Wilma’s Quilt has raised an additional $1,000 in second auction

Des Moines, IA – (January 24, 2023) – Wilma Bentley of Waukee spent many hours making this lovely quilt, hand sewing every stitch. When she saw The Salvation Army was struggling and in need this year she thought back to how The Salvation Army had impacted her life during The Great Depression, she decided to offer the quilt for auction to raise money and help others.

“When we were first approached about Wilma and the quilt she wanted to donate, we were so touched, not only by her generosity and the quilt, but by Wilma herself,” said Major Butch Frost, Iowa Capital Area Coordinator for The Salvation Army.  “She is a wonderful woman with a rich history she loves to share, including how she was helped by The Salvation Army when she was young. I don’t think any of us realized the impact Wilma and her quilt would have on the community, or that it would raise so much to help others!”

The first auction on Facebook was held December 15 thru December 21st and was won by an anonymous donor that won with a bid of $2,500.  At the suggestion of a comment on Wilma’s Facebook event, a virtual kettle dedicated to Wilma and her quilt was created so people who didn’t win could donate if they wished.  The virtual kettle raised $816.00 by the time the winner of the first auction met Wilma to claim the quilt.  The anonymous donor not only bumped her donation to $2,700 so online donations were over $1,000, she donated the quilt back to be re-auctioned!

The second auction ran on Facebook from January 10th thru January 24th at 10:00 AM.  For a long time, the highest bid was at $850, but this morning a donor from Fairfield saw the early news and the story of the quilt.  She found it online, bid $1,000, and is now the winner of Wilma’s quilt.  The virtual donations continue to increase and can still be made at www.donate.salarmywestern.org/wilmasquilt.

In all, Wilma and her quilt so have raised $4,656.00.  Thank you, Wilma!  We also want to thank Erin Kiernan at WHO 13 for first running this story, as well as KCCI, The Des Moines Register, Cityview and everyone who helped spread the word.  Together we can do the most good!
All donations stay local and go toward helping those most in need in the community.