An offer from a local business turned into a far more significant donation than Warman Fire and Rescue expected.

Fire Chief Russ Austin says he underestimated the generosity of the local quilting community. Tiny Stitch Quilt Shop had offered to make quilts for the children that ended up in the firefighter’s care when they respond to calls.

” Of course it sound like a great idea to me. I was like yeah we could use a few blankets and trying to get handmade quilts is about as good as it gets. And low and behold a month passes and they ask if they can come and bring them over and they made 82 quilts for our kiddos.”

He expressed his gratitude to the the local quilting community noting that when responding to calls they would use maybe a teflon sheet or standard issue hospital sheet.

“We have fundraisers and dine and dances and we usually get a quilt or two that people make and donate it and I know that they go for, in the silent auction part of our event, they go for a lot of money. So I can’t imagine the amount of time and effort and things that went into these quilts. Some of these quilts are so nice they should be hanging on a wall. Some kids are going to be very warm and very happy.”

Chief Austin says this is a huge upgrade for people in their time of need to keep them warm.

“And maybe give them some happy thoughts about the quilt and maybe less about the injury or what might be going on.