For the past four years, we have been making red, white and blue items to donate to the VA Hospital in Minneapolis on or near Veterans' Day. This year we dropped off 18 items on Friday, Nov. 10.

... And discovered that the hospital is pretty barebones on Veterans' Day. While they were holding a special ceremony later, when we were there many offices were closed, including the Volunteer office where we usually drop our donations. Luckily, we ran into a few ladies in the hall, and one had a key to let us into the Volunteer office! So we were still able to donate that day. (Thank goodness! Those bags were heavy with lapghans!)

Read more about our past 5 donations here. 

A new covered walkway since we were here last!

In November, we remember the brave soldiers who have stood tall for our country, and we bring those who are ill hats and lapghans. On Nov. 2016, we brought 47 hats, 14 blankets, one shawl and one cowl.

We always make sure to fashion ample lapghans and blankets, following the advice of Julie Quinn, who worked as the Voluntary Assistant at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis until her death 1 month after our 2015 visit. We want to make sure no one's lap is cold!

Meegan Johnson praised the beauty of the donated items, expressing her thanks on behalf of the VA.

This was our fourth donation to the VA Hospital in Minneapolis. Read more about past donations and the good work done at the VA here.

October is traditionally the month we collect red, white and blue items for the VA in Minneapolis, and this year was no exception. We are always delighted to see the ample afghans you fashion for the mostly male patients at the VA. This year, you churned out 8 red, white and blue blankets and 1 shawl -- and we know they take a lot of time! We're waiting for another 1 or 2 before we drop items off in November. And there were a few you brought early in September.

You also brought 30 hats and 1 scarf - wow! Some are masculine colors for the VA and others will be distributed to other locations.

DID YOU KNOW - We're getting pretty close to an overall total of 3,000 items since Team Yarn was created. I bet we'll get there before the end of the year. AMAZING!!

SOMEONE FINISHED THEIR FIRST HAT!! Way to go, Lisa!!

Here are a couple lovely notes we've received lately.

 This note from Jody Gilbertson came with about 28 hats of various sizes and designs, 6 mittens and a fantastic blanket.

Wow! Sandi dropped off two large bags of hats at our Cambridge drop-off site in January.

We are so grateful for the relationship we have with the VA. What lovely people we connect with there.

On Nov. 25, 2015, we brought boxes and bags of red, white and blue items to the Veteran's Hospital in Minneapolis. There were a total of 42 items -- 30 hats, 11 lapghans and 1 shawl. Julie Quinn, the Voluntary Assistant at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis, said, "Oh, aren't they beautiful. Just gorgeous, you guys! Thank you for bringing them in."

As she looked through the lapghans we brought, Julie Quinn, the Voluntary Assistant at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis, told us they go to the palliative care unit. "When the vet leaves us, the blanket goes home with the family," said Julie. "When they come back they say, 'We just love the blanket. It reminds us of dad.'"

Some of the items will go in the comfort bags that patients receive. Our hats "make them exciting to give out to people," observed Jeannette, a volunteer specialist. Other items include canteen bucks, shampoo/conditioner, hand sanitizer, tooth brushes, tooth paste, slippers, snacks, little notebooks, pens, hairbrushes, and deodorant. Another special touch is the inclusion of directions for how to do hand massage, which is especially nice for those at the end of their life.

This was our third donation to the VA Hospital in Minneapolis. We have focused on making red, white and blue lapghans the past two Novembers in honor of Veterans Day. During our first visit, Julie let us know that lapghans are a need for the VA, and they often don't get lapghans that are large enough, so we focus on making these small blankets that will be sure to cover a vet's entire lap.

Click here to learn more about the VA and to see photos of our past donations.

We brought 41 hats, a scarf, and 13 blankets to the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014.

The donations were a result of several months of dedicated effort by our talented and creative volunteers. Linda's tip for finishing 4 blankets? Work on them all at once and switch between them so you don't get bored.

Linda with one of the four blankets she made during our red, white and blue drive.

The entire room of volunteer service staff were so appreciate of our work, and they ooh'd and ah'd as they looked through the boxes we brought. "Wow, this is wonderful!" one said. 

Meegan Johnson said, "Aren't they pretty? Thank you so much ladies!"

"Thank you so much!" echoed John.

