Perry Piecemakers seek donations to continue Quilts of Valor mission

The Perry Piecemakers Quilt Guild presented its most recent Quilt of Valor during a presentation on Sunday, July 23 at the Hotel Pattee.

The guild presented seven Quilts of Valor during a presentation on June 14 at Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center.

“The Perry Piecemakers have been honored to award a number of Quilts of Valor,” Pat Mundy said during the July 23 presentation to Denny Glick.

She estimated the group has awarded over 15 quilts to area veterans this year. That number was around 17 in 2022. Mundy said the quilt guild hopes to double that by the end of the year.

Some of the presentations are done in groups, like the seven veterans honored at Spurgeon Manor in June. While others are done individually, like the July 23 presentation at the Hotel Pattee.

“We can do an awards ceremony anywhere the family would like,” Mundy said. “We can come into a home, we can go into a church, we can come to an organization, we can do it in a park, we can just about do it anywhere.”

While the Perry Piecemakers have awarded a number of quilts within Perry, they have also held ceremonies in the surrounding area. The Dallas Center presentation came about as Barb Hansen was visiting her mother, who is a resident at Spurgeon Manor.

“I was walking down the hall one day and it said veteran, veteran,” Hansen said. “I wondered if they had Quilts of Valor. I knocked on their doors and they said no.”

The Perry Piecemakers then set to work creating quilts for the veterans at Spurgeon Manor. One resident, Dale Ocken, received his quilt during a presentation with his family on June 11. Seven residents received their quilts during the June 14 presentation, including Jack Hoffman, Clair Baldner, Ells Cackler, Robert Greif, Ivan Myers, Joseph Keller and Bob Mangels.

“I’m very pleased to be here today to honor these veterans and I’m glad to see so many here to represent those veterans,” Hansen said during the June 14 presentation.

Each of the veterans received a quilt made by members of the Perry Piecemakers. The quilts contain a label with the veterans’ name and service information along with a care label.

“We create quilts that are all handmade, they are quilted either by hand or by machine,” Mundy said. “They are made to be used and loved with pets, children and grandchildren. We try to make them sturdy and a comfort to the person who is going to receive them.”

The veterans’ families stood behind them holding their quilt as details of their service was read. The families then helped drape the quilts over their shoulders.

“It is with great pleasure to award you a Quilt of Valor for your service to the country. A grateful nation thanks you,” Hansen said as Myers received his quilt.

Mundy said in a separate interview that the guild likes to include the families whenever possible in the quilt presentations.

“It’s been really touching because they have been so well received. The people that have been awarded quilts have been very touched and the families are very touched,” she added.

Following the June 14 presentation, the Perry Piecemakers awarded quilts to veterans Ed Carney and Glick. Nominations have continued to come in and Mundy said the guild has been trying to accommodate as many as they can with available funds.

“It costs between $200-300 for a quilt,” she added. “Our quilts are top quality quilts, we never cut corners on fabric or quilting or anything like that because we want them to be a symbol of the perfection of the service the person gave.”

The Perry Piecemakers joined the Quilts of Valor Foundation in November.

Mundy said those looking to donate to the quilt guild can send a check to the foundation office in Winterset. The money goes into a fund that belongs to the Perry Piecemakers.

“It's a 100% return on what anybody does and it’s tax deductible,” Mundy said of donations.

Checks can be made out to Quilts of Valor Foundation and sent to Quilts of Valor Foundation PO Box 191 Winterset, IA 50273. Mundy said those looking to donate can note Perry’s name and number on the check and the funds will go directly to the guild: Perry, Iowa Piecemakers Quilts of Valor, PIPQOV, #87243.

“We’re at a point where as long as we have funds coming in, if we get requests from the area, we will provide for them as well as we can,” Mundy said. “Right now, we’ve had some generous donations and we’re hoping to receive some more so that we can keep going. We hope to keep up with the need.”

The Perry Piecemakers will take nominations for any age group, though Mundy said they will award quilts to the Vietnam era first. The guild is currently working on quilts for Veterans Day.

The group meets on most Wednesdays at the Hotel Pattee where they work on quilts for the hotel as well as Quilts of Valor and Mundy said area residents are welcome to stop by if they have any questions.

Those interested in nominating veterans to receive a Quilt of Valor should contact Barb Hansen at 515-290-2140. For more information, contact Mundy at 515-360-9731.