Quilters craft for soldiers

A label on the back states the quilt was made with love, respect and gratitude. And while much time and energy went into its creation, it was just one of eight recently created by the Women's Institute in St. George's for Quilts of Valour - Canada.

"My daughter's sister-in-law is in the Canadian Forces," said institute member Florence Young. "That's how I heard about the program. And I brought it up to the group and we decided it was a good idea."

Quilts of Valour - Canada presents handmade quilts to injured military personnel upon their return home to Canada. The program has delivered more than 500 quilts to Canadian Forces members.

"What we made were lap quilts," explained Leona Joy, another group member. "We also made matching bags to go with the quilts, so they can be carried."

Each of the eight quilts differed - with various fabrics and quilting patterns, all done in an array of colours.

They were presented last week to Canadian Forces Reservists Sgt. Mary Lee LaCosta and Warrant Officer Dale Verge.

"We'll bring them into Corner Brook to the Military Family Resource Centre," said Sgt. LaCosta. "They'll package them up and bring them where they have to go."

While the recipients names are not released for privacy reasons, enclosed with each quilt is a self-addressed stamped post card, so recipients can contact the quilters if they so choose.

The Women's Institute members aren't ones to rest on their laurels. They're already in the planning stages of another crafting project - a quilt in aid of the Canadian Cancer Society.

editor@thegeorgian.ca