As Carol DeGeer watched the news coverage of the disastrous wildfires in northern Ontario this summer from her home in Scarborough, Ont., she felt compelled to do something to help. By mid-July, more than 100 wildfires had swept across the northwestern region of the province, forcing thousands of residents — including the entire First Nations communities of Armstrong, Whitesand and Collins — to evacuate. Many of the evacuees were flown or driven to Thunder Bay before some were moved on to Toronto when all local accommodations were full.
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DeGeer, a quilter, had helped make quilts for evacuees from British Columbia’s wildfires several years ago. Why not do it again? She brought her idea to her church’s outreach committee, which agreed to help cover costs. Quilts have already begun to arrive at Heritage United Church in Markham, Ont., and the call is out for more. The plan is to deliver the quilts to Thunder Bay by mid-October — warm comfort for the colder days ahead.
Finding someone to receive the quilts took some digging. Searching online, DeGeer found KKETS (Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment & Training Services), which was running a warehouse of supplies for evacuees in the city. She contacted them to ask if they’d take the quilts and got a response within hours: yes — and specifically for those who’d lost the most.
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“That was really exciting for me,” DeGeer says.
How she’ll get the quilts north by October is still an open question. For now, DeGeer says the church’s outreach fund will cover shipping if no other option arises, and KKETS will handle distribution once the quilts arrive.
To boost her quilt collection, DeGeer has sent flyers to churches, quilt shops and quilting guilds, and has received commitments from several groups. One donor recently gave 20 quilts outright. Donations can be dropped off at Heritage United.
DeGeer is asking for quilts and blankets of any size — new or gently used, clean, and without holes or heavy wear. “Why should folks in these circumstances have to use things that aren’t nice?” she says.
“It’s not their fault, so let’s help send some happiness into their lives.”
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Rimsha Nasir is a Broadview intern.
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