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Maui Wildfire Relief

In response to the fires across Maui in August 2023, The Sewing Hui coordinated and organized a mass effort to gather supplies and items for individuals and families impacted by the fires. We created, collected, and distributed pillowcases for Maui families impacted by the fires. Utilizing our more than 60 partners from our pandemic and post-pandemic projects, we coordinated with these partners to support efficient and immediate distribution. 

Mahalo to the tremendous support of individuals across the state and country who created and donated pillowcases to our pillowcase drive. We exceeded our goal of 2,000 pillowcases! Mahalo to everyone who supported this project! Recipients and supporters are noted below. 

We are no longer collecting pillowcases. We are currently distributing pillowcases where they are needed. In addition, we are collecting sewing supplies for sewists and quilters who lost their supplies in the fires. More information on this project can be found here.

If your organization, school, or group needs pillowcases for anyone affected by the Maui fires then please email us at thesewinghui@gmail.com so that we can get these to you as soon as possible.

Recipients

As of 10/01/23, here are our current stats:

  • Pillowcases - 3,084

  • Walker & Wheelchair bags - 109​

  • Sleep Masks - 156​

  • Pillows - 179​

  • Other Items - we've received a small amount of other items such as baby blankets, children's books, children's toys, art supplies, drawstring bags, face masks, and key fobs.  All of those items have been sent to various hubs.

Recipients of items include: 

  • Bayada Home Health Care

  • Boy Scout Camp Maluhia shelter

  • Directly to individuals and families impacted by the fires

  • Hale Makua in Wailuku

  • Hyatt in Ka’anapali for the keiki temporarily being housed there

  • Kanani Adolpho servicing a kūpuna neighborhood in Keawela Mauka (coordinated by @knanikpadolpho @alohaintention @eafulton24)

  • Kaunoa Senior Center

  • Kelea Foundation in Kahului 

  • Kihei Elementary

  • Lahaina fire fighters and their families who lost their homes

  • Lahaina Gateway Hub 

  • LDS Church in Kahului for their shelter

  • Maui Rapid Response

  • Napili Marketplace Hub

  • Pacific Birth Collective

  • Pukalani Elementary School

  • Project Vision Hawai'i

  • Roots School

  • Secondhand Heaven

  • Sheraton Hub

  • Upcountry Strong Hub

  • War Memorial Shelter

Mahalo!

Mahalo to all of the people who have created, donated, or contributed to our pillowcase drive!

Volunteers joining The Sewing Hui to create pillowcases:

Anna Higa, Andrea Futch, Daniella Vingelin, Debbie Shimabukuro, Deborah Evans, Diana Woods, Dina Mezheritsky, Dotty Higa, Elaine Gima, Elaine Shaw, Gail Pickholz, Hallie Hunt, Heather Goldin, Heather Greenwood, Ildiko and Lili Kalmar, Katie Whiticar, Keala Storm, Kim Raymond, Kim Raymond, Lan Tran, Lisa Pestana, Lynne Donaldson, Madeline Reese, Nancy Betts, Nancy Chavaria, Nancy Schmidt, Nichole Procopenko and her sister Lana, Pamela Patrick, Patti Brummel, Patty Davis, Randy Keller, Samantha Sheehan, Sharon Labao, Stacey Pagud, Stacey Pagud, Tammy Norton, Terri Simms, Vicki Shortell, Yasmine Lindskog Visanko

Sewing Groups and Individuals who have contributed pillowcases, pillows, and sewing supply donations:​​​​

Coming from Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawai’i, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and even from Canada. 

