Members of Castle Country Quilters Guild on Wednesday presented the Price Police Department with a bundle of “security blankets” for use in a variety of situations that officers encounter, such as traffic accidents and family disputes. About 70 quilts are produced each year, and they are also distributed to the Helper and Wellington Police Departments and the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office. The Guild also provides quilts for veterans.
Quilters Guild member Leslie Tallerico recalled how the group effort came about. She said it stemmed from an incident a few years ago when a child was rescued from a stream and the emergency responders didn’t even have a blanket to cover her. That’s when they said, “We need to work on that.” Proceeds from the group’s quilt show at the Carbon County Fair in August go directly into the “Police Car Quilts” program.
Price Police Sgt. Kelly Maynes commented, “When we have an incident where kids are cold and don’t have anything, we have something we can give out that helps to comfort them a little bit. Sometimes we’re dealing with families that may be a little less fortunate and we have a few blankets we can give to the kids to help keep them warm. It helps them, and it helps us to be able to pass that along.”
Sgt. Maynes estimated the quilts are handed out about once a week or more. He said often times the incidents are family disputes. “When we have kids that are the true victims of the whole incident, they’re scared, they’re cold, they’re frightened, and having things like this to be able to comfort the kids, it gives them a sense of safety and lets them know we’re here to help,” he observed.
Adults have also benefited from the quilters’ donations. Maynes said there have been incidents where the quilts are used to keep someone involved in a traffic accident warm while they are waiting to be extricated or awaiting an ambulance.
“It’s a huge benefit. It’s a huge help for us and a huge help for our community,” he affirmed.
Quilters donate security blankets
Members of Castle Country Quilters Guild Leslie Tallerico, Linda Clark, Judy Peterson, and Vera Clark with Sgt. Kelly Maynes made a donation to the Price City Police Department recently. Rick Sherman, Sun Advocate Reporter