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Quilt could be a stitch in time

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The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 24, 2009

Since making her first quilt 10 years ago, Pasco School Board member Joanne Hurley knew the hobby would always have a piece of her heart.

Hurley donated one of her latest creations, Quilt of Valor, for the silent auction at tonight's "A Night for Heroes" fundraiser, said one of the organizers, Sandra Graves, co-vice president for the Republican Club of Central Pasco.

Proceeds will go to the Fisher House, which offers free lodging for families of military men and women undergoing treatment and rehabilitation at James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa.

Hurley pieced together the quilt and Susan Schmitz of Dade City to machine-stitch it..

The Quilt of Valor is red, white, and blue and features an eight-point LeMoyne star pattern. The Quilts of Valor Foundation's mission is to cover all combat wounded and injured service members, regardless if they were wounded physically or psychologically.

To date, more than 24,000 quilts have been made and donated to the cause. For information, go to www.qovf.org.

Hurley learned how to quilt from members of a Methodist church women's circle.

"Each year the circle made a beautiful quilt to raise money for missions," Hurley said in a news release. Betty Roberts, Betty Law and others guided the recruits.

Hurley belongs to Cypress Creek Quilt Guild, whose members are creating and donating the Quilts of Valor. She has exhibited her quilts and has won the Viewer's Choice award from the quilt show at the Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City.

Hurley made her quilt in hopes that Fisher House, a house similar to the Ronald McDonald House for military families, might benefit from the proceeds. She also wanted to bring awareness to the Quilts of Valor Foundation.

The Republican Club of Central Pasco and the West Pasco Republican Club are sponsoring the Night for Heroes at 6:30 p.m. tonight at Seven Springs Golf and Country Club, 3535 Trophy Blvd.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, and U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville, are among scheduled speakers.

For information, call (813)996-3011 or go to www.republicanclubofcentralpasco.com.

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