  • Allison Leong of Santa Monica, California

  • American Sewing Guild of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

  • Ana Weter

  • Andrea York of Middletown, New York

  • Annette Arakawa of Maui

  • Barbara McCarty

  • Betsy Nighswonger of Bremerton, Washington 

  • Betty Kanai of O’ahu 

  • Billy Vincent & Jan Russell of Redlands, California 

  • Block Party Quilters of Sammamish, Washington

  • Bobbi Leung, Quilts From The Heart of Los Angeles, California

  • Button Bird, Nancy Arnold of Sacramento, California

  • C DeLizo of Mililani, Hawaii 

  • Capital Quilts of Gaithersburg, Maryland

  • Carie Bronson of Hartland, Wisconsin 

  • Carol Cosby 

  • Christine Zinn of Spring Valley, California 

  • Cindy Donnells of Trumbell, Connecticut

  • Cindy Sawyer and the Coon ‘Ohana 

  • Cindy Stearns of Bonsall, California

  • Cindy Wilson of Chino Valley, Arizona

  • Claire Shaeffer of Palm Springs, California

  • Connie Humphreys 

  • Darlene Smeigh of O’ahu

  • David and Nel Thames 

  • Deanna Davis, Community Quilty Project from Albany, New York

  • Debbie Brown, Valley Quilt Guild of Simi Valley, California

  • Debbie Grande of Drumheller, Alberta, Canada

  • Debbie Tanaka of Reno, Nevada

  • Deborah Aracic of Piedmont, California 

  • Debra Bolash of Rolling Meadows, Illinois

  • Denise Mollenkopf of Arden, North Carolina 

  • Diane and JoAnn of Concord, California 

  • Diane Belcher of Austin, Texas

  • Diane Head of Blue Ridge, Georgie

  • Diane Sheckells of Kingston, New Hampshire 

  • Dr. Kevin Omuro 

  • Elaine Murakami of Seattle, Washington

  • Elaine Shaw 

  • Elizabeth Bermudez, Redbud Quilters and Crafters of Pittsboro, North Carolina 

  • Evelyn George of Tucson, Arizona

  • Fashion Society Club of Honolulu Community College 

  • Femke Huisman and her sewing group in St. Petersburg, Florida

  • Frances Evans of Healdsburg, California

  • G.A. Lindstrom of Redmond, Oregon

  • Gail & Chris Traughber of San Pedro, California 

  • Gail Campbell of Ipswich, Massachusetts

  • Gail Kuba 

  • Gayle Mowbray 

  • Gina Doty of Cadyville, New York 

  • Gold Rush City Quilters of Gainesville, Georgia 

  • Gwyn Bailey of Albuquerque, New Mexico

  • Heather Goulet and Margaret Neville of San Clemente, California

  • Helen Hamerstrom  

  • Helping Hands, Loving Hearts Sew for Service group in Puyallup, Washington

  • Holly Hofman DeRodi of Stuart, Florida

  • Inez Butterfield 

  • Iva Halstead of Rohnert Park, California

  • Janine Matsuo of Aiea, Hawaii 

  • Jerilyn Kekauoha-Serfaison of Vacaville, California

  • Jessica Fox-Tenney of Santa Barbara, California 

  • Jill Fitzpatrick

  • Judy and Wayne Allen of Stoneham, Massachusetts

  • Judy Cosgrove of La Mesa, California

  • Julia Cost of Maui, @juliaallissoncost 

  • Julie Scouten

  • K. Kenney of Stratham, New Hampshire 

  • K.K. Young

  • Karen Hartenbower and church sewing groups from Emporia, Kansas

  • Karen Parker of Tuscaloosa, Alabama

  • Karen Rakita of Torrance, California

  • Karen Yinger of Santa Fe, New Mexico 

  • Kathy Saladino of Locust Grove, Virginia 

  • Kerry Reardon of  O’ahu 

  • Kim Richards 

  • Kit Sakurai of O’ahu 

  • Kris Clarkson of Mountain View, California

  • Ladies of the Lake Quilters of Lakeway, Texas 

  • Laneshia Hawkins of Puyallup, Washington 

  • Laurita Hack 

  • Lei Ho of O’ahu 

  • Lily Gallagher of O’ahu

  • Linda Carpenter 

  • Linda Scott of Seattle, Washington

  • Lindsay Hager 

  • Lisa Miwa, Esther Osaki, Coleen Fujimoto of Pearl City, Hawaii 

  • Lisa Pestana

  • Lisa Taranto of Lexington, Massachusetts

  • Lisa Undraitis of San Marcos, California 

  • Liz Herrera of Mays Landing, New Jersey

  • Lorraine Nakasone of Honolulu, Hawaii

  • M. Ortega of Santa Fe, New Mexico 

  • Mallory Armstrong of Maui 

