Shine On Quilt
The newest quilt panel, unveiled in April 2010, tells the stories of the individuals whose lives SHINE ON through the gifts of organ and tissue donation.
Alex James Searls
This quilt square was made with love in memory of our son, grandson, great-grandson, brother, nephew and friend.
Alex was a very bright and loving young man. He loved the outdoors and was adventurous. Alex had no fear and was daredevil-like. He loved riding roller coasters, the bigger and faster, the better. Almost every summer during his grade school and junior high years, we would take a trip to Cedar Point and, of course, he would have to ride the newest and fastest roller coaster. He also enjoyed fishing, but most of all, his pride and joy was his four-wheeler. One day he had tore the four-wheeler apart and taken out the pull chain and installed an ignition key start. He also spray painted it red and black. He was on that four-wheeler from the time he got home from school until dark. His junior year in high school he decided to attend the career and technology center in the auto collision program. This was a great career choice for him because he was very mechanically-inclined and loved tearing things apart and fixing them.
During the beginning of his junior year, at the age of 17, Alex died from injuries sustained in a four-wheeler accident. Although his life was ended too soon, we feel some sense of comfort knowing that a par t of him remains alive within his organ and tissue recipients. He will forever remain in our thoughts and hearts. We love and miss him greatly!
Dale Cowell
This first symbol on this quilt patch is The Big Red 1. Dale was a radio operator in Vietnam with the Big Red 1. It was a period in his life that meant a great deal to him. He was proud of his accomplishments and medals but rarely spoke of them. He was not one to brag.
The second symbol is of the karaoke that he loved so much. Dale was very shy, but when he started singing he came out of his shell. The evening of Dale’s passing had been spent with his beloved wife, Mel, and friends singing karaoke. We are happy he spent his last night enjoying his favorite hobby.
Dale is missed greatly, but the memories are cherished. I’m sure he is happy to know his donations have helped enrich the lives of so many people.
Dolores Frederick
Thank you for the opportunity to share a bit about my mother, to explain why I chose to draw the picture that I did.
It is really very simple. Her favorite birds were hummingbirds, and I grew up giving her many gifts (too many, probably, though she’d never say so) with hummingbirds. Her favorite color was purple, hence the color of the lilac. Mom’s favorite poet was Helen Steiner Rice, whose works my mother loved and, until posed with the decision of what to put on this square, I could not bear to read. The hope attached to this quilt square is that perhaps someday, the recipient of her donation can look upon the square with the gift of her sight.
– Michele Quinn
Megan Custer
Megan’s brother, Daniel, played the song “Brown Eyed Girl” for his sister. This angel represents her as my brown-eyed angel.
Megan died August 18, 2008 at the age of 19. She had just finished her freshman year at The Ohio State University where she was pursuing a degree in accounting from the Fisher School of Business.
Megan loved hanging out with her friends, texting and being on Facebook. Her brother says she in heaven texting and facebooking. Megan was a giving person. She would have loved knowing she has helped so many people. She saved three lives through organ donation and helped many more through tissue donation.
The quilt square was made with love by her mom, Angie Custer. I miss her every day. I know I have an angel watching over us.
Always in our hearts
– Love, Dad, Mom and Daniel
Ricky Leckrone
At the age of 12 he started working and he was always willing to help others, he never met a stranger and he was a friend to everyone. One of the things he enjoyed most was detailing cars.
Ricky being a donor was another way that he could continue to help others. He will always be missed, but I am proud of my son, Ricky a hero of donation at the age of 50.
– Love, Mom and Dad (Jackie and Wilbur)