Published 12/20/07

Silent hero reaches out to help community

by JoAnn DeLazzari

There are many behind the scene people in our community who do great things quietly. Such a person is Wanda Gilleland of Crystal Tree Village in Marysville. Wanda has made, gathered and donated close to two thousand items in 2007 alone.

This leader of a large group of “crafty” women made contacts with local facilities to fill the needs for blankets, lap robes, baby layettes, hats and much more. As a result of her dedication and humanity, the Delta Rehabilitation Center in Snohomish receives lap robes for wheelchair bound clients. Cascade Valley Hospital in Arlington and the Providence Children’s and Women’s Center in Everett find their coffers filled with fleece blankets, receiving blankets, hats and other items for infants and children. The Everett Cancer Center uses the many hats made for their patients receiving treatment and Healing the Children, a medical non-profit in Everett, has been able to send fleece blankets with their medical team volunteers for the poorest of the poor in Central America.

With the numerous hours Wanda spends sewing, knitting and crocheting, she still never misses a birthday for one of her “girls”. There is always a cake and cards as she stands in the background smiling. In her spare time, she is on the lookout for sales of flannel and yarn to keep the ladies supplied, often at her own expense.

Whether shopping, creating or delivering, this remarkably caring woman continues to bring warmth and joy to many and Wanda Gilleland is truly a local unsung heroine.