It's 2011, there are still Homeless

Before we begin yet another year of knitting, crocheting, and looming for the homeless wanted to discuss a few important issues--the business side of things.

We launched Give a Square, with the idea of it being a 2 month period (Nov and Dec of 2010). My thought was focusing on squares for a given period of time would give us the ability to spread our wings a bit, but keep things manageable in terms of squares piling up here for me to assemble. Once they were assembled they would be given to Faith Mission. They house mothers and children in temporary housing (apartments), who've been abused and or homeless. They have 20 such apartments. I thought it would be nice to donate 20 afghans, lapghans and have a few extra that they would have on hand to give out as others moved in (plus some families need more then one ghan). Once folks move in they work hard to get them back into society; find permanent housing, jobs etc. They could take their ghans with them as house warming gifts. To date we've donated 10 finished ghans and have (at the time of writing this scheduled post) 1 in the works, with 2 others designed waiting in the wings with other squares still on hand. My current thought is we will continue to collect squares throughout the month of January. The Give a Square program will not go away, it will be and off and on program. From time to time I'll re-activate it, based on the number of squares I have on hand etc. So, feel free to continue to make squares and keep your eyes peeled for posts indicating it's time to mail them. Each month I'll select an item to be highlighted; but we will continue to collect all items. The purpose of the highlighted item is to give people an idea of what to make if they're unsure what they want to make. To give us a focus. Typically it will be the item we've collected the least of--or where the greatest need is at that time. With that in mind Janaury's focus will be our "Rainbow Project".

Important Reminders:

Please remember not to knot and cut yarn when knitting and crocheting. When I receive items with knots I worry about them coming apart, and therefore take time to do a bit of repairing before I can deliver them to those in need. When changing yarn, always leave a tail (even if you do knot), and work into your work. With squares work in all tails except the last one please.

Please refrain from using loose stitches, as the items we make need to keep people warm in cold damp conditions, often outdoors for hours.

Please remember to include a note with your name and email ady, your blog url, or your ID from facebook, or Rav, or Crochetville, or wherever it is we've connected. I really do get confused sometimes with folks using different ID's in different groups.

For the month of January, we will partner with a daycare in the area to collect hats and mittens. I was contacted by a local daycare that does a service project during the month of January. The children collect hats and mittens for other children. This is a learning opportunity for them, to learn children their age have less then they do and to be able to help them. We will include their hats and mittens in our donations. I'm calling this project The Rainbow Project. Because they are children, their hats and mittens will be store bought, but our focus will remain knitted and crocheted, hand made. How sweet is that, children helping children! So think children, think rainbow colors, right and cheery if you're unsure what you want to make during the month of January. Hats and Mittens for children will be our January focus.

**Pending donations from Helen, Joy, Sandie, RoseMarie, and Louise to kick off 2011** Keep checking in, leave comments when you admire each other's work. Everyone likes to read nice words about their time consuming donation. And, spending time on the blog, leaving comments on the blog helps the blog's placement which is helpful in people finding us. Hint hint.

Please remember 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. It truly DOES make a difference. THANK YOU!