more stuff and monsters

Hi all! It is so wonderful to stop by the post office and find a box from one of you!!! Today 14! hats from Lynne in GA with promises of more to come. Thanks, Lynne! They are so beautiful! (what is that pattern by the way? I love it!)
I would attach some lovely photos, but I can't get my new camera to act right. I'll get them on here when I can.

Also, There is a lady name Bonnie on Ravelry that collects knit/crochet monsters for Hope Gardens (a shelter for abused women and their children). She says they house about 49 children right now, but obviously this is dynamic. I would like us to send some monsters her way!! If you all want to get in on this just send the monsters to the Knits for Needs address and I will get them to her when I collect some. Looks like she donates around the holidays, so now is making and collecting time before we get into our own holiday knitting! If you want to check her out on ravelry look up Monsters for Hope Gardens. There is also a forum started there with the same name if it is easier for you to comment that way. Of course you can always email me at knitsforneeds@gmail.com or comment on twitter @knitsforneeds.
Thanks for all support and followings! Happy yarn working!

Keep the yarn flying,
Michelle

donation site

Hi all! Amanda at the Martha O'Bryan center contacted me and they would be glad to get anything we can give them. They serve about 4000 individuals a year 1000 of those are children. I was thinking we could make stuffed toys for the children, they do request that the stuffed items are new for health reasons. Also, we could donate some hats and scarves to them when the weather starts to get cooler again around here. They could use washclothes, too.

I know this is a tall order, but we can do what we can and we may surprise ourselves!! Let me know what you think or any ideas you may have. Thanks for being a part of this!

Keep the yarn flying,
michelle

places to donate

Hi all!
I just wanted let everyone know what I've been up to... doing some research on who may need our help in the Nashville area. I have come up with a couple things.
The first is called the Monroe Harding Home, it has been an orphanage since 1843, they house children and teens. They also have stepwise programs and housing for older teens/young adults that helps them transition into independent living. It says they are always in need of clothes, toiletries, household items, et al. I thought maybe they could use some of our hats, scarves and maybe we could knit/crochet them up some wash clothes and maybe some toys as well. I contacted them to see if they thought these kinds of things would be helpful to them. I'll let you know what they say! If you want to take a look at their website: www.monroeharding.org

The next is called the Martha O'Bryan Center. It serves the impoverished people of east Nashville. They "empowers children, youth, and adults in poverty to transform their lives through work, education, employment and fellowship." They have daycare, afterschool programs, tutoring and mentoring among other things. I have also contacted them. Will keep you updated. Here is their website: www.marthaobryan.org

There are some others I am still working on. I am open to ideas and value your input! Thanks for your support and donation!

'til next time!
Keep the yarn flying!
Michelle

First Shipment as the new guy

Hi all. I am so excited! Someone has knocked the dustbunnies out of the P.O. Box with the first shipment to KFN since I'm on board. Many thanks go out! Here are the goodies:

4 scarves from Robin in Massachusetts
10 hats, 3 scarves from Linda in Connecticut and $ for shipping.
1 Ball of yarn from Emily in Tennessee.
Thanks a lot ladies! I'll find them all good homes and keep everyone updated on where they go.
Keep the yarn flying!

Michelle

New Director

Hi. My name is Michelle Perdue I am the new director of Knits for Needs. I love what KFN is about and I am excited to get started. I have followed KFN on ravelry and twitter for some time and was sad to see Meredith was going to have to dissolve the charity, I thought it a tragedy and am happy for the opportunity to get involved and continue getting your handmade items directly to those in need!

I am on ravelry.com as mperdue (creative, I know :)). Please continue to follow KFN on twitter @knitsforneeds and/or ravelry and this blogspot will also continue. Meredith will be closing out the facebook account, so if you follow there please follow us on one of the other avenues! Also, if you have any questions for me don't hesitate to drop an email at knitsforneeds@gmail.com.

Things are not really going to change much from what all of you are used, I will try my best to continue what Meredith has started and keep with the traditions of Knits for Needs.

Important information--the address to send your items has changed!

P.O. Box 698

White House, TN 37188

If you have sent items to the other address and are concerned please drop me an email.

I am so excited to get things rolling. Congratulations for Meredith and her family on the new addition in about 4 weeks! I know she has had a hard time and they will be blessed! I am in contact with Meredith and all her help during this transition period is much apprecitiated! I'm glad to be on board--thanks for all of your support and hanging in there during this phase as we open another chapter in the Knits for Needs saga!

Michelle

New Director!

Hello all from Meridith! I am excited to say Knits For Needs is alive and well. As you know, I have been having pregnancy complications and have been on bed rest for a month... hopefully I only have 4 more weeks to go. We are doing fine. I just have to rest a lot, drink tons of water, and monitor contractions. My theory is that my body is NOT happy with me for going for the 4th child, but it will all be worth it in the end. Our family is very excited. Oh, and to add to our stress level, my youngest son managed to break BOTH his arms a few weeks ago!

We now have a new director! Her name is Michelle Perdue and she lives in Tennessee. Please note our new address and begin sending all donations her way. I am transferring all accounts to her, so you will be hearing from her very soon. Welcome Michelle, and thank you for saving KFN!! We are so proud of the organization we have built together, and we look forward to continuing our growth.

I will still be a part of KFN, so you'll still see me "around". I just needed someone to take over shipments and things... thanks again Michelle.

