On Wednesday, June 10, the group will present their 300th quilt to the National Quilts of Valor (QOV) Foundation during its Quilts Across America Campaign. A special convoy, originating in California, will stop at the American Legion Post in Warrenton to collect quilts bound for Camp Lejeune, N.C. Jean Jaeger, Warrenton, is the local organizer for QOV. She and nearly 100 local quilters invite the public to participate in the celebration. "These quilts are specifically for the 3/8 Battalion of the Marine Corps returning from Afghanistan," said Jaeger. "We will need 1,200 quilts for these wounded Marines - physically or psychologically wounded. There also will be a special presentation at Camp Lejeune to present quilts to 40 Marines who received Purple Hearts." Jaeger said QOV founder Catherine Roberts will travel with the convoy to collect quilts from stops in Salt Lake City, Utah, Boulder, Colo., Lincoln, Neb., Warrenton, Knoxville, Tenn., ending at Camp Lejeune. She expects the convoy to reach Warrenton at approximately 4 p.m. Jaeger said they often receive letters and e-mails of thanks from soldiers who received their quilts. "They didn't know anybody cared enough to make such a gift," she said. Jackie Heggemann, a quilter from Concord Hill, remembers one photo that particularly touched her heart. The soldier was lying in bed with his baby, wrapped in a QOV quilt. "The soldier said he got a Purple Heart, but it was just made of metal," said Heggemann. "He was touched that the quilt was made by somebody." The local group, the Traveling Quilters, has put their hearts and hands into the mission. Each quilt, lovingly stitched with thousands of tiny stitches, must include a heart - whether in the fabric or stitched - to symbolize their support. The ladies carefully monitor each other to make sure the heart is included. Heggemann said the local group is one of the last to entirely stitch their quilts by hand, meeting once a month at local churches, Elks, American Legion, or Knights of Columbus halls. They represent 10 counties and can number more than 100 ladies. "I'm in total amazement there are enough quilters that are dedicated enough to our soldiers," said Heggemann. "Some of our past hosts can't fit us into their facilities anymore." Letters and photos of quilters are provided with each quilt. "The letters are homey," said Jaeger. "We explain that the quilts are made the way our ancestors did it. We talk about how the quilt was made, what is going on at home, how our gardens are doing - anything to let them know it's possible for them to live a normal life again." Jaeger said the ladies who contribute to the local QOV group put forth a "monumental effort." "Some donate quilt tops. Others donate fabric, batting, quilt frames or postage," she said. "Our oldest quilter is 93; our youngest is 11. We couldn't do it without these women." In addition to adding to the more than 21,200 QOV nationwide, Heggemann believes the QOV effort has brought quilting back to America. To learn more about the national organization visit www.qovf.org. To make donations to the local organization or for more information, call 636-456-3980.