QUILTERS FOR KATRINA
began in New Iberia, Louisiana two days after Katrina destroyed New Orleans.
Many of our local quilters were displaced by Rita when she took down what was left of the Louisiana coast.
In consideration of these overturned lives, I am asking QUILTERS everywhere to pledge TWO QUILTS.
One large and one small to victims of these disasters. Rapid Tags, a New Jersey label manufacturer, donated 5000 labels reading:
"Quilters for Katrina - 2005 - May God Be With You." I am asking for 5,000 quilts from quilters across the nation. Please pledge your support.
Please call or e-mail me:
Julia P. Fleming
404 Caroline St.
New Iberia, LA 70560
337-560-5187
juliaflem@cox.net
Gulf States Quilting Association
has more than 1200 members in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the panhandle of Florida.
We were devastated by Hurricane Katrina, and Hurricane Rita knocked us down again.
Many of our members live in areas where they lost homes, had flooded homes that will need to be taken down.
Many will not be able to rebuild on the same property because of contamination of the soil.
We were in the middle of our biennial quilt show - we had hung over 400 quilts on Thursday 8/25, had a great show day on Friday,
and by Saturday noon we were dismantling the show and our 15 vendors and trying to get the quilts back to as many people as we
could - some had already evacuated. We were able to store the rest at the Pontchartrain Center on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain.
It got completely flooded and the roof torn off in parts, and was then occupied by the National Guard. By the grace of God,
where they stored our quilts and supplies there was no water. We were able to retrieve them and someone in our group is housing them.
We are trying to get our members back to their quilting, but they have absolutely nothing. We are collecting any sewing machines anyone
wishes to donate, and any and all quilt supplies, fabrics and books. We will also be glad to have completed quilts.
I am receiving the sewing machines - they can be UPS shipped to me at
Pat Lee
8024 Barocco Drive
Harahan, LA 70123-4417
504-737-2142
JoAn Knight is receiving the sewing supplies, etc. at 2115 Forest Ridge Road, Prattville, AL 36036 (334-358-7827)
Any completed quilts should be sent to Katy Prescott at 6065 Boone, Baton Rouge, LA 70808.
One of our members who is temporarily living and working in Houston said she doesn't miss her house and those things, but she really misses
being able to sit down and quilt. I'm sure this is the feeling of our members who lost so much. One of our board members lived in Bay St. Louis, MS
and there is absolutely no trace of her house. There's nothing to show that anyone even lived there. We certainly appreciate any help your group can give us.
QUILTS FOR SOLDIERS
Kathy Conway is involved with a group called Quilts of Valor they make quilts for the wounded soldiers fighting the war on terror.
Kathy thought some of our guild members might like to make a quilt top, she will provide the batting and do the longarm quilting free.
The website for more information - www.quiltsforsoldiers.com or contact
Kathy
