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Our Winter Season 2020-2021

Hello to you out there. I hope you are well and staying safe during these interesting times that we are living in. There are many times I thought to myself, “Thank goodness I have knitting and crocheting to keep me busy.” I am sure I am not alone with that thought.
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With the current crisis, the people of Lynn need us now, even more than they needed us before. Resources are stretched thin in many households. Items like scarves, hats, mittens, and gloves are some of the first expenses to be cut from tight budgets.
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It is not safe for us to gather and distribute like Normal. Gathering in crowds, even to spread warmth, creates risk. I cannot risk that. I cannot risk them. I cannot risk you. You are my Superheroes of Altruism. Each one of you helps to make the world a better place. You are needed more than ever.
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For this year we are partnering with several local groups that are providing
needed aid to the people of Lynn. I chose groups that would allow us to reach the variety of people who would have benefited from our Scarf Bomb near the Lynn shelter, and My Brother’s Table. Maybe next year we can get back to our old ways.
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We have a lot of opportunities this winter to share warmth and kindness. I hope you join me on this new adventure.
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How can you help?
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1- Knit, crochet, sew, or buy: hats, scarves, gloves, or mittens. It is helpful if you can do matching sets, but no worries if you can’t. I will be matching odds and ends to create sets. [spacer height=”2px”]

If you sew, The links below have a great tutorial for sewing lined fleece hats, mittens, and scarves. The patterns are free

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PeioVuYj6k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_ejieBKtBM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ax5c0zvxvk

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2-Get some gallon size zip lock bags from your local dollar store. We will use these to create some matching sets.
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3- Knit, crochet, sew, or buy: baby blankets, or layette sets for new moms. If you are feeling, generous diapers for new babies can be paired with the blanket and layette sets.
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4- Donate your old coats. We are partnering with Peter Cipriano, who has pledged to collect at least 1000 coats this year. In January, these coats will be sent to Anton’s Cleaners to be cleaned then sent out to various agencies to distribute them.
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5- Ask your friends to help with any of the above.
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What do we want you to do with these requested items?
I can pick them up, you can mail them if you are not local, and you can drop them off on my front porch
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When do we need them?
Now and all through the 2020-2021 Season
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I know this post was super long. I appreciate that you took the time to read this message. [spacer height=”2px”]
If you have any questions, would like to arrange a pickup, or would like the address for drop off, please call or text me at 508-813-2469.
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I know the list is large, and I want you all to remember it is better to try and come close, then to never try at all. Feel good knowing we do the best we can. Thank you, my Superheroes of Altruism, for your kind and generous hearts
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Stay Safe and Warm
All my best
Kecia Rideout
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Scarves hanging outside My Brothers Table

Our First Scarf Bomb 2017-2018 Season

Thank you to everyone involved we had an amazing day.  It takes a lot of effort to pull this off and we can’t do it without our amazing volunteers.  Knitters, Crocheters, Gatherers, Makers, Sign Makers, Scarf Hangers, Word Spreaders, Cheer Spreaders and Encouragers of Kind Deeds work together to make amazing things happen.

Our first Scarf Bombing of the 2017-2018 Winter Season was a Giant Success.  There are a LOT of warmer people because of the work we do together.  Below you’ll see a short video made by Harrison Davis, one of our volunteers.  Next is a facebook folder that has pictures from the day of the event.

We’ll we continuing our every other Saturday Sit and Knit or Crochet Event at Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee.  Our next meeting is January 6, 2018.

Cheers,  Kecia

 

https://www.facebook.com/harrison.davis.5205/videos/398077803956317/

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1548992141864812.1073741838.734029010027800&type=1&l=3d55f19ef1

 

 

 

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8 Days until we Chase the Chill! What are we up to until then?

8 Days until we Chase the Chill! What are we up to until then?

On Saturday Nov 25, 2017   We’ll be knitting and crocheting at Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee – Lynn, MA  on Monroe Street from 10 am to Noon. You can come craft with us, and come in to drop off your donations.

On Thursday  Nov  30, 2017,  We’ll be knitting and crocheting at Starbucks on the Lynnway from 7-9 pm. You can come craft with us, and come in to drop off your donations. This is the last night to come in and drop off your donations before the big event.

Saturday, Dec 2, 2017, at 1:30 pm, We’ll gather outside on the streets and Neighborhood near my My Brother’s Table and the Lynn Emergency Shelter to hang the Warm winter gear that we have crafted and collected. Our mission? Spread warmth!

 

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Sit and Knit (or Crochet Nights)

The Sit and Knit (or Crochet) Nights are beginning again.

As for now, I have two events being held at Starbucks on the Lynnway.

Some asked for a daytime Sit and Knit (or Crochet) event and I’m happy to announce that the White Rose Coffeehouse in Central Square has agreed to be our new Daytime home.

I am working out the dates for that now. I’ll have more information soon.

Happy Crafting!

Cheers,

Kecia

 

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Our 2016-2017 Winter Season

We accomplished a lot this season because our Volunteers are amazing people. Everything that I am listing below occurred because volunteers made it happen. We dream. They hear our dreams and make them a reality.

We met on Dec 3, 2016, outside of My Brother’s Table and the Lynn Emergency Shelter.  We timed the event to coincide with the lunch service. These donations were a collection of lovingly handcrafted items and the fabulous items that were collected in drives by those with big hearts who wanted to help.  There was plenty of foot traffic.  We hung over 1000 items. We also had some long sleeve shirts that we were able to pass out. We had a little fun this year.  Dandee Donut Factory in Marblehead gave us a bunch of donuts and we shared them with the crowd. We see so much outside of My Brother’s Table.  I spent a lot of time helping people find items and even more time reassuring people we really were there to help them be warm. I can’t tell you how many times I heard a volunteer say some version of, “yes it was ok to just take an item if they needed it”  At the end of the day, I am glad to have been of service.  I am grateful that the folks at My Brother’s Table and The Lynn Emergency Shelter are on the job all year long.

We met again on Feb 4, 2017, on the street between Centerboard and St Mary’s Church.  This was a COLD and early morning.  I left my gloves at home by accident and very quickly I was regretting it. Many of the items that we had on this day were the extra hats, scarves, mittens and gloves that were collected by Lynn Museum/LynnArts and Centerboard for the West Baltimore Street Fire Families. St Mary’s facilitates a monthly visit from a Boston food bank so that the residents of Lynn can have access to a food pantry and better food security.  We helped plenty of foot traffic as well as people who traveled from all parts of Lynn to collect their food pantry box.  Warmer Lynn folks with better food security is a victory.  Over 700 items were distributed.  We could have stayed for longer. The need was great but our supplies ran out quickly.  There were too many old people, moms, and kids without scarves.

I could say Thank you a million times to all the people involved in making this happen and it would not be enough. That won’t stop me from trying.

We’re hard at work planning for 2017-2018 Winter Season. Keep your eyes out for news and keep creating cold weather items.

Thank you!

Cheers,

Kecia

P.S.  I have to admit that I don’t update the website as often as I update our facebook page. I’ll work on that.

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Dec 3, 2016 Scarf Bomb

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The signs are made. The items are tagged. We’ve been creating, collecting and gathering for a year now. It’s time to release them into the wild! We’ll be gathered outside tomorrow at 1:30pm. Please share the PDF Releases to any group in Lynn you think should know.

2016-chase-the-chill-press-release

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A few things to remember

  • Dress for the weather
  • Wear comfortable shoes
  • Leave valuables at home

I’m looking forward to our day tomorrow. I’ll see you there!

Cheers,

Kecia

 

 

 

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