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Welcome to Quilts With Love !!
In September 2003, Maggie Jones and her husband received a message from their son Deron, a soldier stationed in Iraq. Deron had called his wife to let her know he was cold and would like a blanket. The desert nights get cold after a day of extreme heat. Deron's wife then called Maggie to let her know.
Running to the store and buying a blanket was her first thought. But then Maggie realized that a homemade quilt would mean so much more. Several friends had asked what they could do for Deron to help him while he was in Iraq. So Maggie "put out the word". She posted on the internet on Sept. 25th, 2003 asking for blocks to help make a quilt for Deron. If enough blocks were received, she would make a few more quilts to send for Deron to share with other soldiers there. Women from across the country responded to her request for blocks. There were so many extra blocks and help, that by December 2003, 40 quilts were completed and mailed to the troops.
Thus QUILTS WITH LOVE was born.
As the word got out, Maggie was sent the names of more and more soldiers whose families wanted them to have a quilt. Envelopes full of pieced blocks, boxes of backing fabrics along with postage donations found the way to her mailbox. The group worked many long hours to get the quilts made and mailed. By December 2004, over 200 quilts had been made and mailed to the troops in Iraq.
The 'project' as Maggie calls it, has snowballed beyond belief. It continues to grow daily with the addition of more soldiers names and addresses. There are many people, all volunteers, from across the United States involved in this noble effort. A member in California designed a logo and the label that goes on the back of each quilt.
A Yahoo group has been set up so members can stay informed, share information and ideas, and view photos of quilts and of the soldiers with their quilts. There are letters we have received from grateful soldiers, reminding us how very much they appreciate that "hug of love" and support from a snuggly reminder of home.
You must join the group to become a member, click here for more information.
If you would like to submit a soldier's name for a quilt, or would like to make a contribution to help defray the enormous costs involved,
click here for more information.
As of December 2008, QWL members have made and sent 1,612 quilts to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan!
Quilts With Love is non-profit and tax deductible for donations.
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