TheLittleOne and her mom, remembrance, unveiling the Tree of Life Synagogue quilt.
The quilts of SaraR and winglion aren’t just stunningly beautiful. Often given as get-well gifts for ailing Kosacks, they are also the fruits of a caring, Progressive society. And since everybody gets a say — all are invited to inscribe them with personal messages - they are metaphors for Democracy itself! No wonder the quilting sisters are such an integral part of this unusual political forum. As the Big Lebowski would say, they "really tie the room together."
A GoFundMe page, heroically put together by linkage, explains their emergency:
Two sisters, Ann and Sara Reed, own a modest bungalow in Portland, OR, affectionately known as Catnip Manor. It is not only their home, it houses their basement workshop, as well – the place where community quilts and a line of catnip quilt products (Pootie Pads) are created, work which is the sum and substance of the sisters’ livelihood. The house is also their only remaining major asset.
Ann went into bankruptcy in September 2016 as a consequence of a sudden deadly illness (sepsis) that struck her down in 2014. She was carrying credit card debt – and, up until her illness, was managing quite well to pay it down gradually by means of a part time job in a big box pet store. In the course of her work, she was bitten by a sick hamster and two weeks later almost died from sepsis. The Emergency Department of a local hospital saved her life but were, unfortunately, unable to identify the pathogen.
Since that time, Ann has suffered continual pain that makes it impossible for her to stand for too long or to sit for too long. The pain also interferes with her sleep. Unable to continue working at the pet store, she fell behind in her credit card payments, the interest continued to mount, and finally she filed for bankruptcy three years ago come September. Her next hearing will be at the end of September this year, at which time payment will be due to the creditors. If the debt cannot be cleared at that time, sale of the house will be forced and the workshop will be lost. This would spell the end of the Community Quilt Project and Pootie Pads.
The stress of this debt has not been good for either sister. Ann suffered several heart attacks last year and now has four stents in her heart. Sara suffers from severe autoimmune issues that have required a lot of treatment from different doctors. The sewing that they do at home is useful work that they can do that makes a living and makes a positive difference. Losing the sewing workshop would mean the end to this good work.
Ann’s next bankruptcy court hearing will be Sept. 26, 2019, at which time payment will be due to the creditors. If the debt cannot be cleared at that time, sale of the house will be forced and the workshop will be lost. It is not likely that a similar space could be purchased in this area. It would spell the end of the Community Quilt Project and Pootie Pads.
The amount currently owed to the court is just above $42,000. We are seeking to raise $45,000 to cover that amount plus any accruing interest and fees. This fundraiser is directed to Ann’s attorney’s trust account and will be paid directly from there to the court.
Clearing this debt would bring more than relief from the terrible dread that the sisters have been living with for some years now. It will also enable healing from stress-related illness that has been causing very real damage and pain to both sisters. It isn’t hyperbole to state that this debt has literally been breaking Ann’s heart.
www.gofundme.com/…
If only SaraR and winglion had made a tiny quilt for that sick hamster, perhaps this entire ordeal could have been prevented. 😀
These women are the Betsy Rosses of Daily Kos. A lot of what makes them so essential here is captured in a recent diary by TheLittleOne, about her epic mission to deliver the Tree of Life Synagogue quilt (made by winglion and SaraR) to its recipients in Pittsburgh:
www.dailykos.com
When words fail, sometimes a quilt works.
TLO’s post will make you so proud to be a member of this uniquely creative and compassionate community, that after reading it, you might literally throw your wallet at the computer screen.
The magical quilt siblings have already raised about half of the money they need to stay in Catnip Manor. Please go to the GoFundMe link and help them reach their goal. Or, if you prefer, you could visit pootiepads.com and buy something for that special cat in your life.
I will never forget the catnip-infused mini-quilt (Pootie Pad) they sent to my beloved cat, Daisy, when they heard she was dying.
You guys, we can have to do this! Thank you.
Let’s keep this wonderful woman (SaraR) and her amazing sister (winglion)…
...let’s keep them in their home and workshop!
Update 1 — 12:36pm EST:
From Dixiecollie in the comments:
Hey, Kossacks. NOW is the time to give and double the impact of your gift. An anonymous donor is currently offering a $5000 match! The challenge runs through the end of day Wednesday, 14 August. This match is specifically towards the GoFundMe, to help clear the debt.
$1440 has been contributed towards the match so far.