Go KFN!!

New Address

Hello folks!! We now have a new address for you to send your donations. As you know, I am passing the torch to someone who has decided to step up and take over. I will introduce her asap when she sends me a "bio". Here is our new address:

Knits For Needs
PO Box 698
White House, TN 37188

All donations from this point on should be sent to the new address.

I sent out two HUGE boxes this week! One was full of hats, probably about 150, and went to The Covenant House in New York City. The Covenant House is a refuge for homeless youth. The other box was full of scarves and went to the rape crisis center in Maryland that we have donated to before. I got a call from the director yesterday and she thanked us over and over again.

So, the transition to our new "director" is happening now, but Knits For Needs continues to make things happen. Nothing will change other than a new person will be taking over. And I'll still be around too :) On a personal note, I'm having complications with the pregnancy and have to put my feet up as much a possible. I'm a teacher and a parent of 3 kids, so this is next to impossible!!! I'm not officially on bed-rest yet, but it may be coming. I'm trying to hang on for another 2 months!

Rock On Knits For Needs

Great news everyone! It looks like someone will be taking over KFN for me so we can continue to grow and donate to people in need. I am very happy about this, as I'm sure you are as well. The only thing that will change for you is where you are sending your items. I will let you know all of the new info soon!

This past week I was able to get a few things delivered:

- 3 cat toys and 1 blanket to the Humane Society
- 11 lap robes to my grandmother's nursing home
- 23 hats, 15 dish cloths to Timothy Lutheran Foodbank which is down the street from me

The great thing about delivering things locally is getting to see the people's reactions. Everyone is so grateful for us and what we do.

We still have some items to ship out, a lot in fact. I had planned on getting them shipped this past week, but didn't get to it. Everything will go out this week and I will post that info soon.

Have a great weekend!

New News, and Sad News

Hello all!! Sorry I haven't posted in a long time. As most of you know, I am expecting my fourth child in April and the beginning of the pregnancy was very rough, so I've been absent from the computer for much of that time.

Special thanks to the following people:

Terri in Ohio, for donating 9 hats.
Marcy for donating 1 scarf and 12 dishcloths
Melinda in PA for donating 7 squares
Shanda in NC for donating yarn, 1 blanket, 1 pair of booties, and 3 hats
Linda in CT for donating some money, 3 blankets, 7 hats, and 3 scarves
Myra in IL for donating 1 pair of socks and 11 hats
Diane in NM for donating 8 squares

Our number for 2011 (and the very beginning of 2012) is 418. Thank you to all who contributed to this project again this past year!

I still have more items that need to be sent off to places and I plan to do that this week. I will let you know where everything goes.

And now for some sad news. I have decided that, for a number of reasons, I am going to dissolve Knits For Needs. Actually, if someone else is interested in taking over, please let me know asap and I'll get you started. That way, Knits For Needs can stick around and continue to grow. All of the rest of our items will be donated this week, including some yarn we still have, and our remaining funds will be donated to a worthy knitting charity (ideas?). Thank you to all of our loyal supporters and contributors. This has been a wonderful experience and I wish I could keep it going, but my life has changed drastically and I can no longer run the charity. Since its humble beginnings in early 2009, Knits For Needs donated 2,112 items to people in need!! Again, please let me know if you would like to take over the charity asap.

I'll post again soon when I ship the remaining items!! And... a very late Happy New Year to you!!

Today I sent out two big boxes of yarn to two groups who knit and crochet for charity. One group is in New York and they knit/crochet items for children in treatment centers and domestic violence shelters. The other project that we donated yarn to is as follows...

"My name is Suzann and I am currently a third year student at Boston University studying health sciences. In recent months I have been moved by reports covering the widespread famine in Somalia that has left hundreds of thousands dead and over 12 million at risk of starvation. As a citizen of the world I want to do my part to make an impact and most importantly, save lives. This is where Project Knit for Somalia begins. Our purpose is to bring those that love knitting and knit-lovers across the country together to raise money for hunger relief in Somalia. I'm currently in the early stages of spreading word through social media and inviting Boston University student groups and students across the nation to lend their ears, hearts, and a few hours of their time.

Each person is given the freedom to knit any wearable item, though preferably scarves and hats, and I will take responsibility for selling the finished products and donating 100 percent of the proceeds to an international aid organization stationed in Somalia such as Save the Children, the American Refugee Committee, UNICEF, and Action Against Hunger. In order to mobilize quickly we'll need yarn, and a lot of it. This is where I would appreciate any help in providing yarn that your organization can give. My goal is for Project Knit for Somalia to raise $500 in proceeds, of which every cent will be donated by November 13 or World Kindness Day. Each dollar can keep a Somali child or refugee alive for another day."

We are very happy to support these organizations by supplying them some yarn that they need and we have!!

Also, Lynne from GA stopped by my house today and brought tons of knit items and took a lot of yarn to use for her charity projects.

Thank you so much Lynne for donating 8 scarves, 11 lap robes, 26 hats, and 7 prayer squares! Also, thank you to Myra who donated 7 baby hats, to Cheryl who donated 1 shawl, 1 fingerless mitts, 5 scarves, 3 pairs of socks, and 10 hats, to Karen who donated 10 hats, and to Nancy in Baton Rouge (geaux Tigers!!!) who donated 5 scarves!