from the executive director qovf and american gold by ... · william recognizing his 104 years and...
TRANSCRIPT
From the Executive DirectorBy Tammany McDaniel
August is always one of my favorite months and this year exceeded my expectations. Our 2019 Annual Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was well attended. Our sponsors were incredible! We want to give special thanks to each of them: Connecting Threads, Foust Textiles, MODA Fabrics, Northcott, Quiltfolk, and Quilter’s Rule. The theme for this year’s conference was “It Will Be Grand.” I enjoyed seeing the Grand River each day and the hotel’s architectural features were splendid.
My keynote address, “Everything is Changing,” detailed our vision for 2020. QOVF has established many partnerships in order to increase collaboration, improve brand recognition, and benefit QOV groups financially. The board also reviewed how the national infrastructure supports groups and often requires investment in order to facilitate our service to groups. I shared the actual revenue and expenses of the membership portion of our organization and additional financial transparency details are coming soon.
My announcement included the timeline for our first annual report, which I have scheduled for release in January 2021. As you may know, the 2019 budget was established prior to my hire. During 2019, we have worked to evaluate internal
Tammany McDanielExecutive Director
SEPTEMBER 2019
A M O N T H LY P U B L I C AT O N O F Q U I LT S O F V A L O R ® F O U N D AT I O N
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QOVF AND AMERICAN GOLD STAR MOTHERS CONNECTBy Sue Reich, QOVF Board Chairwoman
Membership Director Jackie Dudek and Board Chair Sue Reich represented QOVF at the National Convention of the American Gold Star Mothers (AGSM) on June 28 in Albuquerque, NM. QOVF was invited to attend the event to kick off our new partnership (established Spring 2019) with the AGSM.
AGSM is a national organization established in 1928. A Gold Star Mother represents a mother who lost a military son or daughter in war. Service to veterans is an important aspect to the AGSM. Grace Darling Seibold organized the Gold Star Mothers after
WWI. Her son, 1st Lt. George V. Seibold, an aviator, was killed in France. Grace organized the AGSM in an effort to provide other mothers who lost a child in the war a place to help resolve their grief as they ministered to veterans from our nation’s wars. After World War l, President Woodrow Wilson declared the Gold Star Mothers as an official national organization.
Today, 91 years later, the focus of AGSM is post-traumatic stress (PTS). Gold Star families recognize that PTS is not restricted to war veterans themselves. Families also suffer from numerous deployments, and the needs are especially difficult for those families whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives in service to our country. QOV makers already know
During the American Gold Star Mothers Convention in Albuquerque, NM, QOVF Chair Sue Reich awards a QOV to Terry Geiling, Vietnam veteran US Navy, and Executive Director of the American Gold Star Mothers Manor in Long Beach, CA. (Photos courtesy of Patrick J. Hughes.)
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leadership, improve our marketing content, and better communicate with our membership. We’ve also worked to reduce our internal costs and speed internal processes. I’ll draft a 2020 budget in October of this year, which will be reviewed by the QOVF Board of Directors. With this timeline, our first annual report will be representative of a year’s budget created by current leadership. Interim financial information will be forthcoming via member communication and postings on our website.
Thank you to everyone who sent in e-mails regarding potential slogans ormessaging. We are reviewing them andhope to present new messages in thecoming months.
We have an exciting announcement to make! The National Quilt Museum and Quilts of Valor Foundation are partnering to help both organizations expand programming and better serve the quilting community. Effective August 21, 2019, you will be able to join or renew your Individual Membership with QOVF online. When you complete this online purchase, you will be able to add the $40.00 National Quilt Museum membership to your cart at checkout. Join or renew in one transaction. Other exciting news includes the adoption by The National Quilt Museum of our National Sew Day and our adoption of their National Quilt Day. More details will be coming soon.
