October Newsletter 2024
It's officially fall and we are gearing up for another busy holiday season. We've already started receiving requests for information about our chapter from organizations wanting to participate in service projects throughout the holiday season and beyond. Again this month we distributed almost as many blankets as we've received - averaging about 200 of each. Keep up the good work!
In this month's newsletter, we have a piece about Hearts Knit Together, one of the non-profits to which we donate and a little short story. Enjoy!
Warm regards,
Karen & Millie
Hearts Knit Together
We are honored to support Hearts Knit Together, an incredible organization that shares our mission of helping those in need. Their mission is to offer joy and order in the lives of those in our community who need it the most. Like us, they operate as a non-profit relying entirely on volunteers and deliver much needed personal items to those escaping domestic violence, sexual abuse, or war. Their volunteers collect, craft, and assemble kits which include hygiene items, toys, games, puzzles, clothing, stuffed animals and some include Project Linus blankets!
This past June, their project room was unfortunately flooded, forcing them to make an emergency move. Now, they are set up in a temporary space in North Salt Lake. Over the summer, we paused our deliveries to them, but in late September, we were thrilled to make a special delivery to their new (temporary) location, ensuring they can continue to fulfill the many orders they receive.
Below are some pictures of their temporary space and some of the packages they are preparing for delivery. Please visit their website to learn more about their inspiring work - https://www.heartsknittogether.org/
Have you ever wondered, "Does fabric speak to us?"
Have you ever picked up a piece of fabric and instantly known exactly what you were going to create with it? Or felt inspired by a certain texture or color, envisioning a beautiful crochet edge on fleece or a specific quilt pattern? Or spotted a bolt of "must have" fleece or fabric at JoAnn's? As crafters, many of us have experienced these moments - it's the artist within us responding to the possibilities of our materials and the joy of sharing our creations.
At the National Quilt Day event held earlier this year at the Sandy Senior Center, a quilter who also happens to be a nurse shared a touching story. She recounted what happens after blankets are donated to her hospital. She described the special closet at her hospital where donated blankets are stored awaiting a patient in need. Initially unaware of the origins of these blankets, she humorously though they were gifts from a "magical blanket fairy" who filled the shelves when no one was looking.
However, her perspective changed one day while caring for a sick child. As she entered the closet to find a blanket, she felt a connection with them - they seemed to "speak" to her, guiding her to choose the perfect one for the child in her care. This personal experience deeply moved her, connecting her with the blanketeers who tirelessly contribute month after month, year after year.
We witnessed a similar experience when delivering blankets recently to a local organization. Watching them sort through donated blankets, we saw them match many of the blankets with a specific child in need, saying, "Oh this one is perfect for her, and this one for him..." It was clear that each blanket had found it's intended recipient, bringing comfort during difficult times.
Reflecting on these stories, I believe that fabrics do indeed speak to us - from the moment we choose them, through the creative process, and ultimately as they provide warmth and comfort to those in need. Each stitch and pattern carries a message of care and compassion, making a difference in someone's life. Let us continue to listen to these quiet voices and share our craft with love and generosity.
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