Comfort Quilts Requested for Japan

TAFA Member Terry Aske

We have a long tradition of charity knitting, quilting, and sewing in the United States.  Women, especially, gather together or work independently to send clothing and bedding to the needy around the world.  I have a friend who knits for both soldiers in Afghanistan and children who have been orphaned by the war, two separate organizations.  I call her the "Yin Yang Knitter" as it seems like she is comforting both sides of the coin.  Even men and boys came together and learned how to knit in World War II, sending socks, mittens, sweaters and hats to the boys in the trenches.

TAFA Member FolkWear

Now we have this horrible tragedy unfolding in Japan.  TAFA member, Valerie Hearder, received a call for quilts which can be handed out to those who have been displaced from their homes.  The Japanese have been avid partners in quilt events, exhibiting in shows, visiting, forming alliances, and sharing techniques.  We normally have a large contingent which comes every year to Paducah for our quilt show.  This year?  I doubt very much that a quilt show will be on the list of priorities...  But, perhaps some solace and comfort can be offered from us to them through these quilts.

TAFA Member Peppermint Pinwheels

Valerie's contact is Naomi Ichikawa, Editor of Patchwork Quilt Tsushin Magazine.  Naomi lives in Tokyo and her mother and brother survived the tsunami in Sendai.  Here is Naomi's request:

Dear Valerie,

It is still bad situation now in Japan.  We are still nervous about shaking and radiation, but no way to escape.

I start to announce to the quilters to send us comfort quilts for the people who are suffered. I would like to do it to the world quilters.  We will deliver the comfort quilts to the people who are very difficult situation.  Could you please help to announce it to the quilters in Canada?

We accept any size of quilts(baby to adult), new or unused.
The deadline would be the end of May or later.

Send the quilts to:
(until the middle of April)
Naomi Ichikawa, Editor of Patchwork Quilt tsushin Patchwork Tsushin Co., Ltd 5-28-3, Hongo,Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan    zip:113-0033

(after the middle of April)
Naomi Ichikawa
Patchwork Tsushin Co.,Ltd
2-21-2, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan zip:113-0034

I will appreciate it if you help me.

Naomi

TAFA Member Victoria Gertenbach

Valerie sent a follow-up e-mail reporting that there has been a tremendous response to her email and that she has heard from groups as far away as Norway who want to help.  That is wonderful news, but I imagine that the need exceeds our ability to respond at this point, so all efforts will be greatly appreciated.  Remember, too, that we tend to think of tragedies at the moment they occur, but the aftermath of rebuilding lives and homes lasts for years and years.  Remember New Orleans and Haiti?  Not much in the news these days, yet neither has recovered from their disasters.

Valerie also added the following info:

Naomi has advised that it would be better for the quilts to arrive at the end of April and into June. They have found that lines of distribution are so difficult that it will take longer.  Also, it is not cheap to mail quilts to Japan. Some fundraising for the shipping arranged will probably be in order. If you're working in a group to ship quilts to Japan, a newspaper article about the effort could help to generate donations for shipping.

Channel 4 News: Save the Children

Save the Children reported that 100,000 children have been displaced due to the tsunami and earthquake.  This article talks about what they are doing to help.  The comfort quilts are a wonderful, long term project that will bring show support and care from the world community.  But, many other needs are a priority right now.  Check into your favorite charities and see what they are doing to help with this crisis.  Money is desperately needed to fund the many efforts that seek to address evacuation, water, food, shelter, and clean-up.  I have added a banner at the top of my blog that links to "Doctors Without Borders", one of my favorite organizations.  If you can afford to help, send in your donation to the organization you support and then get to work on that quilt!

TAFA Member My Sweet Prairie

You don't quilt?  Here's another idea: 

Buy a quilt from one of our TAFA members and send it to Japan.  

You will be helping an artist AND contributing to the cause.  The gift that keeps on giving!  

Visit TAFA's quilters and quilt artists.   

(Keep hitting the "see older posts" at the bottom of the page to see all of them.)

Comfort Quilts Requested for Japan