In 2023, Nebraska Unit 216 started a handmade quilt project that brings together local people who enjoy sewing and quilting to craft patriotic-themed lap quilts that are presented to veterans staying in local care and retirement centers. 
 

Quilts of Honor came about when an activity director at a local retirement center approached unit member Cindy Moore to see if their unit could help with a quilt presentation ceremony for the veterans in their care as part of the center’s Veterans Day activities. 
 
Moore presented the idea to her unit, and they came up with the idea for lap quilts. The unit didn’t have a lot of quilters or sewing enthusiasts, so they reached out to churches, family members, and friends.
 
As organizer of the project, Unit 216 provides quilt kits with step-by-step instructions along with helpful hints and tips. 
 
As an added step to honor the veteran, the unit also creates a custom label that is sewn onto each quilt with the recipient’s name, the date they received the quilt, and a thank-you message for their service. Once the fabric and materials are assembled, they work with a local member of the community who has topstitch quilting equipment needed to finish the quilts.
 
Currently, the unit serves four care and retirement facilities in their community and have so far presented 87 quilts to veterans.
 
“Personally, this has been one of the most meaningful projects I have been involved with during my ALA career,” shared Moore. “It has been a project that checks a lot of ALA mission boxes, including honoring veterans, promoting patriotism, and bringing together members from the whole community to serve our veterans in need.”  
Originally, Moore said their unit thought this might be a one-off project, but after the response they received from the veterans, including many heartfelt thank-yous, lots of smiles, and bringing some to tears, it has been a no-brainer to keep the project going. The unit continues to support the program by collecting donations and raising funds for the project through raffles, dessert tables at annual fish fry events, and working concessions at community events.
 

Tips for starting a quilting group

 
Partner with a veteran care facility or retirement center: Reach out to local facilities to share the idea. 

Start with a small group and involve the community: A single person with knowledge on quilting and sewing can make a significant impact. If forming a group, start with two to seven dedicated people to keep it manageable. Recruit volunteers through your membership, local churches, volunteer groups, friends, and family. Remember: You do not have to be a seasoned quilter to sew a lap quilt.
 
Provide instructions: Provide an information sheet with easy-to-follow instructions with pictures, as well as any tools needed.
 
Set standards for quality: Use durable materials that withstand frequent washing. Use simple, sturdy patterns that are both comforting and long-lasting. Unit 216 recommends longarm quilted or machine top stitched quilts as opposed to tie quilting, as tie quilts do not hold up to frequent washing.
 
Gather resources: Request fabric donations from local quilt and fabric shops, or plan fundraisers for the purchase of needed items. 
 
Personalize: Include a customized label thanking the person for their service. Print your customized labels on cotton inkjet printer sheets (iron-on and machine washable). Iron your label on and stitch around. In addition, plan a special ceremony when presenting the quilt to recipients. 
 
Share with local media: Create awareness about your project by inviting local media to cover your presentation ceremony. And be sure to post and share photos on your unit’s social media accounts.