December 20, 2010
Today’s topics:
We delivered 650 comfort scarves in December which made our total 10,000 for 2010
We reached all the shelters in Los Angeles County and a few more
Our core group is outstanding
We sent thank you letters to 347 individual contributors throughout the country
The shelters appreciate comfort scarves
More news from our affiliates
The generous contributions from yarn companies and individuals continue
Ideas for making comfort scarves from “scraps” of yarn
Looking back on 2010 and getting started on 2011
And now for the details:
We delivered 650 comfort scarves in December. The last scarves arrived on my front porch on Monday, Dec. 6 and they were wrapped and in their boxes the next day. **Barbara Klein** drove over and crammed the 7 huge boxes into her car to ship the next day from her business. It really took all of us to get this done. Honestly, I wondered if we would be able to achieve our goal of 10,000 scarves made and delivered in 2010 given that we were out of scarves at the end of November, but with all of you working so hard, we did it. Your output and dedication to reaching the goal were amazing. You really care about helping abused women change their lives. This shows in the beauty of your work, your attention to detail, and your determination to get your completed scarves to Handmade by the deadline.
We achieved another goal in 2010. We delivered comfort scarves to every one of the 27 shelters for abused women in Los Angeles County, as well as 4 shelters in Orange County, and 2 shelters in San Diego County. That indicates there are a lot of abused women who need protection. You’d think that during happy times celebrating the holidays, abuse would abate, but contrary to common sense, abuse increases during the holidays. That’s the reason we make and deliver our comfort scarves all year long, starting in January.
We couldn’t do this without the contributions of all of you, but I must mention our core group which meets every Wednesday evening at **Concepts in Yarn** in Torrance. Many in this group not only make scarves, but also make the kits, wrap scarves, and support Handmade in all kinds of ways that don’t show in the finished scarf. The photo below shows us at our holiday party at **Il Toscano**, an Italian restaurant near **Concepts in Yarn**. I know you can’t see us very well, but you can see we are having a good time. 10,000 comfort scarves! We had a lot to celebrate.
Many people ask how many people actually participate in Handmade. I know there are a lot and that people from all over volunteer in our project. Before our holiday party, I alphabetized and then counted all the thank you letters I sent this year to individual donors. 347 different people received letters. That doesn’t count people who participate as part of groups. 347 is a huge number. I appreciate each and every one of you!
More shelters sent warm notes of appreciation. **Luis Nagel**, at **The Good Shepherd**, writes: “A thousand thank you’s for all the beautiful scarves sent to us and handmade by your group. What a joy they were for our moms. . . I knit a little so I know how special a gift this was.”
In like manner, **Christina Sathi**, Outreach Manager at **Su Casa**, sent a card: “Dear Leslye and all our friends at Handmade Especially for You! Thank you so much for sharing your talents and kindness with our families.”
Executive Director of **Jenesse Center**, **Karen Earl**, sent a letter saying: “I would like to thank you for your continuous support of our program with your donation of comfort scarves. . . . the ladies in our shelter are very excited and appreciative to have the beautiful and colorful scarves that you and your organization have consistently donated to our emergency and transitional facilities.”
**Shelly Ross**, Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator at the South Bay offices of **1736 Family Crisis Center**, wrote that **The Housewives of Beverly Hills** is one of their major celebrity supporters. While they all were setting up their holiday “store,” **Taylor Armstrong**, one of the housewives, saw our scarves and loved them. She picked one to wear for a photo op which will be used to promote 1736. Great for 1736and great for Handmade. Here she is:
The slogan on the wall behind Taylor says: “It takes a community to heal an individual." Really! I believe it takes a really big community to make 10,000 comfort scarves.
Our affiliates are going strong too. **Marg Grieve**, founder and organizer of **Giving Hands**, our affiliate in **Nelson, BC**, reports that her group donated 334 items to 4 different shelters in Nelson. Marg reports that “one of the great things I have experienced being the leader of the group is how we help and encourage each other in situations unrelated to our common goal. I . . think that ‘giving to those in need’ is very applicable in our case.” I agree. Over and over I see that the makers of the scarves get as much from making them as the recipients do from receiving them. A win/win situation for both.
