Wednesday 11 February 2009

Bushfire Relief

Sorry I've been a bit quiet this week. Like the rest of the country, I've been shocked and horrified by the tragic events in Victoria. There have been lots of tears and until now I just couldn't face doing a post.

Last night we found out that 3 different people we know through brass banding lost their homes. Even more tragic was the loss of one families son, his girlfriend and her brother.

There are lots of great things happening in blogland and beyond to provide support to those affected. Like lots of you I feel the need to 'do something' so these are the ones I have chosen to support.

*Australian Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal - the message we are getting is that at this early stage donating money to the appeal is the most useful thing to do.

*Mrs Martin's Quilt Shop -
Karen is collecting quilt tops, blocks, batting and backing fabric to make quilts for the survivors. I am sorting through my stash to see what I can donate. As we are going to Melbourne in a fortnight I'll be delivering it myself.

*Sanity Savers -
Peg and Lorraine have info on their blogs about this. Basically it is donating items to put together packs for quilters/crafters affected by the fires. Things like fat quarters, pincushions, needles, threads etc would be great. They don't have to be big or expensive items.
If everyone gives a little, they will have some lovely packages to pass on.

*
Handmade Help - lots of ways to help out here. I am planning to drop off a handmade item at Amitie when we are in Melbourne. Better get busy as we go on Feb 25.

*On My Verandah -
Maree is auctioning patterns, fabrics and finished items on her blog.

Click on any of the links to find out how you can help too.

I'm not very good at expressing myself when sad things happen but hope all in the blogging community are safe. Hope to do a happier post soon.

CHRISTINE

25 comments:

  1. Yes, its difficult for us all, and very hard to express. Having to think about the bits we are making to send off and wanting them to be special is the way most of us are keeping busy. Debs.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad to know you are safe but I'm so sorry for all those whose lives were and are threatened and destroyed by those fires

    ReplyDelete
  3. It has devestated the whole country. At assembly today the Principal announced that our school will be helping out schools over in Victoria. No specifics yet or a timeline...it is a matter of seeing what is most needed.

    ReplyDelete
  4. here in the UK our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the fires. We can't believe the extent of the devastation.

    ReplyDelete
  5. A big hug to you and to all the people beeing affected by this awful disaster... Take care

    ReplyDelete
  6. Christine, Thanks for all the links. Prayers and thoughts are with all of you everyday.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Chris,
    I'm with you...I couldnt possibly post about "my pretty quilts at the moment" not with so much devastation and sadness around us....it is just too terrible!! CAthy

    ReplyDelete
  8. Even in the Netherlands we are shocked to see the images, we pray and cross our fingers for better times.

    Love Ines

    ReplyDelete
  9. Such a horrible tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm glad your safe, but I'm thinking of you all. I stopped by the atother blogs to see how I can help from a distance

    ReplyDelete
  11. Christine my thoughts have been with you ever since the fires started. I also felt the need to help in some way. But living far away does not make it easy to help. Today I decided to support the Sanity Savers and the RSPCA. What many people seem to forget is that there is a lot of help needed for wildlife and animals as well. Today I posted on my blog about it. I hope many people will support the RSCPA as well.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am so glad you are safe and so sorry to hear about your friends.
    Thank you for all of the useful links. I think everyone feels so helpless that we just want to do whatever we can to offer some sort of relief.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am so sorry for the losses you are all dealing with in your country. Material things can be replaced. Human life can not be replaced. Know many prayers are being said for you all! Bless you all!
    Lynn

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great big hug sent to you for doing all these links....Peg xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Christine,
    Despite we are in the other side of the world, our thoughts are with australian people.
    Hugs from Brasil,

    ReplyDelete
  16. It is such a tragedy, my prayers are with the victims. Thanks for the links, Robyn from http://hexagonquilt-along.blospot.com started "Hexagons of Hope" and I'm sending her a parcel next week. It is just a small thing, but I hope it will help someone.

    ReplyDelete
  17. If you know of quilting groups who would like fabric to make quilt to raffle or auction to raise money for the red cross - we have 10 to donate.

    ReplyDelete
  18. this was indeed horrible,
    I made already a top for Tia (campfollowerbags) to give it to a family in need but I really would love to do more
    hugs to everyone who was affected

    ReplyDelete
  19. Yes it has been difficult. Quilters have huge hearts , I am proud to be in touch with so many wonderful people.

    ReplyDelete
  20. It has been a very sad week which has affected us all.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Christine,
    It is hard to blog about other things at the moment when there is so many stories of devastion and loss coming into our homes through the media. Sorry to hear about your friends that had losses. I'm sure having a friend like you will help them at this time.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Dear, Christine.
    I am so sorry for you, your friends and your country. It’s a big tragedy!!! =(
    I hope can God bless to all.
    A kiss on your heart.
    Me

    ReplyDelete
  23. It is tragic. It does my heart good to see so many trying to help.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Yes it is so hard to believe what has happend and still more fires.
    Love all the good things everyone around the counrty is doing.

    quiting hugs
    Christine

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate your thoughts.

Christine