Often when young children are involved in crisis situations, local police officers will give them a stuffed animal to cuddle, drawn from a large supply given to the department by various individuals, organizations and retailer.
Now officers have another option when these children need extra warmth when confronted with an otherwise troubling situation.
Thanks to a group of volunteer quilters who gather at least once at week at Cindy's Country Quilt Shoppe, 633 Ash, local officers have youth-sized quilts in which to wrap troubled children. And it's theirs to keep.
"Something like this can make a real difference to the children we come into contact with," explains Police Chief Will Mull. "We already have the fuzzy animals, but these quilts are something that most families can really use -- especially after a fire or when they are being displaced for whatever reason."
Each quilt comes in a heavy clear plastic bag with a handle. "We got those bags at the dollar store," quilt store owner Cindy Ozborn Wolfe says, "and they are heavy enough to do double-duty to carry clothing and other items in."
The first allotment of 10 quilts was delivered to the police department on Wednesday afternoon and will be dispersed by Patrol Capt. Derrick McPherson.
"There are about a dozen of us who get together and sew on Wednesday afternoons," explains Wolfe. "We got started doing it this summer and already have given 49 quilts to the Texas Migrant Council. And we realized there's also a need at the police department."
Wolfe said everyone is welcome to join in the sewing circle.
"It's our social time," adds Mary Sanchez, who works in the legal aid office nearby and spends her lunch hour at the quilting shop. "We have such a wonderful time together."
The quilting shop in located in the front of the Sawaya Building -- the old Schick Opera House. Frances Sawaya is a regular participant in the quilting circle. She's been quilting 10-15 years.
"We are just now starting our third year at the quilting shop," explained Wolfe, who opened the business in December 2011. She's been quilting for about 15 years, after first teaching painting on canvas. Sanchez has been quilting about 10 years.
The quilts are being donated free of charge to the police department.
"We have a fairly steady supply of material for quilt scraps but welcome donations of any kind," Wolfe says. Donations can be dropped off at the quilting shop and are kept separate for that specific project.
"We always need material and batting, and often have people donate money for needles and thread," she said.
Mull adds that while donations made directly to the informal quilting circle are not tax deductible, they probably could be made through a church or some other nonprofit group. "This is such a worthwhile project that will have a lasting impact for so many."
Copyright 2013 - Plainview Daily Herald, Texas
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
