Quilts for Midwest!

Quilts for Midwest!

I've received emails over the past several days asking me if I knew of any organization that was collecting quilts for tornado relief --... 11 years ago

I've received emails over the past several days asking me if I knew of any organization that was collecting quilts for tornado relief ---in the aftermath of the tornadoes that hit the Midwest last week.

I just heard from Janice Grimes, sending me the info that I need to get out to you on what you can do to help.

The devastation has been awful.  No one wants tornadoes at any time, but to have them come this close to the holidays and to see the destruction has just torn at my heart.

I’ll let Janice tell her info:

Hi Bonnie –

Thank-you so much for the incredible support that you showed our organization this summer when we partnered with Ellen Medlock Studio’s to distribute quilts from their “Quilts for Oklahoma” Quilt Drive. We lovingly delivered over 1600 quilts directly to residents that lost their homes, lost their place of employment, lost their school, those that were injured and to those that lost friends or family in Moore, Norman, Oklahoma City, El Reno, Newalla & Little Axe, Oklahoma.

We are, and continue to be, SO GRATEFUL for the incredible generosity of the quilting community that donated their time and talents to bless those that lost everything. I wish that we could take everyone with us to see how the quilts truly bless all of the recipients.

We made 2 deployments within 6 weeks of each other, delivered over 1600 quilts and drove over 4000 total miles in our “Quiltmobile” with an attached UHaul trailer. We met so many beautiful residents in these communities that showed incredible resilience and courage in the midst of absolute devastation.

We are a 100% volunteer organization that depends on the generosity of others in every way. The generosity of quilters in 49 of the 50 states and British Columbia, Canada was breathtaking!!!! 

 
Due to the violent storms that produced over 80 tornadoes and destroyed 1000’s of lives…we have launched our “Quilts for the Midwest” Quilt Drive to support our Disaster Response Team. We have currently deployed in our home base due to 5 tornadoes that damaged or destroyed about 100 homes in 5 towns east and south of Toledo. We are planning to deploy every week to cities in IL, IN, MI, OH, KY, PA an WI. As of today, in the upcoming weeks, we are going to Kokomo, IN, Washinton, IL and Brookport, IL.

We also will be working with 2 Medical Centers that have are treating tornado survivors in IL and IN. This is just the beginning of the list of cities we are planning to deploy to but we need the help of our quilting community.
 

I would be personally grateful if you would give consideration to posting our need on your FB page and blog to get the word out about our need for quilts for our Disaster Response Team. The quilts are truly an incredible blessing to the victims of tornadoes and truly helps in their healing.

We need quilts for men, women, children and infants. The quilts may be quilted or tied in all sizes. For those that crochet…we are accepting baby blankets and lap afghans too.

Blessings to you,

Janice

 

All the contact info is on this card above!

My Challenge to YOU:

Build your quilt for Quilts of Compassion as leaders & Enders while working on your Celtic Solstice mystery coming up!  I'm thinking something simple with 6" 4 patches made from 3-1/2" squares of scraps..any colors -- set them with 6-1/2" alternate blocks. Add a border.  Or not.  Quilts can be tied or quilted --your choice.

I'm thinking twin to full size -- quilts to cover PEOPLE as they start their lives over again.

These quilts can build themselves as these courageous folks re-build their lives ---and you will have something to send off, something you really didn't have to spend extra time on-- all because you worked on it as Leaders & Enders while working on your Celtic Solstice mystery, or whatever projects you are working on this season.

Quilters are givers.  Quilters are sharers --and we have the best of the best here within our readership!

Please post this blog post to your fb walls, your message boards and news groups and wherever quilters gather to help us get the word out about this quilt drive.  I appreciate your assistance in letting all of your quilty peeps KNOW!

Click Here to like our Quiltville Friends Page on Facebook for more fun!You do not need a Facebook account to read the Facebook posts - They are viewable to all! Feel free to read & quilt along with us!