Special delivery to veterans; Elkville ladies head for Anna vets' home

They call themselves simply "The Rick Warren Library Ladies"--a group of 11 women who meet regularly at the town's library to knit and crochet.

Six months ago one of them, Carole Jorgenson, had "an idea." It was to turn their gift of crocheting, knitting and sewing into afghans, scarves and hats for the 59 patients at the Veterans Home in Anna.

The idea--and the women--caught fire.

The group includes Carole Jorgenson, Janet Eisenhauer, Johnnie Halstead, Dawn Mitchell, Carol Leggans, Diane Wohlwend, Lori Whittington, Donna Dailey, Patsy Mitchell, Melissa Robertson and Krystal Marlow.

They made throws, fingerless gloves, hats, scarves, candy pots, pillows, flags and gloves.

Carole, Janet and Johnnie ran the numbers in their minds.

There are about 60 throws all done in beautiful colors, 100 candy Kiss™ pots full of candy, eight pillows, two hats, several scarves, several decorative bottle covers, coasters and more. Many of the items are crocheted in red, white and blue.

Two vehicles are stacked from the floorboards to the ceiling. Good thing they have side mirrors.

They will leave Elkville at between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. today. Many of women are going. Many of the husbands and children are going. Women from the Anna Veterans Home say they have never seen this measure of caring in the entire history of the home.

The Rick Warren Ladies don't intend to sit out in the dining room and wait for somebody to show up.

"We are going to every room to find them and give them what we have made," said Carole.

Its an unprecedented handmade Veterans Day put together by some of the greatest women on earth. And, people are buying into their good deeds at every turn. The Elverado High School FCCLA has BEEN putting together its own collection of gifts that will find their way to Anna. as well.