Sharing the love

Good evening all.

I often worry if I am able to get across to all of those who sew for us just how much what we are doing is appreciated.  I have said before that we only hear back from about 50% of the parcels we send off. I know some ladies have heard back from far less than that.  Who knows why. I think there are a myriad of reasons, such is life.    Most of my quilters and laundry bag makers tell me that they do not do it for the thanks, although they love it when they hear back. Most are just happy to know that their parcel has been received. That aside however, I want you all to feel the same warm sense of satisfaction that I feel from being involved with Aussie Heroes and doing what we do.  

I spend the bulk of my day sending and receiving emails to and from quilters and recipients. In many of the emails from recipients there are comments that show me, without a doubt, that what we are doing is appreciated.   These emails are sprinkled throughout my days, every day and they are what keep me going. 

I am fortunate also in that I am able to meet recipients and I get to see the smiles when they realise that I am involved with Aussie Heroes.  There are hand shakes and hugs and I am left in no doubt that our work is appreciated. 

The gratitude posts on Tuesdays hopefully also spread the love around.  I thought I would try and save some of the other snippets I receive as well and include them in a post.  

Most of these came in as part of a request or came in response to an email from me advising someone that their quilt is on the way.  I thought sharing some of these might help  to reinforce the value of what we do and might make up for those times when we do not hear back from a recipient.

Also bear in mind, I regularly hear that Mums and wives are not hearing back from their deployed male too!!  Sometimes it just is what it is.

So enjoy these messages - they never fail to make me smile.

(NOTE - for a little colour I have punctuated these messages with some of the photos of past recipients.)

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My last full month of deployment is July 15.

If you can not provide a quilt within this time frame I would fully understand but would like to thank you regardless as the other members who have received their quilts so far have commented on how well they look and the great joy and colour they bring to their rooms.

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Jan-Maree,

Thank you so much, the quilts have been a hit over here and provide enormous moral support for our members in Defence. I am looking forward to receiving this thoughtful gift from your team.   It will be a treasured item that will travel with me for many years in my swag, which my two little girls constantly fight over for the privilege of using on school camps.

Sincerely

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Hi Jan-Maree,

Thank you so much for letting me know. I've seen many of the quilts that members have received and they are all just beautiful. We all greatly appreciate the care, time and effort your team of quilters dedicate to making these. I will be waiting excitedly for mine to arrive and will let you know when it does.

Thanks again and kindest regards,

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Hi Jan-Maree,

Thank you so much for taking the time to make a quilt for me, your work and your generosity is greatly appreciated, not just by me but all deployed members.

You probably wouldn't believe it but it actually does get cold overnight - especially in the mornings. I look forward to its arrival.

Kind regards,

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Thank you again for thinking of us, as soon as the quilts arrive I will get some pics and sent them straight to you. I'm looking forward to seeing what your amazing people have come up with. I guarantee you that I will be telling my children about your generous gift when they're old enough to appreciate it.

Warmest regards,

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Good Evening Jan-Maree,

That is wonderful and exciting news!  Thanks to you and your team for the wonderful work you do.  I will be sure to let you know as soon as the quilt arrives :D

Regards

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Thankyou Jan-Maree!

I'm super excited and can't thank you enough for the hard work you have put in!

I'll let you know as soon as it arrived

Thanks again!

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Dear Jan,

That's fantastic news! I really look forward to it and will let you know as soon as it arrives.

Kind regards,

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Hi Jan-Maree,

I've just returned back from my 12 day break back home and discovered your email waiting for me.   I'll look out for it in the mail and let you know.  Very excited to see your work and eternally grateful and humbled by the work of your amazing team!

Best regards,

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Hi Jan-Maree,

I will indeed, and thank you very much for the effort you all put in it really is great and makes us all feel very special.

Yours aye,

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G'day Jan-Maree,

Thank you so much for the support your organisation gives all of us over here.

You are very welcome to use my photo, it's the least I can do.

Thanks again,

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Good morning. I am a RAAF member currently serving overseas and was wondering how I go about ordering a quilt and laundry bag? I think the work you are is doing is bloody fantastic.  Any info you could provide me would be great  Cheers 

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Good Evening Jan-Maree,

Thank you for the email, I look forward to receiving the quilt and I will let you know when I receive it.

Thank you for all your and your team's hard work in supporting deployed members, I personally know the time and dedication it takes to make the quilts.

Regards

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Dear Jan-Maree,

Thank you for the heads-up, I'm quite excited to be receiving a quilt from you and your team of dedicated volunteers, especially after seeing some of the examples that have already made it to the ship.

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I'd like to say how very grateful I am for the wonderful work that support people do for soldiers and their families. I have only become recently aware of the stresses associated with a family member in a war zone, and a Hero Quilt will be a treasured possession.

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Hello Jan,

        Thank you very much for your reply.

I think it is a really great thing that you are doing. I know that everyone on the ship that has a quilt already speak very fondly of them.

There is a buzz about the ship knowing that we may have the chance to get a quilt. So thank you for that.

Thanks again

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G'day

Thank you for your return email, I want to thank you and your team for the gift and the recognition of the service we provide. Little gifts like this make it worth it and is greatly appreciated.

Thanking you

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Hi,

I'd like to sign up for one if your quilts, sounds pretty awesome.  Keep up the great work, your support is appreciated!

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Till next time....................keep spreading the word and happy stitching!

Jan-Maree xx