himnherr,
What a treasure trove you have inherited! This is on the order of a sunken galleon filled with gold. So glad to hear your friend bequeathed these sewing supplies to someone who will enjoy them.
Here is a recent thread about quilts given to the military servicemen in war zones. The thread lists several groups that collect quilts (or quilt tops) to send to our heros in uniform. I know that Sue in VA is also collecting quilts (or quilt tops) to send to her SIL's unit in Afghanistan.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-79192-1.htm