2008-2009
Cactus Needles Knitting Guild Altruistic Program
Co-Chairs: Jo-Ann Mullen and Francine Ebersman
2008-2009 Program
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Cactus Needles Knitting Guild encourages knitting for charity and, toward that goal, we are currently participating in four ongoing altruistic programs: PROJECT LINUS, WESTMINSTERVILLAGE, BACK TO SCHOOL DISTRIBUTION STITCHES OF LOVE, and WORLD WAR ll VETERANS KNIT A BIT. Just to make it more fun, we are going to have three monthly drawings for anyone completing an altruistic donation for CNKG projects. When it fits within our budget, yarn will be made available, but this is a great way to search through your STASH!
PROJECT LINUS (YEAR ROUND) is our primary endeavor. This nationwide group knits blankets for children and teens in need of homemade hugs. Blankets for Project Linus should be machine washable and are intended to provide comfort more than warmth and may be knit from preemie blankets up through full sized afghans for teens. Judie Agee, Project Linus Director for the EastValley and CNKG member, collects these blankets monthly. Judie welcomes all our contributions, but she especially needs blankets for boys, and the bigger, the better! When you knit for Project Linus, you know your effort is going to a local young person who is either hospitalized or experiencing a trauma in life. Please consider participating in our group blanket making projects, attending the quarterly blanket bees in Fountain Hills, and making individual blankets before our December holiday party where we present an abundance of blankets to Judie Agee on behalf of Project Linus.
BACK TO SCHOOL DISTRIBUTION, STITCHES OF LOVE PROGRAM (COLLECTED EACH SCHOOL YEAR THROUGH JUNE) This project provides hand knit articles to schoolchildren through high school. It is an opportunity for us to try new patterns and make young people feel good about themselves at the same time. Another plus? These are for local, severely underprivileged kids right here in MaricopaCounty. FYI BTS is eligible for one of the annual Arizona tax credit programs. Back to School donations are collected throughout the school year for July distribution. Last year we collected over 750 caps for this program. This year we are making boys caps and girls scarves. Please note that the greater needs are generally for boys.
WORLD WAR II VETERAN’S MUSEUM KNIT A BIT (MAILED IN OCTOBER)
This is an opportunity for scarf knitting that goes not only to WWII veterans, but those who served in other wars in US history. Most recipients are men so blues, greens, and browns have been requested as preferred colors. This is a way to connect with knitters throughout our history. Unlike the women of Valley Forge, we don’t ride horses to the battlefront with knitted garments stuffed in saddlebags. These scarves can be given to Francine Ebersman or Jo-Ann Mullen at Guild Meetings and we will mail them at guild expense. They are sent to the WWIIMuseum in New Orleans in time for Veteran’s Day.
If you are interested in international knitting needs, we offer the opportunity to knit for Esperanca. Kelli Donley, a health care worker at Esperanca, makes trips to an orphanage in Mozambique that tries to resettle children of AIDS victims with family members. Because the recipients don't have washing machines, the yarn content can be just about anything in your stash. Kelli also makes trips to South America. We are often alerted to other global needs including those of both soldiers and civilians in the Middle East. Contact Jo-Ann or Francine if Global Knitting interests you.
Occasionally, the Guild receives requests for yarn, instruction, or knitted goods from local groups or teachers. We’re always pleased to accommodate these needs if possible and appropriate. Please feel free to present any additional project ideas to us for consideration. A great reference is “Knitting for Peace, making the world a better place one stitch at a time” by Betty Christiansen.
