(longish)About Katrina a little OT, but not

I have to tell you all, the outpouring from the crafting community has been tremendous! There are groups of knitters, crocheters, weavers, etc all over the 'net who are doing GREAT things for Katrina Relief Efforts, and it makes me, for one, very proud of us all. I wanted to say a couple of things about this. I know that the RedCross and Salvation Army's sites are requesting cash-only, but this is NOT TRUE. As you saw, Nora posted three addresses that are most definitely accepting good-faith gifts, IE: afghans, blankets, clothing, etc. Also, there is a group of bloggers who have headed up a collection site where they are basically auctioning off hand-knits, etc towards Katrina Relief Efforts. Also, Kathryn Tewson (theburninghand.org) has some great suggestions about other little necessities that can and should be tucked in with parcels going to the ravaged gulf areas and shelters. Kitt, my friend I've mentioned before just sent me a great plan she's heading up, regarding handmade washcloths and soap... I'll get these urls to you in a followup post. As for my small effort, I'll be leaving very early Tuesday morning, another friend is picking me up, we will then leave via a Salvation Army bus. The plan is to help at the evacuee center in Jackson, Mississippi. The plan is that we will return either late Saturday night, or early Sunday morning. This is something I feel I have to do, the Salvation Army was very helpful to Don and I after the tornado that hit us in Wautoma, WI in 1992. Hugs, Noreen

Reply to
Noreen's Knit*che
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wrote in message news:431af01f snipped-for-privacy@newsgate.x-privat.org...

First followup is copied and pasted from my dear friend Kitt's email of this morning:

Hi all, I'm asking for your help. Over the last week I think we've all felt the heartbreak for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. I know I've sat here and cried many times, watching with horror what these fellow human beings have had to endure and continue to endure. While watching I knew I had to find a way to help. I can't be a nurse any longer because of the allergy so that was out. I knew I couldn't go to the gulf area, I wouldn't know where to go or what to do once I got there. Then it came to me; I knit and crochet....I'll make washcloths! So, I started searching for contacts in or near the shelters. I finally got a response from Kim in Lafayette, LA where there are several shelters. I told her my idea and she was extremely enthusiastic! She said they are in dire need of the basics including washcloths and soap. She also said she would be my liaison delivering the cloths and soap to the shelters herself. She visits them everyday with some women in her church. Cloths for Katrina was then created at Yahoo Groups.

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'm just starting to get it together, logistics and all but it is coming together and will come together! I'm awaiting responses from people in Houston, Ft. Worth, Memphis, Pensacola and Baton Rouge. I've also written to Oprah and Martha, letters will be going out to news agencies tomorrow.What I'm asking of you is if you knit, crochet or weave, please join us, you don't necessarily have to join our group if you prefer not too but join us by creating as many cloths as your heart allows. They don't have to be fancy, simple basic cloths are perfect. Along with the cloth, if you would either enclose a bar of soap or fifty cents to cover the purchase of a bar would also be greatly appreciated, the soap and money aren't a requirement just a suggestion, I'll be purchasing a case/s from Sam's Club. When you're ready to mail them, just send them to me as I will be packing boxes and shipping them off at my expense, I ask nothing from you for shipping costs, I'd rather you spent it on yarn.If you don't knit, crochet or weave you can still help by passing this information on to anyone and everyone.This will be an ongoing project, according to news sources the shelters are going to be needed for a very long time.A washcloth and a bar of soap is so simple, so basic, so inexpensive but trust me, it can mean the world to someone without them.Please give Cloths for Katrina some thought, please try to put their shoes on. What would a simple handmade cloth come to mean to you knowing it was made with love. Thank you! Love, Carla

-- Kitt's snail removed for safety on usenet by Noreen

Reply to
Noreen's Knit*che

A correction to this is, Kathryn Tewson's site I mentioned in below post is @

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'bout that! Noreen

Reply to
Noreen's Knit*che

Noreen,

Can you send me Carla's snail mail please as I'll start crocheting some today. Is there a site with patterns anywhere you know of too?

