Saturday 12 January 2013

Tassie Bush Fire Quilt Appeal

As some of you may be aware, my home state of Tasmania has been devastated by some huge bushfires in the last week. Many, many homes have been completely destroyed and families have lost everything. The latest report is that about 200 homes have been either destroyed or severely damaged in the bushfires.

According to the Tasmanian Government, the best way to help is to donate money at either

St Vincent de Paul - 131 812 or www.vinnies.org.au, or

Red Cross - 1800 811 700 or www.redcross.org.au

If you're local, donations of the following are being accepted:
  • Toilet packs
  • Essential new clothing
  • Necessities for children and babies
  • Batteries (including 9V)
  • Torches
  • Lanterns
  • First Aid supplies
  • Sunscreen
  • Aeroguard
  • Blankets and bedding
My heart goes out to all the people and families affected by the fires. What I've decided to do is ask for donations of baby's and kids quilts to pass on to the families who have lost so much in the fires. If you can help out with this, please let me know and I'll give you details of where to send them.

If you have quilt tops that just need backing and quilting, I'd be happy to accept these too and quilt them up myself to give to the families who've been affected.

UPDATE: There is a register being set up of children who have been affected by the fires - all the donated quilts will be matched to a recipient via the register (based on gender and age), and delivered directly to the families in need. This will be an ongoing effort, so there is not really an accurate time frame I can give.

There is also a handmade auction being hosted by The Handmade Library - if you are interested in donating anything for the auction, you can find the Facebook group here.


Thanks so much,
Jess






25 comments:

Leanne said...

Given how far away I am I think it better to donate to the red cross than pay to ship a quilt. I will go and do that now. The fires are awful, I am glad you let me know how to help.

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

I was wondering if there would be a quilt appeal....I would like to make something. What is your time frame?

Patti said...

Oh Jess, I'm so sorry to hear this. Such a devastating loss for everyone. Like Leanne, the Red Cross sounds like the best option for me.

Shanley said...

I'm in. I'll send a kid quilt.

Sarah said...

Red cross for me too, I'm too slow otherwise.

Monkeysinmypocket said...

I can donate a quilt or maybe even two depending on time frame :)

Katy Cameron said...

I have a top you can have, ping me your addy and I'll get it sent out.

Charlotte said...

oh no - how awful! I am emailing you now xxx

Benta AtSLIKstitches said...

I hope you and yours are all safe. I would love to donate a quilt or two, but given the cost of posting from the UK can I take you up onthe offer of posting the top? I would normally quilt them onto a fleece blanket (I get mine from Ikea, do you tem? If not anywhere that does them about 130 x 170cm). It means extra work for you, hope that's ok xxxx

Susan said...

I have a top I 've been wondering what to do with! Can I send it to you?

Kelly said...

Oh that is awful Jess, I am going to have a rummage in my stash as I am sure I can help!

LT said...

I have a twin-sized quilt top, backing, and binding that I could send your way. It would need batting and quilting. Just let me know if you want it and where too send it.

Finding Fifth said...

A-ha Jess you are a legend! My Quilting Bee is going to help me make something next month when it is my turn to choose the block. Quilt Club Australia on Facebook started because of the Queensland Floods in 2011 so I think many of us might be interested to help out with quilts again. You can email me a contact person to send the quilts to. Love to see quilters help out with those who have lost everything.

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

I think the red cross option is best for me but I hope you get lots of quilts Jess. The fires must have been terrifying. I hadn't realized you are in Tasmania x

moira said...

Hey Jess - I don't have any spare quilt tops so I'm going to donate the backing fabric. Can you email me your postal address? x

Merran said...

Hi Jess, saw your post on Lily's quilts and left a message there - I am happy to donate a quilt, let me know where to send it to.

Tanya said...

Hi Jess
I have a quilt top and backing can I send to you. Let me know your address.
Thanks Tanya

Wendy said...

Hi Jess

I have a couple of quilt tops and backing I would love to donate.
Let me know where to send them.

Milly said...

I have two finished quilts can send. Please let me know where I should send them.

Amelia said...

I would love to donate a little boys quilt. Can you please email me the address? Thanks so organising this :)

Maria said...

I am working on finishing three Baby/kids quilts.
Can you please let me know where to send????

kat129 said...

Hey Jess! I have a quilt I made a while back who has been looking for a home. It is small - 46X46 - and blues and greens and browns. I can email you a picture if you'd like. You said there is a registry? Is there a link on your page I can't see? I can have this out in the mail by the end of this week if I know where to send it :-) Thanks for stepping up and helping out!

Waverlee said...

Hi Jess. I have a finished baby boy quilt I would like to donate. Please let me know the postage details.

Happy in red said...

Would it also be okay, to donate a crocheted blanket?
Esther, The Netherlands

Unknown said...

Hello Jess , I would like to donate a quilt but can't access the Facebook page, is there an address to where I can send it?