Quilty ways to help those in need in Japan

You may be pondering how you might be able to help those in Japan and/or you may know of someone that might be looking for a way to help.  While Japan will rebuild it will take time and like any major disaster, there are many in need of supplies and comfort now.  While I am sharing insights with you on some ways that may be of interest for quilters who are passionate about wanting to help, always be sure that you take time to research what ever program you choose to support to ensure it is a legitimate way to help.

Here are a few quilty opportunities to help those in Japan:

Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims, of The Quilt Show,  have created a raffle to raise funds to help the American Red Cross help those in Japan.  Two great prizes for two lucky winners that will be selected late April.  The amount you donate is up to you, but when you donate you are entered in this raffle.  Click here for more information on this raffle fundraiser.

• Alex is donating her beautiful "Bridge of Life" quilt,

• Ricky Tims is donating one free tuition to a "Ricky Tims Retreat" in 2012 in La Veta, Co.  and TQS is providing $500 to the lucky winner to help with transportation and lodging costs.

 eQuilter has partnered with Mission of love to gather quilts and coordinate shipping them to Japan for distribution to those in need.  They have the promise of a command of a US Air Force base who will arrange to have supplies and quilts flown to Japan.  Visit this post on eQuilter for more info.  Quilts can be shipped to:

Mission of Love

2054 Hemlock Court

Youngstown, Ohio 44515

U.S.A

Elizabeth Hartmann (Oh, Fransson!) is raffling a quilt to raise funds to help those in need in Japan. This beautiful quilt is appropriately named Tokyo Subway.All proceeds will be donated to The American Red Cross. Deadline:  March 23rd!  Click here for more information.

Save the Children,  is a program that focuses on children during disasters.  They strive to come in quickly and create environments that are safe and child friendly.  They have research to show that by have such areas and people that focus on the children, that there are significantly reduced mental scars on the child and family, in the years to come.  This group is already in Japan and in the process of creating these areas in as many communities impacted by the Tsunami.  They released a statement  that the organization is "mobilizing its global resources to respond to the needs of children and families affected by the earthquake and its aftermath, and an international emergency team has been dispatched to assist staff in Japan." Those looking to donate to that effort can visit Save the Children's donation page.

Shelter Boxes focuses on providing a special green box to those in need of shelter. Each box contains a tent that can handle extreme temperatures and house a family up to ten people, a children's pack (crayon's, etc.), blankets for warmth, a stove, dishes & utensils, and more.  This program is in the early stages of delivery shelter boxes in a few areas of Japan that have been impacted by the tsunami.

Direct quilting contact in Japan:
Recently the Editor of the Japanese magazine Patchwork Quilt Tsushin magazine sent out an email to various contacts around the world, seeking help from quilters to send comfort by way of sending a quilt to someone in need in Japan. The Editor, Naomi, lives in Tokyo and her mother and brother survived the tsunami in Sendai. 
 
Naomi's letter has been forwarded to many via email and has also been published on many websites, but I still wanted to share this request with you today.  This is what Naomi shared in her letter:

  

"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?

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 if you help me.

Naomi"

(Editor of Patchwork Quilt Tsushin magazine).

I need not tell you that it is currently cold in Japan, even snowing in someplaces, and many are left homeless, with a few having the good fortune of being able to sleep in a car.  I think this picture is clearly embedded in our minds and we all know how much comfort quilts could bring to those in need in Japan at this time.  Again, there are many ways to help. I just wanted to increase awareness of some "quilty" ways to help.  If you have insights on additional ways to help, please leave a comment and share your insights for others to hear too.