I agree - Dresden plate...just think of how many pinks you can incorporate? And if you use the method for pointed rays it's very quick too. "Scrappy" type log cabin would be pretty too...again, traditional and can use lots of pinks. I'd still vote for Dresden plate tho - but it is one of my favorite patterns so i'm biased.
Please when you finally do give the quilts to them - let them know that all of us here thank them for their service.