Wednesday, February 6, 2008

New FQ Building

FQ Flickr

FQ Flickr

Freedom Quilts has a brand new building! Just a couple of weeks ago, final touches were made to our organization's new home. We've got plenty of workspace, a kitchen, bathroom, a whole lot of storage space, and excellent lighting. But the best thing about the new building is that it's ours. Volunteers (aka "The Girls") are thrilled to know that they finally have a place where they can put their work away at the end of the day and know it will be right there waiting for them when they come back.

This is a huge change from the way we've had to do business in the past. For the last seven years, we've been working in the basement of the parish hall. Each day of quilting required a time-consuming routine of transporting and setting up equipment and then tearing down at the end of the day.

Now, FQ didn't have to pay to use the space, but it always felt like a transitory set-up. We never knew how much more time our organization would have at the parish hall. Even the priest would ask, so... when are you planning on finding another place? Do you know how much longer you'll be using the hall? Everyone felt like we were on borrowed time. We knew we'd eventually have to find a real home for the organization.

The new building also has number of comforts which were missing from the hall. Number one -- Heat. We keep the new building nice and warm, which comes in handy during cold Midwest winters. This is a welcomed change from the number of winter afternoons in the hall when we sat there quilting in our winter coats. One chilly day, you could even see your own breath in the air!

Ahh... Freedom Quilts finally has a place to call home!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so excited about the new building and I hope all who come and join in will also be excited. It is a place where we will bond for the same cause to bring comfort to all those that lost a love one. If we can bring smiles and love then we have done our job.

Laurel said...

Betty & Dennis, you have done a marvelous thing in creating the wonderful Freedom Quilts building. There will be no stopping you now!

Way to go!

Laurel

Anonymous said...

Betty, I am so pleased with you. You are truly following what God has asked of you. I remember when I received your Quilt in memory of my son, Brandon. I remember laying it out on the floor, laying down on it with outstretched arms and sobbing. I felt so many emotions when I opened the Quilt. At that time, Brandon was #962 Fallen in this War. But I also know, sadly, that there have been thousands since that time who have received a Quilt. You are truly letting us know that we are not alone in our loss. They are Truly Remembered and each thread you weave says so. I felt it when I opened Brandon's Quilt. I am always grateful to you, Betty. As I have written before, I believe that our Fallen, when they come before God, are told, "Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant"....I believe you too and "the girls" will be greatly rewarded in Heaven for your diligence and loving selflessness here below.

Good for You, Betty.

Hope Veverka
Brandon's Mom Always
PFC Brandon R. Sapp KIA 8/14/04