The following email came in today from Ms. Jackson to share with Area 3:
Hello,
everyone,
"I don't know if you
know of me through the Guild, as I've been a member for many years (who just
re-joined Bedtime Quilters in Bucksport), and I attend most of the PTQG Member
Meetings along with Maine Quilts, but perhaps you are aware of the Quilts of
Valor Foundation. I am the new State Coordinator for QOVF - taking over from
Marie McSwine, who had to step down from the position last year.
The mission of QOVF
is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and
healing Quilts of Valor. Over the last ten years, the Foundation, through
thousands of volunteers, has awarded over 106,000 quilts. Many have been shipped
to military hospitals, including Germany, while others have been awarded in
ceremonies at bases such as Fort Hood, or in private events.
I currently have
three formal requests for quilts to be awarded here in Maine. Each of the
requests has come to me through the QOVF website's request page, and I believe
each one has come from an out-of-state, comrade in arms of the proposed
recipient. I have quilts (one complete, two in progress) to meet these
requests.
However, that
highlights another reason I am writing: to find out if you and the chapters in
your area make quilts to honor our service members and veterans? As more
requests come in, quilts will be needed. My role as coordinator is to work with
and support quilters in the effort to honor our military. I am working to set up
some sew-ins, and some simple block drives to allow more quilters to
participate without requiring huge commitments by any one individual.
As things come
together in the next several weeks, I have some fundraising options I will
undertake that will help offset the cost of fabric, batting, etc. for quilters
joining in our effort.
I would appreciate
the chance to visit your areas to talk about QOVF and spread the word so we can
work together to cover the deserving service members and veterans here in Maine.
I'm thinking the Fall Area Meetings would be a great opportunity, and I hope you
concur. If you do, please let me know where and when, or any appropriate contact
name(s) you could share with me to work out other venues.
I look forward to
hearing from you soon. There is a link below where you can learn more about the
Quilts of Valor Foundation, and me."
Regards,
Marie
D. Marie Jackson
State Coordinator ~
Maine
Quilts of Valor
Foundation
The Quilts of Valor Foundation is
a non-profit organization established and operated in accordance with section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code