**Renee Hoffman** donated another 50 scarves to **Interval House** in **Long Beach CA**.
**Merrilyn Mancini**, in **Monterey CA**, donated 100 scarves to **SOP (Shelter Outreach Plus).**
In **San Diego CA**, **Susan VanWinkle’s** group donated comfort scarves to **Rachel’s Women’s Center** and **Women’s Resource Center** (in **Oceanside**). Susan prefers to deliver personally and not ship scarves, so her group supplies these 2 shelters and our group takes care of 2 other San Diego shelters.
In **Clarkston MI**, **Marie Woodman** reports that her small group has donated 15 scarves in December, which gives them a total of 30 for the year.
**Kathy Amiott** in **Cincinnati OH**, received more press for her work with students at **Mt Healthy High School**. Kathy set a goal of providing 200 comfort scarves to the local **YWCA** shelters for abused women, and with the support of **Connie Willliams** and **Stamp Your Art Out**, Kathy collected 400 scarves and donated them to **6 YWCA** shelters in the Cincinnati area. Here are the teens and Kathy with some of the scarves they made:
**PA** has the most affiliates outside of CA. **Karen Walborn** organized a group that donated 12 comfort scarves to the **Domestic Violence Shelter** in **Cumberland and Perry Counties**. Sheri, the Resident Coordinator of the shelter, was thrilled with the donation and told Karen she looks forward to distributing them to the women.
**Dr. Laura Guertin**, **Penn State University**, organized a group that donated 100 comfort scarves to the **Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County**. This shelter provides services to 5,000 victims of domestic violence each year, just in Delaware County. Laura expects her group to make and donate 100 scarves per month. What a great goal!
**Chris Polamalu** started a group in **Norristown PA**. She is very excited to make her first delivery of 15 comfort scarves to **Laurel House**.
Founder of **Comfort Scarves**, **Barb Kochuba** in **Pittsburgh**, donated 300 comfort scarves to 4 shelters there. In addition to comfort scarves, her group also made 90 fleece scarves which they gave to children in their 4 shelters. She plans to add more shelters in 2011.
Participating in **Handmade Especially for You** is contagious. Scarfers throughout the US (and Canada) are “catching” the Handmade bug. I have not counted the scarves made and distributed by the affiliates in the 10,000 distributed by our Torrance CA based group. We do receive scarves from people throughout the US; but we distribute them here in S. CA so they count in our 10,000. I know that’s confusing but really, it doesn’t matter. Women throughout the US are making comfort scarves and the scarves are being donated to shelters for abused women here in S CA and the rest of the country.
**Peggy Bomba**, in **Craig CO**, sent another box of scarves made by the female inmates at **Moffet County Jail**. So I did the only thing possible and sent her another box of kits for her “girls” to crochet. Peggy marvels at the calming effect making scarves has on her girls. Another example of how scarfing helps the scarfers. The men at the jail saw the women crocheting scarves so they wanted to make scarves too. Peggy taught them to make fleece scarves. Even more moving, she provided enough fleece for the inmates to make scarves so they could give handmade gifts to members of their families. To me, Peggy illustrates how one good deed leads to another. What a wonderful way for inmates to keep in touch with their families.
Lucky for Handmade, we have so many yarn companies who donate yarn. This month, we received 2 more cases of yarn from **Knitting Fever**, one of our most generous and consistent donors. Thank you so much, **Tymon**. **Schaefer Yarn** also donated some skeins. We will use them all immediately when we get started again in January. We definitely understand that we couldn’t make our beautiful scarves if we didn’t have beautiful yarn.
As the year ends, I see we are overwhelmed with pieces of good yarn too small to make a scarf. And so are many of the affiliates. Everyone want to know what to do with all these pieces. Here are some of the ideas. If you have other suggestions, we’d love to have them so we can share them with other scarfers. The patterns will be on the website soon.
