There is still time to donate to the Red Scarf Project for 2010. Finishing a scarf in less than a week may not be doable, if you are just hearing about this effort, but the Orphan Foundation of America will accept monetary donations, as well. See the General Donation page for details.
Something that I had not heard about until this year, and closer to home, was a donation effort to make scarves for the Special Olympics in Michigan.
Virginia Schultz of Clarkston, Michigan,orchestrated an effort to donate scarves for every participant in Michigan's Special Olympics. I spoke to her husband last week, wanting to get a few more details, and he said they have reached their quota for scarves.
I asked him to repeat himself, and he said YES, they have enough scarves! Wow! He couldn’t believe it, either; they have reached their goal.
He wanted to warmly thank everyone who took the time and effort to make and donate a scarf for the Special Olympics here in Michigan. He suggested that if anyone had already finished a scarf, they could still send it in, but to not begin a scarf or special order any yarn. He said that Michael’s had been very helpful and supportive of this scarf effort.
The Michigan Special Olympics will take place in the Lower Peninsula on February 1-4, 2011, Grand Traverse Resort, in northwest Michigan.
One more thing: Mr. Schultz said that he and his wife had never met so many warm-hearted and friendly people as those knitters and crocheters with whom they had been in contact about this project.
I am sure you can understand how hectic life gets every now and then. I have been remiss in my posting about the deadline for the Red Scarf Project.
The deadline for submitting scarves is December 15, 2009. That is a good 2 weeks away. It appears that due to the overflow of scarves over the past 2 years, we now find ourselves in a position where more scarves are needed. I know, I know, a feast, or a famine. But, this is a worthy cause.
For those who don't know about the Orphan Foundation of America, here are some Fast Facts taken from their website:
----------- FAST FACTS ----------
OFA
is the only national organization specifically focusing on support,
education, and workforce development for youth aging out of the foster
care system.
We award $15 million annually in
funding to thousands of foster youth across the country who attend
college and specialized training programs.
Funds may be used for tuition, books and tools, housing, transportation and health insurance.
Recipients are independent students who do not receive family support and are solely responsible for their higher education.
Charity Navigator rates OFA four stars -- the highest score possible for fundraising efficiency bestowed by one of the nation's leading charity evaluators.
Over 91 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to support OFA programs and youth
Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) number: 11105
There are less scholarships available for the 2009-2010 school year due to the nation's poor economy. Hey, I live in one the hardest hit states in the USA. I know how tough times are, and that goes across the board. But realize, even $5.00 will help.
For me, the quickest way to make a scarf would be to crochet one. If you want a fast scarf project, check out Green Stripe for Red Scarf.
I made mine in no time flat. However, this year has been too crazy for me. I understand if someone cannot make a scarf on short notice. The Red Scarf Fund for Foster Youth is in dire need of donations. If you can't make a scarf, perhaps you would consider a donation, (no amount is too small) which covers emergency needs of students, such as medical bills, housing, and transportation. Don't forget:
Donations to OFA are tax deductible.
Over 91 cents of every dollar contributed go directly to support the youth we serve
There are also opportunities to send a box of needed items, or even gift cards. What could be easier than that?
I am thankful, this Thanksgiving weekend, that I have the ability to help both foster and orphaned youth. Thank you, God, thank you, thank you.
For those of you who are moved
to knit for someone else, I have a really simple pattern for you, especially if you want to donate your scarf to the Red Scarf Project this year, but you don't have a lot of time to do it. Crocheters, you can do this in your sleep. This would be a great first project for a new crocheter. The pattern is in my left sidebar, or just click the link:
If you are so inclined, there is also a PayPal button in my right sidebar which will take you directly to a place where you can donate as little or as much as you want to the Red Scarf Project.
The submission period for the next Red Scarf initiative is set for September 1 through December 15, 2008. Please, no more than 5 scarves from any one person or organization. Send scarves to:
Orphan Foundation of America The Red Scarf Project 21351 Gentry Drive Sterling, VA 20166
I am reposting an entry from last year, not because I am lazy, but I think it is still pertinent.
