Baltimore -- Lutheran World Relief has released its annual statement outlining the donation and destination of quilts, layettes, soap, and school, health and sewing kits for 2008. LWR shipped more than 1,455 tons of quilts and kits to over 740,000 people in 27 countries last year, totaling $13 million.

Collectively, U.S. Lutherans and other individuals sewed 455,798 quilts, assembled 103,640 layettes, gathered items for 362,040 health, school and sewing kits, and collected 122,418 pounds of soap.

For the first time, a free, full-color poster is available to congregations and individuals, featuring a map showing both the originating warehouse and the destination of all quilt and kit donations.

"Many people spend countless hours assembling quilts and kits to send around the world. LWR is happy to be able to offer its faithful quilt and kit-making groups and individuals this resource to show where those gifts end up," said Trevor Knoblich, LWR's program associate for emergency response.

While LWR estimates that more than 740,000 people directly received quilts and kits, the actual number of people benefiting from this ministry may be even greater, adds Knoblich.

"The report outlines the actual number of people who received quilts and kits, but the impact of these gifts is much more far-reaching, as the recipient often shares the gift with their loved ones. Taking that into account, we estimate that over 1 million people's lives were touched by these gifts of love,"

Knoblich says. Knoblich manages warehouse inventory, coordinates shipments, and makes visits to receiving countries to ensure smooth delivery of aid.

"LWR is thankful for the continued generosity of Lutherans in the U.S.," says Brenda Meier, LWR's director for congregation and community engagement. "As needs increase across the world, we pray that groups will continue to donate quilts and kits to LWR as a tangible sign of God's love."

LWR accepts donations of quilts and kits at two warehouses in the U.S., in New Windsor, Md. and St. Paul, Minn. LWR recently opened a new warehouse in the Philippines to streamline shipments to the conflict-affected region.

Quilts and kits have long been an important part of LWR's ministry, with U.S. Lutherans, individuals, and other ecumenical groups donating hundreds of thousands of quilts and millions of dollars in supplies each year. LWR covers the cost of shipping quilts and kits overseas through donations to its Project Comfort Fund.

"As conflict continues and the global food crisis persists, it is more important than ever to show love for our global neighbors," says Meier. "Giving to the Project Comfort Fund gives people an easy and convenient way to do that."

To learn more about the Project Comfort Fund, visit lwr.org/beinvolved/comfort.asp. To order a free copy of the full-color poster, call 1-800-LWR-LWR2. An accompanying shipping report is available for download at lwr.org/beinvolved, along with resources on how to assemble LWR quilts and kits.