One of my Facebook friends Heike posted this on Sunday from her friend in Christchurch, New Zealand:
"Our house is beyond repair – it is on a lean and has many cracks in every room. We have to walk uphill to get to the kitchen. On Tuesday we had a river running through the lounge and now have removed all the wet carpet and put most of the furniture back. We need to try and keep things as 'normal' as possible. We still have no power, water or sewerage and have been told it will be 1- 2 months before we get power. We are very lucky as we are all alive and well."
If you feel compelled to help the earthquake victims of New Zealand, I'd like to share several links with you, sent in by customers and friends.
How to donate to Christchurch quake appeals
donate-christchurch-quake-appeals-4038581
Donations and Information for Christchurch Earthquake Appeal
donations-and-information-christchurch-earthquake-appeal
Want to help those in Christchurch? Here's how to donate
Red Cross New Zealand
http://www.redcross.org.nz/donate
Canterbury Earthquake Appeal
http://canterburyearthquake.org.nz/about-this-website/
Salvation Army – Earthquake Appeal
http://salvationarmy.org.nz/giving-back/donate-online/disaster-appeals/canterbury-earthquake-appeal/
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I would say that those affected by the earthquake need money to rebuild their lives and repair their homes, but here is an additional way to send your healing thoughts to those affected:
Hello from New Zealand!
We are asking for Hearts for the thousands of Christchurch earthquake victims. Not the usual hearts, but "Hanging Hearts". Two pieces of fabric, heartshaped, sewn together, lightly stuffed, and with a hanging loop of ribbon. These can be any size, any fabric, any style! I have made some by sandwiching batting and fabric and cutting around the outside with pinking shears.
We will be arranging a venue where they can all be hung and people can come and take whichever one they like. If you would like to take part could you please send yours hearts to:
Dorothy Smith
PO Box 357
Stratford 4352, New Zealand
Evie Harris
523 Main North Road
Bay View, Napier 4104, New Zealand
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In addition, a portion of eQuilter sales from our New Zealand Import collection will be donated to the New Zealand Red Cross for earthquake victims. (In addition to our usual 2% of sales donated to charity.)
Hi Luana, thank you for acknowledging this earthquake and putting the call out to action. When the first big quake happened last September, it was pretty serious but because it happened in the night, noone was killed and few injured. The frequent and strong aftershocks since then further weakened buildings until the big one last week. It struck at lunchtime, and this plus the already compromised buildings meant that it wrought damage to life and property that is beyond understanding. My husband drove down with a car of water and supplies to give out to friends two days afterwards and while he refused to take photos, the TV images and the descriptions I have heard of a city I lived in for eight years, are just heart breaking.
A dear friend and businesswoman I know who lives there posted this on her Facebook age: “Before Christchurch was the city we know and love, it was the city of our foremothers’ and forefathers’ dreams. This is our opportunity to dream again, with a little more foreknowledge of what may come our way!”
This is the fighting Canterbury spirit that we kiwis know so well. With the kind of universal support happening, Christchurch will rise again.
Thanks for being you and wading on in there to help!
Thanks Luana for your support.
I have started quilts for Christchurch kids with a few in my quilting friends. We are going into winter here in New Zealand and the weather is turning cold. There is nothing like your own security blanket on the cold winter nights, also helps with the aftershocks! If anyone would like help with the quilts or send kids theme fabrics this would be great!
Kind Regards
Hazel Gamec
[email protected]
Hi Luana
My name is Marg Arnott and I am convenor for the New Zealand National Patchwork and Quilting Symposium to be hosted in Queenstown in April. Talking with some of our friends in the quilting community in Christchurch the message has been ‘the Christchurch girls are coming to Queenstown’ and one of the ways we can help them is to have a great symposium and bring visitors to New Zealand. Here in New Zealand our economy relies on tourism and it is important that everyone remembers Christchurch is only one city
and as much as Christchurch needs your prayers and support, our country needs your visitors in order to help Christchurch to rebuild.
We still have lots of spaces in our Symposium classes, and lectures and some great exhibitions to view so if anyone is considering a trip please come and visit us 18th to 23rd April.
Many thanks for your support.
Hi!
I saw this at the end of the article:
“In addition, a portion of eQuilter sales from our New Zealand Import collection…”
I am curious to know what this means as there was an accompanying photo, but it didn’t lead to anywhere. Is there some fabric or tool or something we can buy? I just don’t know what a New Zealand Import Collection is but it sounds like something I should have. 🙂
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Ebony – if you click on the link within the newsletter (“New Zealand Import collection” is highlighted) it will take you to all of those products!
– Luana