**COMFORT SCARF MADE WITH 2 DIFFERENT YARNS**
If you have pieces of yarn 60 or 70 yards long, you can make a scarf by knitting 2 rows with one yarn, and then without cutting the first yarn, knit 2 rows with the second. You can use any stitch so long as you carry the yarn along the side.
**AS EASY AS 1-2-3 COMFORT SCARF**
This is a good scarf to make if you have 3 pieces of yarn each around 50 yards long. Like the knit-2-rows pattern, the trick is to carry the yarns along the side. But unlike the 2-rows pattern, you knit just one row with each yarn and then change yarns. You have to take the time to move each ball of yarn as you knit it, or you end up with a terrible tangle.
**VERTICAL COMFORT SCARF MADE FROM SCRAPS**
**Susan VanWinkle** sent us a suggestion for a vertical scrap scarf. She says you could make it knitting only garter stitch, where you knit two rows with A and two rows with B, no increasing or decreasing. But she thinks it looks better on the diagonal, increasing one stitch at the beginning and decreasing one at the end of each alternate row. I like that too. I do the diagonal differently, but take your pick.
**HORIZONTAL COMFORT SCARF MADE FROM SCRAPS**
I really like making horizontal scrap scarves. We have several versions, going from very planned to more or less unplanned. This scarf uses 10-yard pieces of yarn. **Mary Gravlin’s scarf** (black and blue) is most planned. She uses a firm yarn on the outside edges to keep the shape of the scarf. I also like the planned scarf (yellow and orange), but I use bigger needles which means fewer rows. Mary casts on 180 stitches on size 11 circular needles; I cast on 160 on size 13 circulars.
**Hilary Cohen** uses size 11 needles also. But where Mary and I always knit at least 2 rows, Hilary knits one row, sometimes 2, sometimes 3. If she runs out of yarn in the middle of a row, she just attaches another yarn and keeps going. And, instead of weaving in all the ends, she makes fringe. Of course, it is much faster to make scarves from new yarn, not worry about matching weights, coordinating colors, etc. However, it feels so thrifty to use up scraps. Luckily, we have plenty of scraps to share if you want them; and we have beautiful, new yarn for those who prefer it.
We accomplished a lot in 2010. We made 10,000 comfort scarves and delivered them to more than 30 shelters in S CA, and more if you count the donations of our affiliates in the rest of the US and Canada. Our operation has grown as well. We have more kit makers, more scarfers and more volunteers. Our growing community did a lot.
Many people have asked me if we’re going to expand to making and delivering 20,000 comfort scarves in 2011. I know they’re kidding. We’re not ready to double again (as we did from 2009 to 2010). We want to grow, have more affiliates, reach more shelters, but we cannot do so without a workshop.
Last year at this time, we were hoping for a **501(c)3**; and happily, with the help of **Hilary Cohen**, our lawyer, we got it (**EIN: 26-3529292**). This year, we need a workshop that is independent of my house or the homes of all the people who support Handmade. We need to consolidate our kit making, wrapping, shipping scarves to shelters and receiving scarves from donors. I don’t know who will step forward and help us move to this next level, but I am confident someone will.
**June Grossberg**, owner of **Concepts in Yarn**, and constant advisor and supporter of Handmade, suggests we have a big fund raiser. It’s true if we had more money, we could pay rent. To have a big event, we would need more volunteers and people with experience in planning such occasions. If you are such a person, we need you.
I love the success of Handmade. I am thrilled that we have made and delivered so many comfort scarves. At the same time, I feel very sorry that there are so many abused women need them. I look forward to another big year, working with good people in all walks of life. There are many ways to help in the community. I’m glad that so many of you have chosen to support Handmade as your way to do good. I depend on you. Many thanks.