Amy pointed out, "We try to meet the needs of the people we're donating to." Because of that, we embarked on a concentrated effort to make red, white and blue lap blankets after donating to the VA in May 2014. While we were there, a volunteer had let us know that those items would be really appreciated by the veterans and their families. She encouraged us to make big lap blankets, not small ones. And so we did!

Learn more about the VA over at this earlier post.

This cart was being pushed around by a volunteer the day we were there. Note the hats and blankets on the bottom being given out? This is how some of the Team Yarn donations will be distributed.

"We appreciate this stuff," said Julie Quinn, the Voluntary Assistant at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis. On Thursday, May 15, 2014, we dropped off two boxes filled with 18 men's hats and 9 shawls at the VA Hospital.

As it has been with most of our donation spots, members in our group are connected to the VA Hospital and have had loved ones treated there.

Amy, Aurora, Axel, Josey, Jenn and Tesha (not pictured) make the delivery at the VA Hospital on May 15, 2014.

Julie Quinn - What a lovely lady!

Julie isn't sure if she's paying it forward or backward. "We had 23 more years with my dad because of the care he got here," Julie said, "and 12 more years with my brother because of the care he got here." She's been an employee there for 18 years, and figures she needs to be there at least 35 years to pay the place back! Recently, her son-in-law was treated at the VA hospital. "I am going to be here forever," Julie said with a laugh.

Julie informed us that items that are red, white and blue are most popular with the vets and their families. We will start collecting red, white and blue yarns, and ask you all later this year to focus on making items in those colors so that we can make another donation to the VA (maybe in December?). Julie noted that shawls and lap blankets are very popular, and they go through many. She encouraged us to make them in large sizes because the laps of veterans aren't small.

"Caregiver stuff is so important," agreed Amy Pass.

There is also a 10-bed hospice facility at the VA campus. "We provide the families with comfort bags," said Julie.

Another program at the VA provides more support to caregivers within 40 miles of the VA. Volunteers go to the homes of patients and hang out there so that the caregiver can get a break.

The arms of the VA stretch out in hundreds of ways. Some of the hats donated through volunteer services wind up heating the heads of young, homeless vets, those who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. When they returned, they weren't able to adjust, and now roam the streets.

The radiation treatment at the VA is cutting-edge. When it was purchased, they demanded different equipment than what was being used at the other VAs in the country. Their equipment has a removable piece so that as the area affected by cancer gets smaller, the amount of radiation going in is less and less.

ABOUT THE VA HOSPITAL

According to its web site (http://www.minneapolis.va.gov):

The Minneapolis VA Health Care System hosts one of the largest and most active research programs in the VA health care system. There are currently over 160 scientists and investigators conducting 550 research projects.  Research projects carried on by these investigators cover the gamut of human disease with emphasis on brain physiology, Alzheimer's disease, vascular disease (pulmonary hypertension, abdominal aneurysms), infectious disease (influenza, urinary tract infections), diabetes mellitus (basic biochemistry and clinical management), outcomes-based research (HSR&D)  (sexual harassment, tobacco addiction, PTSD, and polytrauma), heart disease, prostate and colon cancer, hematologic malignancies,  chronic pain,  schizophrenia, addictive disorders, Gulf War syndrome, hepatitis C, traumatic brain injury,  and chemical dependency.

When it comes to cancer, the Hematology-Oncology (Hem-Onc) Service at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System conducts both clinical and laboratory cancer research programs to improve the care and outcome of VA cancer patients, and educates trainees in cancer care.

There are about 30 new patients weekly at the VA. Providers there have approximately 13,000 outpatient provider visits annually.

The department has 8 Medical Oncologists, 4 Physician Assistants, 2 Oncology pharmacists, an Oncology Patient Navigation Team consisting of 1 RN and 1 Program Support Assistant, and multiple RNs, LPNs and Clerical staff providing service in the Hem-Onc Clinic (3V) and Oncology Infusion Clinic (3F). In addition, the Oncology Team has a Social Worker, a Dietitian, and an integrated network with Specialty Care services.

The Minneapolis VA Medical Center hosts an annual Cancer Survivor's Day celebration that takes place in the fall.

The view from the main lobby is incredible, although it is under construction right now. We could only see what it looks like from the second floor.

