Community Partner Donates 20 lap quilts for the Chemotherapy Veterans.

In early March the VFW state and local representatives presented the Center for Development and Civic (CDCE) Engagement (Evansville) with 20 lap quilts for the Chemotherapy Veterans.

CDCE Voluntary Service Specialist, Angie Adams noticed the tag on the quilts which read, “Provided by the men of WVCF PLUS” – the Purposeful Living Units Serve Program in the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility in Carlisle, Indiana, a faith and character-based re-entry program offering offenders an opportunity to choose alternatives to previous behavior through an emphasis on spiritual, moral and character development. Service to the Community is an important part of the PLUS experience.

This peeked Angie’s interest as she was intrigued and wanted to find out more about the organization so she could let them know how much the Veterans enjoyed receiving their quilts. After some inquiring, Angie learned that the quilts were actually made by inmates at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility in Carlisle, IN. 

After contacting the PLUS Program Coordinator, she learned there was so much more to the program. Not only did they make quilts, but the PLUS program made duffle bags for the Boys & Girls Club so foster children could use them to carry their personal items when being transferred to foster homes.

WVCF PLUS is also known for one of the largest productions of Poppies, a symbol of remembrance and hope for a peaceful future, showing support for the Armed Forces.  WVCF is one of 13 Indiana correction facilities to house the American Legion inside for their Veterans.

When initially presented with the opportunity to partner with CDCE to continue making and providing the duffle bags for the Homeless Veterans the VA works with, the WVCF responded with enthusiasm!

A few short weeks later, CDCE received 20 large duffle bags delivered by a VA Veteran, Dan Ashby, who is one of our Evansville VA Veterans and who volunteers with the men in the PLUS program by assisting them and donating the materials for the lap quilts and duffle bags.

The PLUS program will continue to supply the VA with the duffle bags that will also include a small quilt.  In addition, the Evansville local VFW Auxiliary Post #1114 President, Sandy Ferguson, shared that they will be gladly partnering with CDCE to provide any items needed to include in the duffle bags for our homeless Veterans.

CDCE will be distributing these duffle bags throughout the Marion VA Health Care System to assist the Veterans who may be at-risk, assuring they are provided to any Veteran in need.

A lot of love and care goes into and will continue to go into the assembling of these bags. The hope is that each Veteran who receives one will experience a sense of how just how grateful and appreciative the VA and the other partnering organizations who help make this possible are for their sacrifice and service!

A WVCF Plus Program participant summed it up well, “A quilt is just a bunch of scraps that aren’t of much use on their own, but together they have a beauty and purpose, just like us.”