POLAND — A delegation from TQGIBT (That Quilt Group I Belong To) and the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 2 showed up at Hospice of the Valley, Hospice House in Poland to make a very special donation in anticipation of Memorial Day.

In a brief ceremony at Hospice House on Tuesday, two hand-made quilts were donated for HOTV veterans on their final journey and to be used during the We Honor Veterans Program. The quilts also will be used when pinning and honoring veterans throughout the year.

“It is an honor to stitch a quilt for such an honorable purpose,” said volunteer Bonnie Naman, who created one of the quilts. “Our quilting group contributes each quilt with lots of love and prayers, for comfort and hope to all who receive one.”

Naman said TQGIBT has been around a long time and is always doing some kind of community service. The group has donated 11 quilts to Hospice, but the recent donation was a first.

One of the two quilts was made as a table covering for veteran ceremonies. The other was made as a covering for when a veteran leaves Hospice House. Instead of a plain sheet, the veteran will be covered with the quilt, made with prayers and in remembrance, as a way to pay tribute to the veteran for his or her sacrifice.

On hand for the ceremony were members of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 2, who prayed over, saluted and dedicated the two special quilts.

Following the ceremony, Veterans Service Commission Commissioner Dale Baringer presented Naman with a check for $500 to help with materials for the quilts.

“The quilters have done a lot for veterans, and I know the materials they need are not cheap,” Baringer said. “We wanted to help them in their continued community service.”

Naman said the donation helps. She said TQGIBT holds a quilt raffle at the beginning of the year to raise funds to help throughout the year.

The 11 other quilts donated to HOTV were on display along the staircase. Hospice House coordinator Maureen McQuillan said those quilts will be given out.

“Our nursing staff and caregivers help identify patients who need a little warm TLC and we give them a quilt to keep,” she said. “They really love receiving one of these heirloom quilts.”

Quilting is more than just a hobby for members of TQGIBT; it is a labor of love that brings comfort and solace to those in need. TQGIBT has made significant contributions to HOTV, including over 24 heirloom quilts in 2023.

The ceremony ended with all singing “America the Beautiful,” led by Hospice House volunteer musician Robert Ochtyun.