As usual, if you want to donate scarves or yarn, please mail to:
**Handmade Especially for You** c/o Leslye Borden
30065 Grandpoint Lane
Rancho Palos Verdes CA 90275
If you want to donate money, please mail a check to the above address or use **PayPal**. There is a link on the Handmade website. **www.handmadeespecially.org**
Thanks in advance.
Leslye
PS There should be many photos in this Newsletter but I don't know how to insert them here. Please check our website for the full Newsletter.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Handmade Especially for You donated 2,850 comfort scarves in November
December 7, 2010
Today’s topics:
Only 650 more comfort scarves to deliver to reach our goal of 10,000
The dedication of Handmade’s volunteers is outstanding
The shelters are so appreciative
Handmade’s affiliates are delivering lots of comfort scarves
The generous contributions from yarn companies and individuals continue
Abuse affects women in all racial, religious, and ethnic groups; combating abuse also comes from all racial, religious, and ethnic groups
And now for the details:
We had two wrapping parties in November to accommodate all the scarves we had to prepare for delivery. We did so much wrapping, we didn’t even take time to eat lunch. It was incredible. As fast as everyone wrapped, I packed boxes for shipping and delivery. In the end, we shipped or delivered 2,850 comfort scarves. It was a heady experience. Just ask Evelyn Dow, Myra Kumagae, Kathy Allen, Barbara Klein, Marie Cortez, Carol Maldonado, and Sharon McCann, who tied all the ribbons. The array of brightly colored scarves tied with cute, curly ribbons was the biggest pile of holiday gifts I have ever seen. It really warmed our hearts. We should have photographed the pile, of course, but we were so focused on the count and packing the boxes that we forgot. Thanks especially to these dedicated volunteers.
As you might expect, the shelters are sending appreciative notes. Tobi Quintiliani, Senior Director of Community Response and Relations at 1736, sent us a very moving note:
Every year 1736 Family Crisis Center staff waits happily for the arrival of beautiful hand-crafted scarves and every year they appear like clockwork. . . .These scarves are the most coveted gift that our clients receive each year because each scarf is made with such love and attention to detail. Our clients always feel both warm and loved when they receive these scarves; this love is something that many of them have not felt for a long time because of their abusive households. Many times just knowing that someone has taken the time to knit a beautiful expression of love is the best therapy a client could receive after experiencing such trauma and distress in their lives. It is with our sincere pleasure to thank you for another year of receiving these strikingly beautiful symbols of your love and commitment to serve our clients. Together with you we will continue to heal their broken lives and make them feel loved again.
Patima Komolamit, our contact at Center for the Pacific Asian Family, wrote: “We received your beautiful scarves! Thank you so much for your continued generosity and thoughtfulness for our women and children survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.”
In like manner, Shannon Fors, Interim Executive Director of the Domestic Violence Center of the Santa Clarita Valley, wrote: “Thank you very much for the wonderful fifty scarves that you donated to the women in our shelter. . . .There is nothing more appreciated than a gift made by hand. . . . Your kindness and consideration is deeply appreciated. We realize that there are many charities that you may choose to support. Thank you for choosing ours.”
Annah Mason, Donations Associate at the Downtown Women’s Center, told us: “I just wanted to reach out and thank you for the scarves you’ve been sending to our Center. . . . I can tell you that the ladies enjoy (the scarves) both for practical reasons and for the fact that they’re handmade and heartfelt.” This Center is opening a new facility in December and will distribute our scarves as part of their inaugural celebration.
Kitty Glass, Community Outreach Coordinator of Family Violence Project (part of Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles), sent a very enthusiastic appreciation: “Thank you so very much for the gorgeous scarves we just received. They truly are beautiful and will be wonderful holiday gifts for our counseling center clients and shelter residents. . . . You continue to provide our special folks with such joy. . . they are always amazed by the kindness of strangers.”
The above are just a sample of the notes I receive from the shelters. I will share more in the December Newsletter.
