An Albert Lea couple has made 16,500 do-rags in the last five years for cancer patients and the homeless as part of their ministry, Ministries of Project Happiness.

Richard and Jane Miller, featured in a September 2015 Tribune article, have delivered about 15,000 do-rags to the Ronald McDonald house, cancer centers and homeless shelters in the United States.

The couple has delivered the items to Ronald McDonald houses in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California, as well as cancer centers and homeless shelters.

“We’ve done quite a bit,” Richard Miller said.

Their idea for giving do-rags to cancer patients came after a family friend died of cancer in Colorado. They had a homeless ministry in Colorado and gave bandanas and other items to the homeless, including books and bedding. The couple would go out on Saturdays and gather clothing and other items.

The couple has donated do-rags to the Cancer Center in Albert Lea and the Ronald McDonald house in Rochester four times.

The couple picks up sheets from hotels to make the do-rags and dyes the sheets different colors.

Richard Miller said they need old sheets, pillowcases, bed skirts, tablecloths, valances, curtains, clothing, flannel, dye and neck ties used for purses they make.

The couple will fundraise for their mission from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today outside the Walmart building in Austin and Monday and Tuesday outside the Walmart building in Albert Lea. Chocolate candies and some of the nicer purses the couple makes will be available.

Richard Miller said 12.5 million people in the United States are diagnosed with cancer every year, and there are 3.5 million homeless people.

“What we are doing is absolutely necessary to some people,” he said.

Richard Miller said the couple wants to have a do-rag available for every cancer patient who needs one.

“We need help,” he said.

Richard Miller said he is proud of the work he and his wife have done to help those in need.

“It’s been absolutely amazing that we’ve been able to get out and do that much,” he said.

Donations can be made at the Miller’s house or by calling 719-289-4805.