A display of flags educates folks on how our national flag has evolved through the years.

The parking lot was full of these.

A puzzle in progress in one of the lobbies.

The Fisher House is like the Ronald McDonald house. While their loved ones are being treated at the VA hospital, family members can stay at the Fisher House for free. We are going to look into donating to them in the future.

department has 8 Medical Oncologists, 4 Physician Assistants, 2 Oncology pharmacists, an Oncology Patient Navigation Team consisting of 1 RN and 1 Program Support Assistant, and multiple RNs, LPNs and Clerical staff providing service in the Hem-Onc Clinic (3V) and Oncology Infusion Clinic (3F). In addition, the Oncology Team has a Social Worker, a Dietitian, and an integrated network with Specialty Care services to meet your every need. - See more at: http://www.minneapolis.va.gov/MINNEAPOLIS/services/oncology/Hem-Onc.asp#sthash.qgaW9RNV.dpuf

The Hematology-Oncology (Hem-Onc) Service at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System provides quality cancer patient care, conducts both clinical and laboratory cancer research programs to improve the care and outcome of our VA cancer patients, and educates trainees in cancer care.
The Hem-Onc Section provides both inpatient and outpatient consultative services for the evaluation and care of approximately 30 new patients weekly, and  has approximately 13,000 outpatient provider visits annually.
- See more at: http://www.minneapolis.va.gov/MINNEAPOLIS/services/oncology/Hem-Onc.asp#sthash.qgaW9RNV.dpuf

The Hematology-Oncology (Hem-Onc) Service at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System provides quality cancer patient care, conducts both clinical and laboratory cancer research programs to improve the care and outcome of our VA cancer patients, and educates trainees in cancer care.
The Hem-Onc Section provides both inpatient and outpatient consultative services for the evaluation and care of approximately 30 new patients weekly, and  has approximately 13,000 outpatient provider visits annually.
- See more at: http://www.minneapolis.va.gov/MINNEAPOLIS/services/oncology/Hem-Onc.asp#sthash.qgaW9RNV.dpuf

The Hematology-Oncology (Hem-Onc) Service at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System provides quality cancer patient care, conducts both clinical and laboratory cancer research programs to improve the care and outcome of our VA cancer patients, and educates trainees in cancer care.
The Hem-Onc Section provides both inpatient and outpatient consultative services for the evaluation and care of approximately 30 new patients weekly, and  has approximately 13,000 outpatient provider visits annually.
- See more at: http://www.minneapolis.va.gov/MINNEAPOLIS/services/oncology/Hem-Onc.asp#sthash.qgaW9RNV.dpuf

The Hematology-Oncology (Hem-Onc) Service at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System provides quality cancer patient care, conducts both clinical and laboratory cancer research programs to improve the care and outcome of our VA cancer patients, and educates trainees in cancer care.
The Hem-Onc Section provides both inpatient and outpatient consultative services for the evaluation and care of approximately 30 new patients weekly, and  has approximately 13,000 outpatient provider visits annually.
- See more at: http://www.minneapolis.va.gov/MINNEAPOLIS/services/oncology/Hem-Onc.asp#sthash.qgaW9RNV.dpuf

The Hematology-Oncology (Hem-Onc) Service at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System provides quality cancer patient care, conducts both clinical and laboratory cancer research programs to improve the care and outcome of our VA cancer patients, and educates trainees in cancer care.
The Hem-Onc Section provides both inpatient and outpatient consultative services for the evaluation and care of approximately 30 new patients weekly, and  has approximately 13,000 outpatient provider visits annually.
- See more at: http://www.minneapolis.va.gov/MINNEAPOLIS/services/oncology/Hem-Onc.asp#sthash.qgaW9RNV.dpuf

The Hematology-Oncology (Hem-Onc) Service at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System provides quality cancer patient care, conducts both clinical and laboratory cancer research programs to improve the care and outcome of our VA cancer patients, and educates trainees in cancer care.
The Hem-Onc Section provides both inpatient and outpatient consultative services for the evaluation and care of approximately 30 new patients weekly, and  has approximately 13,000 outpatient provider visits annually.
- See more at: http://www.minneapolis.va.gov/MINNEAPOLIS/services/oncology/Hem-Onc.asp#sthash.qgaW9RNV.dpuf