SHERRIE TAYLOR/The Register-MailA quilt made from patches sent by fire departments from all over the U.S. and even from foreign countries, was presented to Matt Olson at the benefit for him in Woodhull Feb. 11.
Patchwork quilt connects firefighters
Benefit for Woodhull volunteer draws worldwide response
Thursday, February 16, 2006
WOODHULL - A weekend benefit for volunteer firefighter Matt Olson saw an overwhelming response from fire department volunteers across the state and the nation.Olson, a volunteer with Clover Fire Department in Woodhull, has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis; the fire department had a soup supper, bake sale and auction Saturday to help meet ongoing expenses of his care and treatment.
Art Goodrich contacted fire departments via the Internet, explaining Olson's situation and asking for patches from their departments. More than 200 patches were sent and made into a quilt and denim pillow.
Goodrich's sister, Judy Neel of Zolfo Springs, Fla., spent nearly five weeks, as much as 10 hours a day, to complete the quilt in time for the benefit.
"She said it was a labor of love and was pleased with the way it came together," Goodrich said.
Patches came from Las Vegas, San Francisco, New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Mississippi, Florida Oak Park, Champaign, Peoria and Galesburg - even Pork County, Ireland, and Canada.
One patch on the quilt was from the Operation Iraqi Freedom Fire Rescue.
A group of firefighters from Ohio attended the event, including Max and Holly Linville of Glenmoor, Ohio.
They were amazed at the response from a small community, how people turned out to make the event a success.
Other items sent to Olson included helmet shields, shirts, hats and a cap from Troy Longhurst, who works in Thailand with an inter-agency team.
An auction followed the soup supper and a pedal car painted by Woodhull volunteer Bobby Litwiler to match the 1998 fire engine brought $1,300.
Olson has been a member of the Clover Township Fire Department since 1994 .
"This turned into a huge event," Goodrich said. "Those attending from out of town were amazed at the turnout for a small town; they thought it was pretty unbelievable."
