issues hit, but I did write a letter explaining my dilemma and never heard back from anyone. I can't respond to silence!
Then, there are the many others who I received notes from letting me know they received the quilts I made and sent me pictures. I don't make these things up, these are real dispatchers like you are and I reached across the miles and helped them.
They are dispatchers, children, family members of those in need and yet you are still sitting there in your center thinking someone else is going to help Jean, someone else will send her money or fabric and that isn't happening. What? Do you think the fabric fairy is going to come to my front door and magically I will have what I need?
Kevin and the 911 Cares was awesome during the storms and helped me to get the things I needed to continue this important mission I feel compelled to do. What about those of you who told me you were taking up a collection in your center for me? What about the change collection you were personally going to help me with? What about the sponsorship you agreed to do?
I am not asking for millions of dollars, I don't ask for my time to be paid for, all I ask is for you to help with a quilt. I don't use junk fabric, it doesn't last, but I can find great fabric for great costs on line. A typical small quilt is now costing me over $80 plus shipping fees and yet, I have not received one thing from all those empty words you have sent me over the last year.
2009 is upon us. 2008 saw many tragedies within our ranks and I was able to send off 4 quilts and a box of toiletries for dispatchers in need. This year, I am finishing up one now for one of 2008 dispatcher in need and I have already found another person in need and yet, my fabric base and my money is disappearing quickly.
You work full-time, I do not. I cannot find a full-time job at this time, so I fill in my spare time reaching others like yourselves, the unknown heroes, the women and men who hold someones hand over the telephone until help arrives, the women and men who sacrifice family time for work. You are the heroes, but heroes come in all shapes and sizes and heroes don't tell people they will do something and not follow through.
I cannot do anymore to show you I am for real than display letters, send you pictures and receipts or ask you to send me items I need.
I need the following desperately and while not cost prohibitive, the cost add up quickly. Won't you help me help others in need?

2009 Needs:
1- Quilt batting all sizes (mainly full size, quilt size or comforter size) I prefer bamboo batting from Laurel Anderson ($11.99 for 60 x 60) or ask her about the cost of a bolt of batting I think it is just under $300 & would make numerous quilts.
2-Sewing Machine Needles (11, 14, etc) you can get Shmetz needles on Ebay for a great price.
3- Signature or other quality thread (not thread from WalMart) about $5 per spool (regular spool sized)
4- Rotating Cutting Mat ($70)
5-Fabric (I like 100% cotton) Fat Quarters are great sizes and there is a fat quarter shop, JoAnne's or any quilt shop that has fabric on sale and especially novelty prints and beautiful rich colors. (Several yards with priority shipping would be under $50)
6-Rotary cutting blades.
7-New sewing machine, I have 3 and right now none of them are working where I need them to be. A new machine is a huge expense of over $500.
8- Postage fee's ( Each quilt costs on average of $12 to send out, you could help mail 4 quilts for less than $50)
9-Buttoneer with extra fasteners ($12 on Ebay or less)
10-Quilting Rack (Hinterberg Heritage Frame Special - $680)

I realize this is a lot of money for some things, but some of your agencies are huge or you work with other agencies. All I am asking is for your help and for you to walk the walk and stop talking about helping if you have no plans to do so!

The Quilting Dispatcher

HELP ME, HELP SOMEONE ELSE

Okay, I know the economy stinks. I know people are loosing their jobs, their homes and their cars, but if you can read this, you have access to a computer and you probably know someone that is or you yourself are an emergency dispatcher.

Whatever your situation, your co-workers situation, I need YOUR help and I need it soon or my purpose on earth to reach out and help people, the members of our dispatch family will soon come to a halt.

I am raising 3 grandchildren ages 5,6 & 7, I work as a substitute teacher when I can and it was slim in December and so far for January is showing to be slimmer due to weather. If I have no income coming in, I can't buy fabric, batting, thread, backing or pay for postage. Without these things, I can't reach out to one of our very own.

What are you going to do? Are you going to reach out and sponsor a quilt, or read this, wonder if I am for real or not and forget all about this post? Perhaps you assume like the next person that someone else will sponsor this, someone else will send her money, someone else will save up their pocket change for 2 months and send her the amount saved, someone else will take up a dispatcher center collection.

NO, SOMEONE ELSE WILL NOT!! YOU HAVE TO STEP OUT IN FAITH!

If you don't feel comfortable sending me money, contact me and I will give you a list of websites and my needs and you can order them and have them sent to me. A sponsor ship will cost $107 for a hug quilt, $125 for a twin size, $175 double /full sized bed & queen and king depend on the amount and design of the quilt.

All About Me

I took this off Gramma Judy's blog, I thought it was cool, so now ya know junk about me!


