I love the concept behind Afghans for Afghans, but the group's new campaign for Mother's Day has me even more excited.
In honor of mothers everywhere, the group is collecting baby blankets and hats, as well as blankets of all sizes and sweaters, hats, mittens and scarves for children under the age of seven to be distributed at a new health clinic in Wardak being built by the Afghans 4 Tomorrow organization.
They ask that items be made of wool or a majority wool or other animal fiber blend and that afghans and other items have a tight weave. No lacy patterns can be accepted because the winters are so cold in Afghanistan. Baby blankets should be at least 40 by 40 inches and hats should be made to cover the ears. Normal baby sizes will be accepted; they are not taking preemie hats or other items at this time.
For this particular campaign, items need to arrive at the group's American office by Mother's Day, May 13. Canadian knitters can send their items to online knitting store elann; items must arrive there by May 7. Check out their website for more information.
In honor of mothers everywhere, the group is collecting baby blankets and hats, as well as blankets of all sizes and sweaters, hats, mittens and scarves for children under the age of seven to be distributed at a new health clinic in Wardak being built by the Afghans 4 Tomorrow organization.
They ask that items be made of wool or a majority wool or other animal fiber blend and that afghans and other items have a tight weave. No lacy patterns can be accepted because the winters are so cold in Afghanistan. Baby blankets should be at least 40 by 40 inches and hats should be made to cover the ears. Normal baby sizes will be accepted; they are not taking preemie hats or other items at this time.
For this particular campaign, items need to arrive at the group's American office by Mother's Day, May 13. Canadian knitters can send their items to online knitting store elann; items must arrive there by May 7. Check out their website for more information.
Comments
thanks for sharing this. i hadn’t heard about it, and i’m going to make some things to send there.
I LOVE CHARITIES, AND AMERICANS ARE SUCH CHARITABLE PEOPLE, BUT I AM SO TIRED OF SENDING THINGS TO OTHER COUNTRIES WHEN WE HAVE SUCH A NEED RIGHT HERE IN THE U.S. WE HAVE RETURNING VETERANS, MEN AND WOMEN, IN VA HOSPITALS THAT HAVE HAD LIMBS BLOWN OFF, AND ARE IN NEED OF LAPGHANS AND STUMP SOCKS DUE TO AMPUTATIONS. WE HAVE WIDOWED AND SINGLE MOTHERS TRYING TO RAISE CHILDREN ON MINIMUM WAGE THAT WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A HAT OR BABY BLANKET OR SWEATER FOR A CHILD. WE HAVE WOMEN AND CHILDREN FLEEING AN ABUSIVE SITUATION WITH ONLY THE CLOTHES ON THEIR BACKS THAT COULD USE ANYTHING. HATS, PONCHOS, SWEATERS, SCARVES, SOCKS, BABY ITEMS, BLANKETS, ETC. AND WHAT ABOUT OUR HOMELESS? I THINK IT IS TIME WE TOOK CARE OF OUR OWN. GRANTED, ALL CAUSES ARE GREAT, BUT CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME.
Please let’s not turn this into a debate about what is or is not a good use of our knitting talents. Yes, there are needs everywhere, and we try to feature all sorts of different opportunities through this page and the knitting charities section. Certainly no one is being forced to knit for any charity and everyone should give only to those causes that it is in their heart to give to. But anyone who wants to give their time and effort to charity knitting should be applauded and should not be made to feel bad because of where they choose to donate. We’re all on the same team here!
Boy, I agree with Carole! How about helping americans first? There are so many areas of the country that are in desperate need…how about starting with the Native American reservations. As Carole says, underpaid single moms could certainly use help. How about women’s shelters? Or kids in group home settings, or foster kids… there are too many places sto start here in the US.
Thank you Sarah — people in need are people in need and hopefully between all who give all who are in need will be helped! I personally feel that children, especially, are innocent and it matters not where they live or what their nationality! I pray that NO ONE ANYWHERE is cold or hungry today. God Bless!
Goodmorning,
Thank you for addressing this issue Sarah.
Also, for those of us who may need a reminder or perhaps do not realize: to post or email in capitals implies shouting and anger on the part of the poster.
Have a peaceful day.
Carole, thank you so much for emphasing our dire need ‘at home’. I concur. It would also be nice to given more advanced notification of a due date, I just read of the Mothers Day situation, with my various other obligations three weeks is not as much time as I would like to comply to this need. To ms_maj, perhaps, using all capitol letters is for emphasis and not shouting or angry.
O.K. Enough is enough. No need for bickering. Give to the charity you feel the need to give to. If you don’t have time, make something and give to the next cause that comes up. There are so many causes, we don’t need to argue or discuss. Just give if you have time. If you don’t, wait for a time when you can. There was a time in my life when I didn’t have the means to buy yarn or time to knit. It’s like donating blood. If you can, do it. If not, noone will hold it against you.
I feel, that you should knit, crochet, or whatever to the charity that touches your heart, whether it is here at home or in another country. Thanks Sarah for keeping us posted on the various places we can give.
Thank heavens we all have different viewpoints. I personally prefer knitting for the homeless and needy in the U.S. None of us are doing wrong by choicing who to give our knitted items too. I jst feel that the U.S. is sometimes forgotten. I live in Southern Florida and visited my daughter in Boston a few weeks ago. It was bitter cold. I had several scarves knit for her friends. I immediately found a homeless women’s shelter and dropped them off. I receive information from Afghans for Afghans and they seem to be so specific with their requests. Thank you.
I would also like to point out that the Internet is international in scope. There are many people who come to this site from all parts of the globe not just the US.
It’s a small world after all….giving makes one feel great, so just get your needles clicking and do your heart good.
The nice thing about the US is that we’re generally a prosperous country. Sadly, not everyone in our country is doing well. Since the Knitting For Moms requests wool or wool blends, none of my stash-for-charity yarns will work. What’s bad news for the Afghans is good news for everyone else. Most of the newer acrylics look a lot better than the stuff from even a decade ago. I’ve been gifted with yarns from the ’60s to now, so I’ve had a chance to compare.
If they need mittens, hats, or anything else, they’ve got it!
The best thing is, no matter what you want to do, there’s probably someone that needs your knitting.
TO MS_MAJ: POSTING IN CAPITALS DOES NOT ALWAYS IMPLY SHOUTING OR ANGER. IN MY KNITTING CIRCLE IT MEANS THAT SOMETHING IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING MENDED!!!
CHEERS!!!
“When I stand before God, at the end of my life, I would hope that I would have not a single bit of talent left and could say ‘I used everything you gave me.’” erma bombeck
Share it wherever you see fit, how about one for the US one for those in far off lands?
I work with afghans4Afghans, a project sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee through our EMAP program. EMAP also sponsors Working Assets, an organization that collects clothing and toiletries for (mostly) homeless people to support their job searches. Just because any of us choose to support people abroad does not necessarily mean we are not doing other work to support folks in our local communities or in other parts of the United States. I don’t understand the need for opposition and polarization in this discussion. Not only do we have the choice to do either, but many of us choose to do both. I thank each of you who is choosing to support people in need.
Hello All, I lived in N.S. Canada fore years and not long before I returned to WA Australia I purched a book Knitting Afghans, I think that was it. In my haist to pack and and return to WA I misplaced the book and do not have it now. Anyway there was about 15 to 20 paterens in the book with a full page picture of all the paterns also full page of instructions. The pictures and the instructions were all mixed up through the book. I would love to have it again so I am making inquires with you If you can help me find a coppy of it. I purchsed the book in Halifax Canada in 2002 or 2003.
Thank you, Ken DICK