Iraqi Bundles of Love

I first heard about this project at Sew, Mama, Sew! a week or two ago. There is an army major stationed in Iraq, Major Art LaFlamme, whose wife is a quilter. He has asked any quilter who wants to help, to send him quilt supplies (or knitting supplies) that he will take to Iraqi ladies. Wanted to help then, but didn't.

I got an email about it today from Karey Bresenhad, the director of the International Quilt Festival in Houston, forwarded through my local quilt guild. They have formed The Festival Brigade to help with this service opportunity. They say the deadline to mail the packages is Sept 7, but that's Labor Day, so I guess the deadline is THIS SATURDAY!

There are instructions on how to package these boxes and suggestions on what to put in them at the official website. Here is the link to the main page. The address is not on the website as the deadline is soon and Major LaFlamme doesn't want packages delivered when he isn't there to see that they get to their destination. You can email me (kluckau@moosequilts.com), and I will email you the address, or you can leave a comment on the official website and Major LaFlamme will send you the address.

Here is a quote about the distribution from Major LaFlamme:
"Some would be delivered by US forces, to local individuals and to local groups and small businesses who have had micro grants or loans from either the US or the Iraqi government. I see this as reinforcing good with more good. Some would also go out with US forces, to places like rural villages, camps for displaced persons, orphanages (which often means single moms who are without tribal men to provide for them), and the like. And some would go to our partners in the Iraqi security forces or police.

They would work with their subordinate units and local tribal leaders to then get the stuff out to those who can use it. This is important, as it does things that range from letting them engage the locals in ways other than questioning or arrests, to showing the locals that the Iraqi government, by proxy, understands and is working to meet their needs. It's not the same as electricity 24 hours a day, but it shows that the government understands and is trying."


I am setting a goal to walk downstairs and bundle up some fabric that I haven't used for years and don't plan on using anymore and send it on. I can send at least one box. Can you?