Where there is a will, there is a way. Quilts of Valour Canada is finding a way to honour and thank the members (past and present) of the Canadian Forces for their service in a unique way.
I met the regional representative for Quilts of Valour Canada, Laurie-Lyn Lorenowich at the Superior Quilt show in May and was moved by what this organization does. More than piecing fabric and stitching patterns, these quilts bring comfort and a token of gratitude to their recipients.
Quilts of Valour Canada started in 2006 in Edmonton, where a local quilter presented quilts to three Canadian Armed Forces members who were recovering in hospital from injuries they received in Afghanistan. It was her way of saying “Thank You”. In 2009 the Quilts of Valour-Canada Society was formed as a registered national charity. To date, thousands of quilts made by volunteer quilters from across the country to show their appreciation to our injured Canadian Armed Forces members, past and present for their bravery and commitment to Canada and its citizens.
Our local chapter was started in 2020. Laurie-Lyn retired in January 2020, just as the pandemic hit. “I was a quilter 20 years earlier but then life got busy with kids’ activities and work and such so into the closet the sewing machine went. Now I had all the time in the world to sew. One day I was surfing the net looking for project ideas and came across Quilts of Valour Canada and a picture of a lovely gentleman wrapped in his quilt. I was hooked.”
Soon afterward, Laurie-Lyn received a call from the Regional Coordinator of QOVC. She was shocked to find out that there was no Thunder Bay or Northwestern Ontario chapter, and she was asked if she would like to be the regional representative. “I just wanted to sew for a good cause, but to not have representation in the north seemed unfair to me. We are so privileged to have an amazing history of service here in Thunder Bay. I wanted to make sure our local CAF members were recognized for their service and sacrifice to our country.”
The first quilt presented in our region was to Sgt. Christine Singleton on July 25, 2022. Since then, 18 Quilts of Valour have been presented in the city and around the region to veterans in Red Rock, Nipigon, Pass Lake, Shuniah and Kenora.
Major Kerry McLaughlin (ret’d) CD was there when Sgt. Singleton received her quilt; little did he know that he too would receive his own quilt two years later. He joined the CAF as Chaplain in January 2001 and works out of the local armoury on Park Street. Like many CAF members, his family has a history of service. His step-great-grandfather served in WW1, and his father served from 1944-1945 with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, a unit based in Winnipeg.
Major McLaughlin received his quilt on September 11, 2024. The gesture speaks to each recipient in their own way, honouring each individual’s experiences. Major McLaughlin explains what his quilt means for him. “It highlighted for me that I’m a part of a community of those who are needy, but not selfish, giving so much of themselves in our country’s service, but reluctant to ask for help for themselves.” As a Chaplain, he has supported many members who suffer from PTSD and mental trauma as a result of their service, including himself. “The quilts encompass a symbol of valour in service to Canada, and the reality that injuries are both visible and invisible.” says McLaughlin.
While thousands of quilts have been presented nationwide, getting nominations for CAF members in our region has proven to be a challenge. Laurie-Lyn has been working with the local Legions and is promoting the chapter through social media and events such as the Superior Quilt show. It is her hope to raise awareness of this organization, so that more of our service members can be honoured. As one recipient posted, “if you know of a veteran who needs to be wrapped in the love of his/her nation, visit the website and nominate them. I know from experience, that every Vet is deserving.”
Nominations are submitted through their website. In order to qualify, the service person (either active, retired or honourably discharged) must have served in the CAF and been injured either physically or mentally as a result of their service. To nominate, go to www.quiltsofvalour.ca. Click on ‘Eligibility Criteria & FAQ’, then scroll down on that page to ‘Request a Quilt of Valour’ to complete the nomination form. It takes about 3-6 months from nomination to presentation.
One presentation that stands out for Laurie-Lyn took place in June of 2023 to Able Seaman Elmer Auld at the Port Arthur Legion Branch 5 on Van Norman Street. He was a submarine detector during WWII and made 24 trips across the Atlantic protecting critical supply lines and watching out for enemy subs. Laurie-Lyn kept in contact with Mr. Auld, who sadly passed away this summer at the age of 101. “He was an amazing man and dedicated CAF member”, she says fondly.
Scroll through their Facebook page (Quilts of Valour-Canada) and you can’t help but be struck by pictures from all over the country of veterans receiving their quilts. You can really see and feel what these handmade expressions of thankfulness mean to each recipient-and that is exactly what Quilts of Valour is hoping to do, one quilt at a time.
If you know of any CAF members you would like to nominate for a valour quilt, please go to www.quiltsofvalour.ca.