As I near the close of this article, it is important to note the partnerships we are creating have an impact on groups. Please support the Cruise & Quilt events as the proceeds of these events will be invested in reducing shipping costs between groups for getting quilt tops to longarm quilters and returning quilted QOVs back to groups. I’ve heard Mary Kerr will be teaching on the cruise leaving Charleston, SC. I can’t wait to see what pattern she decides to teach! For more information click here.
Thank you for your service and dedication to QOVF.
the therapeutic effects of creating quilts for others. As we wrap service members touched by war with QOVs, the reward is two-fold. The award represents a tangible expression of gratitude from a grateful nation. It also provides the maker of the quilt the opportunity to use her creativity and talent to create a symbol of her gratitude.
The success of this new partnership is already developing. There is one Gold Star Mothers/QOV group established in Nebraska and another group in the making. We look forward to many years of joint efforts between AGSM and QOVF “covering military touched by war with comforting and healing quilts.”
RICH REWARDS AS A QOV VOLUNTEERBy Suzanne Treppa DiCarlo, Information and Help Desk Coordinator
As a thirteen-year volunteer with QOVF, my love and respect for our veterans and service members has taken me to places near and far. In June 2019, I was invited to attend the Texas VFW State Conference. What remarkable people our veterans are! To be able to witness the work that goes on in other organizations is encouraging and keeps me committed to our mission. Countless Post Commanders and Auxiliary Presidents came to the QOV booth to thank me for what QOVF does. They offered their support across Texas to help us in awarding QOVs, raising funds, and building new groups.
We can’t do it all ourselves. Texas is not only large geographically, but also
has one of the largest populations of veterans. We need the help of others. To have strangers walk up and thank you for your passion and mission keeps me motivated. In the vendors’ area, I met others who were from organizations also serving veterans across TX. Many offered their support and most were veterans themselves. Many who have received QOVs wanted to give me a hug and thank me for what WE do.
Two Post Commanders offered to host award ceremonies where there are no local QOV groups. “We’ll throw the ceremony and provide refreshments, you bring them to us. It will be an honor to help you.” What a blessing! Eight veterans will receive their QOVs as a result of these generous offers. Both posts will help get the word out that we need groups in their areas, too.
When an opportunity comes your way, please reach out to other
Three of the eight QOVS awarded during the 2019 Texas VFW State Conference went to Richard Shawver (USMC), far left; Inga Conley (US Army), third from right; and Keith King (US Navy), far right.
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CENTENARIAN MARINE AWARDED QOVInformation provided by Kathy Sansone, Elk Grove Quilt Guild QOV Chairperson
William White was awarded his QOV on his 104th birthday in Stockton, CA. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1934 and was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Shanghai, China, and Los Angeles. When World War II was declared, William was assigned to Parachute School and began his training for the invasion of Iwo Jima. He arrived at Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945, just as the American flag was being raised in that now-famous photo.
Wounded in battle by a grenade, William was sent back to the U.S. for recovery. He was eventually assigned to Camp Pendleton where he assisted with the discharge of 400,000 Marines after the war. Following the war, he performed duties at Pearl Harbor, Washington, D.C., Korea, San Francisco, San Diego, and Okinawa. He was promoted to Major in 1963 and retired from the Marine Corps in 1964.
Not being one to sit idle, William then became a member of the police department in Huntington Beach, CA, for twelve years before retiring from the force. William was also an active volunteer and advisor to the Huntington Beach Police Explorer Post #563 for nearly 30 years.
The assisted living facility where William now resides held a birthday party in his honor. He arrived in his dress Marine uniform with all his medals and as sharp in stature as ever. California State Assemblywoman Susan Eggman presented a proclamation to William recognizing his 104 years and his dedicated service to his country. Ms. Eggman was very familiar with QOVF as she herself received a QOV recognizing her service in the U.S. Army as a medic. After her presentation,
Marcia Richards of the Elk Grove Quilt Guild presented William with his QOV. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Richtik)
William White, U.S. Marine Corps (retired), wore his dress uniform on his 104th birthday for his QOV award ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Richtik)
William was asked if he would like to say anything. He proceeded to recite the entire Gettysburg Address word for word. When asked if he might sing the Marine anthem, he stood and sang all three stanzas.
