QuiltPootie Says, "Please Help Sara and Ann!"
Meowna Lisa and Her Hooman, Leonardo da Vinci, Support This Community Fundraiser. And So Should You.
I remember even to this day when I first worked with Sara R. With the passage of time, the details are somewhat sketchy in my mind. However, I do recall that the cause involved then-Attorney General Jerry Brown (D-CA) and a quilt. And I said to myself, "What a great idea to raise money for a worthwhile political cause!" It was quite a success.
Over the years, I have also had the opportunity to work with both Sara and Ann in a number of community fundraisers, Kos Katalogue Blogathons, and of course, I have posted numerous cartoons involving quilts and pooties in their community quilt and pootie pad diaries.
Whenever someone falls ill, loses a loved one, and is going through a difficult period in his or her life, the two sisters have worked diligently and exceptionally hard to provide comfort and support to members of this community. And we are very grateful for their efforts.
One of the more memorable quilts they made was in 2011 when Markos and the Daily Kos Staff moved into a new location in the Bay Area of Northern California. Markos asked Sara and Ann to make a quilt so it could be prominently displayed in their new offices.
When Sara posted a diary about that quilt, Markos spoke for all of us when he left the below comment in it as a heart-felt thank you message.
Seriously, this means the world to me. There's so much wonderful in this diary that I just want to
burst. There's the amazing work of Sara and her sister Ann do, bringing so much joy and comfort to so many of our (extended) family in need. There's the names of so many wonderful people here -- both
those writing messages, and the recipients of these lovely quilts. I adore the symbolism of having
Ben's blue fabric at the center of the quilt. I hope I don't walk around with a tear in my eye every
time I see it hanging in the office.
Backing of the Daily Kos Community Quilt
This will go up in the reception area of our office, so everyone coming in the office gets to see it. I can't wait to receive it and hang it! Sara -- I missed you dearly at NN this year because of your
illness. I really do hope you can make it to Rhode Island in 2012. And like I offered this year -- if you attend the conference, it'll be on my dime.
I would like to share a few messages from other community members who have been the beneficiaries of their compassion.
I have never seen an online loving and caring community like this one. It's rare to find it in real life. Sara and Ann are at the center of the heart of Daily Kos and they spread love to those of us who need it with their quilts. Hugs to both of them and will send what I can.
I received a community quilt in September of 2012. It's beautiful! It came soon after my Father died, I had back surgery and days before we had to have our beloved Toonces put to sleep. In fact, we wrapped Toonces in the quilt for the trip to the vet. Every time I nestle in it it's as if he is with me. I'm always happy to help Sara and Ann.
VermeerPootie is Very Impressed!
This is so worthy. Sara & Ann are the most giving, selfless people here at Daily Kos. Time and time again, they have with their own hands woven love and healing and light into quilts that have surrounded those of us in healing--whether the need was physical or spiritual in nature. Time and time again, they've lent their time and energy to volunteering to help others, at Netroots Nation and elsewhere. And time and time again, they have done so asking nothing for themselves compared to what they give. This fundraiser is a no-brainer, given all that. And I am honored to be able to support it.
My quilt wasn't for a single catastrophic event, but rather for a series of smaller crises. A depression, a could-have-been-fatal-but-for-Volvo car wreck, and then later a broken hand. Event upon event wore me down. The quilt is a great comfort to me, and friends who've seen it are mightily impressed by the strength of our community. As am I, every day, even in the midst of campaign madness... and that's saying something. Sadly, because my cats are kindless, monstrous, destructive beasts (they're really not... except when it comes to quilts), I keep the quilt folded inside out when I'm not using it, because they would denude Orion of his jewels (not his Family Jewels, but rather the ones that define him on the quilt) and rip the rest of it to shreds. But every time I'm under that quilt I feel embraced, protected, appreciated, seen for who I am. I'm infinitely grateful to the community and to Sara and Ann for their unflagging dedication in creating these quilts for those of us undergoing hard times, and those who need to be told how much we appreciate them, like the one in progress for Denise Oliver Velez, just because we adore her, not for any health or personal issue -- a tradition we should, I hope, maintain.
I want to take a moment to tell you why Sara and Ann hold a special place in my heart. Not only am I a recipient of one of their healing quilts, my sweet kitty enjoyed her matching pootie pad in her later years. She always returned to it as a place of refuge from the chaos of our little house and family. When Sara heard that Sasha had cancer and would be provided the palliative care and loving ending she so deserved, she sent me another pootie pad. That gesture of compassion for this little creature that held so much space in my heart, in our family, says so much about who these two women are. They understand. They do the work of holding the Daily Kos community when members need to be held. We buried Sasha in our back yard garden, wrapped in her pootie pad.
Not unlike millions of Americans since the Great Financial Crash of 2008, Sara and Ann have struggled to make a living. Through several illnesses, they haven’t given up while playing an important — and indispensable — role in fostering community on Daily Kos. We can all attest to that fact. Having been fortunate to participate on this blog from the very beginning in 2002, I can say without the slightest hesitation that rarely have two community members been so universally beloved.
Now, they need a helping hand from all of us. We need to raise $6,000.00 by Friday, November 13 to help them through a difficult period in their lives. This month, they have been hit with every conceivable monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, and annual bill. A major portion of this amount is their property tax bill, but also includes several utility and other bills.
Here’s How You Can Help Sara and Ann
- Go to PayPal.com. Click Send Money to ‘Family and Friends’ which allows the recipient to get 100% of the donation. Enter Sara and Ann’s email address hairbraider33@yahoo.com and amount you are sending. The sender's name is visible to the recipient. Remember, every little bit helps and adds up in a hurry.
- If you would like to order Pootie and Woozle pads, or order a custom quilt for yourself, friends, and family members, please contact them through Winglion Quilts. Remember, the holiday season is right around the corner!
- Another way to help is to check out Sara's Amazon Wish List. Yesterday was Sara’s birthday and I’m sure she will appreciate your gifts.
- If you would like to send a paper check or money order (to protect your real identity) through the US Mail, please Kosmail Sara R to get their mailing address.
- You can also help by recommending this diary, offering encouraging comments, republishing to your Daily Kos groups, linking to your Facebook pages, and helping to spread the word through Twitter.
And Now, an Important Message from JulesiePootie: “The Hills of Daily Kos Are Alive With the Sound of Donations!”
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