Wool for Warmth ~ Knitting for Need

Dear Friends;

Through the kind donations of clothing, monetary contributions and other item for our Clothes Drive India, an inspiration came to me one day when Amitram and I were in the process of putting this all together before he went back to India.

I came across a sweatshirt zipped hoodie which had a fleece lining in the hood and I thought; "how awesome is that"!
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You see, in the chilly months in India; central heating is something not very often seen even in the best of situation due to the fact that most of the time there is no need for that, but in the northern areas of India during those months, it can get pretty cold at night and space heaters are often used and woolen caps. During those months between November and February, it is not unusual to see people with wool caps and toques on especially at night and in the early mornings until the sun warms up.

Having said this, I thought back to the clothes drive and thought if people need clothes to cover their bodies (in all seasons) but in the winter, what about the head. We can be covered up to the neck with blankets and like I said, even in the best of situations, the head and face gets really cold. I know - I have been there! But I was blessed to be in a position to have a space heater.

So this is where my inspiration comes in - a simple idea from a donated hoodie with fur in the hood; why not extend the drive to send warm hats.

Now there is where the fun part begins. I thought of the kind volunteers in our society that knit caps and donate them to hospitals for babies and chemotherapy patients. They are free for patients of the hospitals, clinics, etc.

This is where we need your help and suggestions.

The Dream:
1)To collect yarn and other items required for knitting hopefully by donation by contacting yarn companies or to purchase yarn through raising of funds.
2) To collect :-) and have volunteers at their own time and pace (those who can and like to knit) knit caps off all shapes sizes and colours. Have fun. Be creative!
3) Off they go to India (and maybe one day across the globe) and lest not forget our homeless right here in the West. Our winter is around the corner and we all know what that is like.

We have been fortunate enough to have this covered by local paper media to get the word out and any participation on your behalf would be most helpful. If you can knit, great. If not, you can help in other ways by spreading the word, collecting yard and getting it to the volunteers, finding volunteers. We need your help.

Everything starts from a thought. We are also looking for a name for this project. I have come up with Caps for Comfort, or Wool for Warmth but we are open to all suggestions. I keep thinking of that little grey hoodie that set the light bulb off over my head. That grey hoodie is now in India and will be one of the first pieces to be donating through Amitram.

This is making me feel all warm and fuzzy.

So...what do you think? Can we do this? Yes we can!

Looking forward to your response.

NOTE: You need not be from our local area of Caledon, Ontario Canada to participate. Our home base is here but anyone, anywhere can do this. We will manage the logistics from this end.

Warm regards
Rita
Rei of Light Yoga
Buddham Yoga International