"Operation Pillowcase" was created out of love and support for my son, Paul. Paul had joined the U.S. Air Force. When Paul deployed to Iraq in November 2006, I was overtaken by fear. I needed something to keep my mind busy and occupied, so I asked my mother, Betty Renck, to help me sew 9 pillowcases out of patriotic fabrics for my son and his 8 buddies. We put them in their special Christmas care packages I was sending them in Iraq.

Mom and I had so much fun designing and sewing these pillowcases (while I was visiting her in Southern California) that she thought we should make a pillowcase for all 50 men living in Paul's tent in Iraq. My mom felt that 50 pillowcases would be an easy goal to achieve, but before we realized it, our project had grown from a simple 9 pillowcase idea to 522 pillowcases; one for each man and woman stationed with my son at Camp Bucca, Iraq!

Since I had to return to my home in Concord, California, my Mom started organizing her sewing team. She called upon her sewing connections for help; members of the Riverside/San Bernardino Chapter of the American Sewing Guild, Diane Ricks Silk Painting and Sewing Class, the "Sew-n-Go" team and members of the Arlington United Methodist Church.

This project, which started as a dream, became a reality due the dedication of my mother and father (Betty and Paul Renck) and all the wonderful ladies and volunteers of Riverside County. Not only did "Operation Pillowcase" bring a piece of home to our deployed men and women serving in Iraq, but it touched the lives of all who were involved.

By the end of 2008, "Operation Pillowcase" has sent over 4,000 patriotic pillowcases to our deployed men and women serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world. We hope to send many, many more in the future.