Quilters donate tops for soldiers' families

Valley Life editor

A local woman is helping a national movement to provide quilts to wives, mothers and other family members of those who have died in service during the war on terror.

A 19-year-old Florida girl, Jessica Porter, started making a patriotic quilt for every family who has lost a loved one during military service. She started in May 2003, and has spent 12-15 hours each day working on quilts as the list of families grows on an almost daily basis.

Bernice Weere, a Wasilla woman, recently completed a top for a quilt, which she is in the process of sending to Porter. The red, white and blue top will be made into a quilt and donated to a family.

"Lo and behold that gal is swamped, so I thought I'd do one to help," Weere explained.

The program is being called Operation Homefront Quilt, and more help is needed.

"It's all about sacrifice," Porter said.

Porter needs donations of solid colored fabrics, especially red, burgundy, royal blue and white, as well as patriotic prints. Those wanting to complete patriotic quilt tops are encouraged to do so, and mail them to Porter, who will finish them and forward them to the recipient families.

People can send donated materials and tops to Jessica Porter, 12637 Sugar Creek Blvd., Hudson, FL 34669-2818.