15 Firehouse Quilts go to

Denver Fire Station 20

“Our deliveries are such wonderful, learning experiences and it’s so nice Dusty asked us to accompany her.  August 27th, 2009

was our first delivery and we were very excited.”   (Kim)

“Before we headed out, we stopped by our storage units to pick up 30+ quilts.  The storage units are wonderful, organized spaces.” (Lynn)

“Boy, would I love to plop my sewing machine on the table in that fabric room and go crazy!” (Kim)

Kim Luedke, Sherri Mayne & Lynn Emch listen to the description of equipment that is carried on the fire truck to help the fire fighters with their jobs.

When we arrived at Denver Fire Station #20, the firefighters were out on a call, so we made ourselves comfortable on their patio to wait.  When they returned, we gave them our quilts and they gave us a tour of their station, telling us about the equipment they use.  They cover over 4,000 fire and medical calls a year with just one engine!  Shortly after he began describing the hoses and tools on board, they got another call and had to leave.

Do you know the difference between a fire engine

and a fire truck? 

Fire Engines carry water, hoses, tools (including a multi-tool designed by two (now retired) Denver firemen which is used throughout the country),

oxygen and medical equipment.  They primarily fight fires and

respond to emergency calls. 

Fire Trucks carry ladders, tools; what interested me most was the multi-tool called the TNT, which was designed right here in Denver.  The TNT tool (above) has several ends on it that could be used for everything from knocking down doors to getting someone out of a burning car.  Too bad they had to leave so soon, because it was fascinating learning about everything on the truck.  They were very grateful for the quilts.

20 Quilts to Sheridan Victim Advocates

Sheridan Victim Advocates – an organization that works with the Sheridan Police Department helping people involved in

domestic violence situations. 

The organization works around the clock with 3 staff and

about 8 volunteers to make sure people have the basic necessities

and referrals they need to deal with a horrible situation.

They were all extremely appreciative of the quilts and explained that they give them to children and families in crisis both

in the field  and in probation classes they teach. 

Kim Luedke, Cheryl & Autumn (Victim Advocates)

Sherri Mayne, Lynn Emch & Dusty Darrah display quilts

given to  Sheridan Victim Advocates.  

They especially liked the way the quilts were individually packaged in plastic bags so they can all keep a supply in their cars and

they stay clean and nice for the kids. 

“The visits were fun & really brought home the purpose of this special organization – as if getting together with a great bunch

of women and making beautiful quilts wasn’t enough!” (Kim)  

They carry our quilts in the trunks of their cars and appreciate our individual packaging in plastic bags.  They said our quilts are appreciated by parents, even more than stuffed animals or toys.

It was a very informative and enjoyable afternoon.  It's great to see where our quilts go and know they are a comfort to someone.  (Lynn)  

My biggest impression of our delivery was how much all these people help the community and how excited they get when then receive our quilts.  To learn that the kids and families would rather have a quilt instead of a stuffed animal really amazed me. 

Kids like toys, but to find out that the quilts make such a connection with them and they can snuggle up with them and used them to give them security that they need at that traumatic and

emotional time of their life.  (Sherri)

"It makes me proud of our Firehouse Quilts organization and all the women (and husbands) who put so much time and effort into these quilts.  It gives me faith in mankind that there are so many good people in the community who really give so much of themselves to help those in need, especially the children." 

(Sherri)

"It's so important that the volunteers making the quilts actually

get to participate in the quilt deliveries and see the reaction of the

fire departments and advocate employees when they see our quilts."

"Besides being a huge motivational factor, they get to see

how the quilts are distributed at the other end and

how appreciative the recipients are."

Dusty Darrah

Special Sew-In Benefiting Firehouse Quilts

Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010

(10am-3pm)

6811 W 120th Ave #1E
Broomfield, CO 80020
303-466-8129

Every year, Bob & Karen Juenneman, owners of  , generously host a fun Sew-In at their Broomfield shop to benefit Firehouse Quilts. 

The public is invited to help make quilts for Firehouse Quilts to donate to fire departments all over Colorado.  The fire fighters give our quilts to children they see on their emergency runs. 

Free kits are provided for visitors to sew 45” square quilt tops. 

A long-arm quilting machine is available to quilt the tops that are finished. 

provides morning snacks (bagels, juice and yogurt).  You may bring your lunch

or purchase it. 

The cost of lunch is $10.00 and any change left over from the cost of your lunch is donated to

Firehouse Quilts for supplies, etc.

Lots of great door prizes are given by

and their "grand prize" is a gift basket filled with thread, supplies, etc. 

(valued at $100). 

Each completed quilt turned in before or during the Sew-In gives you a chance to win this special basket of supplies.

If you can come and sew, please call the store (303-466-8129) and reserve a spot so enough sewing stations are

set up for everyone. 

If you are interested in trying your hand on the long-arm quilting machine, check the box on the sign-in form upon arrival. 

(1st come 1st served) 

Hands-on training on the quilting machine is available too.

This is a fun day for everyone so we hope to see you there. 

If you can’t come to sew but want to help in another way, cash donations are always greatly appreciated and tax receipts are provided so you can deduct your donation on your 2010 income tax.  

You can also drop off completed 45" square quilts, fabric, thread, batting or quilting books for our library can be dropped off during their regular

business hours.

If you have any questions, contact Ellen, our FHQ representative arthurbwidow@msn.com .

About 

Firehouse Quilts

We make and donate 45" square snuggle quilts to fire departments all over the state of Colorado. We have begun making twin sized quilts for Battered Women's Shelters too. Any style or patterns can be used in the donated quilts.

Volunteers from Firehouse Quilts meet twice a month in Highlands Ranch, CO. at the Northridge Rec Center, 8801 S Broadway in the Wetterhorn Room and welcome anyone that likes to sew/quilt for a great cause.   Free kits are available at all Sew Days.

1st Wednesdays, (4:30pm-8p) &

3rd Thursdays, (12:30pm-4:30pm) .
Bring your machine &

start making a difference!

(see the list of Sew Days near the bottom

of the page for updates.)

Our snuggle quilts are available to any fire department in Colorado.

To request quilts for your fire department, info about donating your time, money or fabric, contact Dusty Darrah firehousequilts@q.com or 303-683-6455.

Sew Days

at

Northridge Rec Center

8801 S Broadway, Highlands Ranch, CO

      Always double check the days and

info for Sew Days each month before traveling to them.

2010 Sew Day Schedule

Rec Ctr rescheduled our 1st Sew Day of the month to WEDNESDAY!

Always check firehousequilts@q.com before traveling

to a Sew Day, just to be sure it's still as posted here.