FLEECE FOR VETS

The Blooming Prairie Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 878 Auxiliary is one very active group that cares for its veterans.
Just last week, a group of Auxiliary members gathered at First Lutheran Church of Blooming Prairie, to finish a project of donating 20 fleece blankets to the Veterans Administration Hospital of Minneapolis.
Marilyn Meshke is chair of the sewing and hospital project that has involved up to 10 Auxiliary members working on four different occasions at First Lutheran Church. "We are very grateful for the church donating its Luther Room facilities to us to do this work," Meshke said.
The VA of Minneapolis made a request to the local VFW post to provide these fleece blankets to veterans when they are sent home.
The no-sew blankets involve tying one-inch strips together in double knots. The final product measures 52 by 65 inches and fits a twin bed.
Meshke boxes the blankets and takes them to the Veterans Service Office in Owatonna. A van picks up daily and will take them to Minneapolis. "This is one of the most important projects we do to support the VA Hospital,” she said.
The blankets often carry a patriotic theme, and sometimes the blankets carry a theme of the Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.
Auxiliary volunteers also make wheel chair bags, children's activity bags and supplies, laundry bags, neck pillows and heart pillows.
Thrivent has donated some funds for the project. Sewing material has also been donated by Auxiliary members.
VFW Auxiliary members also make blankets for residents of Prairie Manor Care Center and the Heather Haus.
Three fleece blankets will be raffled off at a Veterans Memorial breakfast on Sunday, Sept. 29.