Quilt of Valour Presented in South Frontenac

Kelli McRobert | Apr 19, 2023

In 2006, Lezley Zwaal hand stitched 3 beautiful quilts and presented them to Canadian Armed Forces members who were injured and recovering in hospital, as a way to say thanks and to offer comfort during their healing. This grassroots initiative became an inspiration to others and the Quilt of Valour was born. In 2009, Quilts of Valour was officially launched as a not-for-profit organization with chapters across Canada, and it continues today through the efforts of hundreds of volunteer hours. The quilts each have a theme that are often customized to the recipient, while still maintaining a military undertone.

Locally, there are a group of quilters that cover Perth to Kingston, and Brockville to Napanee, and they receive up to 80 nominations per year. Their group (Rideau Lakes Westport) consists of 35 men and women who are passionate about the work they do, as they plan, create, and stitch these customized works of art. I had the pleasure of meeting with Cait Maloney, who has been volunteering with QOV for the past three years, and presented the quilt as she filled me in on a few of the details of this worthy cause. She noted that each quilt can take up to 10 days to complete, and any surplus quilts are shared amongst the other provinces to meet demands. They also supply to the Transition Centre where members are being medically released back to the civilian world, a gesture to recognize their service and love of country.

To date, the organization has presented 20, 443 quilts since inception, and all levels of the group are volunteers with no paid positions. Each quilt represents a nominated service member who was injured in the Canadian Armed Forces, given as recognition for the sacrifices they made. Past recipients have been quoted saying “I will cherish this gift of love, understanding, and compassion forever.” It is easy to see the effect it has on them as the quilt is wrapped around them, a literal ‘National hug from a grateful nation’ as it embraces them with vibrant colours and a deep connection to each stitch, representative of the hard work and skill required to piece the detailed blocks together.

On each quilt there is the following quote:

‘Handmade with love, respect, and gratitude for your sacrifice to Canada.

May the hugs stitched into this quilt give you comfort, strength and love.”

As the group gathers monthly, they plan out their next design, share information, and replenish fabric so they can work at home. QOV will communicate with the family of the receiver to determine if there is a preferred colour or theme to reflect their individual personality and passions. On this occasion, the Montreal Canadians were an underlying theme, and there was a nod to ‘EOD Guy’ (explosives), with a custom block representing the unit they worked in.

The weather was bright and sunny, as the family gathered around and grandchildren played with ‘grandpa’ as he received his customized quilt. The room drew quiet, as the small intimate group listened to the presentation, a powerful moment of pride, kindness, and love. Their ‘grandpa’ who is quite humble, is uncomfortable with all the fuss, as well-deserved as it is, as he accepts the poppy laden quilt. He proudly displays it for all to see and notes that he has picked out ‘just the right spot’ to mount it to showcase the beautiful, cherished quilt. The significance of the gift seems lost on the grandkids, it seemed, as he is just ‘grandpa’, not a veteran who has served, and not, thankfully, someone who was lost in a battle overseas, just a faded memory or a nostalgic black and white photo. Just grandpa, as they giggle and cuddle with him as his holds them close, perhaps a tear welling up, as he pulls them in under the large warm cloth, a tender moment not lost on those bearing witness. The quilt lays with honour on the sofa, family and friends mill about, sharing a bite or two, and enjoying the warm spring day. The quilt will be a legacy to carry forward throughout the years. One stitch, one quilt, one veteran, one Nation.

If you would like to become a volunteer, donor, or nominate a veteran please contact Quilts of Valour -Canada Society at the following website: https://www.quiltsofvalour.ca/

Thank you for those who have served and to QOV for their kindness, and compassion.