Group of women gets grant to sew blankets for children served by CASA of Linn County

Last year, Diana Gee of Corvallis found herself with some extra fabric, so she and some friends made quilts to give away.

The blankets made their way to Court Appointed Special Advocates of Linn County.

This year, Gee asked how many quilts would be needed and Director Micki Steele said she hoped CASA of Linn County would serve 100 kids.

And 100 quilts is what she got.

“I have a four-wheel-drive pickup that was packed front to back,” Steele said. “It was fantastic.”

The colorful coverings were the work of a group of longtime friends now living in Lebanon, Philomath, Redmond, Klamath Falls and Corvallis.

One of the women, Kathie Conley of Redmond, was able to secure a grant from Hayden Homes to help offset the cost of materials. Hayden Homes has a nonprofit arm that funds community projects in areas where it has homes.

Conley, who lived in Albany for 15 years and is now an employee of Hayden Homes in Redmond, is described by Gee as the group’s uber-shopper and deal-finder. She was “let loose” on Jo-Ann Fabrics during sales, and also found some great deals on eBay.

Gee, Conley and five more friends got together for their annual girls weekend in July. They did the bulk of the quilting during those four days.

“We had everyone working on these all weekend,” Gee said. “Even the non-sewers.”

Several individuals took the blankets home after the weekend to finish.

The group crafted quilts for all children CASA serves: teens, babies, boys and girls.

CASA rules prohibit the organization from buying gifts for the kids it serves, but Steele said they are happy to pass along donations like this, especially at Christmas time.

“These women should be recognized for their great, big hearts,” Steele said.

After helping to create 100 quilts, Gee said she is taking this coming year off and looking forward to a project that “involves absolutely no flannel whatsoever.”

Along with Gee and Conley, Terry Sturdevant, Jackie Farris, Ruth Montgomery, Virginia Connor and Mary Beth Kramer helped make quilts.

“I’m really thankful to have a group of friends who care about each other and can come together to do something for the community,” Conley added.

Steele said the quilts will be matched with a donated age-appropriate book and stuffed animal and delivered by CASA to the child.