Blooming flowers to benefit ambulance

By: 
Carol Walker
With a pattern from Facebook and a few colorful pieces of fabric, two women tilled up a garden of wearable flowers blooming all around Hill City and beyond. Now one of those women, her sorority sisters and anyone who cares to join them, would like to expand the garden to raise money for the new Hill City Ambulance Center.
Several years ago, Sue Anderson was approached by her good friend Sheila Grieme, who showed Anderson the pattern for the flowers. “What do you think?” asked Grieme.
“I loved them, the variety of colors, the pretty fabrics,” said Anderson.
The two launched into the project, laughing together as they transformed their own fabrics into flowers, accenting them with what they called “Doodahs.” Using buttons, beads and jewelry, they added a sparkly doodah that made each one unique. A pin attached to the back enabled them to be worn on a blouse or sweater or jacket.
Because women with a love for fabric typically attend the annual Hill City Quilt Show, Anderson and Grieme decided it would be a perfect place to test the waters and put out their new creations. 
“We never put a price on the flowers. It was all by donation. That year we were able to raise $1,000 for a young family going through some medical issues,” said Anderson.
They made hundreds of flowers. Then one day Grieme looked at Anderson and said, “No, we just can’t do anymore.” Subsequently, Grieme moved to eastern South Dakota. She eventually passed away, something extremely difficult for Anderson as the two women were not only good friends but also related through marriage. 
Sometimes Anderson would wear a flower and if someone admired it, she would take it off and give it to the person. It was heartwarming for her.
Recently, at an Xi Alpha Chi Sorority meeting, Connie Prautzsch mentioned that at the last quilt show, ladies asked about the flowers. She wondered if it would be something to pursue again. Anderson said she had a hard time because it brought back memories of Sheila, but in the end, she agreed it would be a good thing.
“Sheila would have wanted us to do this,” said Anderson.
Someone mentioned the new ambulance center that is in the planning stages for Hill City, and it was a unanimous vote to proceed with the project. The sorority sisters offered to help, with the understanding that every penny would be donated to the ambulance center. 
Anderson considers it to be a community project and invites others to be involved. Helping with any part of the flower making would be appreciated. Monday afternoon she held a demonstration at the community center, passing on the method to those in attendance. It requires a little machine sewing for the petals, then some hand work to gather petals together, and finally, hot-gluing felt and then pins to the back of the flowers. It is all for a great cause.
“We appreciate the ambulance service. It is a matter of life and death in our town and in the area,” said Anderson.
Anyone interested in being involved may call Anderson at 605-209-2875.
 

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