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Breezy point update :

I went to Breezy point personally with Sister Sue's quilts. The public transport out there is not fully functioning and it took 3 hours to get there, lol. I got picked up from the bus stop outside breezy point in the fire chief's pick up truck. They have a mobile police command centre in the street, making sure that only authorized people come in. They had some looting in the other area in the rockaways that got hit really badly, so they are being careful.

There isn't much to see coming into Breezy, there is a lot of sand on the road, and a few pieces of debris here and there. A house that looks fine from further away has a missing fence, and as you get closer you can see the verandah around the house is wavy, like the wood has been warped. On the back outside are a lot of things you might expect to see inside the house.

The volunteers at the fire department are living there full time. Partly this is to have someone there all the time, and partly because these volunteers have also lost everything. Michael who drove me into Breezy lost the entire first floor of his house. He plans to rebuild. AnnMarie lost her entire house, as did her children. She is still working tirelessly to feed people and hand out cleaning supplies, bleach, buckets, and contractor bags for the tons of debris that are left behind inside the houses that didnt burn down. Everything is ruined.

Breezy and the other two fire departments are feeding 800-2000 people a day, and it's getting colder. AnnMarie was so happy to see the bundle of quilts. As she put it, people arent that happy with the red cross blankets. A quilt is comforting as well as warm, it showed someone cared enough to make it. She smiles as she holds up the quilt so I can take a picture, but she seems sad at the same time. These quilts will be handed out to whoever comes in first and is cold. Maybe the volunteers who are sleeping on cots in the fire hall, or maybe other residents who still have no power, no heat, or are in temporary housing. Either way, they are very appreciated.

I stayed for a little while to help sort items. Paper plates, cold cups, hot cups, ramen noodles, bags of clothes, packs of milk and sugar, soda, cleaner, all coming in from disaster relief and from individuals in the area. They are having a big relief effort on Saturday. I offered to come back Monday to help since I dont work Mondays, she seemed very glad of the offer. She told me they have a refrigerated truck now for the food and the bottled water - not because it will spoil but because its so cold outside now that the water freezes over night! They will be handing out food and supplies for the foreseable future as people staying with relatives or friends now come back and start to rebuild.

If anyone else wants to send quilts directly to me, then I have a new address to send them to. It is the fire house itself, to the lady leading the volunteers. I know she will make sure they go where they need to go. Just PM me for it if you need it.

AnnMarie asked that I write my name on the sheet on the wall. They are taking names of everyone who brings things in to help, so that when its over they can thank people. I told her it wasn't necessary but she insisted. So I wrote Jane W on behalf of HGTV circle of friends. If they send a thank you I will post that here too, but after having been there I can see that you all are making a big difference

Jane_Kiwi

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jane_Kiwi,

Emergency rations to feed people, outside the fire department.

Inside the fire house, loads of cleaning supplies, tooth brushes, paper plates, everything to help people who lost a lifetime.

Jane_Kiwi

Jane- Thanks for the update and all your efforts to ensure that this area is receiving the needed help it needs. T's and P's still coming their way. Sue

Jane, I'll have a couple of quilts ready to mail beginning of the week, as well as some pillow cases. Could you please PM me the "new" address.

Thanks.

I'd also like the new address if you could PM me also, have a couple almost ready to go.

to the top so Jane Kiwi can find it

Jane, my quilt is off the frame and I should have a package on its way to you this week!

I just found out today that I won a fabric giveaway hosted by a Quilting Daily blog. This blogger wanted to encourage quilters to make a quilt for Sandy victims and decided to give away 2 bundles of fabrics. My plan is to make a double cut layer cake quilt since it's so pretty and goes together quickly.

I can't wait to get them and work on a quilt - even during the bustle of the holidays. With both Mom and MIL here, I might get to scurry off and sew for a few minutes every now and then. The 3 of us can whip up awesome meals in almost no time. And I get all the credit, even though I share it with the other cooks.

Jane: I just PM'ed you for the address to the firestation. Thank you for all your work.Nancy

McPatches: Just PM'ed you also.


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This message has been edited. Last edited by: nancyc20,

ttt

ttt

Oops sorry! Was so busy this week I did not even have a chance to check the boards. Didn't realize ppl were waiting on me

I have some pictures from yesterday to post up. Still taking me 2 1/2 hrs to get out there! They forgot to pick me up yesterday and so i stood by the side of the road for forty minutes with a huge bag of quilts. They finally sent a tow truck to come get me lol, but the back seat of a tow truck is TINY so i was squished in there with the quilts I will get the PMs out now.

jane