Friendship Quilters donate blankets for families in need

Sun Health Del E. Webb Hospital's Nesting Place Obstetrical Suites will have more opportunities to give blankets to underprivileged families and their newborns.

Friendship Quilters of Sun City donated almost three dozen quilts to the hospital unit last week. The blankets are expected to be added to layettes handed out to first-time parents who don't have a lot of baby supplies.

"This touches my heart that people want to donate to our baby closet, because they know how important it is to give to those in need," said Sharon Wallace, manager of Sun Health Auxiliary. "The quilts will be put to good use."

Shari Heath, vice president of Friendship Quilters, said the club has donated handmade quilts to two charities so far this year, including Haven House, a shelter for battered women that is run by YWCA, and for senior patients at Sun Health Boswell Hospital.

"We love to do this project and are glad that they're being put to good use," she said.

Wallace said two hospital volunteers started the layette program in 2002, after a family didn't have any baby items for their child born at the Nesting Place.

"They decided to take it upon themselves to get items for this family, and it eventually snowballed into something bigger," Wallace said.

The layette program has provided more than 1,700 packets to parents since its inception.

"I'm glad we have this program because it's always good to help someone," Wallace said.

For information about the layette program or to donate, call the volunteer office at 623-214-4775.

Mitchell Vantrease may be reached at 623-876-2526 or by e-mail at mvantrease@yourwestvalley.com.