Photo provided Volunteers in the Quilts 4 Kids program prepare pillows to give away to students.
When the children are nestled all snug in their beds, some German Township kids will have new quilts and fresh pillows for their long winter naps.
Participants in the Quilts 4 Kids program will host a spaghetti dinner and holiday party for 153 Taylorsville Elementary students from 63 families, starting at 5:30 p.m. today at the school on Walnut Street.
A highlight of the evening will be the distribution of a handmade quilt, pillow and pillowcase to each child. In addition, the kids will receive a stocking filled with goodies, homemade cookies, candy canes and Santa hats, organizer Angie Behrman said.
Crafts materials will be available for the children to make holiday items, while photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be taken, she said.
To a large degree, these gifts are being made available to children from families in need because a lack of money prevented Angie Behrman from receiving Christmas presents as a child.
As Behrman recalls, a few teachers didn’t believe her when she told them the grandparents raising her couldn’t afford to buy Christmas gifts. After years of wondering why other children got presents when she didn’t, Behrman said she decided to help disadvantaged children have a Christmas at a time when she was old enough could help them.
That time arrived in 2019 – one year after she and her husband, Tim Behrman, opened Sew Crazy at 5520 25th St. The business sells and services a variety of machines designed to turn fabrics and other materials into useful items such as clothes. They also offer classes in quilting, beginning sewing and making specialty items such as purses.
Quilts 4 Kids grew out of an effort that helped a few kids in 2019 to assisting many children in Pine Knot, Kentucky (pop. 1,400) last year.
“I have a core group of ladies who are here religiously every Tuesday to sit and sew,” Behrman said. “But constantly it has been a community effort. There’s people who don’t sew who want to help because a friend told them what we were doing. There are churches that call me and want to help.”
Up until late September, volunteers spent Thursday afternoons at Sew Crazy making clothes for children in disadvantaged countries, she said. Those donations were distributed through the Samaritan’s Purse ministry.
She estimates that, in some capacity, about 50 individuals have assisted Quilts 4 Kids this year. That includes donors who bring in a household item every week such as personal hygiene products. During this week’s spaghetti dinner, an adult family member can choose from those donations the items they need.
Quilts 4 Kids is looking for volunteer willing to help out during next year’s programs. Call 812-418-8200 or email [email protected] for more information.