The number and success of our affiliates is growing. There are so many, all doing such good work, that Lori Jeskey, our webmaster, has even made a page on our website listing many of them. It’s hard to keep the list up to date, but we’re doing our best. I know many prospective scarfers use the info because the local leaders tell me their groups are expanding. Here’s what’s going on with Handmade affiliates throughout the country:
Kathleen Amiott, in Cincinnati OH, has been participating with Connie Williams of Stamp Your Art Out. She thought her project would be a one time effort, but the response has been so enthusiastic, that she plans to continue throughout the year. She collected 242 scarves and distributed them to 3 local YWCA women’s shelters and transitional living centers. These efforts made the Cincinnati Examiner.
Tammy Peters, in Culpeper VA, reported that she made another delivery to SAFE. The director told her: “The women were surprised that anyone would make something so special and beautiful just for them. The ladies put on the scarves as soon as they received them! A handmade gift made them feel special.”
Helen Susko, in Doylestown PA and her group, Stitching Angels (from Redeemer Lutheran Church), donated 39 scarves to A Woman’s Place. And they’re just getting started.
Renee Hoffman, leader of our affiliated group in Long Beach CA, donated 50 scarves to Interval House. Renee donates every month. The staff and clients at Interval House are thrilled.
Alyson Cline, in Surprise (near Phoenix) AZ, brought 25 scarves to A Place for Eve. There are 15-20 enthusiastic scarfers in Alyson’s group. They plan on making lots of scarves so they are looking for more shelters.
Barb Kochuba, an avid Handmade supporter, formed Comfort Scarves in Pittsburgh PA area. She keeps a tapestry posted on her dining room wall filled with photos of all the scarves she has collected—200 so far.
Julie Bailey’s group in Portland OR donated 25 scarves, 25 hat and scarf sets, and 25 sets for kids to the Family Shelter. She hinted at an apology for not being able to come up with 25 afghans, but I told her I understand why she couldn’t make 25 afghans. That’s the reason we stick to scarves.
Ann Miller in Pueblo CO is working with the YWCA there. She learned that CO has 3 times the number of domestic violence cases as the national norm. She will be busy supplying her local shelters with scarves.
Ellen Coppell, in Central VA, donated 25 more comfort scarves to the Rappahannock Council on Domestic Violence. She told me they are very pleased with her continuing donations of comfort scarves.
D’Ann Gayler, leader of our affiliate in the Salt Lake City UT area, delivered 17 scarves to a shelter in West Jordan. Her group plans to meet once a month. Each member has taken on a task. D’Ann says “We’re getting organized. It’s a long slow process. But we are doing better each month.”
Finally (for this month), Vicki Ringer, organizer of our San Fernando Valley CA affiliate, reported that she delivered 60 scarves to Haven Hills. Vicki keeps a 3-month supply of scarves on hand at all times. Refugio Sanchez, her contact there, loves receiving the scarves.
Several of you have asked about Bonnie Jacob’s Girl Scout troop. Bonnie reports that they all have finished their scarves, including the two special needs Scouts. A few of the girls have really gotten into knitting and are even making other items besides scarves. A box with their scarves will be on its way soon.
We received more scarves from Annette and Alexander Maas, our knitting couple from Germany. Beverly Thomson, from High Wycombe, Bucks, England sent a few too. News of our scarf project is really spreading.
Izzy November, leader of the Orange County Knitting Meetup Group, has taken on Handmade as one of the group’s projects. He picked up 30 kits at the beginning of the month; he’ll be dropping off scarves at the end of this week.
That we receive support from so many places, near and far, really warms my heart. And I haven’t even come to the point in the Newsletter where I thank our donors!
Susan Druding, owner of Crystal Palace Yarns, donated 2 more cases of her beautiful yarn, from which we make many, many of our comfort scarves. Susan expressed surprise when she heard that we had made and delivered almost 10,000 scarves this year. “Susan,” I replied. “Look how much yarn you’ve donated! That is how we used it.” Thank you, Susan.
