Published Monday, March 17, 2003
doing
her part
give families one small way to be together
By Lisa Mehler
Herald Staff Writer
A family-oriented person, Carol Wrolstad devised a way to keep military families together when one of their members is deployed overseas.
"We have a very close family and I have a lot of pictures of my husband (Duane) and two girls hanging and sitting all over the house," said the daughter of Frank and Nancy Shardy, Mercer.
Her T-shirt shop, Arizona Sportsware Custom Screenprinting & Embroidery, screens photos on 42-by-36-inch standard-size white pillowcases.
These special covers include a 16-by-12-inch American flag with a 5-by-7-inch white space in the center. "United We Stand, Safely We Sleep" is inscribed on it in blue.
"On top of the frame itself, in little print, I have written 'In God We Trust.' ''
The pillowcases are designed so, when they are reunited, they can be stitched together with their open ends facing the outside edges of the bed.
"I was sitting and thinking, 'I hope every service man and woman remembers to take a photo with them when they leave to stay close to their families,' and I came up with this idea. If they have forgotten (a photo), I will make it happen for them."
Mrs. Wrolstad has equipment that allows her to scan the pictures. "I can reduce and enlarge the photos, bring wallet-size pictures up to 5-by-7, work with the coloring for older pictures and try to get the print the best I can," she said.
She copies photos onto transfer paper, which reverses the photos. "When you use the heat press, the picture comes out the proper way."
The finished items are wrapped in tissue paper to stay clean. "When mailing them overseas, I wrap them again in a sheet of newspaper, for updated information, and tie them with a yellow ribbon. I also include my business card when mailing."
Mrs. Wrolstad said she takes care of the mailing and sends items wherever they need to go. "I wrap them and mail them as a convenience to the families."
Receiving photos is emotional for Mrs. Wrolstad. "I think about each and every one of them, where they are and their families."
She said, "My dad and my husband's father served in World War II. Not a lot has ever been said to me about that time in my father's life, but now it is so open and talked about."
She has sold about 10 sets of pillowcases and 10 T-shirts. "And, I have 500 pillowcases being screened at the T-shirt shop right now," said Mrs. Wrolstad.
"The T-shirts are screened and ready to go. I have a small amount of pillowcases that I am working with right now."
The cost is $50 for a set of two pillowcases or $30 for one case, which includes mailing costs. T-shirts of a similar design are the same price.
Pillowcase and T-shirt orders can be mailed to Mrs. Wrolstad at 19904 N. 41st Lane, Glendale, Ariz. 85308; company Website, www.FacesonCases.com e-mail, D63C55@aol.com