What began as a simple idea sparked at the Nebraska State Fair has grown into a heartfelt mission for Warrensburg 4-H member Mallory Hall: to use the gift of quilting to honor the men and women who have served our country.
Mallory, 10-year member of the Royal Clover 4-H Club in Johnson County, saw quilts made by 4-H members on display at the Nebraska State Fair and wondered, “Wouldn’t it be great to see Missouri 4-H members taking part in this tradition, too?”
With determination, that dream became a reality.
With the help of fellow 4-H members, leaders, local quilters and one of Missouri’s Quilts of Valor group United We Sew, Mallory helped bring together 4-H members from Johnson, Cass and Pettis counties to create quilts for deserving veterans. During Military Appreciation Day at the Missouri State Fair on August 16, eight veterans were wrapped in quilts made especially for them by Missouri 4-H members.
The mission of Quilts of Valor is simple but powerful: to wrap veterans in quilts of comfort and protection, just as they protected us.
Although Mallory does not have immediate family members who have served in the military, growing up in Warrensburg and living near Whiteman Air Force Base has given her a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by service members and veterans. She has also seen those sacrifices through friends whose parents have served.
Her journey toward creating Quilts of Valor began last June when Mallory’s family brought papers to Murdock Banner’s local shred fest. The organization accepting donations that day was Quilts of Valor. Mallory immediately recognized the connection to something she had seen at the Nebraska State Fair.
She began reaching out for guidance and connected with local quilt guild member Nancy Luchtel. Nancy helped Mallory get the project started and eventually connected her with Jeannie Braswell, the state coordinator for Under Our Wings. The Under Our Wings program is designed to honor our Service Members and Veterans touched by war by giving your community the opportunity to learn the art and skill of quilting, provide community service and learn about a local Service Member or Veteran. Together, Nancy and Jeannie helped Mallory develop quilt kits so 4-H members could get started.
Then Mallory began spreading the word.
She reached out to 4-H leaders and councils in Johnson, Cass and Pettis counties, asking if members would be interested in making Quilts of Valor. About 15 members or groups of members answered the call.
Over the next six to nine months, pieces of fabric became pieces of a much bigger story.
4-H members spent hours choosing colors and patterns, learning new skills, sewing and piecing their quilts together. Many knew exactly who they wanted to honor. Others made quilts for veterans they had never met.
The quilts were awarded to grandpas, dads, uncles, close friends and neighbors. But more than that, each quilt became a tangible expression of gratitude.
For Mallory, one quilt held especially deep meaning.
She chose to make her quilt for Capt. Shelby Seelinger, her neighbor and an extremely close friend. With help from Shelby’s wife, Mallory selected the fabrics and pattern. A couple of months before the State Fair, she even asked Shelby to help her complete the application to receive his quilt.
“Making this quilt for Shelby was a way for me to say thank you for everything he has done and sacrificed,” Mallory said. “I wanted him to know that his service matters, that he is appreciated and seen.”
On Aug. 16, Mallory and her fellow 4-H members finally got to see their months of hard work come full circle.
During two Quilt of Valor ceremonies at the Missouri State Fair, eight veterans received quilts made by 4-H members from Johnson, Cass and Pettis counties.
The first ceremony included 4-H members from Pettis and Johnson counties:
-Moxie and Vada Collins (Brown 4-H Club) awarded their quilt to their grandfather, Sgt. Kelly Collins.
–Isabella Cornine (Dresden 4-H Club) awarded a quilt she and fellow 4-H member Eli Dehan made to her father, Sgt. Brandon Cornine.
-Dresden 4-H Club leader Sharon Bruner awarded the club’s quilt to Cpl. Steve Sisson.
-Georgia Bents (Chilhowee Indians 4-H Club) awarded a quilt to her uncle, Sgt. Jerret Weber.
The second ceremony included 4-H members from Cass and Johnson counties:
-Shooting Stars 4-H Club leader Katie Ledford and member Luci Ledford awarded two quilts—one made by the club and one made by Luci—to Specialist Jessalynn Cook and Senior Airman Richard Hinton.
-Emery Santiago (Good Neighbors 4-H Club) awarded her quilt to Staff Sgt. Jessica Dye.
-Mallory awarded her quilt to Capt. Shelby Seelinger.
The project has already reached beyond the State Fair.
The Lucky Clovers 4-H Club in Cass County awarded its quilt to Sgt. Michael Camden during a special ceremony July 30 in Garden City. Another quilt, made by Triston Newland, will soon be awarded to 2nd Class Petty Officer William “Randy” Foster.
For Mallory, however, the ten quilts this year are not an ending. They are a beginning. According to Mallory, “I really thought we were only going to have 2-3 quilts this year. I’m excited to see how this project grows.”
She hopes her project will inspire more Missouri 4-H members to combine their creativity, hard work and compassion to honor veterans in their own communities.
“There are a multitude of ways we can say thank you to those who have served,” Mallory said. “For me, quilting is one of those ways. I hope other 4-H members will see what we’ve done and realize they can make a difference, too.”
A quilt may begin with a single piece of fabric. But when those pieces are stitched together with hours of work, love and gratitude, they become something much greater.
For the veterans receiving these quilts, they are a warm reminder that their service has not been forgotten.
And for Mallory, one young 4-H member with a dream, they are the beginning of a vision to wrap veterans across Missouri in quilts of comfort, protection and appreciation.
4-H members interested in creating a quilt for a deserving veteran can contact Mallory Hall at hallke1026@gmail.com or the Johnson County Extension Center at 660-747-3193.
Missouri 4-H is a program of MU Extension. For more information, visit 4-H Missouri or contact your local MU Extension Center.
Release courtesy of the University of Missouri Extension.
