Liberty Sewing Circle members use their quilting and sewing talents to honor local veterans by making quilts for those who have served the country. The group of women ages 52 to 75 meets Mondays from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Kosciusko Community Senior Services facility. KCSS allows the group to meet there for free. Fabric, cotton backing, thread and yarn is donated by people in the community. Kathy Snell, founder, said she started the group in October. It began with three members and has grown to 13. “At that point in time we sent 100 quilts down to Indiana Veterans Home in Indianapolis,” Snell said. Since then quilts have been delivered to veterans in December at Warsaw Meadows and Masons Healthcare. Snell said it is important to give back to veterans. “So many times our veterans are forgotten in our nursing homes and within our community and not given the recognition for the sacrifices they have made and to me they are the pillars of our community and what this country stands for,” Snell said. “It’s an honor to do the quilts as a token to say ‘we appreciate you,’” Snell said. The group has given out 175 lap quilts and three full-size quilts to veterans. On Tuesday, 25 veterans at Miller’s Merry Manor received quilts made by the group as well as a flag sticker and a patriotic veteran poem written by a seventh-grader from Fort Wayne. Plans also are to deliver quilts to residents at Grace Village. Walter Easterday, 93, a Miller’s Merry Manor resident and World War II veteran in the 10th Armor division in the Army, said he was happy to receive the quilt. “It means a whole lot to get this quilt and shows we are appreciated,” Easterday said. Bob Robinson, 85, Miller’s Merry Manor resident and 21-year National Guard veteran, was also appreciative. “I’m proud to receive the quilt,” Robinson said. Phil Neff, 76, a Navy veteran and Miller’s Merry Manor resident, was glad to receive the quilt. “We receive very little recognition and this is (it),” Neff said. Snell said she did not know how to sew when she started the group, but learned from Marcia Huffman, Liberty Sewing Circle member. Huffman, 63, Pierceton, has been sewing since junior high and quilting for the past four years. “I have cut fabric to get the quilts ready and will sew them,” Huffman said. Karleen Richards, 71, North Webster, found out about the group from Huffman. “I help with sewing the backing for the quilts. I have sewn since I was a teenager,” Richards said. She also crotchets afghans and gives them to North Webster American Legion members. Snell said many of the members have learned to sew while being part of the group. “Some members will come in and iron fabric to get it ready for quilting and other ladies will quilt,” Snell said. Snell said the group is always looking for new members and is open to any age, gender or skill level. To learn more about the group email kathysnell1374@yahoo.com
