Lots of excitement in the past month. To make a long story short, we got stuck between a rock and a hard place when it came to shipping this summer. Four huge boxes full of your stuff went up to Iqaluit with some amazing researchers from a school down South. They went to the 2 shelters and the Y in that community. I received a message as soon as they got there, and was thrilled, frankly, because I got notice from the travellers that they were stranded in Northern Quebec and could not get out for 3 days due to bad weather around Iqaluit. All's well that ends well, and I was elated to hear from our community contact that the boxes were received, and woolies promptly distributed. Yay!
Which brings me to my next story: we have a new shipping partner! The amazing people at
Canadian North are our new lead sponsors. They are going to be helping us with our shipment to Cape Dorset and all of our other shipments this year. I am beyond thrilled. We just started working with the airlines last year, and I can tell you that I was impressed from the very beginning- no sending emails into "the vortex" - quick and kind responses, great advice on how to proceed. They really do invest in the communities in which they serve.
I have been happily opening your boxes, photographing, logging and bagging your items. When hubbie gets home today, I'm going to get him to help me with the vacuum-packing part, which shrinks the knits so we can get about double in each box. Best (only?) use for a vacuum cleaner I can think of, that's for sure.
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| The talented Jeremy Dick is also our logo brand manager. I love this hat! Jeremy just updated the blog look and feel - and all the Warm Hands tags were designed by him. |
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| These hats the 6 sweaters and the 2 blankets below came from the amazing Anne Saint from Victoria Harbour ON. Super warm and super lovely! |
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| Peggy Wallace of Oakville Ontario went to town for us. She made the balaclavas above, and the sweater and cowl below. |
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| I took a close-up of the button because it blew me away - its got aboriginal symbols on it. |
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| Wendy Genge has been a long-time contributor. She and her group, the Hooked on Knitting Group from Smoky Lake, AB sent in the hats above as well as the hats and blankies and sweater below were made by them. Special shout-out to the amazing folks at the Custom Woolen Mill in Carstairs AB who contributed the yarn. |
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| Knitphoniac (Sabrina) in Mississauga ON: a warm thank you! |
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| Rav handle apenny dropped off these socks as well as some beads. The beads will go to Larga Baffin here who requested them for their artists visiting from the North, who want to keep their hands busy. |
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| LingFing of Burlinton made these pretty and warm knits. Sorry folks, my photography skills don't do them justice. The blankets are from LingFing as well (BTW, I will make sure that your furs get to the right place!). |
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| Hats hats and more hats. There was no name but the caption was Waterloo ON. Thank you! These will keep the heads of many students warm this winter! |
