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ENLARGEAvid sewer
Karol Saxberg of Sutherlin sewed 22 pillowcases and 38 Christmas stockings and embroidered 25 fleece blankets to send to troops in Iraq. Saxberg found out about the need for the items after joining a Yahoo sewing list on the Internet.
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Fleece blanket
This is one of 25 fleece blankets that Karol Saxberg embroidered.
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SUTHERLIN -- They are thousands of miles away from home, separated from their families, fighting for freedom.
Wanting to give these American troops a piece of comfort while in Iraq, Karol Saxberg of Sutherlin did the only thing she knew how. She sewed.
"So many troops don't get anything from home. That's the sad part," said Saxberg, a wife and mother with no ties to the military. "It's not something you do to get a 'thank you' in the mail, because you don't always."
Saxberg, a retired business manager for a California auto leasing company, has sewed since she was a little girl. Now having more free time on her hands, she spends countless hours in her sewing room making blankets, clothes and crafts for loved ones.
An avid user of the Internet, Saxberg has joined a Yahoo sewing list. Earlier this year, she found out about a need to send pillowcases, Christmas stockings and blankets for troops in Iraq.
The drive was spearheaded by Sandi Carstensen of Clinton, Iowa. Her son-in-law, Lt. Col. James R. Hevel, has been stationed in Iraq since last February in Unit 515 FSB of the 1st Cavalry. There are about 400 to 450 soldiers in his unit, 4,000 soldiers in his cavalry.
Carstensen said her sewing efforts began last April, when Hevel requested a dark-colored pillowcase from her. She complied, and soon began making more and more to accommodate Hevel's comrades.
Soon, she posted the need on her online quilting forum, and people from all across America began to contribute -- including Saxberg. As part of what she calls "Operation Pillowcase," Carstensen said she's aware of 2,000 pillowcases being sent to her son-in-law's unit.
Saxberg contributed 22 of these.
"Karol has just done a fantastic job," Carstensen said during a phone interview. "I've never met her. I want to some day. I want to give her a hug. She's supported both of these projects."
The other project Carstensen headed was called "Operation Christmas Stocking." It began in August, and like the other drive, gathered support from across the country, Canada, and even Italy.
As far as she knows, Carstensen said about 1,000 stockings were mailed to her son-in-law's unit -- many of which were stuffed with toiletries and food items.
Wanting to give these American troops a piece of comfort while in Iraq, Karol Saxberg of Sutherlin did the only thing she knew how. She sewed.
"So many troops don't get anything from home. That's the sad part," said Saxberg, a wife and mother with no ties to the military. "It's not something you do to get a 'thank you' in the mail, because you don't always."
Saxberg, a retired business manager for a California auto leasing company, has sewed since she was a little girl. Now having more free time on her hands, she spends countless hours in her sewing room making blankets, clothes and crafts for loved ones.
An avid user of the Internet, Saxberg has joined a Yahoo sewing list. Earlier this year, she found out about a need to send pillowcases, Christmas stockings and blankets for troops in Iraq.
The drive was spearheaded by Sandi Carstensen of Clinton, Iowa. Her son-in-law, Lt. Col. James R. Hevel, has been stationed in Iraq since last February in Unit 515 FSB of the 1st Cavalry. There are about 400 to 450 soldiers in his unit, 4,000 soldiers in his cavalry.
Carstensen said her sewing efforts began last April, when Hevel requested a dark-colored pillowcase from her. She complied, and soon began making more and more to accommodate Hevel's comrades.
Soon, she posted the need on her online quilting forum, and people from all across America began to contribute -- including Saxberg. As part of what she calls "Operation Pillowcase," Carstensen said she's aware of 2,000 pillowcases being sent to her son-in-law's unit.
Saxberg contributed 22 of these.
"Karol has just done a fantastic job," Carstensen said during a phone interview. "I've never met her. I want to some day. I want to give her a hug. She's supported both of these projects."
The other project Carstensen headed was called "Operation Christmas Stocking." It began in August, and like the other drive, gathered support from across the country, Canada, and even Italy.
As far as she knows, Carstensen said about 1,000 stockings were mailed to her son-in-law's unit -- many of which were stuffed with toiletries and food items.
After the soldiers in Unit 515 FSB are served, the remaining Christmas stockings will be distributed to other soldiers within Hevel's cavalry. The drive recently ended, but Carstensen said it will begin again in January for the following Christmas season.
"It mushroomed from (Hevel's) need for a dark pillowcase," Carstensen said. "I always say quilters should be in charge of the world, because we get the job done."
Besides the pillowcases, Saxberg has made 38 Christmas stockings and 25 fleece throws for the troops in Iraq. One of the fun parts of the assignment, she said, was using her embroidery machine to give the items some added flair.
Using a computer chip, she programed her machine to spell out the words, "Thank you for your service," as well as a picture of the Liberty Bell. But even with the advance of technology, she said she had to keep close tabs on her machine to make sure it didn't act up.
"It mushroomed from (Hevel's) need for a dark pillowcase," Carstensen said. "I always say quilters should be in charge of the world, because we get the job done."
Besides the pillowcases, Saxberg has made 38 Christmas stockings and 25 fleece throws for the troops in Iraq. One of the fun parts of the assignment, she said, was using her embroidery machine to give the items some added flair.
Using a computer chip, she programed her machine to spell out the words, "Thank you for your service," as well as a picture of the Liberty Bell. But even with the advance of technology, she said she had to keep close tabs on her machine to make sure it didn't act up.
"These machines have male personalities," she said. "You leave them alone, they get in trouble."
Saxberg said she's glad she was able to help the troops in a small way, and next year, she plans to contribute her sewing skills again. Having already received some handwritten letters of gratitude from the soldiers, she said the notes came as a welcome surprise.
Still, she maintains the cards aren't needed. Just knowing her pillowcases, blankets and stockings serve a need is enough.
"It's wonderful to get the 'thank you,' but you don't do it for that," Saxberg said. "They are busy keeping themselves alive. It's nice knowing they were received."
* You can reach reporter Erin Snelgrove at 957-4208 or by e-mail at esnelgrove@newsreview.info.
Saxberg said she's glad she was able to help the troops in a small way, and next year, she plans to contribute her sewing skills again. Having already received some handwritten letters of gratitude from the soldiers, she said the notes came as a welcome surprise.
Still, she maintains the cards aren't needed. Just knowing her pillowcases, blankets and stockings serve a need is enough.
"It's wonderful to get the 'thank you,' but you don't do it for that," Saxberg said. "They are busy keeping themselves alive. It's nice knowing they were received."
* You can reach reporter Erin Snelgrove at 957-4208 or by e-mail at esnelgrove@newsreview.info.
How to help
If interested in sewing stockings, blankets and pillowcases for American troops in Iraq, contact Sandi Carstensen in Clinton, Iowa, at (563) 242-7213 or e-mail her at steamer@cis.net.
The next sewing drive of Christmas stockings will begin in January. Cash donations are needed to pay for postage costs. Care packages are also needed for the soldiers serving in Iraq. For more information on how to take part in this drive, access http://www.AnySoldier.US/index.cfm |
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