Making a big difference in little lives

Monday, December 11, 2006 10:43 AM PST

Julie Engel | Argus Observer

Fruitland

Almost 1,400 local children have a security blanket to keep them warm because of one Fruitland woman's giving spirit.

Billie Berria-Wilson has been making quilts and fleece blankets for various local organizations for almost 10 years. To date, Berria-Wilson said she has donated 1,375 quilts and about 500 fleece blankets to entities such as the STAR Center, the Oregon Department of Health Services Child Welfare Programs and local pediatric clinics and hospital wards.

“I love Ontario and the whole area, and I decided to do something for kids,” Berria-Wilson said. “I'm crazy about kids, and some have a tough time.”

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Berria-Wilson calls her project “From My Heart to Yours,” and in the corner of each quilt she paints a red heart and her initials. She said she has heard many stories of how her quilts have helped unfortunate children make it through tough times. Those stories keep her going, she said, and Berria-Wilson will continue to make blankets, “probably until I can't breathe anymore.”

“It's done more for me than it has for anybody - it's good for your soul,” she said.

The children's project is not just a one-woman show, however. Berria-Wilson said she has had a lot of help from family and friends along the way.

Since Berria-Wilson has arthritis in her hands, she said she has to “call in the troops” for a “Tie One On” party to finish the quilts.

The project is rewarding, she said, especially when she thinks of those children she helps. Right now she is finishing 25 quilts, and said she hopes to reach the 1,400 mark by the end of the year. Most of the quilts are close to being finished, so she said that goal is attainable.

“Such a little thing makes so much difference in some of their lives,” Berria-Wilson said.

In addition to the blankets, Berria-Wilson also donates stuffed animals to local police departments and goodie bags for children in the STAR center and child welfare program at DHS. The bags are filled with coloring books, crayons and a small stuffed animal, and Berria-Wilson said the children's eyes light up when they learn they can keep the goodie bag.

“Whatever helps - if people had a clue of what these children had to deal with, more might help,” she said.

Last year the DHS Child Welfare Program honored Berria-Wilson for her dedication to help children at the annual foster child Christmas party, Helen Plaza, social service specialist for DHS Child Welfare Programs, said. This year foster children again received a Berria-Wilson blanket from Santa Claus, Plaza said, and they also decorated their own stocking to bring home at the Christmas party Friday.

The need for foster families is great, Plaza said, and the need continues to grow as methamphetamine addiction affects more parents. Foster families take care of children until their legal guardians can straighten up to give children a proper home, Plaza said.

“Foster care is a temporary home until guardians can get their act together,” she said.

Foster parents are reimbursed by the state each month a foster child is in their care, from $387 for infants to 5 year olds to $497 for teenagers 13 years old or older. Plaza said she will teach a free “Foster Parent Training” class beginning Jan. 16. For more information on how to become a foster parent, contact Plaza at (541) 889-9194, ext. 314.