QOV presenters commented following the ceremony what a distinct honor it was to have met and awarded such a distinguished Marine who served his country unselfishly to protect our freedom and way of life.
organizations. Help for our mission is there, we just have to share what’s needed. The rich rewards I get from volunteering are tenfold what I give. Thanks for the opportunity to represent this great foundation and for all the work WE do.
Millie Holland, Past President of the Texas State VFW Auxiliary with award recipient Inga
Conley, Commander Texas State VFW.
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IOWA GROUP: APPRECIATION AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPBy Elayne Gasset, Group Leader, Freedom Stitchers of Iowa
The Freedom Stitchers of Iowa (FSI) enjoyed a time of celebration and recognition with an Appreciation Party for members of the group and their spouses following a QOV award ceremony for sixteen veterans at the Cedar Rapids, IA, VFW Post 788.
FSI has grown from 40 to 120 members in under four years. None of this would have been possible without Ralph Osenbaugh, a Vietnam veteran and QOV recipient—the driving force who prompted me to organize our group on June 25, 2015. With support and encouragement from the Eastern Iowa Heirloom Quilters Guild, our group began its journey. Since its inception, the group has awarded 475 Quilts of Valor in Linn County, IA, with more than 655 quilts currently in production.
An active community partnership with the Cedar Memorial Funeral Home brings veterans and their families together for award ceremonies five times each year. In addition to the venue, our partner provides lunch, a DVD of the award ceremony to each veteran, and generous monetary donations to the group. The award ceremonies are hosted by Jerry Green, career Army veteran; Ralph Osenbaugh and Gene Peterson, both Vietnam veterans; Sherry Peterson, mother of three veteran sons, and myself.
FSI thrives in large part because of the group’s combined organizational skills and tireless efforts to guide and share with this diverse group of quilters and non-quilters who proudly share the QOV mission.
The party recognized the many efforts of the group and individuals over the last several years. Every group has volunteers who go above and beyond, and FSI is no exception. Although numbers tell part of the story, there’s more to our group than numbers. Quilter Rita Moore has made 44 quilts and introduced us to many WWII Veterans who were awarded their quilts. Mary Wauer has made 33 quilts and Donna Cobley 29 quilts. Our gentlemen longarmers, Bill Brewster and Don
Dixson quilted 76 and 48 quilts, respectively. Behind the scenes is Mary Hauschild who writes beautiful hand-made thank you notes, Jan Berridge who provides color catchers for laundering quilts, and Kathy Robbie who supplies equipment for annual National Sew Days.
New Under Our Wings member, Ava Shirm (center), is welcomed to the FSI group by Rita Moore (left) and Elayne Gassett (right). Ava is Rita’s great granddaughter.
The centerpiece for the event was a stunning red-white-and-blue “quilt” cake made by a local bakery.
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To cap off the event, FSI also celebrated and welcomed Ava Schrim as the group’s first member in the Under Our Wings program specifically designed to attract young people to quilting. The future of QOVF is certainly bright!
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WELL-DESERVED RECOGNITION AND KUDOSBy Sue Reich
Marianne Fons, QOVF Emeritus Board Member, was inducted into the Quilters Hall of Fame at a gala event in Marion, IN, on July 13, 2019. As a young mother after our nation’s Bicentennial, Marianne, along with fellow quilter Liz Porter, developed the Fons & Porter Love of Quilting business.
Over the next 30 years, Marianne’s contributions to the quilt industry included teacher, author, lecturer, magazine founder and publisher, mail-order business owner, and well-known television personality. In 1993, she co-authored one of the all-time best-selling quilt books, Quilter’s Complete Guide, which is scheduled to be republished soon by Dover Press.
