Project WELCOME HOME

Operation WELCOME HOME with above picture/badge will be an on going program. It will utilize the squares you all have sent and will send (Give a Square). Afghans will continue to be assembled and donated; just as we have done through our Give a Square Program. Previously we donated to Faith Mission for those living in temporary housing. We will now be switching gears to donate these afghans to Homeless Families Foundation. These afghans will be given as a house warming gift to the families as they move from The Homeless Families Foundation Shelter (temporary housing for 3 months) into "their" home/apt. These afghans will be a true welcome home, and welcome to your new life.

Families receive assistance with education, food, lodging and guidance through out their stay in temporary housing to help with the transition to permanent housing-employment etc.

The next 3 families slated to move from their temporary to permanent housing are:

1. Mom, Dad, and 2 little boys
2. Mom and a teenage daughter
3. Dad and 2 kids (age 2 and 4)

With what we already had ready to go, we've supplied 2 adult ghans, and one ghan suitable for the teenage daughter in family 2. We will continue to try and be informed about a couple of families at a time. Current thinking is once we get rollin and have some extra on hand for them, they will have the ability to select appropriate ghans to go in their house warming package. Until we reach the extra stage, I'll be working towards specific families based on what we have here to assemble.

The volume of squares is still quite good. Therefore I do still need to restrict them to specific months. Our next month for collection here will be December 2011. If however, I start running low on your squares as I get more ghans assembled, I may alter that.

PLEASE read the guidelines for squares in Give a Square before sending your donations. If you have squares that don't meet those guidelines, and or are mailing a box of other goodies here and want to include squares.......please send me a quick email so we can make appropriate arrangements.

**September is Scarf Month, and we're having another contest.
From now until October 8, I'll toss names into a hat for everyone who donates a scarf for a teen or adult...male or female. Feeling like we need to bump those numbers a bit and will draw the winning name from the hat and send out another box of yarn. Contests are fun. We've had several fun, productive, and successful contests. Every scarf donated for a teen or adult (at least 5 inches wide and 5 feet or longer please), will qualify. **

2011 Donations:

Scarves 285
Hats 583
Mitts 133
Socks 115
Squares 454
Rain Ponchos 80
Cotton Washcloths 305
Sweaters/Poncho's 6
Slippers 86
Afghans 33 (2 sent to our friends at Pine Street)

Received unidentified donation from Seattle, Washington. If you know who that is, please make contact. Thanks!

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. YOU truly DO make a difference. THANK YOU!