Local quilters send comfort to those serving overseas
Every year around Christmas, troops serving far from home receive stockings from Boatsie’s Boxes.
“It’s tough being away from family during the holidays, and the small things really make a big difference in our lives,” wrote a service member to the nonprofit’s founder, Gail VanVranken “Boatsie” of Wheeling, W.Va.
While the goodies inside – toiletries, snacks, socks and undergarments, tissues, DVDs and magazines – are a source of comfort, about 50 of those enlisted receive a special gift in the form of a hand-made stocking from the members of the Martha Washington Quilters Guild.
The group, which has about 75 members, has been participating in Operation Christmas Stocking for about five years. They not only sew their stockings, they purchase the items that go in them.
“There’s a lot of enthusiasm. Most of us know someone or have known someone in the armed forces,” said member Marge Christ.
Two members who are veterans themselves – Jean Cahill and Katy Robinson – came together with other members to fill the stockings on Tuesday – which happened to be the anniversary of 9-11.
Member Linda Seaman, whose church, First Christian of West Alexander, also donates to Boatsie’s Boxes, said it’s rewarding to brighten a soldier’s day.
“To see (pictures) of service members with their stockings is really exciting,” she said.
Courtesy of Boatsie’s Boxes
Flight leaders in Kadena AB Okinawa, Japan, show the stockings they received from Boatsie’s Boxes. The female service members, left, hold stockings made by the Martha Washington Quilters Guild.
Martha Washington Quilters Guild also makes quilts for children receiving services from Washington County Children and Youth Services and participates in Ryan’s Case for Smiles, which provides pillowcases for hospitalized children, and Little Dresses for Haiti, which provides clothing to girls in third world countries. They have created quilts for Susan G. Komen Foundation, City Mission Patriot House, UPMC Family Houses and the East End Cooperative Shelter and have donated money to victims of tornadoes that ripped through Moore, Okla., in 2013.
In addition to the stocking program, Boatsie’s Boxes sends items to troops throughout the year. According to the website, items are sent to operations all over Afghanistan, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Persian Gulf locations, Okinawa, Estonia, Kuwait, Poland, Africa and Korea, ships at sea and other undisclosed locations.
For information on the quilters guild, visit www.marthawashingtonquiltersguild.com or email marthawashingtonquilters@gmail.com. For information on Boatsie’s Boxes, visit www.boatsie.com.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Sue James with the Martha Washington Quilters Guild holds stuffed Christmas stockings for troops at Church of the Covenant, Washington, on Tuesday.