Delta Air Lines Employees Stitch Quilts for Children

Flight attendants present 1175 handmade quilts to Primary Children’s Medical Center

SALT LAKE CITY, April 18, 2006 – One flight attendant made 216 quilts, while another flight attendant and her mother stitched 248 quilts for the annual quilt donation to Salt Lake City’s Primary Children’s Medical Center. These quilts, along with approximately 700 others, today will be on display at the Delta Center as Delta employees present the donation to the hospital. The 1175 quilts blanket the entire arena floor and nearly 30 percent of the facility’s seating area.

The project began six years ago in the flight attendant lounge where employees converted their work area into a virtual quilt factory producing individual pieces in between flights. Their efforts were quickly supported by customer service and reservation agents, as well as pilots and Delta management. Today, Delta employees and other volunteers throughout the country provide quilts used in the hospital.

“I am proud that despite all the challenges we have faced as an airline, our people continue to support events that help others,” said Paulette Corbin, senior vice president of In-Flight Service at Delta. “Their continued spirit and support show that our commitment to Salt Lake City reaches well beyond the airport.”

As project coordinator of the quilt project, Cindy Atkinson has overseen the growth of the project from the first year when Delta presented 335 quilts to today when the number has more than tripled.

“I’ve been so encouraged to see a project start locally and grow to include employees across the country and well as quilt groups, nursing homes, and Girl and Boy Scout troops,” Atkinson said.

Primary Children’s Medical Center has a long-standing tradition of giving quilts to children whose illnesses or injuries require extended hospital stays. Delta’s contributions let the hospital give warmth to many more young patients who need it. If the children grow attached to their quilts, they take them home to put on their own beds.

“We really want to blanket them with care and love--that’s what this is all about,” said Atkinson.

Salt Lake City is Delta’s fastest growing domestic hub in terms of destinations served. Since October, Delta has added or announced flights to nearly 30 new non-stop destinations from Salt Lake City, including the airline’s 100th destination from Salt Lake City in March. Salt Lake City is Delta’s largest gateway to Hawaii with non-stop service to Honolulu, Maui and Kona; is the only Delta hub to offer customers year-round service to Alaska; and is a growing gateway to Mexico with non-stop service to Cancun, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan. With its June 2006 schedule, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer Salt Lake City customers more than 320 daily flights to more than 100 non-stop destinations.

Contact Information

Anthony Black

Senior Manager - Media Relations

Delta Air Lines

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