Shortly after retiring in 2006, Marianne set her talents to representing QOVF as Board of Directors’ Quilt Industry liaison. Upon retiring from the QOVF in 2017, Marianne concentrated her efforts and talents locally in Winterset, IA, as both founder of the Iowa Quilt Museum and guiding the restoration of a vintage theater on her hometown’s square.
Congratulations, Marianne Fons! The quilt world is lucky to have your quiltmaking creativity and expertise.
Board members Mary Kerr, Mary Persyn, Sue Reich, and Tony Jacobson represented QOVF at the Quilters Hall of Fame induction of QOVF Board Member Emeritus, Marianne Fons.
Marianne Fons was inducted into the Quilters Hall of Fame at a celebration on July 13, 2019, in Marion, IN.
Noted quilting and television personality, Eleanor Burns, visited the QOVF Sew Days held during the 2019 Quilters Hall of Fame Celebration. Eleanor created a quilt block on our new QOVF/Janome Sewing Machine.
The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.
Newsletter
Tammany McDaniel, Editorial DirectorJennifer Keltner, Managing EditorTony Jacobson, Graphic DesignerKathleen Decker, Contributing EditorMarianne Fons, Proofreader
Quilt of Valor®, Quilts of Valor®, and QOV® are registered trademarks of the Quilts of Valor Foundation.
QOVF Core Values Treating people with respect • Promoting excellence • Valuing service over self • Being accountable
Quilts Reported2012: 6,1692013: 12,3142014: 17,3732015: 18,7722016: 19,0512017: 24,1232018: 30,7452019: 17,892
Total: 227,002(from date of first recorded award through 30 Aug, 2019)
here
QOVF Certified Quilt Business ProgramBy Myra Coddens
Welcome aboard to our newest members of the Certified Quilt Business Program. The following businesses completed certification since the last newsletter:
Johnston’s Home Center Benton, AREasy Quilting Corner Riverside, CABrady’s Idaho Falls, IDSew Fun Quilting Shelley, IDTimes Square Sewing Complex Jacksonville, ILFlint Hills Quilting Paxico, KSJoann Fabrics Hattiesburg, MSThe Quilted Dragon Pahrump, NVTLC Quilting Middletown, PAQuilting at the Beach Myrtle Beach, SCThe Old Craft Store Carrollton, TXCuppa Tea Quilting Newport, WA
QOVF Founder and Board Member EmeritusCatherine Roberts
Board Member EmeritusWalt Davis Marianne FonsEric McCartyJune Moore
Board of DirectorsSue Reich, ChairRenelda Peldunas-Harter, Vice PresidentMaggie Klenke, Secretary Brenda Edwards, Treasurer Mary Persyn, Member Marianne Elliott, MemberTony Jacobson, MemberMary Kerr, Member
Executive StaffTammany McDaniel, Executive Director [email protected]
Ginger Fondren, Assistant Executive Director [email protected]
Jackie Dudek, Membership [email protected]
Jane Lyon, Co-Longarm Coordinator (east of MS river)[email protected]
Holly Melton, Co-Longarm Coordinator (west of MS river)[email protected]
Janice Lewis, Individual Request &Destination [email protected]
Marketing and Public Relations Director (open position)
Suzanne DiCarlo, Information Desk [email protected]
Jennifer Keltner, Managing [email protected]
Myra Coddens, Certified Quilt Business [email protected]
G. Ann BryantIT [email protected]
Special Events Coordinator (open position)
Under Our Wings Program Coordinator(open position)
Facebook/Twitter AdminTerry Burtchell [email protected]
Mailing Address:Quilts of Valor FoundationPO Box 191Winterset, IA 50273
For more information about QOVF, see www.QOVF.org
For more information about the BOD, the QOVF staff, and how to contact your State Coordinator (SC) go to www.qovf.org/meet-us/
Photos that appear in Threads are either used with permission or are public domain images. The editorial team makes every effort to credit photographers.
6 September 2019