This week our state has experienced a devasting loss. They are saying the mudslides are our worst natural disaster since Mt. St. Helens eruption. Last I heard the death toll is around 20 and 30 are still missing. Unfortunately this is part of the better news, in that the missing has been dropped from 90 to 30.
Families have lost everything. It’s just hard to even write about it…
I just keep thinking about one of the stories I heard in the very beginning, about a rescuer trying to find people. They could hear them, but couldn’t get to them due to the amount of mud. Can you imagine? That person is going to hear that voice for years to come. I can only hope that eventually he was able to get back to those trapped.
And I read this:
“There was this gray cloud . . . and then I saw it taking out trees 100 at a time,” she said. “I started screaming for my kids to get out of there. I’m screaming, ‘It’s a mudslide!’ ”
Within minutes, the roar was gone, and Langton opened the back door.
“I looked out on complete devastation,” she said. “I heard two ladies shouting for help. I heard another voice screaming, ‘Help.’ I couldn’t see him. I said, ‘Sir, could you raise your arms so I can see you?’ He said he only had one arm. The other one was just hanging there.”
She helped rescue them. -excerpt from The Washington post, for the full article click here.
Between the stories of the immense loss there are more stories of hope and of people helping people.
Like this one from the pastor of Oso Community Chapel:
“I was expecting someone to say, ‘I lost my brother or I lost my house and I’m angry’ — and that would have been OK,” he said by phone Sunday. “But today what we heard was, ‘I was in trouble and a stranger stopped and helped me.'” – excerpt from CNN, read the whole article here. It’s a good one.
the before and after, image via CBS NEWS
I don’t know these people, but they are only about an hour from me. The only thing I can think of to help is to give them something made with love. And that’s a quilt. They lost everything. I know they need so many more things than a quilt. But the love that comes with something hand made can truly make a difference.
Online I have found a woman called the Quilting Granny from Layers of Hope. She is spearheading a quilt drive for the community. I’ll be making one to give and I’m hoping you will too. There is tons of information on The Layers of Hope blog, but a brief run down is:
Only new, handmade quilts, please.
Needed by April 19th!
Sizes should be at least:
- Baby sizes 42 x 42
- Toddler sizes 52 x 52
- Twin Size 68 x 86
- Full Size 78 x 86
We want them to cover for adults at least someone who is 6′ tall for length.**They can be quilted, crocheted or knitted, they must be handmade, no store quilts!**
If you can, you can drop off or send directly to any of the following locations:
Town Square Fabric and Yarn
445 SW 152nd Street
Burien, WA 98166
Tell Christina or Cynthia they are for Layers of Hope – Quilting 911 Oso quilt drive and they will hold them.
If you live closer to the Oso area or Canada, you may drop them off with:
Mary Udman at the Skagit Valley YMCA
215 E Fulton Street
Mt. Vernon, WA 98273
In the Centralia/Chehalis Area there are two drop off points:
Sisters Fabric
476 N. Market Street
Chehalis, WA 98532
Tell Jody or Bobbi they are for Oso
and
Quilters Junction
1728 Gold Street
Centralia, WA 98531
Or you can send to me and I promise I’ll get them to one of the drop off locations before April 19th. Just email me for my address!
There is a huge need for all quilters to help! And yes, the timeline is short, but please help if you can!
feelincrafty.wordpress.com 