Quilters of all levels of experience - beginner to expert - are welcome to join!
AboutThe Patriotic Piecers
The Patriotic Piecers
The Patriotic Piecers are a sub-group of the Card Tricks Chapter. They have been getting together monthly since approximately 2013 for the sole purpose of creating special quilts to honor those who have served our nation and our community with handmade quilts to express our gratitude and provide comfort and healing. So far, the Patriotic Piecers have presented more than 250 quilts to veterans, active military, and first responders who are members of the White Mountain Community..
The award ceremony
Every year on or near Patriot's Day (September 11) a ceremony is held and quilts are presented to veterans, military members, and first responders, including policemen, EMTs, and fire fighters. Each quilt is unique, and has a label with the Awardee's name and a message thanking that person for his or her service. The ceremony is followed by a reception. The ceremony itself is inspiring, as the moderator relates information about each person's service. Our moderator for the last several years has been Barbara Bruce.
Who can be presented with a quilt?
Quilts may be donated to the following people:
• Active military: Active members of the United States military (including reserve and national guard members) who are at least part-time residents of the White Mountain area.
• Military Veterans: Veterans of any branch of the United States military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force) who reside in the White Mountain area.
• First responders: First responders include emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, police, sheriff, sheriff deputies, police and sheriff auxiliary, firefighters,
Posthumous donation:
• If the nominee is terminal, a private award ceremony can be arranged. • If the nominee passes away after nomination, the family will be presented the quilt at the ceremony
• Nominees must be living at the time of nomination.
Residence:
• The recipient must have resided in the White Mountains within the year of presentation. The White Mountain area is defined as Navajo and Apache counties.
• Exceptions can be made for people who have performed exemplary services who live outside the area
How to nominate someone for a quilt
To nominate a veteran or first responder for a quilt, you can go to
Pinetop Star,
103 W Yeager Lane,
Lakeside
and fill out a nomination form or you can download the form and mail it to
Card Tricks Chapter - Patriotic Piecers
PO Box 374
Show Low, AZ 85902
About our Quilts
People often ask if we only do red, white, and blue quilts. The answer is no. We also do quilts that are service-specific: red, black, and gold for marines, blue for air force and navy, camouflage, etc. The quilt just needs to reflect the patriotic theme. The group has specific requirements for quilt size, finish, and labeling.
hospice veterans
Recently, the group has started presenting quilts to Hospice veterans who perhaps cannot wait until the September ceremony or whose physical condition keeps them from participating. The Patriotic Piecers partners with Hospice Compassus and Fishers of Men for Veterans to present these quilts at the place of the Veteran's residence, either at home or in a care facility.