During the holiday season at Wood’s Homes, stories of kindness often arrive quietly – delivered in unexpected ways, by extraordinary community members whose generosity reaches far beyond what they may see.
One of those community members is Val Morris of Beiseker, Alberta: a lifelong quilter, a rural community builder, a mother, and a person whose hands stitch far more than fabric.
They stitch comfort.
They stitch connection.
They stitch love.
Over the past two years, Val has donated more than 250 handmade quilts to young people and families supported by Wood’s Homes. Each one is unique – cats, forests, flowers – chosen with care so they can “mean something” to a child who receives it.
And, every quilt carries Val’s signature ritual.
“Before I put the quilt away in the bag, I give it a great big hug – and I hope the person who receives it gets the hug back.”
Val’s quilting journey began nearly five decades ago, when she was a young mother who signed up for a six-week quilting course, sparking a passion that would last a lifetime.
She eventually began selling quilts and handmade items at farmers’ markets, building what she now calls her “library of fabric” – a lovingly collected stash that fills her quilting room and fuels her creativity. But, in recent years, quilting has taken on a new purpose.
After losing her son, Darcy, to mental illness, Val searched for a way to honour his memory, cope with her grief, and help others facing similar struggles.
Her purpose is clear.
“I didn’t know enough before, to be able to help my son. I wanted to do something for kids’ mental health… Mental illness has come to light, that it is a very serious disease. More people need to be aware of it. If I would have known more, I would have maybe been able to help my son.”
Quilting became her healing practice – and giving became her mission.
A Gift of Warmth, A Gesture of Understanding
Val first connected with Wood’s Homes through a community conversation, where she learned about Wood’s Homes programs supporting children and youth living with mental health challenges.
“I am so glad I found [Wood’s Homes] – that you appreciate and want my quilts. I am not doing it to be recognized. I am doing it for my own physical and mental health, to honour my son, and because it keeps me happy and healthy.”
Her quilts are intentionally made to be accessible, comforting, and personal. She chooses themes that resonate: animals, nature, farming, motorcycles – patterns that help a young person feel heard and seen.
“I do whatever I feel like,” Val jokes. “But I try to stick with themes people can relate to.”
And the quilts themselves come in every size – from full bed quilts to lap blankets that can wrap around a child’s shoulders like a warm embrace.
Her only request:
“I want every recipient to know there’s love and a hug in each one.”
The Heart of Wood’s Homes for the Holidays
This holiday season and beyond, Val’s quilts will be shared through Wood’s Homes for the Holidays, bringing warmth to children and families experiencing the coldest and toughest times of the year.
The holidays can be a challenging time for young people in crisis. But it is also a time when the spirit of community shines brightest.
Julie Timmermans, a Family Support Counsellor at Wood’s Homes – who first helped bring Val’s quilts to our programs, sees the impact of this kindness up close.
“Val’s hope is for every recipient to feel the love and kindness that went into her creation – to feel its weight around their shoulders as a hug of love and care.”
That’s exactly what her quilts do. They provide warmth on cold nights. They offer comfort during difficult transitions.
They remind children and families that someone – even someone they’ve never met – is thinking of them.
Val’s story is a reminder that healing is something we build together. Her decades-long passion for quilting, her resilience through personal loss, and her desire to lift young people who are struggling – these are threads of generosity that strengthen our community.
At 75, Val isn’t stopping.
“I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have quilting. This is what I do. I’m not quitting.”
Wood’s Homes is endlessly grateful.
Thank You, Val – And Thank You to Our Community
This holiday season, we celebrate Val and the many community members whose acts of kindness, big and small, make a meaningful difference in the lives of the families we serve.
Because of you, young people feel valued.
Families feel supported. Homes feel warmer. And hope feels possible.
Thank you for being part of the care, compassion, and community that defines this season – and every season.
If you would like to support Wood’s Homes for the Holidays, visit: https://www.woodshomes.ca/whfth/
Give the gift of hope this holiday season. Together we can wrap even more young people in warmth and hope this winter.
