Many of you contacted me privately regarding how to help the lacemakers and embroiderers of L'Aquila after the terrible earthquake of April 6,
2009.
I'm glad to say that they seem to be being looked after for basic living needs and there is still a strong enthusiasm for helping them out three weeks later.
As many of you know I'm heading off to the Italia Invita Needlework Forum in Parma in May. Italia Invita has been organizing themselves to see how they can help for the secondary needs of their "sisters" who stitch.
A place for monetary donations is still not finalized but I'll give you the link to the website which carries the news of what's happening and what they are working on. I'll update you all when I get back but I wanted to leave this with you before I go, I'm leaving next Saturday and won't be back until the first week in June.
They have organized themselves in two ways. There is a general collection for the lacemakers and embroiderers of the area and then a specific collection for the two ladies who were to exhibit at the Forum but lost everything and now cannot. Either way, these are trusted channels which will ensure that those in need will indeed receive the goodwill of their fellow stitchers.
I am in no way involved with this collection but will endeavor to help anyone out who needs it, ie. translation, details, etc. The link leads to the English page and Fiorella Gaggi of Italia Invita speaks English very well so you can feel free to contact her with questions too.
I hope this answers everyone's questions for now. Again, I'll make it known when I'm back home so that I can help anyone who needs it.
Link to Italia Invita: