Submitted by: Lezley Zwaal
Describe your organization or group.
Quilts of Valour - Canada has a mission: To ensure that our wounded Canadian soldiers are recognized for their bravery and commitment of their true patriotism to our country. We give this support through the presentation of quilts of comfort made for our military service people.
QOV Canada quilts are whatever you want to make - although a recommended size is roughly 50” X 60”. People have discussed a smaller lap quilt for those confined to wheelchairs. Long arm quilters are also willing to quilt. It is up to the quilter and the quilt topper to determine who will provide the backing, the batting and the binding.
The QOV Canada is also encouraging making a “pillow” or tote for the quilt. It has been suggested to make the tote with handles so that it could be used with the wheelchair too. It is not mandatory, merely a suggestion.
As for distribution, we are relying on the various chaplains, padres and the Land Forces Base West to come to our assistance for getting quilts to our wounded. It is up to the quilter to get the quilts to these bases – their addresses can be forwarded when there is a quilt ready!
Did any one person or event inspire the creation of the charity quilt group/organization?
Yes, Lezley Zwaal, Quilter
Back in January 2006 when three Canadian soldiers were injured I watched the news cast interview with another soldier recovering from a prior incident and noticed no quilt for comfort in sight. My first reaction - “Where are the quilts for Canadian soldiers?”
I thought about it, stewed about it and knowing about an American based comfort quilt project I finally made a decision to act on my query and contacted the coordinator of an American organization called Quilts of Valor Foundation (QoVF), a woman named Catherine Roberts.
Five quilts later - three from Diane in Calgary, two from my own studio, several e-mails and one phone call later with Catherine Roberts - the Canadian version: QoV - Quilts of Valour – Canada was underway!
We are in the process of becoming a registered society within Alberta – and then a charitable society within Canada.
Geographic location of your organization or group.
ALL of Canada.
If applicable, how many chapters are there world-wide or country-wide?
None – however, Quilts of Valor Foundation (U.S) is the society after which we are patterned. We are not an official chapter.
If applicable, how many charity quilts have been donated?
Between 200 and 300.
Are there any special yearly events, such as a quilt-a-thon?
No – not yet!
How many volunteers are involved?
Hundreds of quilters. There are 40 names on the registry of those who have contacted me. Most of those represent a guild or bee and have sent anywhere from one to 30 quilts to be delivered to wounded soldiers. There are 6 military contacts across Canada for quilt distribution.
How can one volunteer, donate or get involved?
If you or your guild wishes to quilts for wounded soldiers via Quilts of Valour – Canada – think Canadian patriotic – think Canadianna – moose / mountains / maple leaves / inukshuk / prairies / fishing / forests …. QOV Canada quilts are whatever you want to make - although a recommended size is roughly 50" X 60". People have discussed a smaller lap quilt for those confined to wheelchairs. Long arm quilters are also willing to quilt. Contact Lezley for a long-armer close to you. It is up to the quilter and the quilt topper to determine who will provide the backing, the batting and the binding. The QOV Canada is also encouraging making a "pillow" or tote for the quilt. It has been suggested to make the tote with handles so that it could be used with the wheelchair too. It is not mandatory, merely a suggestion.
These quilts are forwarded to the military connections and are then given to our wounded soldiers. We, as quilters, do not know who is going to receive the quilts. The identity of the wounded soldiers is not given out. There are seldom presentations. The soldiers may contact the quilters to thank them if the quilter’s contact information is included with the quilt. We are relying on the various chaplains, padres and the Land Forces Base West to come to our assistance for getting quilts to our wounded. It is up to you to get the quilts to these bases – their addresses can be forwarded when you have a quilt ready! The various Military Family Resource Centers look after our soldier’s families who remain at home while their enlisted are posted overseas. Although they have assisted getting the initial quilts to our wounded, they focus on supporting the families.
To send a quilt to our wounded Canadian soldiers, please contact Lezley when you have a quilt ready to go and a destination close to your will be forwarded. If you have any questions about the quilt or any of the projects, please feel free to email.
Detailed information on submitting a quilt is provided in this PDF document: Information Document.
Contact information:
Lezley Zwaal at (780) 983-3210,
Email: QoV@AutomatedQuill.com
Yahoo Chat Group: QuiltsOfValour
QOV Canada does not currently have web site; however Laurie Hawn, a Canadian Member of Parliament has a feature on his site, Laurie supports Quilts of Valour - Canada.
Other information:
Our support is for our soldier, wounded during their duties overseas. The quilts are given to them as they recover at home – sometimes in a hospital or care facility, sometimes the quilts are delivered once the soldier has returned to his home.
We are not providing quilts to the families of our fallen soldiers. There are two other organizations looking after them – through the direction of Department of National Defence. Operation Peace and Comfort (OPC) - Jan Wasalyshyn; and Canadian Comfort and Remembrance Project (CCRP) - Jane Guthrie.