We’ve been shipping boxes of scarves all over S. CA. And not just a few boxes. 150 scarves to Valley Oasis; 100 scarves to Sojourn; 100 to CPAF; 100 to the Good Shepherd, to name a few. It is hard enough to wrap all the scarves and pack them into boxes. But if I had to take them to UPS for shipping, it would be really difficult. Luckily for Handmade, Barbara Klein has offered the UPS services of her business to us. She takes the boxes and ships them from her business. She has been doing this every month; but this month deserves special notice since we are sending 3-4 cases to each shelter. Thank you so much, Barbara.
Also due special mention is June Grossberg, owner of Concepts in Yarn. June has supported Handmade right from its start. She has given us a place to meet, a place to store kits so people can pick them up, and a place where scarfers can drop off their finished scarves. Our group has grown a lot since October, 2008. Now we fill up one huge table with a card table and eight extra chairs. We appreciate what June has done and continues to do for Handmade. Thank you so much, June.
As I was writing this Newsletter, I had plenty of time to reflect, long as it is. I am impressed that there are so many shelters geared to special groups: CPAF to Asian women; Su Casa and Chicana Service Action Center for Latinas; the Good Shepherd for Catholic women; Jenessee Center for Black women; Jewish Family Service sponsors a shelter; YWCA sponsors many shelters. All racial, religious, and ethnic groups are affected by domestic violence; all racial, religious, and ethnic groups work hard to prevent it. We all feel it’s terrible to have so much domestic violence, but there’s something really great about a community wide effort to lessen its impact. I’m proud that Handmade Especially for You, a group which also represents racial, religious, and ethnic diversity, plays its part in combating this social disease.
We still have 650 scarves to go to reach our goal of making and distributing 10,000 comfort scarves in 2010. I think we’ll do it. We’re so close to reaching the goal that I can taste success. Thank you all for everything you have done to make this possible.
If you want to donate scarves or yarn, please mail to:
Handmade Especially for You c/o Leslye Borden
30065 Grandpoint Lane
Rancho Palos Verdes CA 90275
If you want to donate cash, please send a check to the above address or donate through PayPal. You can use the link on our website.
Thanks in advance.
Leslye
www.handmadeespecially.org
501(c)3 EIN:26-3529292
Today’s topics:
Only 650 more comfort scarves to deliver to reach our goal of 10,000
The dedication of Handmade’s volunteers is outstanding
The shelters are so appreciative
Handmade’s affiliates are delivering lots of comfort scarves
The generous contributions from yarn companies and individuals continue
Abuse affects women in all racial, religious, and ethnic groups; combating abuse also comes from all racial, religious, and ethnic groups
And now for the details:
We had two wrapping parties in November to accommodate all the scarves we had to prepare for delivery. We did so much wrapping, we didn’t even take time to eat lunch. It was incredible. As fast as everyone wrapped, I packed boxes for shipping and delivery. In the end, we shipped or delivered 2,850 comfort scarves. It was a heady experience. Just ask Evelyn Dow, Myra Kumagae, Kathy Allen, Barbara Klein, Marie Cortez, Carol Maldonado, and Sharon McCann, who tied all the ribbons. The array of brightly colored scarves tied with cute, curly ribbons was the biggest pile of holiday gifts I have ever seen. It really warmed our hearts. We should have photographed the pile, of course, but we were so focused on the count and packing the boxes that we forgot. Thanks especially to these dedicated volunteers.
As you might expect, the shelters are sending appreciative notes. Tobi Quintiliani, Senior Director of Community Response and Relations at 1736, sent us a very moving note:
Every year 1736 Family Crisis Center staff waits happily for the arrival of beautiful hand-crafted scarves and every year they appear like clockwork. . . .These scarves are the most coveted gift that our clients receive each year because each scarf is made with such love and attention to detail. Our clients always feel both warm and loved when they receive these scarves; this love is something that many of them have not felt for a long time because of their abusive households. Many times just knowing that someone has taken the time to knit a beautiful expression of love is the best therapy a client could receive after experiencing such trauma and distress in their lives. It is with our sincere pleasure to thank you for another year of receiving these strikingly beautiful symbols of your love and commitment to serve our clients. Together with you we will continue to heal their broken lives and make them feel loved again.
