McKenzie County ND

On Monday February 25, 2008 the some local 4-H youth met at the Nursing Home in Watford City to help cut denim squares from recycled blue jeans.

I can hear your thoughts what do 4-H kids and recycled jeans have to do with quilts, well the story is just beginning.

The activities department at the nursing home raises funds from home made quilts. These funds are used to purchase items that the residents use to enhance their home. Raynette Samuelson, Activities Director is always brainstorming on what they could use next.

But back to the quilts. Just how do we get from donated jeans to warm, durable, gift for any occasion, made with love quilts.  Here is the journey.

The jeans come in from members of the community, Raynette calls her dependable crew of Jeannie Thorgramson and her sister Frankie Faulkenhagen, they cut the jeans apart and mark theme with squares. Then they are brought back to the Nursing Home to be cut into individual squares, this is where the 4-H kids come in. It is becoming difficult for our residents to cut the squares, so as a 4-H leader I suggested we could ask the local clubs to come i and help cut the squares. This would be a good community service project and it would let the residents share some time with the youth. Each group enjoys the time they spend together. When the squares are all cut then they are delivered to Lillian Gravos who sews all the squares together to make the quilts. The sizes range from baby to queen size quilts. Once Lillian has the quilt pieced together then they travel once more to the Senior Citizens Center where the residents there tie the pieces together. And once again the quilts travel back to Lillian for the final touches. When Lillian is finished with the quilts they come back to the nursing home to await a final destination. Lillian has been sewing the quilts for many years, no one can say the exact years.

Many of these quilts are purchased by local families for their loved ones. The quilts make great gifts as they are all made with love. Just imagine being wrapped in love every time you went to bed or took a nap on the couch or to watch TV.

Thats how we at the nursing home think of the quilts, LOVE surrounding each and everyone who has purchased a quilt. Through everyones efforts these quilts benefit the residents who live at the nursing home.

Once again generations gathering together helping each other out.

If you would like more information contact Raynette Samuelson at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Watford City and if you have a project that needs getting done contact Marcia Hellandsaas with the 4-H in McKenzie County.