DISASTER RESPONSE
Project Background
We monitor domestic and international crises to determine when and where we might donate finished quilts or quilt tops in progress. Once a crisis situation is identified and confirmed by the Board, we work to identify a local organization that can put your beautiful quilts into the hands of someone in need. Crises may include natural disasters (such as forest fires or flooding) or conflicts (such as wars).
Who to Contact
This project is managed and organized by Nadine Kirk. She can be reached at: disasterresponse@southbayquiltersguild.org.
How Can I Get Involved
Wildfire Support: Donate Quilts
SBQG has provided 20 quilts (5 with matching pillowcases) and 100 pillowcases to the Camarillo Quilt Guild, who are handling the distribution to the survivors of the Mountain fire that occurred in Ventura County during November 2024.
What to do: Lap-size and larger quilts can be donated to this effort at the Road to California Quilt Show (Southern California Council of Quilt Guilds booth), at the next Guild meeting (January 28), or dropped off at AAA Sewing in Lomita.
Our Guild will be part of the effort to provide quilts to survivors of the current Los Angeles fires once a plan has been put into place. We will update this page when more information is available. We are beginning to make Perkiomen blocks in cheerful colors for this effort. Instructions for the blocks, and a picture showing suggested colors (one color per block in different fabrics for the “dark” side and different whites/lights for the “light” side) are posted below.
What to do: Lap-size and larger quilts can be donated to this effort at the Road to California Quilt Show (Southern California Council of Quilt Guilds booth), at the next Guild meeting (January 28), or dropped off at AAA Sewing in Lomita.
Our Guild will be part of the effort to provide quilts to survivors of the current Los Angeles fires once a plan has been put into place. We will update this page when more information is available. We are beginning to make Perkiomen blocks in cheerful colors for this effort. Instructions for the blocks, and a picture showing suggested colors (one color per block in different fabrics for the “dark” side and different whites/lights for the “light” side) are posted below.
Below are photos of our quilts donated to the Mountain Fire quilt drive.
Ukrainian Refugee Relief: Make Blocks
We have on-going projects to make quilts to be sent to organizations providing relief and refuge for those fleeing the war in Ukraine. All of the blocks are made by our members. Pictures of some of the quilts are below.
In 2022, our first project used 12" Perkiomen blocks (blue and yellow with a sunflower center), creating twelve quilts measuring 60" x 72", and our second project used 12" 16-patch checkerboard block with alternating blue and yellow squares, creating five quilts.
In 2023 our projects for Ukraine included Heart blocks, made in either blue or yellow, and a white or off-white background (12" finished), and blocks made using the "Boxed In" pattern (available at no charge online) using sunflower fabric, creating eight quilts. We delivered eighteen quilts to Wrap the World in Quilts, and seven of the quilts made with Perkiomen blocks were donated to organizations to assist the refugees in Poland.
What to do: For 2024-2025 we are making a new Perkiomen block with blue and yellow fabrics. Five quilts are being quilted and bound.
Instruction Sheet:
In 2022, our first project used 12" Perkiomen blocks (blue and yellow with a sunflower center), creating twelve quilts measuring 60" x 72", and our second project used 12" 16-patch checkerboard block with alternating blue and yellow squares, creating five quilts.
In 2023 our projects for Ukraine included Heart blocks, made in either blue or yellow, and a white or off-white background (12" finished), and blocks made using the "Boxed In" pattern (available at no charge online) using sunflower fabric, creating eight quilts. We delivered eighteen quilts to Wrap the World in Quilts, and seven of the quilts made with Perkiomen blocks were donated to organizations to assist the refugees in Poland.
What to do: For 2024-2025 we are making a new Perkiomen block with blue and yellow fabrics. Five quilts are being quilted and bound.
Instruction Sheet:
Examples of Our Giving
2025: LA Fire Survivors (First 10 are from the Perkiomen Group)
2025: Ukraine Refugees - Utah Wrap the World in Quilts
2024: Ukraine Project
2023: Ukraine Project
2022: Ukraine Project
2021: Kentucky Tornado Relief
These 8 quilts (4 twin, 4 lap/child) and 1 baby quilt were sent to Hancock's of Paducah in December 2021 for the Kentucky tornado relief effort.
