Since march 17th, I've been in close contact with Naomi Ichikawa, Editor of Patchwork Quilt Tsushin, Japan's premier quilting magazine based in Tokyo.  Naomi asked me to help spread the word about quilts for the disaster relief, here in Canada and other countries.

We have seen an outpouring of concern and support.  Here's some basic information. I'll update this blog as I get new information from Japan.

They request new quilts only.

Send  quilts to Japan after the end of May. Addressed to:

Naomi Ichikawa, Editor,  Tohoku Kanto Earthquake Relief,
Patchwork Tsushin Co., Ltd.,
2-21-2, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku
Tokyo, JAPAN 113-0034

Customs Declaration: Please mark on the package Relief goods for the affected people of Tohoku Kanto Earthquake.   

Description of contents: Don't use the word quilt, rather write bed linens, bedding or blankets instead of "quilts".

Value of Goods: Please list a low value of between $50 – $100. This will avoid duty in Japan.

Collection Points: 

South Africa:  Rene Hollenbach reports they have managed to get a company to ship quilts to Japan.
 MCC Plant Hire in conjunction with DHL will arrange for the delivery of the quilts. Send quilts to:
A. Coulson
Acacia  Street  2(b)
Riverdal, 6670, South Africa.

USA:

Please contact eQuilter direclty about shipping quilts from the USA.

 http://www.equilter.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/quiltsforjapan.html

.First shipment to Japan in about 30 days by the U.S. Air Force.   Mission of Love  is sending quilts through their own distribution channels.

Thanks to Bente Vold Klausen for help in Norway, my cousin, Leigh Toselli for spreading the word in South Africa, Christine Porter in the UK, Patricia Cummings in the USA…and so many others, it's simply not possible to name you all, but hearfelt thanks to you all.