Hugs,

Nora

Reply to
norabalcer

Sending it right out, Nora... and I'll look for patterns. FYI, everybody else, since I'll be gone Tuesday through at least Saturday, direct Carla (Kitt's) snail requests to Nora. Hugs, Noreen

Reply to
Noreen's Knit*che

Hi,

Yes, I now have the address for Carla if anyone wants it, just drop me a note.

Hugs,

Nora

Reply to
norabalcer

"Noreen's Knit*che" wrote in message news:431af68a snipped-for-privacy@newsgate.x-privat.org...

Omigod Noreen! I know how horrible it is in the areas hit by Hurricane Katrina from watching it on TV everyday, but the last line of your friend's letter about being in their shoes really hit hard. I am sitting here in tears as I respond to this! I have the yarn, and I have the crochet hooks and knitting needles to make the cloths... but I have no money at all to pay postage to send finished projects out to help these people in need.

All I have is our last $20 in my wallet to put gas in the van (which is totally empty at the moment) to get Matthew to the city to find work And with the prices of gas through the roof, I doubt that $20 is going to move the gas gauge needle very far at all. I so hate being in this situation where I can't afford to help those people who have lost everything.

All my prayers are with them everyday, and my heart breaks for them all... I just wish I could actually do something to help. Seeing what they have endured makes me so thankful that we have a roof over our heads, fresh drinking water, and some food in the cupboard. I can't imagine going through the horror that they have endured. God bless each and every one of them!

Noreen... if you are actually in the situation while there, to hug any of them, please give them an extra hug from me too.

In tears of sadness! Gem

Reply to
MRH

Gem, PRAYERS are important, and don't you DARE feel bad. I was in YOUR SHOES all of last year, things are a little better for us this year, which is why I CAN do what I am. Last year, Carla (lives in Florida) was in those bad 3 hurricanes in FL, and I felt SO helpless. Of COURSE hugs will be distributed, I PROMISE! Much love, Noreen

Reply to
Noreen's Knit*che

Thank you, Noreen! :'o)

Peace! Gem

- feeling a *little* better now.

Reply to
MRH

Check your gemtone at yahoo email, I may have a solution, too. Hugs, Noreen

Reply to
Noreen's Knit*che

Just checked it, Noreen! Thank you for the offer, but I think I *may* have another way around it.... I hope! ;o)

*hug* Gem
Reply to
MRH

Yes, and that is a GOOD way, as Nora is doing something similar for me, as I'm just behind in my things.... also, Check your email again, I have still another thought, grin! Noreen

Reply to
Noreen's Knit*che

"Noreen's Knit*che" spun a FINE 'yarn' n news:431af68a snipped-for-privacy@newsgate.x-privat.org:

I just wanted to add Kitt's blogpost of today, regarding the above:

Hurricane Katrina Group I didn't want to donate to one of the large organizations because you have no say to who or where your monies go. I got into contact with someone in Lafayette, LA told her what we wanted to do and asked if she could be of any assistance. She jumped right up and said she would distribute our gifts to the shelters herself! I had decided on facecloths; knitted, crocheted and woven. They're quick to do, inexpensive and yet provide so much to those with so little. We are also going to be giving bars of soap along with the cloths. I spoke with Sallee and she convinced me into the two of us starting a group. PLEASE join us! The buttons over in the sidebar will bring you to the group to sign up. You can also find us here.

A simple washcloth may not sound like much but believe me, it is. We were struck with 3 hurricanes last year and I know how much better you feel if you have a clean face, hands, pits and nether regions. The cloths take a lot of abuse, wash up easily and are made with love for humanity.

Please help those who have lost everything. Remember, it could be you one day!

Reply to
Noreen's Knit*che

Got your note, and replied. Thank you again for your kind offer "in my name". May your kindness in this relief effort come back to repay you twelve times over! :o)

Peace! Gem

Reply to
MRH

And may life be extra good to YOU, my dear friend! Glad to have done it, and you'll see, it IS done already! Hugs right back atcha, Noreen

Reply to
Noreen's Knit*che

It's a very significant effort on your part, Noreen. Take care and Godspeed.

Reply to
The Jonathan Lady

Dear Noreen may You have the power to help . and come back safely . mirjam

Reply to
Mirjam Bruck-Cohen

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