Quilts of Valor

Up until a year ago, Sharron Bearly had never quilted anything in her life.  Nowadays, she heads an interest group at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Memphis, called “Sewn to Honor.”  This ministry involves both men and women in producing beautiful full-sized keepsake quilts for veterans as part of the larger Quilts of Valor program.
With the idea that her brother — a former Marine — would appreciate a patriotic quilt as a gesture of appreciation for his service, Sharron researched quilt patterns and came across information about the Quilts of Valor Foundation whose mission it is to provide comfort to those who have been touched by war.  She knew immediately that she wanted to be a part of this healing community.
Sharron, a veteran herself, served in the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing program during the Viet Nam conflict. She witnessed first-hand what war can do to servicemen and women, and saw the physical and emotional trauma suffered by the wounded and their families. The Quilts of Valor covers the veteran with a comforting and loving reminder that people do care about his/her well-being.
Nationally, as of February 2015, over 1,550 quilts have been presented to veterans. Those who wish to receive a quilt can request one or a family member can request one for them.  The quilts are presented to the veterans by the people making the quilts, or if sent to the QOV organization for presentation, they are presented by other members of QOV. Christ the King’s group of quilters meets regularly and has five quilts in production currently.  They sew together the top with top quality 100% cotton material, with all cotton thread, making a quilt that will last! They then sew together a backing and mail the items to a longarmer who then adds the batting, quilts it, and returns it to CTK for completion.  The group binds it and sews in a label, stating who the quilt is for, a name for the quilt, date of presentation and who sewed and quilted it.
Sharron is eager to involve more people in the quilting process, including friends from other churches and those who don’t know how to sew! Please contact the church office (901-682-8404) for more information.  Thank you, Sharron, for YOUR service!

Genie Swan
Coordinator Development/Community Relations
Christ the King Lutheran Church – Memphis, TN