RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT By Marianne Zak Since the founding of K9 Quilt of Honor, twentytwo states and three countries (including Australia) have purchased the pattern panels the Bluhms have designed. Over 1,200 panels have been incorporated into quilts. The American Quilt Society, Nine Line Apparel, and other organizations show support for K9 Quilt of Honor. Carolyn also sells quilting kits at shows for other quilters to create K9 quilts. Carolyn said, "God has given me, in His timing, the opportunity to grow this program, not in my timing. He has me step into a person's life for 20 minutes and bring them joy for a lifetime. The wonderful feeling of joy and giving never goes away.” Carolyn Bluhm and her husband, Rudy, have been residents on Limerick Drive for three years. They have been married for 24 years and share three children and four grandchildren. After retiring, she took up quilting and has been instrumental in presenting over 50 "Quilts of Valor" to Lake Ashton veterans. Quilters in Lake Ashton create valor squares, which Carolyn enjoys sewing together to create these quilts. The over 40 members of the Creative Quilters of Lake Ashton display a different quilt every month at the LA Clubhouse, with a theme for each month. The group is currently working on a 250th anniversary quilt for the 4th of July, honoring the United States military services. Carolyn and Rudy founded K9 Quilt of Honor® in Indian River County, Florida. This year, they have attended eleven quilt shows around the country to present quilts to law enforcement and military K9s and their handlers. There are K9s for arson, search and rescue, explosives, enemy seekers, law enforcement, local police, ATF, ICE, Border Patrol, and the Secret Service. 15 Carolyn is a member of the Lake Ashton Creative Quilters, LAVA Auxiliary, and the Travelers Club. Her website is CERTMinistry.com. It is amazing that Carolyn has only been quilting for six years and has already achieved such widespread acclaim. She recently presented the TSA agents at Orlando International Airport with a K9 quilt for their service. Carolyn is another reason why Lake Ashton is "Simply the Best."
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