Regional News - October

DELAWARE

Sew a Block for Quilts of Valor" took place on September 11, 2010 at Serendipity Quilt Shop in Dagsboro, Delaware. Six sewing machines were set up in the upstairs classroom and most machines were busy all day. The string block pattern was used and enough blocks were finished to complete one QOV quilt top and begin another. The participants ranged from experienced quilters to those sitting down at a sewing machine for the first time. The youngest was Ellie, age 8, who came with her grandmother. Ellie did a great job and was very proud of the quilt block she made. Everyone had a great time and wanted to know when we could get together again. A huge thank you goes to Kathy Lewis, owner of Serendipity Quilt Shop for use of the classroom and being so supportive of our efforts on behalf of QOVF.

NORTH CAROLINA

The Cashiers Quilters Guild of Cashiers, NC held an exhibit of 57 beautiful QOVs on September 3rd and 4th at the local Public Library. The quilts will be taken to Ft. Bragg, NC on September 29th.

-Bonnie C. Talley

ILLINOIS

I thought I'd update you on what Land of Lincoln QOV has been up to.

Been a very busy two months for us. We have started a new branch in the Rockford/Beloit area. Our monthly sew-ins in Batavia are producing lots of quilts with Wanda Hanson bringing in new patterns and design ideas. The ladies look forward to the variety and challenges of the different blocks. Our sew ins are both a learning experience and the privilege of quilting for the troops.

Woundedsoldierfundraiser.com held their annual fundraiser for two deserving vets this year. Marine Cpl John Peck and Marine Cpl Yuryi Zymsly were the recipients this year. More of their stories can be read on our blog.

Last night another two Marines received QOV's at a Welcomonyouhome.com ceremony in Naperville, IL. Again, pictures on the blog

We are hosting a QOV sew-in on Make A Difference Day, October 23rd at Quiltfabric.com, Willowbrook, IL from 10 AM - 4 PM.

Rita
http://lolqov.blogspot.com/

CALIFORNIA

The Inland Empire Quilting Angels (California) have once again given eight
quilts to Mike Sloan for his distribution - and they are building the stack
for his next visit.

Suzanne Wade
951-791-1707
Region Coordinator - CA, AZ, NV, UT for QOV (Quilts of Valor) Foundation

REGION 7 - ARKANSAS

Our Region 7 Coordinator, Sharon Bailey of Arkansas, attended the second weekend of Quilting Marathon in West Plains, Missouri. Michael Hinton of Gamill Quilting Machine, graciously hosted longarm quilters from across the United States at their headquarters. The weekend before Suzie Haas and her sister Rhonda had pulled together enough piecers to make 100 + quilt tops. They brought them from Illinois to Missouri to be quilted.

Sharon is not a longarm quilter, but because Missouri is in her region, she went to do whatever she could. New friends were made and a good time was had by all. Approximately 45 quilts were sandwiched, backed, quilted and bound that weekend. Working together we can all help mend the tears of our wounded warriors.

REGION 8

On August 18, 2010, during a RMEF East Tennessee Chapter Meeting at the BassPro Shop in Sevierville, Tennessee, Committee Member / Sponsor Member / Habitat Partner, Metro Fox, was presented recognition of his contribution and sacrifice serving in the US Military for over 25 years. Mr. and Ms. Kate Meyers, Regional Coordinators for “Quilts of Valor” and RMEF East Tennessee Chapter Members presented Mr. Fox with a custom quilt made by QOV volunteers.

L to R: RMEF East Tennessee Chapter Members: John Mechler (Life Member / Habitat Partner); Metro Fox (Sponsor Member / Habitat Partner); Kate Meyers (Member); Dwight Flynn (Tennessee State Chair / Life Member / Habitat Partner)

Mr. Fox performed duties while assigned within the US Special Forces Command; 389th Military Intelligence Company (Combat Electronic Warfare Intelligence); Special Forces Group (Airborne); and 1st Special Forces (125 men).

Duties included supervision and leadership, interviewing, recruiting, and management of all unit operations. Assigned as the Detachment Sergeant, US Army Special Forces Command for a Military Intelligence Detachment; Special Forces Battalion; Special Forces Group (Airborne), he supervised all unit operations and provided the battalion with all source intelligence.

On Sept. 28th, a Quilt of Valor was presented to the parents of Army Sgt. 1st Class Carlos M. Santos-Silva, 32, of Clarksville, Tenn.

SFC Santos-Silva was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died March 22, 2010 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an IED. He is interred at Arlington National Cemetary.

The Tennessee Valley Fair in Knoxville, Tn was kind enough to donate a booth to QOV during the fair this year. Passersby were encouraged to write messages to soldiers on Quilts of Valor. Over 350 signatures were collected. Those quilts will be completed and awarded to heroes.

Next month, we’ll report on Kate’s road trip through Georgia, South Carolina and Florida where she’ll be speaking with many groups promoting Quilts of Valor.