Monday's Distributions.

 DISTRIBUTION UPDATE:

Quilts are coming and going quickly and the need continues to be great. Yesterday a representative for Peter Mac Cancer Centre picked up our donation of 25 quilts.

Today was a big day of distribution starting with Life's Little Treasures where we delivered 26 quilts,19 knitted baby blankets, 13 knitted small teddies, 22 drawstring bags for books, 40 handknitted jackets for premmies and newborns, 24 hand knitted beanies,14 pair of booties, 6 burp cloths, and 20 cloth hearts which are used to transfer the mother's scent to familiarise the baby. All of the items were beautifully made and the ongoing need continues to be knitted small teddy bears, cloth hearts and drawstring bags. All of the patterns are found on the Life's Little Treasures website.

From there we visited Eastern Palliative Care again where we delivered 28 quilts and 8 knitted/crocheted blankets. They were very well received and staff said that they would probably all be given out this week. They have a client base of 2,000 patients and their patients love to receive a quilt, and the staff love to give them as an introduction to their program, and it's lovely to hear how much your beautiful donations are appreciated.

From there we visited Ukrainian families and gave out 8 more quilts, 4 of them being queen sized for couples. Quilts are not something they are familiar with but they are incredibly appreciative as they are in need of warm bedding. The size of the quilts is more important to them than colours, when they are choosing a quilt, and they really wanted me to express their thanks. There are mainly adults and some school aged children but we need more large quilts for them than smaller quilts for children. It's not uncommon to receive warm hugs of thanks as well as lots of smiles when they receive the quilts and hopefully they help to make them feel welcome.

We are also distributing quilts to the displaced Ukrainians in Tasmania, with the assistance of our Tasmanian members as well as Southern Cross Quilters members, and I have sent 2 queen sized quilts to them so they will have enough quilts for couples. We've divided the towns up between several Quilters and they hope to distribute the quilts in the coming weeks.

Our quilts sent to Lismore for flood affected communities haven't arrived yet as they are being transported gratis by a furniture removal company but we expect that they will be distributed soon.

If you have "finished" quilts, particularly large ones about single size, I wanted to suggest that you post or deliver them direct to Lismore as I am happy with how they are distributing them. They have given out about 400 so far but there are still many people in need of them. The person delivering them is also trying to quilt donated tops so I would suggest only sending finished quilts as her time is limited. She is happy for you to post direct to her, Susan Hereth, 20 Allambie Drive, Goonellabah, NSW 2480. They are also happy to receive knitted or crocheted blankets, beanies, scarves, gloves etc.

Yesterday and today's deliveries were of 87 quilts and that brings our total of quilts distributed so far this year is 510, which is incredible as we're only half way through 2022. It's wonderful to know that we're able to support and comfort so many people by doing what we love. We're able to reach so many people because of all of you and I am sincerely very grateful for your support.

The 2 quilts shown were given to one of the Ukrainian mothers and her 11 year old daughter and were made by Seachange Quilters and Goulburn Valley Quilters respectively. Whether you sew, quilt, knit or crochet, there will be many people who welcome your creations. Xx