May I begin by saying that I could never imagine or try to begin to feel the pain, loss and suffering that someone experiences having gone through a tragedy such as the recent tornado that devastated Joplin, Missouri. I do know that when I found myself in the center of the devastation I had to help in some way. As I was actually enroute to Quitman, Texas to visit Stitchin Heaven, Deb Lutrells Quilt Shop along with 27 other Quilt Shop Owners to brainstorm for 3 days that an audience awaited my arrival and that they were a powerful group that could come up with an amazing way to help. I was correct! Within hours we had come up with as Susan Allen of The Quilt Asylum in McKinney, Texas coined it, a plan to "Re-Guild" Joplin. The concept was to actually obtain from Vendors and customers the items needed to "outfit" a Passionate Quilter, someone who had just lost everything, and I do mean everything. How could they begin to heal when they did not even possess the thread it would take to try to piece their lives back together.
We told our vendors that we did not need 5 rotary cutters, we need 100 rotary cutters, 100 cutting mats, cases of thread, needles, batting and fabrics, yards and yards of fabrics. We asked out customers to "share" their stash that we have heard over the years is so extensive they could open a quilt shop. Boxes began arriving, more and more boxes. The UPS man asked what was going on. New Sewing machines still in their box's came rolling in. Boxes of New books and patterns for their Guild Library. Initially we began cataloging all the items in each box. This soon became too extensive of a task.
Unfortunately, and I say this with a sigh, the intention of a few good people will often try to be exploited, twisted and abused. So as of this posting we are no longer accepting Items. We have accumulated enough items not only to Re-Guild Joplin, we could possibly open a very nice Quilt Shop, and if the Guild wants to they can. The items that we have gathered from the most amazing people on earth (you all know who you are) will be delivered to no less than an officer of the guild in person. We will then help "the quild" via its officers divide evenly amongst it members the collected items. The purpose being totally accounted for and the delivery of the items being logged and authenticated by the original group that came up with the concept back in mid June. Great Job Ladies!