1. Do you like blue cheese? Gross!

2. Have you ever smoked cigarettes? Yes, 4 years smoke free.

3. Do you own a gun? No.

4. What Kool Aid flavor was your favorite? I hated kool-aid!

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? No.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? -They are pretty expensive for what goes in them!

7. Favorite Christmas movie? Princess Bride

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? French Vanilla Coffee or Tea

9. Can you do push ups? Are you kidding!!!

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? my wedding rings.

11. Favorite hobby? Hobbies--quilting, writing

12. Do you have A.D.D.? No.

13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? Glasses

14. Middle name? Marie

15. Name three thoughts at this exact moment? 1. I'm cold. 2. Where is all the snow they keep saying we will get? 3. What I have to do tomorrow.

16. Name three drinks you drink regularly. Water, tea, coffee

17. Current worry? None at the moment!

18. Current hate right now? Banks that are giving their bail out money as bonuses while so many of us are struggling to make ends meet.

19. Favorite place to be? Home

20. How will you bring in the New Year? At a girl scout sleep in with granddaughters.

21. Where would you like to go? Someplace with lots of snow!

22. Name three people who will complete this? No one.

23. Do you own slippers? Yes

24. What shirt are you wearing?A warm one!

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No, the are to slippery!

26. Can you whistle? I try.

27. Favorite color? Purple!

28. Would you be a pirate? No, but I would make a heck of a leader!

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't sing there.

30. Favorite girls name? Never thought much about it!

31. Favorite boys name? Never thought much about that either!

32. What's in your pocket right now? $6

33. Last thing that made you laugh? My granddaughter explaining when it is sunny, God is happy. When it is raining, God is sad. When it is snowing, God is cold!

34. What vehicle do you drive? 2003 Dodge Caravan & 2001 Dodge Ram

35. Worst injury you ever had? Fractured tibia and fibula

36. Do you love where you live? Yes, but anywhere in Western Washington close to the water I would love...Belfair, Shelton, Poulsbo, Anacortes, etc.

37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 2

Another Quilt

I sure wish I could take better quilt pictures than what I do, because this quilt is quite beautiful. Once I decided to make it, as usual, it took on its own personality for the person it is going to. I even scrapped part of my idea because after three tries, I couldn't get the fit right, so decided with this one, the simpler the better.

I think this close up of the corner is the best picture of this quilt. The center is purple pansies with the inner border being a design of the northern lights.







This quilt is going to someone who really needs a very special hug and this quilt has been prayed over for days.

I know it will bring warmth to the recipient!

Death of 911 Dispatch Family

Wisconsin Dispatcher Death

911 CARES Supporter,

We have received a number of e-mails on the tragedy listed below. 911 CARES immediately called the Sheriff and contacted two of the Waushara dispatch professionals.

We already have a “911 CARES” stress management package on the way and we have offered our support in any way we can. There may be burial costs pending. The agency will keep us updated and we will post updates at www.911cares.com See the initial teletype below and the update from their dispatch center below. Please send a card of condolence to their 9-1-1 family if you can. Their address is listed below.

ON 12-05-2008 AT 0126 HRS, THE WAUSHARA COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT 911 CENTER TOOK A CALL FOR A HOUSE FIRE. THE RESPONDING UNITS FOUND A FULLY ENGULFED STRUCTURE. DISPATCHER PEGGY A BANECK, F W, 09-29-1961, A 7 YEAR VETERAN DISPATCHER WITH THE WAUSHARA COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT ALONG WITH HER HUSBAND LARRY D BANECK AND SON CHARLIE R BANECK PERISHED IN THE FIRE. THE BANECKS ARE SURVIVED BY 5 OTHER LIVING CHILDREN. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE PENDING AT THIS TIME.

David Peterson, Sheriff
430 East Division
Wautoma, WI 54982
Phone (920) 787-3321

911 CARES,

Thank you for getting in touch with us, we appreciate all of the condolences from everyone. The Baneck's surviving children are Billie Jo 24, Anthony 23, Nellie 20, Emily 19 and Katie 16. Charlie was 17, he and Katie were the only ones still in school. Both sets of Grandparents are living and in the area. We have 9 full time dispatchers and 1 that is part dispatch, part jail. We are a small department and this impacts all of us from the communications through, patrol and jail.

I will let you know when we have more information on what the family may need.

Thanks again,
Sally Sroka -

Any of you following this know how tragic this is, please send cards of comfort, etc.

Quilts in Need...

I received a thank you from Stuart's mom today. It was a very nice photo card of Stuart and she stated he love the quilt. I also received 2 of the fabrics needed to begin another quilt and I am still waiting for some other things to arrive to complete it.

December is a hugely busy month and I hope to finish many of my projects that have been on going for quite awhile so I can start 2009 fresh! Yeah Right, consider the odds, I am a quilter!

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!