Covered with comfort
Courtesy photo Char Carstensen, of the Christ the King Lutheran Church Military Ministry, presents a $500 donation to the Patriotic Piecers nonprofit in support of the Quilts of Valor Foundation that presents quilts to veterans. From left are: Jerene Kindley, Joanne Kerbs, Kayla Main, Susan McMinimy, Karen Henriksen, Carstensen, Barbara Lujan and Nancy Barr.
COEUR d'ALENE — A partnership between the Military Ministry of Christ the King Lutheran Church and the Patriotic Piecers Quilts of Valor group is resulting in local service members and veterans being covered with comforting quilts.
The Quilts of Valor Foundation is a national nonprofit started by Catherine Roberts in 2003, inspired by her son's deployment to Iraq and her desire to see that returning troops were welcomed home with love and gratitude.
The foundation has presented more than 211,000 quilts to veterans and service members in all 50 states.
The foundation's mission is being carried out locally by the Patriotic Piecers, a group 20 volunteers who meet at the American Legion Post 143 in Post Falls the third Monday of each month.
More than 275 local service members and veterans have been awarded quilts by the Patriotic Piecers since the group formed in 2013.
The group relies on private donations for the fabric and batting used in each quilt, and the members donate their time to make each one unique and personal.
The quilts are presented to all military service members regardless of conflict, declared war or otherwise, in which they served.
The mission of the Christ the King ministry is "to serve those who first served us."
Its past efforts have included working at the North Idaho Stand Down, hosting a POW/MIA dinner, supporting military families at Christmas and fundraising to support Newby-ginnings, Inland Northwest Honor Flight and Quilts of Valor.
If you would like to nominate someone to receive a quilt, visit www.qovf.org/request-qov/
If you would like to volunteer to make a quilt or to join the Patriotic Piecers, contact Karen Henriksen at Henriksensk@gmail.com or 208-964-1128.