For students in the summer quilting class at Southwestern Community College, it’s not just about what they can get out of the course, it’s what they can do to give in the process. Instead of getting started on their own projects, the students chose to dedicate a full session to creating squares for the Quilts of Valor Project.
The Quilts of Valor Project is a non-profit organization, founded in November 2003, with the goal of making quilts that would both heal and comfort returning service men and women touched by war. Quilters from around the nation send their handmade “pride” to a central location, where it is pieced together with the squares of other donors to create a beautiful patriotic lap quilt. Once the quilt is completed, it is awarded at one of many different levels: some go to military hospitals where chaplains award them to service members; there may be presentations of quilts to entire service units returning from combat deployments; they may be awarded at VA hospitals or presented individually.
This national grassroots community service effort connects the home-front with our wounded combat warriors and veterans in a way that unequivocally says, “Thank you for your service, sacrifice, and valor.”
SCC is pleased with the enthusiasm and patriotism of these students participating in the Quilts of Valor project. “Our institution is privileged to honor the commitment and contributions of our active-duty military and veterans,” said President Don Tomas. “Several of our faculty, staff and students have answered the call to serve, protect and defend our nation and interests around the world, and we’re proud of the Quilting Class’s interest and involvement in such a worthy project.”
Pictured from left to right are: Della Reeves (Cullowhee), Linda Bomberger (Waynesville), Angela Frye (Bryson City), Pat Cacciatore (Franklin), Gillian Murray (Franklin/Polk City, FL), Linda Clark (Canton), Kaye Swartzentruber (Sylva), Lanae McCracken (Waynesville), Barbara Arnold (Waynesville), Instructor – Linda Nichols (Waynesville), and Natalie Swayney (Bryson City). Not pictured: Robert Estep (Bryson City) and Regenia Holmes (Bryson City).