These 8 quilts (4 twin, 4 lap/child) and 1 baby quilt were sent to Hancock's of Paducah in December 2021 for the Kentucky tornado relief effort.
2021: Comfort Quilts
Between the fire relief quilts and the Afghan relief quilts, we sent out 40 quilts and 60 pillowcases, plus 20 of Mary Shadbourne's Comfort Quilts.
Between the fire relief quilts and the Afghan relief quilts, we sent out 40 quilts and 60 pillowcases, plus 20 of Mary Shadbourne's Comfort Quilts.
Quilts sent to the Houston Modern Quilt Guild for their emergency quilt drive for Afghan refugees
Quilts sent to the Houston Modern Quilt Guild for their emergency quilt drive for Afghan refugees
2021: Fire Victims
These quilts were sent out for fire victims in August and September of 2021.
Caldor Fire Relief Donations
Dixie Fire Relief Donations
We Care Fire Relief Donations
One of two quilts delivered to WeCare in Northern CA for fire survivors, along with fifty children's pillowcases. This quilt was donated by Private Source Quilting.
One of two quilts delivered to WeCare in Northern CA for fire survivors.
2021: Santa Monica and Malibu Fires
These are some of the quilts made by the Guild presented to the survivors of the Santa Monica and Malibu fires.
These are some of the quilts made by the Guild presented to the survivors of the Santa Monica and Malibu fires.
2021 and 2020 Earlier Donations: Various
Top donated as a kit with backing & batting to the Napa Valley Quilters to assist with their fire relief. (2020)
Top donated as a kit with backing & batting to the Napa Valley Quilters to assist with their fire relief. (2020)
Baby blankets delivered to 1736 Family Crisis Center. (2021)
2020: CZU Complex Fire (Santa Cruz area)
CZU Lightning Complex fires burned in Northern California starting in August 2020, growing to >40,000 acres. The fires destroyed almost 1500 buildings and burned in state parks, where a number of historic buildings were destroyed. We donated quilts and pillowcases to WeCare and to the CZU Fire Project, some specifically for children.
CZU Lightning Complex fires burned in Northern California starting in August 2020, growing to >40,000 acres. The fires destroyed almost 1500 buildings and burned in state parks, where a number of historic buildings were destroyed. We donated quilts and pillowcases to WeCare and to the CZU Fire Project, some specifically for children.
2020: Oregon Fires
Quilts and more sent to Oregon for fire victims.
Quilts and more sent to Oregon for fire victims.
2020 Covid Relief: Torrance Fire Department
A Torrance Fire Engineer contracted COVID-19 on the job. SBQG 1st Vice President Melanie and President Julie delivered a batik quilt to Firehouse #1 to comfort him during his recovery. Blocks for the "disappearing 4-patch" quilt were made by guild members with fabric donated by Private Source Quilting, assembled by Melanie and Marie, quilted by Matt Randall and bound by Jenifer.
2020 Covid Relief: USS Roosevelt COVID Masks
SBQG Members donated 129 masks to sailors on the USS Roosevelt with only 24 hours notice! Thank you for the quick sewing!
- Linda F (8)
- Carol T (20)
- Gini O (15)
- Eva K (6)
- Jenifer B (10)
- Allison L (20)
- Pam O (24)
- Nadine K (10)
- Ethie W & friend (16)
2020: Loss of Home
This quilt went to a senior couple who lost their home in one of the CA wildfires. Note the quilt block used with a label on the back corner of the quilt (next to matching pillowcases).
This quilt went to a senior couple who lost their home in one of the CA wildfires. Note the quilt block used with a label on the back corner of the quilt (next to matching pillowcases).
2019: Calimesa Fire
Quilt donations for survivors of fire in the Calimesa, CA area.
Quilt donations for survivors of fire in the Calimesa, CA area.
