photo by clare jensen
DEE JARVIS DISPLAYS THE PATCH INCLUDED ON EACH OF HER QUILTING GROUP’S QUILTS FOR THE BRAVE, DISTRIBUTED TO WOUNDED UNITED STATES SOLDIERS. The group has donated more than 1,000 handmade, all-natural quilts to Madigan Army Medical Center over the past five years and is now reaching out to the public to help sponsor these quilts for $20 each.
A group of Edgewood quilters have supplied heartfelt, handmade quilts to close to 1,000 wounded American soldiers over the past five years.
The group of about a dozen women is based out of the Edgewood Grange, and they quilt as a group each Thursday, as well as in their own homes during the week.
The all-natural, 100 percent cotton lap quilts have been supported by the Grange’s fundraising efforts in the past, but now the women are reaching out to the public to sponsor these quilts that go straight into the hands of men and women who have sacrificed their bodies for their country.
Anyone can donate $20 to Quilts for the Brave for a handmade quilt, which group leader Dee Jarvis says pays for the “bare-bones” costs of materials.
The sponsor’s name will be included on a patch that thanks the soldier for his or her sacrifice. Sponsors can pick out what quilt they want to send, or let the quilters decide.
“We have all colors, and varieties,” Jarvis said. “But the soldiers do love their red, white and blue.”
The Quilts for the Brave group has solicited sponsors from their own circles of friends and families, but have not sought support from the public for their patriotic mission.
Recently the group presented to the Fife Veterans of Foreign Wars, and next the Milton-Edgewood Kiwanis for support, as well, but are seeking support from members of the greater community who may want to back the cause.
“It would sure help us a lot with the cost of material, which is always a struggle for us,” she said.
Because the quilts are given directly to soldiers at Madigan Army Medical Center, all materials must be completely natural. Polyester is unacceptable because of the metal beds and oxygen tanks that some of the soldiers use.
A roll of warm and natural batting costs the group $400, which yields about 20 quilts.
Those interested in sponsoring a quilt to give to a wounded soldier can come by the Grange in person each Thursday between 6-9 p.m., or call Jarvis at (253) 848-6033.
Sponsors can also mail a check or money order to the Grange to sponsor a quilt. Their name will be added to the patch and they will also receive a photo of the quilt they sponsored. Edgewood Grange 266, 3908 108th Ave. E., Edgewood WA, 98372.
Quilts for the Brave also welcomes quilters new and old to join their efforts, or volunteers looking to learn the craft.
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