If you’re reading this blog post, you probably have a home with a roof and a bed. Already that is more than the homeless of Ireland have as we approach winter. This need inspired Lora Millar and Deirdre McArdle of Ireland’s fibre and craft magazine Olann and to launch the Warm and Woolly campaign in association with the Simon Community.
Lora and Deirdre are asking the knitters and crocheters of Ireland to get involved with their needles and hooks to make hats, scarves, gloves, warm socks, leg warmers, cardigans, and jumpers. These are the things we make year-round that have love and warmth in every stitch. Love and warmth!
You may not know this, but my grandmother was an avid knitter and loved crochet. One year, she knit over 100 hats for the homeless of Washington, D.C. She was in her early 80s at the time, with failing eyesight and frequent naps, but she kept going and chose brightly colored yarn to bring cheer to the city. For years after, we’d occasionally see one of her hats and know she had made a difference in someone’s comfort and well being. That kind of visible difference can be elusive when donations travel far and wide to help so many worthwhile causes and communities, so consider someone local this month as you wonder what to knit next.
If knitting and crochet aren’t your thing, you can still help. There’s a long list of other items Simon could do with too, including:
- thermal underwear (male & female)
- toiletries (unopened for both men and women)
- clothing (in good condition only, for men, women and children)
- sleeping bags (they must be fire retardant or they can’t be accepted)
- chocolate and/or biscuits
They’re working with yarn shops and other businesses around the country to organize drop-off points for knitted and crocheted items, as well as anything from the list above. Visit www.olannandwarmandwoolly.wordpress.com for details of where you can bring your items. Vibes and Scribes has volunteered to be a drop-off point in Cork City Centre!
The campaign will run until 30th November which gives you a couple weeks left to get involved! This gives the Simon Communities time to ensure that your items will reach those in need as quickly as possible.
You can learn more about Warm and Woolly on the designated Facebook Page here and for all the relevant information click here. If you’re a local yarn shop or business that would like to be a designated drop-off point, please e-mail Lora at lora@olannand.ie. You can stay up-to-date with their activities, new drop-off points, free patterns and any other news on the Olann and Facebook Page.
If you’re in Ireland, this is a worthwhile cause to help someone feel the warmth of love this winter.