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| | | (SPECIAL/Revue) - Glenda Holcomb and Ginny Fisher hold the two quilts sewn by the group of women. (click for larger version) | |
August 14, 2007
When Ginny Fisher saw a television program about Quilts of Valor, she knew that was the way of getting involved and doing something for others.
With the help of nine friends, Fisher is about to send off two homemade quilts to injured servicemen and women.
The Quilts of Valor Foundation, an organization out of Delaware, sends homemade quilts to wounded men and women in combat. The group has sent over 11,000 quilts to injured men and women in the military.
Catherine Roberts, whose son had been deployed to Iraq, started Quilts of Valor in 2003.
Fisher, a Johns Creek resident, and her friends have been volunteering their time stitching two quilts since early spring, which they recently completed.
"Everyone wanted to do something for the servicemen and women," said Fisher. "People were frustrated – what can we do? You can do something for the servicemen and women."
Fisher and her friends worked together in their spare time using machines and their own hands. Working at their own pace, some of the women would stitch together a patch and mail it or drop it off to Fisher if they couldn't meet with the whole group.
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"What I thought was wonderful was that people did just whatever was needed to get it done," said Fisher. "When we get together we say it's like Santa's workshop – everyone is doing something to complete the project."
The quilts are no larger than 50 inches by 60 inches and are made out of 100 percent cotton, with various patriotic patterns and colors adorned on the fabric.
"I thought, how is it going to look decent with all of this fabric," said Fisher. "But it all came together so nicely."
The backside of the quilt features a patch labeled with the names of who contributed to stitching the quilt. All quilts are wrapped in a presentation case with photos of the project and letters to the service men and women. The quilts are then sent to a chaplain who designates which soldier receives the quilt.
"We're doing this because we just want them to know that someone cares about them," said Fisher. "They'll know by all the hands that touched the quilts."
Only three of the 10 women had quilted before getting involved in Quilts of Valor, but each person contributed by suggesting patterns, cutting fabrics and sewing the quilt.
"You can't just do one square," said Marilyn Rich, a Roswell resident. "Once I found out how easy it was, I was hooked."
Rich said she got involved with Quilts of Valor through Fisher and she always liked the idea of quilting.
"When I did one, I found how addictive it can be to do quilting," said Rich.
Fisher said she would like to see more children get involved in the project, possibly as an art project in school.
"It's very rewarding when you see the fruits of your labor," said Fisher. "It's bittersweet because the person who will receive it, may not even be hurt yet."
For more information about the Quilts of Valor Foundation, visit www.qovf.org.
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