DIDSBURY - After moving into his condo with his wife about a year and a half ago, Lorne Halbauer was looking for something to do.
He came up with the idea of making baby quilts for organizations that care for babies such as Ronald McDonald House.
Halbauer is now making and delivering 300 quilts a year. Although it can be pricey and time-consuming, Halbauer told the Gazette the project is very rewarding.
"I don't really know why I got into the quilts," said Halbauer. "I needed something to fill my time once we moved into the condos. I thought there might be a need for these quilts and I'm finding out there is. The places I take them to are quite appreciative."
It takes Halbauer about three hours to make each quilt. He picks up the necessary materials from nearby thrift stores, and pays out of his own pocket.
"I'll go in and buy 30 quilts," he said. "My problem is they have to be appealing to small children. They have to be animated and that type of thing. It's not easy to find that sometimes."
Halbauer plans to keep making the quilts as long as he can.
"I feel there is a need for them," he said. "I don't mind. As long as I can do it I will carry on. They are very appreciative of it. After the little ones go home they take the quilts with them."
The organizations he provides quilts for are: Ronald McDonald houses in Red Deer and Calgary, Rotary Flames House in Calgary, Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary, Children's Cottage and Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre in Olds.
"I needed something to fill my time once we moved into the condos. I thought there might be a need for these quilts and I'm finding out there is."Lorne Halbauer