About Giving
What is the impetus to give of oneself to another? I have often
wondered this throughout my life. When I was younger, whenever a
friend got married or had a baby, I would make elaborate presents for
the occasion. I think I felt that a part of me would live on in the
items I gave them. I have found this phenomenon to be true of knitters
as well. Knitters are generous human beings, who love every process of
the knitting experience, from the crafting itself, to the giving of
presents for a happy event or a cause. Through the years, I have felt
a special affinity for local organizations which touch my heart, and I
have found that I am more apt to give of myself to them than obscure
causes in remote areas. Everyone is different, and my affinities for
charities may be completely foreign to my neighbor. Our uniqueness
keeps us interesting, but our sameness brings us together.
Last year, knitters around America, and even Canada, burst forth with their generosity for the Red Scarf Project, providing scarves for young adults who may not have had the pleasure of such a gift in the past. As a result, the Orphan Foundation of America
was inundated with more scarves than they could use. This event
brought a greater awareness for the plight of orphaned and foster teens
in the USA. It was a great success, and the mission for 2007 was
accomplished.
However, there was also an underplayed need. The fact is,
organizations like the Orphan Foundation of America need money to
survive. Scarves are nice gestures, but money is what keeps the
scholarships going. Many of us who were involved with the project last
year have added PayPal buttons to our blogs (see sidebar at right),
where interested people could directly donate to the Red Scarf Project.
I am perfectly fine with donating money as opposed to scarves this
year, as it is so sorely needed. The Orphan Foundation of America is
dear to my heart. I am personally the mother of two used-to-be
orphaned boys. My older son was of the age where he would have been
overlooked in the orphanage, and left to his own devices on the street
at age 15, had we not found each other.
The one thing I want for my children more than anything else is not
just to be happy, as many mothers espouse for their own. I want much
more than that for my children. I want them to care about others.
When they have a genuine compassion for people, everything else will
fall into place, and happiness will follow, in some form. To me, that
is the natural state: one of love and not of hate, one of giving, and
not of taking. I encourage everyone to give in any way, however much
is comfortable, to whatever charity or organization moves you to your
soul. Give it, bless it, and let it go.
From the Red Scarf Project website: "100 percent of any donation
designated for the Sponsored Scholarship Program goes directly to the
students. Since 1991, OFA has awarded over $9 million to thousands of students in all 50 states".
Teenagers in America have been overlooked. Oh, I don't mean the spoiled, wealthy ones, who have every desire for new clothes and the latest phones realized, who really are overlooked, but in a different way. I mean the not so wealthy teenagers, who quit school because they fear for their safety in the classroom, or who graduate but can't afford further education, or who don't have family members for one reason or another. These young people are overlooked, by the wealthiest society in the world.
If you are moved to donate is any way, even in what you may view as a small way, but karma views as really a boundless gesture, please see the PayPal button on the right of my sidebar. You can donate directly any amount you wish to the Red Scarf Society.
What is the impetus to give of oneself to another? I have often wondered this throughout my life. When I was younger, whenever a friend got married or had a baby, I would make elaborate presents for the occasion. I think I felt that a part of me would live on in the items I gave them. I have found this phenomenon to be true of knitters as well. Knitters are generous human beings, who love every process of the knitting experience, from the crafting itself, to the giving of presents for a happy event or a cause. Through the years, I have felt a special affinity for local organizations which touch my heart, and I have found that I am more apt to give of myself to them than obscure causes in remote areas. Everyone is different, and my affinities for charities may be completely foreign to my neighbor. Our uniqueness keeps us interesting, but our sameness brings us together.
Last year, knitters around America, and even Canada, burst forth with their generosity for the Red Scarf Project, providing scarves for young adults who may not have had the pleasure of such a gift in the past. As a result, the Orphan Foundation of America was inundated with more scarves than they could use. This event brought a greater awareness for the plight of orphaned and foster teens in the USA. It was a great success, and the mission for 2007 was accomplished.
However, there was also an underplayed need. The fact is, organizations like the Orphan Foundation of America need money to survive. Scarves are nice gestures, but money is what keeps the scholarships going. Many of us who were involved with the project last year have added PayPal buttons to our blogs (see sidebar at right), where interested people could directly donate to the Red Scarf Project. I am perfectly fine with donating money as opposed to scarves this year, as it is so sorely needed. The Orphan Foundation of America is dear to my heart. I am personally the mother of two used-to-be orphaned boys. My older son was of the age where he would have been overlooked in the orphanage, and left to his own devices on the street at age 15, had we not found each other.
