The monsoon rains have finally begun here in Colorado, and you'd never know that over 600 homes were consumed by fire here in the last few weeks.
On Friday I'll be visiting the distribution center in Fort Collins, for the survivors of the High Park fire. I spoke to the executive director of ACS today – the group that is partnering with Larimer County and the Red Cross to set up a place where the community can donate goods – and fire victims can receive what they need. Before someone can enter the disaster relief center, the Red Cross identifies them as someone who has been affected by the fire. This is very important because sadly, sometimes there are people who try to take advantage of a disaster for their own gain. So I am confidant that they are managing the donations so they will go directly to those most in need.
If you watch this video of the distribution center, you'll see that they mention the need for blankets. Michael the director said that if they received quilts, it would be the most treasured donations of all. They will keep the center open through August, and we'd like to start by asking for 100 quilts to be donated for these folks.
If you are local to the Boulder area, you can drop the quilts off at eQuilter, and we'll personally deliver them to the distribution center in Fort Collins. If you are further away – out of state – you can ship them to us and we'll take them up there for you.
I have a couple quilts that I'll donate to kick off the quilt drive, and I'll be going up there this Friday to drop off any quilts that might come to us by this Thursday. At least one of our staff is volunteering up there on the weekends, so we'll make more than one trip up there in the next couple months.
If we receive more quilts than they can use in High Park, then we'll distribute more down south in Colorado Springs for the Waldo Canyon survivors. We know there are many quilt groups around the region who are working to supply quilts to the survivors, so if we can help your group to deliver your donations, let us know.
Many thanks to all of you who have called and emailed, wanting to help. We'll make sure your comfort quilts are handled carefully, and delivered to those who have lost everything.
When I left the garment industry, and subsequently came into the quilt industry, I felt so lucky to have discovered this little corner of the textile world. Quilters are so generous, and it is always amazing to me how quilters can pour so much heart and healing into a handmade quilt, and then give it selflessly to a stranger in need.
If you donate a quilt, be sure to put your name and contact information on a label, with a message of hope and love for the recipient.
All quilts delivered to eQuilter by 5 pm this Thursday will be hand-carried by me to the relief center this Friday.
I will also be visiting the exhibit of Hawaiian Quilts at the Avenir Museum, at CSU's University Center for the Arts this Friday. The show closes August 2nd, so if you are in the area, go check it out soon!
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