In The Beginning…………….

It has been only a matter of moments since setting up this blog. Our goal in setting this blog up is to share our experience with the people that helped to make it possible. It will be fun to document our trip to deliver 600 quilts to wounded soldiers in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Our hearts will be full to bursting and I’m sure that we will receive much more than the soldiers who receive the quilts.

I should start at the beginning for those that don't know. We are actually 3 groups working together to make this possible. The Fergus Falls, Perham and St James Quilts Of Valor groups all meet separately making quilts for our Soldiers that are both physically and emotionally wounded. The Underwood Legion and Lions groups got together and decided that they would like to support us in our efforts and also would like to bless us with the opportunity to actually deliver some quilts to some of our Soldiers. That was the beginning of this great adventure!

In January, 2010 the talking and planning started. It was decided that we would aim for 400 quilts to be delivered to Ft Knox in Kentucky the 1st week in May 2010. Fundraising plans started for a "Grand Party" to be held in Underwood on March 17th, St Patrick's Day. What a Party it was! There was food- Corned Beef and Cabbage along with and Irish Stew Cook off , won by Mulligan's in Perham MN. There was a bake sale, silent auction, raffle, wine tasting and lots of green beverages! The town was buzzing with excitement and generosity. We stand in awe at what this group of people along with the area business's and town's people accomplished. Thank you!!

While all of the fundraising and planning was going on, quilters were spending their free time working on quilts to go. The number seemed "large" at the time, but it is amazing what can be accomplished when we work together with compassion and love. In a few short months we stockpiled over 600 quilts to be delivered!!! This is utterly amazing! Many hands touched these quilts and "many" hours were spent making sure they were worthy of the men and women that would receive them.
This brings us up to the present time. The quilts have been bagged, vacuumed to shrink them down and shrink wrapped to keep contained.

On May 3rd 2010 we will be in Underwood MN at 6:30am for a short send off, departing at 7:00. The quilts will be delivered on May 5th.

 
We will try and post everyday to keep you up to date on our journey and we will also try to share pictures with you. You can also listen to Fergus Radio KBRF 1020 for call-in updates.

We wish you could all be with us as this couldn't have happened without you.
Thank you

St. James Quilts of Valor

A few years ago, the ladies of St. James Church, in Maine Twp. MN., decided to start a quilting group for fellowship.  After a couple of years, someone suggested making quilts for QOV.  We meet every Tues. at the church to piece quilt tops for wounded soldiers. We share food, laughter, prayers, and our sewing skills.  We often talk about the soldiers, and who might receive which quilt.

Perham Quilts of Valor

Nearly 5 years ago 10 quilters got together with a pile of fat quarters at the Heron House and made the first quilts for the Perham Chapter of QOV. We quickly outgrew that space and moved to Mulligan's at Perham Lakeside Country Club. Not only were we allowed to use the banquet room for QOV work days but they also found some storage space for our growing pile of supplies.  Our meeting dates vary depending on the schedule of events at Mulligan's. We now have 20 to 30 volunteers any given work day cutting, making up kits, piecing, ironing, machine sewing binding and then finishing the quilts with hand-sewn binding. The first year we mailed out 12, the next year 75 and on we went. This year we have completed more than 280 quilts that will be traveling with us to Ft Knox.  The fabric, batting, machine quilting and shipping are all made possible through generous donations of time and monies from concerned individuals and businesses of the community.

    The other day I told our contact person at Ft. Knox that we would be bringing 610 quilts instead of the 400 originally promised. Her response was, "WOW,  you tell women from the Midwest  there's work to be done, they just get busy and do it!!" The same can be said of the wonderful people of the American Legion and Lions clubs of Underwood. Their efforts have not only made this visit to Ireland Army Hospital possible, but will continue to support our quilt making for a very long time

Fergus Falls Quilts of Valor

In May of 2007, our Evening Quilters group met for its monthly meeting with the program being a presentation by two quilters from Perham.  Their presentation on Quilts of Valor was so very moving, that we in Fergus Falls knew we wanted to be a part of this mission of making and giving quilts to our military wounded.  In October of that year, the Fergus Falls Chapter of QOV was started.
Our QOV workdays are the 2nd Friday of the month and our worksite is located at the Westridge Mall between the Family Dollar store and the soon to be Durham's Sports store.  We meet from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm..  Feel free to join us for any length of time.  There is always something to do for all skill levels.

We are in awe of what two service groups: the Underwood Legion and Lions were able to accomplished with the help of all the others who supported the Quilts of Valor fundraiser on St. Patrick's Day. Thank you for helping us acomplish so much.