The people of Weiser have always been well known for their kind hearts and generosity. Within this tight knit community lies a group of four amazing women who work together creating beautiful one-of-a-kind masterpieces for the Quilts of Valor Foundation. The foundation was established in 2003 as a way for our communities to tell our nation’s veterans “Thank you for your service, sacrifice and valor.” Just recently, this amazing group of women, Barbara Goff, Connie Lang, Trinia Leininger and Linda Smith awarded quilts to their own husbands, Lonnie Goff, Reggie Lang, Rundy Leininger, and Mike Smith for their sacrifice and dedication to our country. Many hours are spent creating each quilt. As of today, this group has created and presented 31 handmade quilts to local veterans. 
Barbara states that the waiting list is long but each request will be filled. Theirs is a labor of love, each stitch that goes into these quilts is a piece of them. In order to be placed on the list, a family member must bring 
the veteran’s information into the staff at the Weiser Senior Center. The needed information includes the veteran’s name, rank, branch of service along with the enlistment and discharge dates. The quilts are constructed from community donations. Barbara said the community has done a “phenomenal job” at supplying the project with supplies and monetary donations. Barbara estimates the cost of each quilt to run around $85, but with the donations the cost is very minimal. Barbara encourages those who may have extra thread, fabric or batting to bring it into the senior center and tell them you are donating to the Quilts of Valor Project. As for monetary donations, Barbara wants to reassure people that 100% of every monetary donation goes for supplies of the 
quilts. One veteran compared the receiving of his special quilt as “The equivalent of a Purple Heart Award. Boxed medals you can place upon your shelf and look at, but nothing beats that comforting feeling of being able to wrap that handmade quilt made with so much love around you.” For that, no words are needed.