  • Margo Johnson of Avondale, Pennsylvania 

  • Margy Miller 

  • Marilyn Boros

  • Marissa Swartz, Helping Hands, Loving Hearts

  • Mary Ann Allen

  • Mary Kiernan 

  • Maxine Rosenberg 

  • Mayr Boros

  • Melinda Nascumbeni of Honolulu, Hawaii

  • Melinda Pickens and friends Carol and Linda 

  • Merle Morita of Aiea, Hawaii 

  • Minnie Lynch of Seattle, Washington

  • Mission Committee of First Baptist Church of Morganton, North Carolina

  • Mr. & Mrs. Tammy Trebesch of Hamburg, Minnesota

  • Ms. Schrader of Largo, Florida

  • Nancy Sharpe of Santa Monica, California 

  • Nancy Wong of @hihandmadegifts

  • Numerous Anonymous Supporters

  • Off Kilter Quilters of Delmar, New York 

  • Oksana Weter 

  • Off Kilter Quilters of Albany NY, Petra, Becky, Becky, Kathy, Mary Helen, and Grace

  • Pam Mayfield of Lawrence, Kansas

  • Pat Karasick, Quilts from the Heart, Westside Quilters, of Los Angeles, California

  • Patricia Agheana 

  • Patti and Robert Lee of California

  • Paula Krolikoski of Stratham, New Hampshire 

  • Peggy Nicholson

  • Priscilla Foley and The Garden City Quilt Guild of Ipswich, Massachusetts

  • Puyallup Valley Quilters of Graham, Washington

  • Reina Reeves, Sewing Machines Plus, San Marcos, California

  • Renate Diedrick

  • Rita Avancini of Austin, Texas

  • Robin Richstone of Ann Arbor, Michigan

  • Robin Sturdivant 

  • Rosemary Geisler

  • Russel of Lincoln, California

  • Ruth Lickteig of Mason City, Iowa

  • Ruth Martin of Tucson, Arizona

  • Sally Daniels

  • Santa Rosa Quilt Guild in California 

  • SewBo of South Boulder, Colorado 

  • Sewing Church Groups from Neosho Rapids, Kansas 

  • Sewing Machines Plus of Escondido, California 

  • Sherri Stratton and Nancy Schmidt of Belmont, California

  • Silk Road Textiles of Cincinnati, Ohio

  • Skillman Family of Pendleton, Orgeon

  • Sonja Daniels, Westside Quilters of Los Angeles, California

  • South Bay Quilters Guild of Torrance, California

  • Susan Fish and Karen Tolley of Massachusetts

  • Susan Fraser Sullivan of Lee, Massachusetts 

  • Susan Quater of San Rafael, California

  • Sylvie Nguyen of Cherry Valley, Illinois

  • Teri Howell of Corona, California

  • Terri Salindong of Spring City, Pennsylvania 

  • Terri Simms

  • Terry and Linda Maupin of Battle Ground, Washington

  • The Coon ‘Ohana and Cindy Sawyer

  • Valsoano Family of Oak Park, Illinois

Foundations, Groups, and Individuals who have contributed monetary donations:​

  • Ann Mullins

  • Anne G. Durham

  • Carol Clark

  • Chaya Thomas/The Sweet Freeze

  • Colette Hailey  

  • Donna Gones

  • Edie Tyau 

  • Erin Sweeney

  • Gail & Chris Traughber

  • Hawaii Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund

  • Holly Ann Hess

  • Jane Ward

  • Jennifer Van

  • JM Jones 

  • Jo Ann Ely 

  • Joan Junger

  • Joan Winston

  • Judith Kronmeyer 

  • Kathleen VanDuzee 

  • Lei Ho 

  • Lorraine and Jerold Nakason

  • Lisa Murphy 

  • Louise Johnson 

  • Love Stitches by Naomi @lovestitchesbynaomi

  • Mae Fuji

  • Maureen Pierre

  • Margo Johnson

  • Mary Ellen Barrett

  • Maxine Bolf and George Esqueda

  • Michelle Futornick 

  • Pamela Holmes

  • Patricia Tanges

  • Rebound Clothing 

  • Sally Meier 

  • Sondra Morrison 

Restaurants and Individuals who have donated lunches to The Sewing Hui volunteers:

  • Matthew White of My Thai Maui - donated a delicious lunch last Thursday for our sewing volunteers - mythaimaui.com  @mythaimaui

  • Julie MacMillan - donated a homemade pound cake with fresh lilikoi gaze for tea-time

  • Gail Kuba - donated scones for lunch time

  • Hungry Heroes Hawaii - donated lunches to the volunteers

  • Lynne Donaldson - made chocolate banana cake for tea time

  • Gail Pickholz - made a yummy dessert for our tea time

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