First things first - we have a few new deadlines to share with you. If you are a slipper-maker, we are running a slipper campaign! Slippers are quick to make and are great for using up a variety of yarns. More details on the slipper campaign are below, and please ship them to arrive in Ottawa by November 20.
For all other items, after our October 15 shipping date has passed, please ship to arrive in Ottawa by December 20 and those items will be sent up with a doctor heading to Iqualuit.
On Sunday, Anita and I had an impromptu afternoon of opening parcels together, as many of you have been sending in items in advance of our current October 15 timeline. Since our last Packing Night on September 6, we have received generous and cozy items from the following crafters below, most of which are bound for the school-age children in Kugluktuk. The final items that arrive by October 15 will be included in the boxes and then will be making their way north, with thanks to our generous airline partner Canadian North. Thank you all!
Anna in Morrisburg
The Perpetual Bazaar Knitters
Anne in Victoria Harbour
Robin in St. Pascal Baylon
C. in Rockport Mass.
Ruth in Saratoga Springs
Nancy in Lindsay
Shona in Lethbridge
Eleanor in London
Wendy in Smokey Lake
B. in Toronto
Hazel in Edmonton
Donna in Forest ON
(Note that items that were sent to the old address and that arrived after our last Packing Night on September 6 are not included above, as we were just sorting what has arrived at the new shipping address since then. Please rest assured though that parcels sent to the former WHN shipping address will make their way to the next Packing Night.)
We counted up the following:
Hats 84
Socks 36
Sweaters and vests - 22
Neckwarmers - 16
Slippers - 2
Blankets - 1
For a total of 161 items, which is pretty awesome when you think we just had a packing night a month ago. Want to see what 161 handcrafted items looks like?
And speaking of SLIPPERS...we are partnering with Larga Baffin to provide slippers as Christmas presents for their residents. As many of you know, Larga Baffin is a residence in Ottawa for those from the Baffin region of Nunavut, who are in town for medical treatments that are not available locally. This project will help spread a little cheer to our northern neighbours who are far from home during the winter holidays.
Please time your slippers to arrive at Warm Hands HQ for November 20th. This will give our volunteers ample time to unpack, sort, and deliver the slippers in good time for the holidays. This is a great time to use up any acrylic you have on hand - acrylic is great for slippers!
Speaking of which - a gentle reminder to use wool or majority wool blends (75% or more wool content) when knitting hats, socks, vests, sweaters, mittens and neckwarmers for Warm Hands. Wool is warm, breathable, durable and insulates even when wet. We have received a number of 100% acrylic items lately - if your preference is for acrylic, please consider making slippers and/or blankets for Warm Hands, as we accept those items in acrylic.
As always, thank you for being a part of Warm Hands. Here's one last picture to warm your heart, so you know what it is like to open these wonderful boxes!
