By Rosalind Russell – One hundred and twenty-five quilts have been distributed so far by the Elliot Lake chapter of Quilts of Valour Canada throughout the North Shore corridor.
Since its inception in 2009, Quilts of Valour Canada has been on a mission to bring comfort to members of the Canadian Armed Forces and veterans who have faced the challenges of service-related trauma.
Local Elliot Lake chapter president Judy Millard says the national charity is dedicated to crafting handmade quilts providing warmth and emotional comfort to recipients.
She, and other volunteers, set up a display at the Massey Fair this year focusing on the work they do, noting out of the 125 quilts made locally, 18 of them have been distributed in the city itself with the majority gifted throughout the wider community.
Millard says veterans anywhere including Espanola, Blind River, along the North Shore Corridor and Manitoulin Island can receive on by simply going online and applying.
She adds the organization, founded in 2018, is run by volunteers and depends on the charity of Canadians to continue its work.
She says nominations can be made through the organization’s website, either by the veterans themselves or by those who wish to honour their service — to be eligible, veterans must be currently serving or retired and have experienced physical or mental trauma during their service.
By partnering with various military and veteran services, the organization works to identify those who would truly benefit from receiving a quilt, ensuring that their gifts reach those in need.
Many of the quilters are retired military personnel, while others have no direct ties to the armed forces.
Anyone wishing to join a local quilting chapter, can also find more information on the site.
Photo: Judy Millar, president of the Elliot Lake Chapter of the Quilts of Valour Canada and various other volunteers took in the Massey Fair this year to publicize the program. If you know of a worthy veteran or volunteer who would love one of these beautiful quilts, visit the website. Photo by Rosalind M Russell
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