Patima Komolamit, our contact at Center for the Pacific Asian Family, wrote: “We received your beautiful scarves! Thank you so much for your continued generosity and thoughtfulness for our women and children survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.”
In like manner, Shannon Fors, Interim Executive Director of the Domestic Violence Center of the Santa Clarita Valley, wrote: “Thank you very much for the wonderful fifty scarves that you donated to the women in our shelter. . . .There is nothing more appreciated than a gift made by hand. . . . Your kindness and consideration is deeply appreciated. We realize that there are many charities that you may choose to support. Thank you for choosing ours.”
Annah Mason, Donations Associate at the Downtown Women’s Center, told us: “I just wanted to reach out and thank you for the scarves you’ve been sending to our Center. . . . I can tell you that the ladies enjoy (the scarves) both for practical reasons and for the fact that they’re handmade and heartfelt.” This Center is opening a new facility in December and will distribute our scarves as part of their inaugural celebration.
Kitty Glass, Community Outreach Coordinator of Family Violence Project (part of Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles), sent a very enthusiastic appreciation: “Thank you so very much for the gorgeous scarves we just received. They truly are beautiful and will be wonderful holiday gifts for our counseling center clients and shelter residents. . . . You continue to provide our special folks with such joy. . . they are always amazed by the kindness of strangers.”
The above are just a sample of the notes I receive from the shelters. I will share more in the December Newsletter.
The number and success of our affiliates is growing. There are so many, all doing such good work, that Lori Jeskey, our webmaster, has even made a page on our website listing many of them. It’s hard to keep the list up to date, but we’re doing our best. I know many prospective scarfers use the info because the local leaders tell me their groups are expanding. Here’s what’s going on with Handmade affiliates throughout the country:
Kathleen Amiott, in Cincinnati OH, has been participating with Connie Williams of Stamp Your Art Out. She thought her project would be a one time effort, but the response has been so enthusiastic, that she plans to continue throughout the year. She collected 242 scarves and distributed them to 3 local YWCA women’s shelters and transitional living centers. These efforts made the Cincinnati Examiner.
Tammy Peters, in Culpeper VA, reported that she made another delivery to SAFE. The director told her: “The women were surprised that anyone would make something so special and beautiful just for them. The ladies put on the scarves as soon as they received them! A handmade gift made them feel special.”
Helen Susko, in Doylestown PA and her group, Stitching Angels (from Redeemer Lutheran Church), donated 39 scarves to A Woman’s Place. And they’re just getting started.
Renee Hoffman, leader of our affiliated group in Long Beach CA, donated 50 scarves to Interval House. Renee donates every month. The staff and clients at Interval House are thrilled.
Alyson Cline, in Surprise (near Phoenix) AZ, brought 25 scarves to A Place for Eve. There are 15-20 enthusiastic scarfers in Alyson’s group. They plan on making lots of scarves so they are looking for more shelters.
Barb Kochuba, an avid Handmade supporter, formed Comfort Scarves in Pittsburgh PA area. She keeps a tapestry posted on her dining room wall filled with photos of all the scarves she has collected—200 so far.
Julie Bailey’s group in Portland OR donated 25 scarves, 25 hat and scarf sets, and 25 sets for kids to the Family Shelter. She hinted at an apology for not being able to come up with 25 afghans, but I told her I understand why she couldn’t make 25 afghans. That’s the reason we stick to scarves.
Ann Miller in Pueblo CO is working with the YWCA there. She learned that CO has 3 times the number of domestic violence cases as the national norm. She will be busy supplying her local shelters with scarves.
Ellen Coppell, in Central VA, donated 25 more comfort scarves to the Rappahannock Council on Domestic Violence. She told me they are very pleased with her continuing donations of comfort scarves.
