QUILT OF VALOR

It's been a while since I've updated to let you all know how we're doing and what's been happening.  Since June we have distributed 12 other quilts, making that a total of about two dozen for the year.  (This number does not include quilts that were made by those of you gave quilts direct to family members/friends.)  This may not seem like we've made a dent, but it's a great beginning for our little group.

I want to thank everyone who has donated their time & talents: Kay, Barb, Jonnie, Joanne, Deb, Ann, Summer, Gayle, Tammy, Shireen, Mary, Shirley, Giselle and Nancy.  We also recieved some fabric donations from various people, as well as some of the vendors that were at the Vermont Festival this past summer.  I apoligize if I left anyone out; I tried to keep track of everyone, but I didn't always write things down right away. 

What will our goals be for 2011?

• Increase the number of quilts we produce.   To date, the quilts donated have been 100% funded by the individual who provided them.  With the money we raised this summer, we can now purchase fabric at discounted/wholesale prices.  Granted the money won't go far, but we should be able to buy a bolt of batting and several bolts of fabric.  The more money we save, the more quilts we can make.
• Be more proactive in finding local soldiers for our quilts.  Vermont has had something like 1500 soldiers deployed and that are on their way home.  We may not be able to cover every last one, but we can try.  I believe there are four Vermont battalions; every time we have four quilts made we can bring them to the State Command Sergeant Major who can distribute them evenly between the battalions.  It was suggested that the battalions hold a raffle to see who gets the quilt (raffle is for fairness in handing out quilts, not to raise money).    Additionally, we will be sure that we always keep two or three quilts in reserve for 'special requests' that may come in.
• Raise more money for supplies.  I have a couple thoughts in mind to raise money so that we can continue to purchase discounted/wholesale supplies...
• See if we can get a table at the Vermont Quilt Festival again.  Update:  I received an email from Anne Harmon, the VQF Coordinator.  She said VQF only has 2 or 3 nonprofit vendor slots allocated and they try to invite different ones each year.  They have decided on which non-profit to invite for 2011 and QOV was not one of them.  She said she's sorry to disappoint us; however, if we were to take part as a regular vendor the price starts at $600 for a 10' booth. 
• Make a special quilt we can raffle and figure out where/how we can raffle it.
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  Contact the various American Legions and VFWs.
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  See if we can find any fabric retailers and wholesalers who will make fabric donations. 
• With the fabric we buy, some can be used to make precut blocks that can be handed out at various local guilds.  Guild members can sew a block, give them back & one of our ladies will encorporate them in to a lovely quilt. 
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  Find other local quilt shows and see if we can get a booth.
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  Do a better job of updating this web page *smiles*.