Freedom Quilts Open House

Freedom Quilts finally has a permanent home so this project will continue to comfort families that need us.
All our supporters and friends are invited to help celebrated.

What: Freedom Quilts Open House When: June 29th, 2008 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Where: 13637 550th St. Fonda, IA Sign up for a door prize

Direction: From Storm Lake take C-49 East until you come to intersection C-49 and N-28 turn left on N-28 for two miles and then turn right on gravel road 550th St. We are the second place on the North side of the road you will see the sign on the building.

Direction From Fonda Take Hiway 7 and N-28 intersection go 7 miles North then turn east on 550th St, gravel road second place the building will have the sign.

From Pocahontas: 9 miles West hiway 3 then 3 south on N-28 turn left which is East on 550th St second place on the North side of the road

From Fort Dodge: Take hiway 7 from Pomeroy and Fonda on the west edge of Fonda turn North on N-28 Go 7 miles north then go 3/4 mile east on 550th St the second place on the north side of the road.

Join us in doing something good for the country.

Memorial Day Weekend

For some of us it's the start of picnics, a holiday, a day off from work but do we really take time to reflect what Memorial Day really means. Memorial Day should be a day to reflect on those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for us all. These are men and women that bravely stood forward to protect their family and country. We don't always stop to think that these great men and women gave it their all so we could enjoy this great country and not live in fear. Some of us just take it for granted.
This Memorial weekend take the time to celebrated by taking time to honor those who have died for us. Pray for our troops to come home safe and pray for the families that are left behind. Reach out to them and let them know you care.

Thank You

Today I want to thank all members in our family of support for without you Freedom Quilts would not be able to continue. Here are more members that we owe a great deal of thanks
Marie Sandre
Alpha Delta Kappa from Cherokee
Inspire By Time Quilts
Bonnie Rahn
Covered Bridge Quilting
Julie French
American Legion Auxilary from Pocahontas
Thank you for being a part of our family. We will continue to post as often as possible to honor and celebrate our families of friends and supporters.

Thank You!

Members in our Family of Support, Thank You

Trinity Lutheran Church Odebolt
*Debbie J. Newhouse
*Arlene Tipping
Council of Catholic Women Central Deanery Odebolt
* Mary B. Field

* We wish to extend special tributes to families who have lost a loved one. May we always hold dear the honor and memory of their beloved.

*Debbie J. Newhouse lost her son SPC Nicholas E. Wilson on March 11, 2005. Nicholas died while conducting a roving patrol in Ramadi, Iraq. We were honored to have Debbie Newhouse visit and stay with us. It was a true honor to listen to Debbie talk about her son. There was so much pride in her face, but you could also see the pain in her eyes. It was truly a gift to be able to respectfully honor her with a quilt in remembrance of her son. Debbie has continued to keep in touch which is also an honor for me.

*Arlene Tipping lost her son FF John Tipping on September 11, 2001. We have continued to be very close friends. I have gone to visit her in New York, and she knows that she can talk to me about anything and I will listen. I will listen to all the families that are mourning the loss of a loved one. Out of sadness, friendship got started and has grown.

* Mary B. Field lost her son Sgt Nathan R. Field on January 7, 2006 when his Humvee was hit by a civilian vehicle in Umm Qasr, Iraq. There wasn't a dry eye when Mary spoke of her son. The pain was so clear and she honor us all by sharing her loving son with the rest of us. Since she lives in Iowa we presented the quilt to her in person.

Thank you for being a part of our Family.

We will post as often as possible to honor and celebrate our Family of Supporters.

Thank You So Much!

Members in our Family of Support, Thank You

Jennifer C. Berger
Lois Houghtaling
Sheby County Board
Powhatan Pioneers 4-H Club
Nancy Dop
Patricia M. Webster
*Doug Cook
Julie Sampson
Barb Brugger
Robin Corzilius
Mrs. Ellen Streit
Mary Mohr
Souix City Diocesan Council of Catholic Women
Ireme Drown
Joan Godbersen
Anne Studer
Karen Renger
Shirley Elser
Karen McNertney
Rosemary Paulsen
IA Alpha Gamma Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa Lois Houghtaling
Honey Bee Quilters (Barb Huston)

* We wish to extend special tributes to families who have lost a loved one. May we always hold dear the honor and memory of their beloved.

*Doug Cook lost his son SPC Robert M. Cook on January 29, 2004.

We will post as often as possible to honor and celebrate our Family of Supporters.
Thank you for being a part of our Family.

Members in our Familly of Support

We are very grateful for the commitment and support people have extended to us over the years. In addition to the many names we've already listed in our Family of Support, there are four very special corporate donors who we would like thank...


Walmart

Walmart has been with Freedom Quilts from the very beginning. In 2001, Betty, Dennis and The Girls struggled to find a way to get to New York -- to find a way to deliver hundreds upon hundreds of quilts to mourning 9/11 families. Well, they finally found their way into New York. BUT... how were they to transport so many quilts from the Heartland to the Big Apple?

This is where Walmart stepped in. Without a second thought, they donated a semi truck, two drivers, purchased shipping permits and covered fuel costs so that each and every Freedom Quilt could safely make it into New York. Not only did they offer to transport these quilts, but we could trust the people we worked with. Two very helpful Walmart staff in particular went out of their way to make sure we -- and so many quilts -- were well taken care of.

Walmart has also awarded Freedom Quilts with two grants over the years, which have been very helpful in sustaining our mission.

