Marathon Jam Iron Quilters
One of the most emotionally powerful things we do is wrap deserving Veterans and First Responders with handmade quilts created in their honor.
During our annual Marathon Jam, we invite our honorees to come up and join us in the middle of the audience and the musicians. Since 2009, we have wrapped and honored Veterans from every service branch as well as outstanding First Responders. In some cases, we wrapped family members in memory of those who served and given their all.
We have seen firsthand how these quilts become treasured possessions. This would not be possible without the generous MJ Quilters who donate their time, material, and talents to making these special quilts, especially Laura Bishop, our first Iron Quilter. See Laura’s involvement story below.
Our other fabulous Iron Quilters thus far are Vickie Holder, Ann Jackson, Norma J. Jones, Margaret Reynolds and Beverly Wheeler . We appreciate all their beautiful quilts so much!
The photos on this page bear witness to this special and moving annual event.
We need more quilts!
If you’d like to become an Iron Quilter, help our Quilters with supplies and material, have questions or send a donation to offset shipping costs … click here to contact us.
Laura Bishop’s Story
“Hello, my name is Laura Bishop and I live in Minnesota, far from the NC home of Marathon Jam. I got involved with the Marathon Jam via my cousin, a Veteran and musician, who participated in Marathon Jams himself. I sent my first quilt in 2018. The ensuing Thank You note from the recipient, photos of the presentation, and verbal recollections of the wrapping were enough to compel me to not only make and collect more quilts, but to personally deliver them to North Carolina! My husband and I drove to our first Marathon Jam in 2019 and were hooked!
For the 2024 Jam, I also created is the “Display Quilt” that features the Marathon Jam logo (“Curatus Per Musica” means “Healing Through Music”) as well as a special quilt to honor John Santa, the President Emeritus.
It’s been a privilege for me to be involved with the Marathon Jam, and I hope that quilters in North Carolina and elsewhere will get involved as well! If you are a quilter or know of one, please consider getting involved! “
Should you wish to also help, the quilts should be big enough to “wrap” around the recipient’s shoulders during the ceremony. Red, White and Blue are the preferred colors. If you have other questions for Laura, click here to contact her through the Marathon Jam email.