D’Ann Gayler, leader of our affiliate in the Salt Lake City UT area, delivered 17 scarves to a shelter in West Jordan. Her group plans to meet once a month. Each member has taken on a task. D’Ann says “We’re getting organized. It’s a long slow process. But we are doing better each month.”
Finally (for this month), Vicki Ringer, organizer of our San Fernando Valley CA affiliate, reported that she delivered 60 scarves to Haven Hills. Vicki keeps a 3-month supply of scarves on hand at all times. Refugio Sanchez, her contact there, loves receiving the scarves.
Several of you have asked about Bonnie Jacob’s Girl Scout troop. Bonnie reports that they all have finished their scarves, including the two special needs Scouts. A few of the girls have really gotten into knitting and are even making other items besides scarves. A box with their scarves will be on its way soon.
We received more scarves from Annette and Alexander Maas, our knitting couple from Germany. Beverly Thomson, from High Wycombe, Bucks, England sent a few too. News of our scarf project is really spreading.
Izzy November, leader of the Orange County Knitting Meetup Group, has taken on Handmade as one of the group’s projects. He picked up 30 kits at the beginning of the month; he’ll be dropping off scarves at the end of this week.
That we receive support from so many places, near and far, really warms my heart. And I haven’t even come to the point in the Newsletter where I thank our donors!
Susan Druding, owner of Crystal Palace Yarns, donated 2 more cases of her beautiful yarn, from which we make many, many of our comfort scarves. Susan expressed surprise when she heard that we had made and delivered almost 10,000 scarves this year. “Susan,” I replied. “Look how much yarn you’ve donated! That is how we used it.” Thank you, Susan.
We’ve been shipping boxes of scarves all over S. CA. And not just a few boxes. 150 scarves to Valley Oasis; 100 scarves to Sojourn; 100 to CPAF; 100 to the Good Shepherd, to name a few. It is hard enough to wrap all the scarves and pack them into boxes. But if I had to take them to UPS for shipping, it would be really difficult. Luckily for Handmade, Barbara Klein has offered the UPS services of her business to us. She takes the boxes and ships them from her business. She has been doing this every month; but this month deserves special notice since we are sending 3-4 cases to each shelter. Thank you so much, Barbara.
Also due special mention is June Grossberg, owner of Concepts in Yarn. June has supported Handmade right from its start. She has given us a place to meet, a place to store kits so people can pick them up, and a place where scarfers can drop off their finished scarves. Our group has grown a lot since October, 2008. Now we fill up one huge table with a card table and eight extra chairs. We appreciate what June has done and continues to do for Handmade. Thank you so much, June.
As I was writing this Newsletter, I had plenty of time to reflect, long as it is. I am impressed that there are so many shelters geared to special groups: CPAF to Asian women; Su Casa and Chicana Service Action Center for Latinas; the Good Shepherd for Catholic women; Jenessee Center for Black women; Jewish Family Service sponsors a shelter; YWCA sponsors many shelters. All racial, religious, and ethnic groups are affected by domestic violence; all racial, religious, and ethnic groups work hard to prevent it. We all feel it’s terrible to have so much domestic violence, but there’s something really great about a community wide effort to lessen its impact. I’m proud that Handmade Especially for You, a group which also represents racial, religious, and ethnic diversity, plays its part in combating this social disease.
We still have 650 scarves to go to reach our goal of making and distributing 10,000 comfort scarves in 2010. I think we’ll do it. We’re so close to reaching the goal that I can taste success. Thank you all for everything you have done to make this possible.
If you want to donate scarves or yarn, please mail to:
Handmade Especially for You c/o Leslye Borden
30065 Grandpoint Lane
Rancho Palos Verdes CA 90275
If you want to donate cash, please send a check to the above address or donate through PayPal. You can use the link on our website.
Thanks in advance.
Leslye
www.handmadeespecially.org
501(c)3 EIN:26-3529292
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