Combining their love for sewing and for serving veterans, Poppy’s Quilts of Valor in Georgetown has dedicated over 2,000 hours annually for 6 years to honor more than 70 local veterans this past year alone.
Combining their love for sewing and for serving veterans, Poppy’s Quilts of Valor in Georgetown has dedicated over 2,000 hours annually for 6 years to honor more than 70 local veterans this past year alone.
Poppy’s Quilts of Valor (QOV) was established in 2018 when founder Michelle Bailey purchased Poppy Quilt n’ Sew, and her first mission was to establish a Quilts of Valor chapter for the Austin area. Michelle knows firsthand the impact of war and the sacrifice to serve and defend our freedoms because her grandfather, father and sister all served our country in times of war.
A Quilt of Valor is a handmade quilt that is awarded to service members or veterans who have been touched by war. Anyone in a community where there is a QOV chapter can nominate a living veteran or active service member to be presented with a Quilt of Honor and recognition. QOV is a national organization that was started in 2003 by founder Catherine Robert when her son was sent to Iraq and she dreamed that a quilt wrapped him in warmth to give him the strength he needed to continue. Today they partner with over 30 organizations nationwide with the mission of honoring veterans to make them feel loved and appreciated by everyone in their community.
Poppy’s Quilts of Valor chapter is supported by local Georgetown community members that recognize the sacrifice of our local veterans and their families. Their “army of quilters” at Poppy’s QOV dedicate around 2,000 annual hours and collect countless supplies to ensure each veteran who is nominated feels the love and support of their community. Each quilt takes between 10-30 hours to complete, which their volunteers do both at home and during their monthly chapter meetings.
Poppy’s QOV works with the Rotary Club of Georgetown, Austin Veteran’s Administration Clinic, and Killeen Korean War Veterans along with individual veterans in the Austin area to connect them with resources and recognize them with a Quilt of Valor. Poppy’s QOV raised about $750 this past year which went primarily to supplies and fabric for quilts. Poppy’s QOV teams with the Rotary Club of Georgetown during their Field of Honor event which is a great way to connect both organizations to sponsors and help them spread the word about their missions.
For those that served during a time of war, the trauma and experiences they have endured may have had a negative impact on their life, but the act of honor from Poppy’s QOV helps change their hearts and minds. Member Peggy Powell says, “To see this change in them and how much a small gesture can not only impact them, but forever impact their families, communities and all of our Poppy QOV volunteers is beyond words.”