Oh yes, and I dare you to take a guess where Betty buys almost all of her fabric. :)


FedEx

FedEx has been a dedicated partner and supporter of Freedom Quilts. If it were not for FedEx, literally hundreds upon hundreds of families would never have received their quilts.

As many of you may know, Betty and Dennis have made several long treks out to the East Coast to deliver quilts. Well, the reality is, despite the number of trips they've made... there will always be families just beyond their reach. Families who couldn't make it to events, or even families who live far away from NYC. Many families, especially military families who have lost a loved one, are scattered across the nation -- across the world even.

Well, beginning in 2002, FedEx stepped in to help Freedom Quilts and began shipping quilts to mourning families all around the country. For free.

For years now, FedEx has connected hundreds of families to the comfort of Freedom Quilts. They have been so generous, reliable, and a true supporter of our mission to comfort. And the FedEx employees Betty is in contact with truly believe in our mission. They believe in Freedom Quilts, and we very grateful for their steadfast support!


American Identity

American Identity is a company based out of Iowa that specializes in custom embroidered caps and hats. They have very generously donated spools upon spools of high quality embroidery thread to Freedom Quilts. On one occasion, American Identity generously donated so many spools of thread that the back of the Nielsen's pickup truck was completely full! In addition, American Identity has donated high-quality batting for our Freedom Quilts. Their generosity has been so helpful to our mission!


ILEC (Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative)

We owe deep gratitude for ILEC's consistent generosity. Without fail, each and every year ILEC makes a generous donation during Freedom Quilts' annual fund raiser. Thank you!

Thank You so Very Much for
Your Support and Your Dedication!

Thank You for Keeping Our Mission Alive!

Thank you so very much for your support. Your help gives us the resources, the strength and the hope we need to continue comforting our mourning families.

Members in our Family of Support, Thank You

Doramae Heller
Maggie Langenfeld
Cheryl A. Smith
Marilyn Wilhelm
Mrs. Sharleen Payne
Ms. Jean M. Hunt (Jean worked in the Pentagon and she was injured on 9/11)
Nancy Dop
Mary Sweet
*Robin Peterson
* Patricia E. Tamuccio
Helen Mosbrooker (Mosbrooker Family Trust)
CD of A Court St Joseph No 1554 Bode
*Barbara Dziadek
*Barbara Heeran
*Lynn Faulkner
Women of ELCA Immanuel Lutheran Church
Dorothea Kultala
Ms. Danuta G. Kowalik
*Hydie A. Henry
*Thinnat and Khampane Nachampassak
* Mark and Irma McVicker
*Haleema Salie
Jean M. Colby
Varina American Legion Aux
Mrs. Kathleen Lancaster
Geraldine H. Barber
* Wilmar and Betty Pollema
Sioux City Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Ruthven
Betty Bardole
*Linda A. Sarle
Mrs. Hazel Glaze
*Ms. Joanie DeMeo
Joyce Blair
Deborah L. Ash
*Kathy Dillaber
Ms. Jo Vos
Sandi Meyer
*Marvin and Audrey Levin
St Mary's Altar Society Auburn
*Dan and Elfriede Plumondore

* We wish to extend special tributes to families who have lost a loved one. May we always hold dear the honor and memory of their beloved.

*Robin Peterson lost her husband William R. Peterson on September 11, 2001

* Patricia E. Tamuccio lost her son Michael A. Tamuccio on September 11, 2001

*Barbara Dziadek lost her brother Denis Lavelle on September 11, 2001

*Barbara Heeran lost her son Charles Heeran on September 11, 2001. He was only 23.

*Lynn Faulkner lost his wife Wendy R. Faulkner on September 11, 2001

*Hydie A. Henry lost her son Army Pfc. Chassan S. Henry on February 25, 2005. Chassan S. Henery, 20 years old, died in Iraq from injuries sustained from an explosion while he was conducting combat operations.

*Thinnat and Khampane Nachampassak lost their son Sgt Krisma Nachampassak on July 10, 2004. Marine Sgt. Krisna Nachampassak 27, of Burke, Virginia died due a non-combat related vehicle accident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

* Mark and Irma McVicker lost their son LCPL Daniel McVicker on October 6, 2005. Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel M. McVicker 20, of Alliance, Ohio died from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces near Al Qaim, Iraq.

*Haleema Salie lost her son Sgt 1st Class David J. Salie on on February 14, 2005. Army Sgt. 1st Class David J. Salie 34, of Columbus, Georgia died in Ba'qubah, Iraq, when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device.

* Wilmar and Betty Pollema lost their son SSgt Bruce Pollema on Aug. 27, 2004 when the military tractor-trailer he was traveling in rolled over into a ditch near Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa.

*Linda A. Sarle lost her husband Paul F. Sarle on September 11, 2001

*Ms. Joanie DeMeo lost her husband FF Martin DeMeco on September 11, 2001

*Kathy Dillaber lost her sister Patty Mickley on the Sept 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon. Kathy Dillaber has become a very dear Friend of the Nielsens. While Betty and Dennis were
in Virginia, it was Kathy who kindly help them give quilts to families who had that lost a love one on 9/11. Kathy still misses her loving sister very much. It is still very painful for all the families who have lost a love one.

*Marvin and Audrey Levin lost their daughter Alisha Levin on September 11, 2001

*Dan and Elfriede Plumondore lost their son Sgt. Adam J. Plumondore on February 16, 2005 in Mosul, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.

Thank you for being a part of our Family.

We will post as often as possible to honor and celebrate our Family of Supporters.