A Lovely Note from Jimmy Hikok School and More

We received a lovely note from Jimmy Hikok School yesterday!  Here it is:

Good afternoon Anita,

I want to say again how much we appreciate the amazing items you sent up to our school. With the help of the Warm Hands Network, we were able to keep our children at JHI warm. The amazing generosity and support that you were able to crochet and knit with so much care and warmth, has been spread throughout Kugluktuk. Attached are a few pictures of some children receiving and trying on their new items. With the help of our school team, we were able to ensure that all children received everything they needed to stay warm. We had enough donations to give the smaller items to our pre-school in town and some siblings of younger students at our school as well. Up here in Kugluktuk, our winter lasts much longer (snow here into May), therefore the lovely shipment of items you sent up will be well used throughout our winter.

In Inuinnaqtun we say thank you by saying “quana”. I want to say a really big thank you “quanaqpiaqquhi” to everyone for their generosity in caring for our children up here, who donated their time and their craftsmanship to our students, whose hands and bodies are much warmer than they were before.

Quana again for all your lovely work that your organization does, we truly do appreciate everything!

Along with the note were some great photos of kids wearing your hand-knits.  Thanks to all of you who contributed to the project this year.  My favourite line: "we were able to ensure that all children received everything they needed to stay warm".  All children.  Pause for a moment and high-five your needles for that one - you guys, from Japan, to Virginia, to New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, BC, Saskatchewan and California and all points in between - you did that.

Here is a photo of the neighbourhood that the school sent, and a picture of some hats in action.  

The stuff has been piling up, which is always nice.  We've got some new contributors and some veterans in the reel, below.  I'm hoping that I get all of the names right.  It was a beautiful day so we took the pics on the deck.

These were knit by our graphic designer, Jeremy D of BC.  We are so lucky that Jeremy found us and created our little logo.  Thanks Jeremy!

These came from Yarn Forward in Ottawa.  There was no name on them but the are adorable.  There are tons of them and they are all felted.

Jackie Lambert of West Richland VA made these mittens and socks.  Jackie, as usual, they are perfect.

These also came from YF, with the label, "Handmade by Ann Marie".  Thank you!

Nancy Martel of Beaconsfield, are you new?  If you are, we love you, because you knit warm!  The socks and mittens and neck warmers, below are amazing.

I did a close-up of these mittens because the pattern is so pretty.

So I got a great note from Michelina Cellucci of the Italian Seniors Group.  This little gang is prolific - this is their second big box to us.  The note attached said "Please know that although we hope these items will be useful to our friends in the North, our seniors benefit from this project as well.  For over a year now we meet weekly to knit and socialize".  ISG: we are so happy to benefit from your socializing!

So there are many contributors to the group.  I think these were made by Rita

But there is also Michelina...

And Tina and Amina...

And Maria

And Anna - Ladies I know the names don't quite match the photos - rest assured we are grateful.

The Purple Sock is one of our lovely LYS - we love them.   These hats and socks came from them.

And this little set came from Anna of Victoria Harbour who is a purple sock contributor (Anna, please disregard the  running shoes in the photo.  I will fire the photographer).

And these are also Anna blankets

There was no name on the sweater but it was just so dear, I had to take a photo.

These were nameless, but from Yarn Forward with our labels, so thank you, mystery knitter!

This little bundle came from Sue Maskell.  Sue, have you knit for us before?  I love the mittens!

Sue are these yours as well?

…And from Susan Catchpole, of St Thomas Ontario, a giant box filled with 539 hats for babies 0-6 months.  Thank you, Susan!  We will distribute them with care.