Christmas for Christchurch

With Christmas fast approaching I was anxious to sent away a box of goodies to cheer someone up this Christmas. Due to the friction between Qantas and its employee I decided to bite the bullet and send another box through the Post Office. Here are some photos of just some of the lovely things you have made, one of the groups has also sent me some stufffed toys which will be great for the kids. I heard one comment today that people in Christchurch are waking up with a feeling of seasickness due to all the earthquakes they are suffering at night, at least that was the case up to July so hears hoping things have calmed down a bit for them.

Thanks everyone for all your help and hard work.

What This is All About

These are the emails that triggered the wonderful responses I have received, including the followups and updates. A heartfelt thanks to everyone involved.
 
First Letter


Dear All,

It was with absolute horror that I saw my childhood city of Christchurch most beautiful buildings and cathedrals reduced to rumble, but they are only buildings. Very tragically a friend of my good friend did not survive the collapse of the building she was in, and the sadness this has caused has been repeated over and over again, with grim times ahead. I can do little to help in Australia, but one thing I remember is how very cold it is in Christchurch, and as it will only get colder in the months ahead when the people of Christchurch will need all the support they can get. With this in mind I have decided to start making quillows and would love your help. If you can help me please contact me on jillnobes@gmail.com.

Second Letter

Hello All,
Thank you all so much for your great offers of help, I will pass them on to my friends in Christchurch who find great support in knowing they are not alone.

I have been overwhelmed with the number of offers and will reply to them individually soon, however here is some general information. This seems a good site to get instructions on how to make a Quillow. http://quiltbug.com/articles/quillow.htm I plan on making a quillow either on Monday or Tuesday and will post photos of the process, as although it is easy once you see how it done, it is kind of hard to describe. They can be made of any fabric, although as it going to Christchurch the warmer the better.
To answer the question of whether knitted blankets are OK, they are very warm so would be much appreciated.

In the next few days I will phone a few friends in Christchurch as I am sure one of them will be pleased to distribute them for you, I know my friends husband has handed around food parcels with money sent through his church so it won't be a problem. My sister was going to go for a holiday to Christchurch in a few weeks and could take them, although she is not sure if she will still go.

Once again thank you
Kathryn Jill (everyone calls me Jill)

Third Letter

Dear Everyone,
I thought you might be interested in the latest updates on Christchurch and your donations. My sister will take the first donations with her when she visits in March (more on that later) and I will send them on a regular basis after that. If you would like to send them directly to Christchurch then please send them to Sue (details below). Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like help with the postage

I have just spoken to my friends in Christchurch, things are certainly very difficult over there. My friends elderly mother is living in a house that has no power, water or sewege, the house will need to be demolished. A tribute to her friend can be if you goggle Dian Falconer, the knowledge that she didn't suffer, but went offering comfort to those around her, is a great comfort to her family and many friends. Sadly my friend Sue husbands business is unlikely to recover. Naturally she is very depressed, however I read out your emails and she very touched at your kindness, and looks forward to being out to help out people who have lost everything with all your generous donations, be they quillows, quilts, beanie, scarfs knitted blankets, whatever you feel the inclination to make. One thing she thought would be nice is if you could include a little note, just to let the person know that there is somewhere out there that cares, and hasn't forgotten them. The ASG has a range of beautiful cards that I intend to use for this purpose.

My sister feels the need to go ahead with her holiday in Christchurch and has been told by her friends that a visit would give them something to look forward to. She is pleased to know that she can do something to help, and would be happy to take anything you are good enough to make. She plans on giving them to Sue to distribute. However she is leaving soon, in fact you would need to get your gifts to her by the 10.3.11

I will be making the next shipment in April, and if you can get your quillows to me by the 10.4.11 they will be much appreciated. From then on I will try and make a regular shipment, probably on a monthly basis, it will all depend on how many items I receive.

Please let me know if this is not suitable for you. This is the first time I have undertaken something like this, and it seems to have really taken of. I will try and reply to individual emails in the next few days as soon as I can (I work in the weekend).

Please know that you gifts will really help people in time of need, even the knowledge you are thinking of them is of great benefit.

Bye for now
Jill

What Quillows are and How to Make Them