The one thing I want for my children more than anything else is not just to be happy, as many mothers espouse for their own. I want much more than that for my children. I want them to care about others. When they have a genuine compassion for people, everything else will fall into place, and happiness will follow, in some form. To me, that is the natural state: one of love and not of hate, one of giving, and not of taking. I encourage everyone to give in any way, however much is comfortable, to whatever charity or organization moves you to your soul. Give it, bless it, and let it go.
Start your engines! The Red Scarf Project 2008 blog is up, thanks to Norma, who has put a lot of time and effort into this, and has also met with folks from the Orphan Foundation of Americato kick off the fundraiser this year.
What, it is starting earlier, you say? Correct! It takes place between September 1 and October 15, 2007. The response was overwhelming last year, due to the generosity of knitters, with the OFA being inundated with more scarves than they could use. As a result, a fund for these youth was started, which accepts monetary donations. I have provided a direct link to this fund via PayPal on my sidebar.
"Your contribution will enable OFA to provide more students with scholarships and funding to attend college and trade schools in your area and nationwide". Below is some information from the OFA Red Scarf website.
Need pattern ideas or gift tags? Check out Melissa's blog for great ideas. Also, please visit Norma's blog for updated information.
- Red Scarf Project FAQ
Where will my Red Scarf be sent?
Your wonderful handmade creation will be sent in a Valentine’s Day Care Package (February 2008) to an OFA student enrolled in college or trade school.
When/where do I send my scarf?
Send your scarf between September 1 through October 15, 2007 to:
Orphan Foundation of America The Red Scarf Project 21351 Gentry Drive Sterling, VA 20166
As we have limited means for storage, please send your scarves only during this time period.
How many scarves can I make and send in?
Please limit donations to NO MORE THAN 5 SCARVES from any one person or organization. Thank you!
Can I be sure my scarf was received?
Please include a legal-sized self-addressed stamped envelope in your mailing to OFA, or include your name and email address printed clearly inside your mailing.
Can I include anything else with my scarf to help OFA students?
Yes! Along with your heart and neck-warming donation, include a hand-written note of encouragement to keep a student's spirits up during the cold months. Our foster youth would love to hear from you!
Please secure your note with ribbon or string to the scarf, and you may include your first name, city and state. You can also mention any washing instructions.
A gift card from any national chain store is also welcome – Barnes and Noble, Borders, Target, Wal-mart, Starbucks or any fast food chain. OFA students LOVE gift cards!
Can I make a cash donation to help these kids?
Yes! The Red Scarf Fund for Foster Youth was just established at the suggestion of several people in the charitable knitting community.
You can write a check made out to this fund and mail it to the Orphan Foundation of America Red Scarf Project at the above address; or make an easy, swift and secure online donation through PayPal (SEE THE BUTTON TO THE RIGHT ON MY SIDEBAR).
WHY DONATE?
I'd like to share one of the many reasons this project is dear to my heart. My husband and I adopted two boys from Russia 4 years ago. Being of Polish/Russian descent, it was easy for me to become familiar with and acclimated to their culture, as much of it was instilled in me as a child. Still, I did my homework. One of the major differences between Western culture and that of Russia, was in their unique business practices.
It is common practice to give gifts to officials and those with whom you are doing business. This is not unique to Russia, but in fact, is practiced among most European and Eastern cultures. Knowing this, it was still awkward the first few times to give presents to authorities. Prior to our first trip there, we were told about certain acceptable gifts, and I did include many of them in my giving. Afterward, I realized I just should have used my head, followed my heart, and given money instead of English calendars to the orphanage workers. Really, how many English calendars does one Russian caretaker need? We were one of dozens of couples they had contact with that year. The fact was, the caretakers could have used money to ease their life up.
My point is, scarves are nice. Very nice. Probably many of the orphaned and foster teens affiliated with the the OFA have never had such a nice scarf. Still, it takes money to run this organization.
If this is something which moves you, I encourage you to donate as little or as much as you feel comfortable. Thank you for your support!
As the last box was sent off to the Orphan Foundation of America, I couldn't help but feel that slight wisp of loneliness which I often get when I finish a project I have put a lot of myself into. I usually don't have that feeling when I finish something for myself, but I sometimes feel a loss when I give away something for babies or children. I am not sure if I will miss the item I had been working on, or if I have bonded in some mysterious way with a stranger I will never meet, but there is definitely a mild sense of loss. Not sadness, mind you, just a minor loss.
