Quilts of Valor of the Ozarks (QOVO) was honored to host Linda Martien, Missouri State Coordinator for Quilts of Valor Foundation (QOVF), at their inaugural membership meeting held May 6 in Kimberling City. Linda congratulated the newly organized chapter on their drive and passion to celebrate veterans in the Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas regions. She shared that QOVO joins 14 other chapters in the state of Missouri.
QOVF is closing in on honoring 400,000 veterans with quilts in all 50 states in just over 20 years. There is currently a list of approximately 8,500 veterans nationally pending receipt of a Quilts of Valor® of which 266 are in the state of Missouri. She encouraged the group to continue to seek nominations and members to support this well deserved recognition of members of our armed forces nationally. Representatives of Discover Quilters Quilts of Valor from Shell Knob were also present to hear her comments. The newly formed chapter enjoyed a luncheon provided by the new officers and spent the remainder of the day creating and sharing quilts to be awarded in the near future.
Eligibility for quilts
Who is eligible to be awarded a quilt? Any service member or living veteran who served in one of the following branches: Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. Members of the activated National Guard and activated or active duty-special work (ADSW) reservists are included.
Individuals may be nominated by completing a form at https://www.qovf.org/nominations-awards/nominate_qov_tbw_info/#faq or emailing the local chapter at quiltsofvalorozarks@gmail.com for a nomination form.
How you can be involved
Quilts of Valor Foundation is a 501-3C organization and is entirely funded by the generosity of its members and benefactors. If you are interested in joining this work, or making a donation, you may contact the local QOVO Chapter through their Facebook page (Quilts of Valor of the Ozarks), email them at quiltsofvalorozarks@gmail.com or come to a meeting the first Monday of the month at 9 a.m. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Kimberling City.
But I don’t sew!
You do not need to be an accomplished quilter to join this work. Members can assist in presentations, fund raising, hand sewing, cutting fabric and other ways beyond the quilt making. A unique component of Quilts of Valor of the Ozarks is the inclusion of the officer of Educator. This individual is available as a resource for any member wishing to learn to sew, quilt or improve their current skill set.
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