Crafting for Charity: Quilts of Valor

The front of the Quilts of Valor website says, “This foundation is not about politics. It’s about people.” It’s part of the mission statement, too. And looking at these labors of love, I can see what they mean.

I think that’s an interesting trend in the sites I’ve seen that use some sort of craft as a method for helping others or giving back. Quilting, knitting and other handiworks take time and effort to do. Making a quilt for someone else is an act of care and of dedication, whether that someone is a family member or someone you don’t know. So even though this is the second time I’ve featured crafts that are going to people in situations that are politically charged, the crafters themselves appear just want to provide some comfort to people whose situations are kinda crappy. I think that’s neat.

SO, Quilts of Valor - basically, it’s a foundation that makes quilts for all of the wounded veterans of the U.S. military service. You can make quilt tops, or do the actual quilting. You can find veterans to award quilts to. You can donate - lots of people need postage. Some of it is about community - quilters have been known to form QOV Bees, and all everyone who makes tops is paired with a quilter at least.

Also interesting is this story about a QOV Quilter and why she chooses to use her quilting skills for wounded men and women - it’s an empathetic gesture for her. She had a liver transplant and found her time of being wounded in the hospital unnerving, so she’s trying to comfort others.

The Quilt of Valor pictured here is the work of Lissa and Lin. More views of this beautiful quilt can be seen at this online album if you have a Snapfish account. You can find more examples here.

P.S. Speaking of quilts, About.com has this site dedicated to Remembrance Quilts for people involved in 9/11, such as the EMS, FDNY, Port Authority, NYPD and so on, not to mention the victim. It’s an interesting view.