Warm Donations to Utah Valley Christmas Box Club and Neediest of All

Pictured with the employees' handmade quilts and a larger-than-life sized check marking a $5,000 grant from Walmart (left-right): Lois Knuteson, UVCBC vice-president; Wendy Harness, UVCBC secretary; Evan Ockey, Payson Walmart store manager, who contributed to the volunteer project by adding stitches to the quilts; Lana Moore, department manager, whose contributions were many; Betty Quinn, UVCBC president; Shirley Shepherd, department manager, who donated fabric and batting used to make the quilts; Misty Davis, shift manager, who helped by volunteering her time to tie many of the quilts during work breaks; Michelle Elridge, department manager, who donated both time and supplies to help complete the project; Carolyn Adamson, greeter, who donated some of the batting used in the quilts; Tauna Christensen, department manager, who donated her time and supplies; and Daisha Bagshaw in receiving, who also contributed greatly to the quilts' making. Not pictured are the remaining Payson Walmart team, who contributed their own time to help make the warm quilts.

Stitch by stitch, the employees at Walmart in Payson contributed time and talent to create quilts to warm the bodies and hearts of children in Utah Valley. The project culminated on February 15, as the quilts and a grant from Walmart were presented to the Utah Valley Children Box Club. Betty Quinn, president, Lois Knuteson, vice-president, and secretary, Wendy Harness, were greeted by employees and their products at a small gathering at Walmart that day.

The quilt-making began in the fall of 2012, and all took place inside the Payson Walmart break-room. Fabric, in a collection of cheerful styles and hues, was stretched across quilting frames, yarn and needles ready for the hands of Walmart employees. Forty-seven quilts were completed in all, each destined to comfort an abused, abandoned, or neglected child in Utah Valley. They were transported to UVCBC's donation center, a donated office space located in Spanish Fork.

UVCBC is a function of the Christmas Box International organization, located in Salt Lake City. They follow the charitable ideals conveyed in Utah author Richard Paul Evans' popular novel,The Christmas Box. Charitable deeds are dedicated to society's meekest, the children. In the case of UVCBC, items—all new, from clothes to toys to hygiene kits, and quilts, are gathered. They are kept in storage within UVCBC facilities in south Utah County, transported again to the Christmas Box Room in the Provo Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), then given to abused and neglected youngsters.

“These kids are so traumatized they don't realize people love them enough to tie a quilt,” Quinn told a roomful of employees, clearly moved by their generosity. “You have done a tremendous thing. Thank you for wrapping your arms around these kids and letting them know you love them.”

Quinn lauded the employees for making the quilts on their own time. “None of this was on the clock,” she said.

With the quilts came the financial contribution of $5,000 to the UVCBC. The Walmart Foundation grant was the result of the 250-combined hours volunteered by the Payson store employees.

“I can't think of anything better that involves kids,” said Evan Ockey, Payson Walmart store manager, concerning the charitable efforts of UVCVC.

Pictured (left-right): Payson Walmart store manager, Evan Ockey with UVCBC president, Betty Quinn

Lois Knuteson reaches for a quilt destined for the Utah Valley Christmas Box Club donation center and, eventually, the arms of a needy child.

Wendy Harness with quilts bagged and ready for transport to the UVCBC donation center in Spanish Fork.

Advertise in The Payson Chronicle:

Prepaid Ad Rates (Black and White)

Half a Year of Advertising

26 issues

3X3 ad.............$325 (reg. $650)

1/16 page ad...............$650 (reg. $1300)

1/8 page ad.................$1300 (reg. $2600)

Full Year of Advertising

52 issues

3X3 ad................$650 (reg. $1300)

1/16 page ad..............$1300 (reg. $2600)
1/8 page ad.............$2600 (reg. $5200)

Place your ad today at paysonads.com (click on "ad packages" on the top bar, then make your selection).

Contact Mike Olson at thepaysonchronicle@msn.com for additional information.