We rise by lifting others.

These lovely ladies are volunteers with Quilts For Kids, an organization whose Mission Statement is "Transforming fabrics into patchwork quilts that comfort children in need."

Children with life-threatening illnesses, who suffer from abuse or are living at the poverty level were the first recipients, but the organization always expands to include children who have lost their homes to natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey.  Founded by Linda Arye in 2000, the Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania based organization has transformed donated, discontinued and "unwanted" fabric into quilts.  The quilts are made entirely by volunteers in the 98 chapters throughout North America.

Before the rain had even started, Linda and her Quilts For Kids (QFK) volunteers in Houston were planning what they would do.  In an e-mail to Mark Dunn, Linda wrote, "It wasn't an option for Quilts For Kids to sit and wait out the flooding before deciding what to do.  We launched a plan to help and since Friday, August 25 - the day the storm came ashore - we've been filling UPS trucks with quilts going to our QFK volunteers who live there and are hand-delivering quilts to where they're needed most."

Each day, fabrics and finished quilts are being delivered to Quilts for Kids.

And just as quickly, quilts are being packaged and shipped to Houston, often filling an entire UPS truck.

Linda also wrote that "many of the chapter leaders in the Houston area were affected by the flooding themselves but they still worked to deliver quilts to children who had lost their homes.  In short, they knew they could do the work and they wanted to do it."

If you'd like to help, there are a couple of ways you can do that.  First, QFK is asking for kind-hearted volunteers to send finished quilts that are new - not used.  Fabric in bright colors and low-loft batting in cotton or cotton-blends is also appreciated.  Monetary donations are also appreciated to offset the UPS bills.  For more information on how to donate, go to www.quiltsforkids.org and click the Donate button.  One-hundred percent of the funds raised will go to helping wrap children in quilts.

You can also find out if there is a Quilts For Kids Chapter or workshop in your area.

To do more for the world than the world does for you, that is success.  Henry Ford

And in case you've missed the updates on social media from our friends at Quilts, Inc., the founders of International Quilt Market and Quilt Festival, the show will go on!

We would like to thank all who have sent messages of support to us in response to the devastating flooding that took place in our home city of Houston last week. We are happy to report that all of our staff is safe, and that our office did not suffer any damages. In fact, we have reopened our office, with most of our staff back in place.

Many others have not been so lucky, and we ask that you keep Houston and all areas that have been devastated by Hurricane Harvey in your thoughts, and, if possible, consider making a contribution toward organizations involved in the ongoing relief efforts.

If you are interested in making a donation, please consider the Houston Flood Relief Fund organized by J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans, or the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, established by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and County Judge Ed Emmett.

In case you've missed the updates on social media and our website, we want to reiterate that this year's Quilt Market in Houston is still scheduled to take place October 28-30 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. 

The show is still almost two months away, the George R. Brown and downtown hotels are all in good shape, and as Houston Mayor Turner said earlier this week, "Houston is open for business!"

The Quilt Market staff is already back to work diligently planning and preparing for the show, and we have no doubt that it will be a great Quilt Market!

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.  Winston Churchill

Have a happy Tuesday.