The Season of Charity
Monday September 17, 2007
Every week I try to highlight an opportunity of charity knitting because a lot of people are interested in it and there are so many different ways that knitters can help other people around the world. No matter your skill level or what you like to knit, there's a charity out there that would happily accept the work of your hands.
This week I have two opportunities for crafty folks. The first is from Afghans for Afghans, a charity I love, which is working on a huge delivery for winter. They are seeking blankets, hats, mittens, socks, sweaters and vests for the young people of Afghanistan.
They should be knit of wool or another animal fiber, and they're particularly looking for items that will fit kids ages 7 to 14. They're trying to fill 80 cartons--which is 4,000 to 5,000 knitted items--and as of Friday were about 25 percent to their goal with a month to go. The deadline for getting items to them is October 12.
If you're interested in a smaller project with no firm deadline, check out Handmade Afghans to Thank Our Armed Forces. As the title suggests, this charity makes blankets for servicemen and women to show appreciation for their sacrifice.
Deborah Starobin-Armstrong, the founder of the organization, tells me most of the blankets go to Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the hospital at Andrews Air Force Base. They accept 6x9 rectangles knit in any stitch pattern (though non-lacy patterns are preferred) out of acrylic yarn to avoid allergy problems.
Visit the website for more information. As we get closer to the holiday season, it's great to take some time out to think about (and knit for) people who can be warmed body and soul by the strength of our needles. Knit on!
This week I have two opportunities for crafty folks. The first is from Afghans for Afghans, a charity I love, which is working on a huge delivery for winter. They are seeking blankets, hats, mittens, socks, sweaters and vests for the young people of Afghanistan.
They should be knit of wool or another animal fiber, and they're particularly looking for items that will fit kids ages 7 to 14. They're trying to fill 80 cartons--which is 4,000 to 5,000 knitted items--and as of Friday were about 25 percent to their goal with a month to go. The deadline for getting items to them is October 12.
If you're interested in a smaller project with no firm deadline, check out Handmade Afghans to Thank Our Armed Forces. As the title suggests, this charity makes blankets for servicemen and women to show appreciation for their sacrifice.
Deborah Starobin-Armstrong, the founder of the organization, tells me most of the blankets go to Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the hospital at Andrews Air Force Base. They accept 6x9 rectangles knit in any stitch pattern (though non-lacy patterns are preferred) out of acrylic yarn to avoid allergy problems.
Visit the website for more information. As we get closer to the holiday season, it's great to take some time out to think about (and knit for) people who can be warmed body and soul by the strength of our needles. Knit on!
Comments
Sarah,
Thanks for the info on the “Handmade Afghans to Thank Our Armed Forces.” The afghan squares are just exactly what I like! Quick…easy…and they serve a great purpose. I’ve done Warm Up America and for The SHIPS Project…I would be happy to add this new group to my square knitting lineup.
I had also sent a couple of wool caps to “afghans for Afghans” project during an earlier drive. The remark on their site about not worrying about them washing wool in a machine because they don’t even have such a luxury, really stuck with me.
Thanks for these posts.
I went into the Afghans for our Armed Services and they directed me to a site for delivery of these squsres (rectangles6×9@comcast.net) but that address is not correct.
It should be rectangle6×9@comcast.net, with no s.