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Here's something I never thought you'd see on almost any blog, much less the leading left-wing political blog -- quilts for people in the "valley of despair" in their lives, made and paid for by members of the community -- and with messages on them from the members of the community.

Called "Community Quilts," these gifts of love are one example of a side of Daily Kos that isn't always evident: the deep sense of community among people who usually only know each other through the user names on the site.

These aren't small or cheesy, either. Click the link to read about the latest one, and look at the pictures.

And, this isn't a one-time thing; it's been going on for a while. So far, the DKos community has made and shipped twenty Community Quilts, with five more underway and six more planned.

You can donate if you want -- there's a link in the story -- to help cover expenses. And, if you're a member, you can leave a message for one of the recipients to go on their quilt.

The latest one, believe it or not, is for Keith Olbermann and his father. Keith's father is dying, and Keith is caring for him. He has written about the experience more than once on the site, and the quilt leader is proposing a lap throw for the father.

Just a really neat idea.