Students spreading warmth to soldiers
A group of quilt-making students at Greenbrier High School spent the past eight months making sure soldiers fighting overseas had a little comfort of home.
Members of Greenbrier High School's Quilting Club pose with several of the quilts and fleece blankets they created to send to troops who are serving overseas. Pictured are (from left) sophomore Amanda Reinke, 15; sophomore Lona Weeks, 15; freshman Kay Lilly, 15; and junior and club founder Julianne Joyce, 17.
Photo by Valerie Rowell
The school's Quilting Club was formed by junior Julianne Joyce in October for the specific purpose of creating quilts to send to the soldiers.
"With the war and everything, I heard a lot about soldiers going over, and I have a lot of friends whose fathers are over there and I just wanted to help out," the 17-year-old said. "It's not just something you bought. It's something you had to actually spend time making."
The 120 squares of donated or purchased fabric were meticulously measured, cut and sewn by one of four club members at regular Thursday meetings after school. Each rag quilt took about three weeks to complete, Julianne said. A red, white and blue quilt made from different textured fabrics was sewn and donated to the club's cause by Rachel Langley, a former Greenbrier student who is an honorary club member.
The group spent a May 12 meeting getting the 10 handmade quilts and fleece blankets organized to be sent to the soldiers.
"I know at least two are going to Afghanistan, and the rest are going to Iraq," Julianne said.
Art teacher Carrie Brady volunteered to be the club's faculty sponsor because her husband, Josh, served with the 67th Signal Battalion in Kuwait on the Iraq border, until his return in January.
"It gets cold in the desert," Brady said. "It gets down to the 30s and they have a rainy season."
Most of the club members had little or no experience with sewing or quilting, but were determined to learn from Julianne for the service project.
"This was my first time other than making a few baby blankets," Kay Lilly, a 15-year-old freshman, said as she concentrated intently on measuring and cutting brightly colored fabric pieces for a step-quilt for herself at a Thursday meeting after school.
Amanda Reinke, 15, had no quilting experience, or even sewing experience, but joined the club because both of her parents were in the military and she wanted to support those currently serving.
Julianne said the club members are proud of their work, which earns service credit for National Honor Society and Beta Club. They plan to amend the project next year.
"We're thinking of doing it again in the club next year for maybe lap quilts for nursing homes," Julianne said.