Natural Disaster Knitting

Submitted by murrn on Sun, 07/12/2009 - 13:19

the problem:

Over the past year and a half, 5 major hurricanes have struck the US. Along with countless other natural disasters, these hurricanes have cost over $14 billion in city and neighborhood damage and repair, as well as taking away thousands of lives. There are many refugees living in Leander, Texas, and other Austin suburbs, but most of them are not living comfortably. In fact, there are hundreds of storm refugees dying each day, from lack of food, clothing, and shelter, the three basic human needs. I am trying to help these poor people by providing them with food through a local food bank, and by making them clothing by hand.

vital stats:

people impacted:

200

people involved:

why it's important:

I believe that everyone deserves to live. Who knows - one of the hobos dying in the street may become the next Picasso, but if we don't even try to make their lives better, we will never know. Through my first childhood years, my family was very poor, and although we are living comfortably today, our lives were full of sacrifice. I believe that those who are living in filth because of poverty or a natural disaster destroying everything they own, they have suffered enough. And those who have beautiful houses, who are making $50 or $60,000 a year, it is their responsibility, and mine, to help those who are less fortunate. We need to make this world a better place, one person at a time.

the plan of action:

My friend Emily and I both work with yarn - she crochets and I knit. We also volunteer at a food bank that happens at my church. There are many parishoners who need food and clothing, but now word has gotten around and there are more people than ever who need our help and support. Emily and I have decided to begin making clothing, such as hats and scarves, as well as small blankets and pillows, and will donate these along with the Food Bank's meals during the colder months this year. The bank meets on the 4th Saturday of each month to donate food, and we hope to have clothing ready within the next two meetings.

how you can get involved:

Donate food to canned food drives or give old clothing to the Goodwill. You can purchase new toys for Blue Santa, and even hang socks and other small items on your local Sock Tree. If these events aren't taking place in your community, organize them yourself! You aren't just helping one person, you're helping the world.

project updates:

08/19/2010

Update:

We are now having regular Sit and Knits at the Leander Public Library, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the moth from 7-9pm. Several more people have joined our cause, and we have an average of 7 people at each of our meetings, where we offer free knitting and crocheting lessons.

Girlscout troop number 41 also helped us out by crocheting scarves for Haiti which were distributed through our organization. They also earned a special crocheting patch for doing such a great job!

An opportunity is arising for the members of NDK. The Leander MOMS club is interested in learning how to knit and crochet, so we may soon have another ten or so members joining our cause.

The website is up and running, and is updated every week or so. The link is http://ndknitting.org, but you can email us at info@ndknitting.org or, for club updates, club@ndknitting.org.

We are also working on putting a monthly newsletter together for NDK. This will be filled with knitting and crocheting patterns, volunteer opportunities and great offers. Email us for more information or to sign up for the newsletter!

That's all for now. As you can see, our club and project has grown tremendously since we last posted. Thanks so much for supporting NDK!

- Sarah, Emily and the other members of NDK

Photos:

02/22/2010

Update:

NDK has won another grant! In addition to the previous $500, we now have another $1000 in the bank. Our website is completed, and the link is www.ndknitting.org.

The club was pretty much a no-go, but we have collected over 200 pieces of clothing from collection boxes around our town. With the next $1000, I am planning to hold a conference, educating people about our cause and inspiring others to take action. If the meeting is a success, I will hold more in other towns, and, eventually, in other states. Our organization is beginning to blossom, but without your help, it will never fully bloom.

Thanks for taking an interest in my organization. Please visit my website for more information and upcoming events near you!

Thanks,
Sarah

Photos:

10/18/2009

Update:

Lots of things have been happening since July. First off, my organization won a Natural Disaster grant for $500. I also was able to attend the Do Something Boot Camp on September 25-27, in Boston, Massachusetts. It was a great experience and definitely gave my project a tremendous boost.

I have also started a club at my local library to help get the word out about our cause, as well as to get people involved in knitting and crocheting. We offer free classes on knitting/crocheting as well.

As you can probably see, the number of people involved has dropped drastically since I first started my project. The Food Bank stopped showing up, and the Red Cross doesn't accept material donations, so now we are working with the Salvation Army. That's why, at the moment, it's just me and Emily. When our club gets started, however, the number should go up :)

I also have a new website! It may not be up-and-running yet, as it takes a few days to get on the web, but the link is www.ndknitting.org.
Thanks for being interested in my project and I'll update again soon!

Photos:

Comments

abatista says:

This sounds like an awesome project and definitely a unique way to help. You should apply for a grant (if you haven't already)! Go to: www.dosomething.org/grants

murrn says:

Thank you - I've already applied for a Disaster Grant and recieved a call yesterday concerning it. I'm not sure if I've won, but even if I don't I plan to still go through with this project.

Thanks for your support,

Sarah

betsycon7 says:

Great job! We're doing things like this in our knitting/crocheting club. But instead we're making blankets and hats to donate to the local hospitals for the long-term patients.
I'm definitely going to share this story with the club this week.
Thanks, and keep it up!

murrn says:

Thanks very much! All help is appreciated, escpecially just spreading the word. The more people educated, the more people saved.

Natural Disaster Knitting

the problem:

vital stats:

why it's important:

the plan of action:

how you can get involved:

project updates:

Comments

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