Yet I have gained so much during this Red Scarf drive. I made some new friends, I got to handle beautiful scarves, I saw generosity everywhere, and I felt good about spending time on a worthwhile effort which was dear to my heart.
Between the Ann Arbor S-B Knitting group, the patrons of Noisy Needles, and the Pinckney Purlers, we gathered 72 scarves for donation! Isn't that amazing! Give yourselves a big hug!
The Ann Arbor S-B Knitting and Crochet Group was very generous in their donation of scarves for the Red Scarf Project. I'd been trying to entice our members to participate, using the old bribery technique, and it seems to have worked nicely.
Each person who gave me a scarf was was given a 10% off coupon at Noisy Needles, and entered into a drawing. Plus, each scarf submitted was awarded one entry.
The drawing for the prize was finally held, and the winner is.....I CAN'T SAY! She wasn't there to pick up her prize! We'll give it to her next week. Maybe. Notice I had a little help from my friend, Le' Slouch.
I want to extend a big thank you to our sponsors, Noisy Needlesin Brighton, Michigan, and Whitmore Lake Yarn Company in Whitmore Lake for helping with the donations in our prize.
Both shops have such a wonderful and friendly presence, that I would encourage anyone visiting this area to stop in and say hi.
It all started out innocently enough, due to my passion for orphaned and foster teens. I simply began to put little knitting related items together for the winner of the prize, thinking it would be a nice gesture to the donors in my Ann Arbor group. I made some maize and blue stitch markers, tucked in a cute sheep ornament, and gathered a few other things. But both yarn shops were more than generous, and made the prize ever so much sweeter. Thanks again!
But that is not all, folks! The scarves just kept on coming!
So much interest was generated once the word got out, that Noisy Needles offered to be a drop off point for anyone else who was interested. In fact, once the Pinckney Purlers got wind of this, they began to put the Ann Arbor knitters to shame! I think a little friendly contest in a different vein is in order next year, hmmm?
<--There's Laura of Noisy Needles, in her felted and beaded Lamb's Pride jacket
Of course, I also want to thank, in a deep and sincere way, all of the knitters and crocheters who participated by giving of themselves with the gift of a scarf. We can't forget Norma, who started the Red Scarf Project Blog, and made it easier for all of us to compile and share our information about the project, and Gale Zucker, who most graciously allowed me to use her poster in my blog.
I'll spend the next couple of days finishing up packing the rest of the boxes to send to the Orphan Foundation of America. Knitters are awesome!
Same time next year?
One for the road. There's Alan, with his crocheted American flag afghan-->
We have about 1 more week left to finish making our scarves for the Red Scarf Project. For my local SnB group, the deadline for getting the scarves to me is January 16. Anyone else in southeast Michigan who would like to participate, can drop off their scarves at Noisy Needles. I want to thank everyone who has given me a scarf so far. You have no idea how much your scarf will mean to some young person. Never underestimate the power of giving.
Norma, in her Red Scarf Projectblog, just asked for comments from people who wanted to share their reasons why they are participating in this cause. There are a few reasons why this project is dear to my heart, and at the top of my list.
Firstly, my husband and I adopted 2 boys. Our eldest was 4 years old when we brought him home, getting to the age where he would become more difficult to adopt. Had we not made him our son, he could have remained an orphan, only to be dropped out of the system and onto the streets at age fifteen. Secondly, we have friends who are mentors to 4 preteen boys, who may not ever have known what life is like outside of their inner city home, were it not for someone who cared. Thirdly, these scarves are for an overlooked part of our population, teenagers, who live in the United States. We may live in the wealthiest country on the planet, but the USA has citizens living in poverty, and others without health insurance. This is inexcusable, and we need to take care of our own. And lastly, it is only by the grace of God that I was not an orphan myself. My heart relates to teens who make poor choices, or find themselves without parents. A simple scarf may not be much, but it is a gift, both to whoever receives it, and also to myself for having done one small thing for someone.
For those of you in Southeast Michigan, who would like to donate a scarf to the Red Scarf Project, Noisy Needles yarn shop, specializing in knitting products made in the USA, has offered to be a collecting point for the scarves. In January, they will be sent together in a box for donation to orphan and foster teens all across the USA. I don't need an excuse to visit another yarn shop, but hey, if you are making a scarf for the project, and like to visit yarn shops on your travels, you may want to consider doing both at the same time. Thank you so much!
