Sometimes, kids need a little comfort. And volunteers at the Sherburne History Center are helping kids in crisis get that comfort by making quilts.
At Tuesday’s county board meeting, Sheriff Joel Brott introduced some of those volunteers who are part of that quilting program. Along with History Center Director Mike Brubaker were Phyllis Scroggins and students Elizabeth Boldischar and Olivia Boldischar from Big Lake.
Brott said he was contacted by the History Center a few weeks ago about donating 65 small quilts.
“They will be comfort quilts for kids that are crime victims or kids that perhaps are removed from the home temporarily,” he said. “It’s something for the deputy or the investigator to give to small children in our community to help them feel better in a time of crisis.”
Scroggins, who was instrumental in starting the quilting program, said in a chance meeting at the History Center, she spoke with Sgt. Don Starry about whether the county sheriff’s department could use quilts.
“He said “yes, I could,” said Scroggins. “The next thing I knew I was standing at Joanne’s Fabrics with Mike (Brubaker) buying the flannel.”
They purchased 100 yards and had another 25 yards donated.
“When we were getting ready to cut and sew, the girls showed up and wanted to learned how to sew. So we had sewing and tying lessons at the same time,” said Scroggins. “It’s been a wonderful project for us at the History Center.”
The first batch produced 65 quilts. They start working on the second batch in two weeks. Scroggins says she wants the program to keep going.
“As long as I’m affiliated with the History Center, I’m going to sit there and sew these things,” she says, “I don’t want them to ever run out.”
Brubaker said the quilt program was inspired by the Art and History of Quilts in Sherburne County Exhibit at the History Center last September.
“We had about a dozen quilts we were showing,” he said. “Because of that exhibit, Phyllis and I started talking about making quilts. As a result,
the program came together.”
Brubaker agrees that it should continue.
“It’s ongoing. We hope to raise more money to buy more flannel,” he said. “We’ll keep going until we run out of yarn and flannel.”
Brubaker said about a dozen people have been part of the quilt program.
Commissioner Rachel Leonard commended their dedication.
“I love that it’s part of our volunteers in Sherburne County,” she said. “Everywhere I look there’s volunteers. And they are priceless.”
“This certainly becomes a part of our history - you folks making these quilts,” said Commissioner Felix Schmiesing. “But the most important piece of that is going to be a young child in crisis that is going to be comforted by the work and time you put into it.”
