What a GREAT DAY!!! For
the record:
I registered 33 folks For National QOV Sew-In Day to come to the
VFW Post 488 in Cedar Rapids, IA from 10-4 yesterday. Use of the room was donated
to us by the VFW, the Women's Auxilary fixed a lunch for us ($7/each) ... and
the weather held! We had quilt kits, pillowcase kits (I know pillowcases are
not necessary but our Vets and us LIKE them), Panels, Jelly Rolls & Strip
Kits, Signature Blocks. We had an assembly line - OR folks could work on their
own.
The numbers:
23 of the 33 Registered
came
3 called in sick
8 NEW people came
8 Quilt kits were started
(3 tops completed on the assembly line)
5 Panels taken home to
complete to tops
1 Jelly Roll and 2 Strip
Kits taken home to complete
6 Pillowcases completed;
15 Pillowcase Kits taken home to complete
4 NEW Members and 1 member
renewal
Our Area Coordinators (2
of them) stopped in to see us. One spent a great deal of time talking to each
individual person there!!!!
2nd best part: Lady saw the announcement
in the paper for our Sew-in and sent her daughter to see us. The daughter's
Grandfather received a QOV about a year ago. The daughter showed up with a
fabric donation of 38 YARDS of fabric (in 6 pieces).
The VERY BEST part: As I was getting in my
car to leave at the end of the day, a gentleman and his young son (12 ish)
stopped me and profusely thanked me. Said he was thrilled when he walked in for
lunch there and saw the group working. He bragged on the dedication, focus and
love that exuded from the group as they were going about their sewing. He
suggested we come once a month to do this as it was so heartwarming! At one
point, his son voluntarily said "QOV is AWESOME!!" ................
For ME, this "QOV Mission" of ours is not about
how many quilts we award - but how we touch the Veterans and the community.
While I'm certainly proud of the 428 quilts that my group has in process over
the last 2-1/2 years, and the 325+ quilts that we have presented, I'd much
rather look at it as 325 VETERANS who we have personally touched with a quilt -
and the numerous Veterans and families who see and understand that they personally
are the recipients of our pride, love, and thankfulness for our freedom.
At times we are all frustrated and worn out by our tasks
--- this one gentleman and his son yesterday washed all that frustration away,
recharged the batteries, and again defined the purpose of our journey. We are
not just making quilts -- we are ALL making a difference in our communities and
changing lives.
What an enormously humbling experience. What a great
day!
THANK you for your ear!
Elayne
QOV
Longarm Coordinator
Cedar
Rapids, Iowa
Quilts
of Valor® Foundation
