By Edita McQuary
Today’s quilts are made with beautiful, interesting patterns, and are often exhibited as works of art by professional quilters as well as being traditional useful additions to a home. Last February the quilt exhibit at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds garnered nearly 400 unique and outstanding works of art. If you missed it, you will get a chance to visit the upcoming February 2014 exhibit, entitled “From Sea to Shining Sea — What America Means to me” which promises to be even better.
From its start in 1978 with 56 members, it has grown to 400 members of whom 5 percent are men, the youngest member is in her mid-20’s and the oldest is in her early 90’s. Today’s quilters come in “all ages, skill levels and pursue many different careers: engineering, chemistry, library management, interior decoration and law.”
The PVQA is now partnering with Hospice of Santa Cruz County in their “We Honor Veterans” program, which is a part of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “Together we are committed to bringing comfort, dignity, and quality of life to veterans in our communities,” said Cathy Conway, Vice President of Communications and Philanthropy at Hospice of Santa Cruz County, in a recent press release.
For this program, the guild is working on two types of quilts: “Quilts of Valor” which are full-size and are made for recently injured and recuperating veterans. They are sent to wives, moms, sisters, and other family members to take to their beloved veterans into hospitals and homes all over the United States. Each quilt is mailed out in a special sack required by the government and is accompanied with a note which expresses the quilter’s thanks for the veteran’s service.
“Quilts of Honor” are meant for veterans of previous wars who are coming into the Veterans Administration facilities for help. They are usually wheelchair or lap-size quilts because that is a need for many of these older veterans. The quilt also comes with a note saying such things as “For the love of a veteran” or “Thank you for your service” inside the bag.
In 2012, 100 quilts were given to the Palo Alto Veterans Administration facility, along with knitted and crocheted hats, and books, which were delivered along with the quilts.
“This is how we put our arms around our veterans to show our appreciation for their sacrifice,” said Karen Cunningham Gonzalez, the Guild’s publicity person, who is spreading the word to the community about what the group is doing.
The PVQA has created a quilt called “Comfort at Pearl Harbor” which is a tribute to all the veterans that Hospice of Santa Cruz County serves. Created by Bea Casey and Betty Whitman, the quilt “showcases a variety of Pacific Island fabrics that have been quilted in a stunning geometric pattern known as Flying Geese.”
The “Comfort at Pearl Harbor” quilt has been traveling and raffle tickets are being sold at various local Hospice fundraising events including the Santa Cruz County Fair in Watsonville on September 10-15. The winning ticket will be selected on December 8, 2013 at the Hospice of Santa Cruz County Tree of Lights ceremony. Proceeds will benefit the Hospice of Santa Cruz County “We Honor Veterans” program. Follow the quilt at hikebike.hospicesantacruz.org.
PVQA meetings are usually held the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Beth-El Jewish Community Center, 3055 Porter Gulch Rd (at Soquel Dr. adjacent to Cabrillo College) in Aptos. For more information visit the PVQA website: pvqa.org
Due to Rosh Hoshanna, the September meeting will be held Monday, September 16, at the Resource Center for Non-violence, 612 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz. Parking is limited, please carpool. Overflow parking is available at the Santa Cruz County Courthouse, a half-block away.
Thanks to Karen Cunningham Gonzalez and Joanne Guzman for their help.