Thursday, September 8, 2011

Let's Help!

For the past 12 years my family and I have traveled to Vermont each summer to relax and soak in the gorgeous scenery and the wonderful spirit that abounds in that lovely green state. Here's what Dot's Restaurant in Wilmington looked like when we were there 3 weeks ago:

And here's what Dot's looked like last week (to put the flooding in perspective, normally the river level below that bridge is a good 20 feet below the street):
There are scenes like this all over Vermont - houses, bridges, roads all washed away.  Many residents lost everything, and winter's right around the corner there. Here's a little way that we knitters can help: Warm Hats, Warm Hearts, an organization run by India Tresselt, is collecting handknit hats, scarves, mittens and sweaters to distribute to northern Vermont and upstate New York flood survivors.

You can donate any knitted item (please include care and washing instructions and please use machine washable yarns for child and baby items.) If you would like to make and donate a child's hat, I will email you a PDF of the Momogus Knits Easy Child's Cap pattern for free. Just leave your email address in a comment below. There is a Warm Hats, Warm Hearts group on Ravelry with lots of information.

Items can be sent to:
Warm Hats, Warm Hearts
c/o India Tresselt
251 Huntley Road
Westford, VT 05494

If you have questions for India, you can email her at warmhearts2ATgmailDOTcom. If you would like to donate knitted items to southern Vermont flood survivors, you can email Kelly Connaughton at kfield16ATyahooDOTcom for an address and more information.

Let's help!!

13 comments:

Elizabeth D said...

Thanks, Diana! I was already working on some mittens for them.

CurlyGirl said...

I found this for non-knitters who might like to help out:

DONATIONS

• The Red Cross is asking for financial donations. Donations can be made at www.vermontredcross.org or by calling 800-660-9130. For those who are interested in volunteering, register online at www.vermontredcross.org and click on the red "Volunteer" button on the left.

• Vermont Commission on National and Community Service is looking for volunteers. Call 241-4244 or visit http://vtcncs.vermont.gov.

• The United Way has set up a relief fund. You can donate at Vermont211.org or by calling 211.

• There is a grassroots volunteer effort online. The site is vtresponse.wordpress.com. There are listings for people who need help and people who are willing to help.

• Text FOODNOW to 52000 to donate $10 to Vermont Foodbank. The Foodbank will turn each donation into $60 for families in need.

• The VT Irene Flood Relief Fund is raising money to help people and communities affected by flooding. 100 percent of all donations will be distributed to businesses and families. The fund is being administered by Todd K. Bailey. Info on Facebook under VT Irene Flood Relief Fund.

(My word verification was "unglymi." That's you!

NettyB said...

I would love to help, I already have some knitted scarves, would love to try to make some hats. My sister also knits. If it is ok, I will share the pattern with her.

NettyB

nettybeason@gmail.com

debbieb0925 said...

I'm sitting on a bunch of skeins of extra worsted weight yarn in blue, purple and tan. I could whip up a few of these while sitting on the soccer field this fall. Thanks for the great suggestion!

Debbie (debbie.bernstein@mac.com)

Norma said...

I would love the pattern to make some and donate...
Could you please send to

suziham@msn.com

diana said...

Elizabeth - thank you for forwarding the info in the first place!!

CurlyGirl - AWESOME! I forget that there are non-knitters in the world sometimes! Ha ha!

Netty - it's on its way to you - yes feel free to share with your sister! Thanks for helping!

Debbie - on its way - Thank you!!

Norma - on its way - Thank you!!

Laura Guptill Jewelry said...

I would love to. My daughter lives in Marlboro, right between hard hit Wilmington and Brattleboro. A good friend works at a bookstore that was devastated in Wilmington.
Thank you,
Laura
(laura@lauraguptilljewelry.com)

diana said...

Laura - the pattern's on its way to you! (My son loved that bookstore - we just bought a bunch of books for him there in mid-August! It's just devastating to think of) Hope your daughter's okay.

India said...

Thank you Diana for posting! and thank you everyone for responding! There is also another effort--Fibers for Friends (see 'em on Ravelry)--collecting items for southern Vermont, while I am concentrating on northern Vermont and upstate New York. Don't know or care where your stuff goes? Send to either of us and we will get your handknits to someone in need.

CraftyGrandma said...

Would like to help. I have some I can send now.
Thanks in advance for the pattern.

johnnysgrandma@sbcglobal.net

QuilterMary said...

I'm in. mesnielsen@aol.com
My sister lives in VT and has sent photos - so incredible, thankfully she's dry and undamaged, but no power.

diana said...

CraftyGrandma & Quilter Mary - your pattern's on the way. Thank you so much for participating!!

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to say as a Vermonter I know this winter is really going to be hard on a lot of people - your generous donations will help ease the burden plus brighten someones day . THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK-YOU ALL!