Photo courtesy of Botetourt Rotary Club
The Botetourt Rotary Club recently presented a $500 check to Sirens and Salutes which, in turn, provided this funding to the Quilted Hearts Project. Cathie and Nathan Ostermann and Brenda Beckner, three friends who make up the Quilted Hearts Project, have distributed approximately 30,000 quilted hearts over the past three-plus years to first responders, veterans, and active duty military personnel who are stationed locally, in the states or overseas.
Some examples include, but are not limited to, Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals and nursing homes, Operation Gratitude, the Botetourt Sheriff’s Department, Sirens and Salutes, various VA luncheons, non-VA nursing homes, and extended care facilities.
Additionally, hearts were provided to the Troutville Fire Department before Santa and the firemen come through neighborhoods the week of Dec. 15.
Quilted Hearts doesn’t charge for these items. “They are simply a token of appreciation to our veterans, active duty, and first responders for their service,” a spokesman said. And patriotic hearts are not all they make. They also produce Christmas hearts as well as Valentine hearts for the same cause.
Quilted Hearts is always in need of supplies for the hearts, especially ribbon and buttons. If you would like to make a ribbon and button donation, or any other donation, to Quilted Hearts, contact Cathie Ostermann at (540) 354-5019.
~ Submitted by Botetourt Rotary Club
