College of the Rockies People: Their Courage, Curiosity, and Contributions

Jenn Smith, College of the Rockies Regional Programmer, Continuing Education and Contract Training, fell in love with Western Canada when she was in university. Originally from Prince Edward Island, she attended post-secondary in Halifax, but would travel across the country to work at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort each summer. She has called Cranbrook home for the past 11 years.

Shortly after moving to town, Smith formed a friendship with a neighbour who introduced her to quilting. A passion for the craft was stoked, and continues to this day.

During a weekly get-together with her quilting group – the Material Girls – a conversation started about Quilts of Valour, a North American program that matches a quilter, or group of quilters, with a veteran who will be gifted a hand-made, high-quality blanket.

Smith’s quilting group undertakes a project benefiting the community each year, so it was a great fit. And her father was a veteran, so showing her appreciation for those who have served is important to her.

“I really appreciate and respect everything they’ve done for us,” she said. “Quilts of Valour is an interesting way to give back. The fact that we could be creative and make a quilt with love that we could then pass on to a veteran, was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.”

After quickly deciding to use a Canadian-themed fabric, Smith’s group spent numerous hours planning and designing before coming up with a theme for their quilt.

“We learned that our quilt would be going to a local veteran,” Smith said. “We wanted to find a way to say thank-you to her, and to find a way to represent the area that we live in. We ended up going with very Western Canadian themes: a bear claw, a maple leaf, and a block that represented our local mountains and lakes.”

The group congregated and sewed all weekend until the quilt was complete.

“During that process we were singing songs inspired by some of the quilt blocks, we were telling stories, and just sharing as a group. When it was done it really was a labour of love.”

Though many times Quilts of Valour recipients and quilters never have an opportunity get to know each other, Smith’s group was able to share their story with the recipient of their quilt.

“We thanked her through an email for everything that she has done, and she wrote a wonderful thank-you, and shared some more of her story with us,” Smith said.

Going forward, Smith can see her group creating another Quilt of Valour.

“It was such a great experience, I can definitely see us deciding to make another one at some point.”

Photos submitted

College of the Rockies

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