Often, a kind thought or warm hug – even a cozy blanket – can convey care in a special way. That’s the case with Quilts of Valour, a handmade gesture of thanks, support and comfort from fellow Canadians to past or present members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
An almost 10-year-old organization founded in Edmonton by now Northern Alberta representative Lezley Zwaal, Quilts of Valour started simply in 2006 when Zwaal saw a TV news spot featuring injured soldiers who had recently returned home to Edmonton from Kandahar.
“I just felt the urge to offer them comfort, warmth and my thanks,” said Zwaal, who created that initial quilt and a couple more through the years. Now a decade later, Quilts of Valour has spread across the country, with thousands of quilters sewing part or all of various projects, and a number of volunteer representatives presenting the more than 6,288 quilts to soldiers and veterans as a gesture of thanks for their service.
“Our mission is to ensure injured Canadian Forces members are recognized for their service and commitment to our country. Whether they’re 23 or 93, and in urban, rural or remote locations of the country, they can receive a quilt with our thanks,” said Zwaal.
Through word-of-mouth, quilting clubs and related events, or nomination from someone who knows of an injured service member, quilts always find a home. And while Zwaal said it’s often a case of one quilt from one quilter, literally thousands of volunteers across the country contribute in some way – even creating a single square. “If you can sew a straight line, you can sew a quilt top,” she said.
While each design is unique and up to the quilter, Quilts of Valour has specific guidelines posted on its website – quiltsofvalour.ca – as to the size, and preferred materials. The quilt, which always comes from the quilter’s heart, said Zwaal, can also be colourful – a much appreciated difference from the drab service colours – and of any design, though the website offers Canadiana-type design suggestions if wanted. The site also has a spot for service people, veterans, family or friends to request a quilt.
“It’s always an honour for the service people to receive the quilt. The website is filled with thank-yous, notes and emails, with veterans often saying it’s more special than any medal they’ve ever received,” Zwaal said.
“That quilt brought a new healing for me – I wish I could explain how deeply the gift touched me,” said one testimonial from a recipient.
“I cannot thank everyone enough for the love that goes into these projects – the love is felt in every stitch of that quilt,” added recipient Jill Kern Lassaline.
Zwaal said that at any one time, Canadian soldiers are stationed all over the world, whether there is an active combat zone or not. “They are the first on scene at disasters, like the Slave Lake fires or High River floods, and they see devastation that can take a toll, whether the wounds are visible or not,” she said.
Quilts of Valour is always in need of more quilts. Joining a quilting bee, offering a financial donation – even giving a ‘hug block’ as explained on the website – all options are welcome, according to Zwaal.
