Each year, La Verne Redman produces approximately 250 blankets for middle school children at Mills Independent School District. Redman is 89 years old and works year-round to quilt the blankets together from donated fabric. The blankets are distributed through the school in early December, and they provide a special source of comfort and meaning for the students and their families.
Redman seeks no recognition for her work. She does this project because of her love for the children. She originally worked at the Mills cafeteria. After her retirement, she began working with her friend Gertrude Eschberger. Eschberger had pioneered the quilt-making project and needed an assistant. Redman was up for the task. Before passing away at 95 years old, Eschberger asked Redman to carry on the project. Redman accepted the responsibility, and she’s been carrying on Eschberger’s legacy for 11 years.
Redman has worn out two sewing machines during her time making the quilts. After one broke down, she took it to a San Angelo repairman who told her, “I’ve never seen one worn out this much.”
Karen Hoelscher, Redman’s daughter, says her mom will often work on the quilts from 8 a.m. in the morning to 6 p.m. in the evening. “Mom took it upon herself given that she had worked in the cafeteria, and she always loved feeding the kids and seeing the kids come through. She just decided that she wanted to make blankets for the school district. And so, every year, Mills Elementary will put together boxes that they give to the needy families within the school district.”
Sarah Crouch is an elementary school counselor at Mills ISD. She’s responsible for ensuring that the quilts are distributed to the children. She said that the quilts have a special meaning for the children. “They are just always so excited,” she said. “Kids don’t get to see quilts very often these days.”
Beyond the meaning and comfort the blankets provide the children, the project creates a stronger bond between the parents and the school according to Crouch. “It helps our relationship as a school with the family, because I feel they know that we care and that we love kids,” she said.
For the quilts, Redman doesn’t use any designs. She simply looks at what she has and matches the materials for who she envisions will receive the blankets. All the fabric is donated to her from the local community, and she trusts that they will deliver her what she needs to carry on the project.
“I don’t want to be name dropped for doing this,” said Redman. “It’s just a love that I have for the children. I worked 15 years in the lunchroom. I met a lady the other day who told me, ‘I used to work at Mills. You fed me every day.’ And that’s an honor for me that my legacy is being passed on.”
