We can't pretend like this week's events in Newtown didn't happen, so I will just say that in addition to the
large volume of quilts we are trying to get to thousands of Hurricane Sandy victims
on the east coast, if you really want to make a super special healing
quilt for the families affected in Newtown, I will make sure that your
special comfort quilts get to one of those families in that school.
In the meantime, my connections on the East Coast write to me that
they are afraid that people are going to forget about the hurricane victims
there.
They write to me that in the worst affected areas, it is like living in a
war zone, and they can't imagine how long it will take for these tens
of thousands of people to have their lives back to "normal".
I am already hearing from quilters who've donated to our Hurricane Sandy effort, that they've heard back from the recipients.
Thomas
in Kansas wrote: "Sent mine to New Jersey, and even heard back from a tearful recipient who called me.
We were both crying over the phone.
She is elderly with sick husband.
They lost everything, even pots and pans.
I've made a friend for life."
In this season of giving, if your heart is yearning to help someone who
has suffered great loss in the last few months, we will help to get your
donated comfort quilt to someone who is suffering.
We can't guarantee that you'll hear from the recipient, but if you
put your name and contact info on a label on the back, and especially if you include a message of comfort and healing, it is more likely you'll hear from someone if they have the means to communicate.
We are grateful for all the quilters and guilds who have given unconditionally to this relief project.
One friend told me that since the power was out for so long after the
hurricane, and since so many pay their phone bill over the internet,
many were unable to pay their bill and then their phone service was cut
off! So not everyone has the means to communicate in those areas.
I am grateful that we can
stay in touch with so many of our friends and customers around the world.
If you wish to contribute to our
massive quilt relief project on the east coast,
please read our guidelines here carefully.
If you feel you want to make or donate a very special comfort and
healing quilt for Newtown, just email your name and contact info to
customer service this week and we'll let you know our plans in the near
future.
We are looking for quality, not quantity, for Newtown.
Dear Luana,
As for the tragedy in Newtown, it is senseless. I have not been able to wrap my head around it, though my heart and prayers go out to them.
Indeed we cannot forget the survivors of Hurricane Sandy. A good friend of mine was just here from New Jersey. It is a war zone in many places. His Mother lost everything on the Jersey shore. The have seen nothing from the Red Cross or FEMA. In fact, the only help the’ve seen is the Salvation Army in the early days,
passing water, granola bars, sanitary wipes. It’s appalling. He told me the best way to help is to find the people in need and help them directly. I am thankful for your participation in helping to get aid where it is needed.