This quilt drive is a combined effort of the Pajaro Valley Quilt Association (PVQA) and the Santa Cruz County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). This massive fire destroyed 925 homes and damaged 90 homes in our county. Fire survivors are suffering from total loss of homes and tangible heritage, as well emotional trauma. The quilts, which survivors choose, will provide comfort, and help fill an emotional void in their lives.
We started this quilt drive at the end of September. Since then, we have collected over 1,400 quilts!!! We have received quilts from all over the United States and quite a few from our local quilt guilds. We have had four Give Away Events so far.
Our next Give Away Event will be February 19th and 20th at the Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA. We need Volunteers to work at our next Give Away Event. For more information, click here:
Volunteer Sign-up for CZU Fire Quilt Give Away Event #5
To date, we have given out 563 quilts to 250 families. Although we are receiving requests for quilts, we are still working hard to locate more fire survivors. It has been more than 5 months since the fire and some are still in temporary housing, still working with FEMA and their insurance companies, and some are still very fragile and holding out little hope for the future.
If you know of anyone who has lost a home in the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, please have them contact czulightningfirequilts@gmail.com or go directly to the CZU Lightning Fire Quilt Request Form by clicking the link below:
CZU Lightning Fire Quilt Request Form
If you wish to send a flyer to a fire survivor, you can find that flyer by clicking on the link below:
One of our survivors wrote to us after receiving his quilts:
I was able to go select 2 beautiful handmade quilts at the Live Oak Grange a few weeks ago. I don’t know why it was this event that touched me so deeply. There have been so many instances of generosity and support that I have experienced since losing my house in the August wildfires. I think it must have been walking into that room full of quilts, all made with loving care by people I do not even know. I have made many quilts in my life, my gramma made quilts. I know what a labor of love making a quilt is. The part that amazed me was that those works of art were freely given to a complete stranger. I really was overcome by the whole event and left with tears in my eyes.
I am so very grateful to have been a recipient of 2 amazing quilts. And I thank you for making this possible and hope you will pass on my thanks to all of the wonderful craftspeople involved in bringing these joyful creations to my family. T.S.
Current Needs
Clean Finished BED SIZE Quilts
After the first four Give Away Events, we still have an abundance of lap size quilts and are now seeking BED SIZED quilts only (twin, double, queen and king). Quilts should be handmade not purchased, clean and new, or in like-new condition. If “vintage,” quilts should be marked as such with a note and MUST be clean and in good repair! If you would not use it, do not gift it! We have plenty of all the other sizes (baby, toddler, and lap/throw).
Quilt Drop Off Locations
Quilts may be dropped off at Modern Handmade in Scotts Valley, CA. If you live south of Santa Cruz, you can email czulightfirequilts@gmail.com to arrange for your quilt(s) to be picked up. For communities outside of Santa Cruz, other drop-off locations are: Wooden Gate in Danville, CA, New Pieces in Berkeley, CA, Golden State Quilting in Campbell, CA, Nimble Thimble in Gilroy, CA and Back Porch in Pacific Grove, CA. Quilts can also be mailed to: CZU Lightning Fire Quilts, c/o Helen Klee, 4437 W Walnut St, Soquel, CA 95073. NOTE: When you drop off your quilts please be sure to include your name and address on the bag(s) so we can properly thank you
Batting and Backing
We have been receiving large quilt tops to be finished. Your donation of batting and backing will be greatly appreciated to finish these tops. Wide backing fabric in 3 yards or longer is especially welcome, as well as batting in twin size or larger. We have been offered wholesale pricing on these items and welcome cash contributions – every dollar helps finish a quilt! Checks can be mailed to:
PVQA
Attn: Helen Klee
P.O. Box 1412
Aptos, CA 95001-1412
Long Arm Quilters
We need Long Arm quilters willing to quilt one or more quilts. With the donation of tops, batting and backing, we will need quilters to finish the quilt sandwich. Can we count on you to help finish these tops?
Volunteers to Bind Quilts
Final step! We need volunteers to sew on bindings, and finish by hand or machine.
Please check this website for project updates or the Facebook Group: CZU Lightning Fire Quilts.
If you have any question, please email czulightningfirequilts@gmail.com