Best-selling author Debbie Macomber is reaching out to readers to encourage their participation in KNIT1, BLESS2, a Mother's Day initiative benefiting three national charities that provide handmade garments and blankets to infants and children in need.
An admitted knit-o-holic, Macomber is asking her readers to send in one hand-knitted or crocheted item that can be donated to Newborns in Need, Project Linus or The Binky Patrol to commemorate the holiday.
Readers can go online at www.knit1bless2.com or www.debbiemacomber.com to register and join the effort. Once they've chosen their project from the list of recommended items for each charity and signed up, they will find links to each charity to download patterns.
All reader items will be donated as part of the KNIT1, BLESS2 effort by sending completed projects to: Debbie Macomber, c/o Truth Be Told, 183 Madison Avenue, Suite 1201, New York, NY 10016. Items can be submitted up until May 3.
The Project Linus Mission
Project Linus is comprised of hundreds of local chapters and thousands of volunteers across the United States. Each volunteer and local chapter all work together to help achieve the group's mission statement, which states: First, it is our mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer "blanketeers." Second, it is our mission to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children. Together we have distributed over three million blankets to children in need since our inception in 1995. Project Linus welcomes blankets of all styles, including quilts, tied comforters, fleece blankets, crocheted or knitted afghans, and receiving blankets in child-friendly colors. Blankets must be new, handmade and washable. Website: www.projectlinus.org
Newborns in Need
Newborns In Need provides basic essentials to hospitals and social service agencies that provide assistance to premature, ill or impoverished newborns. By dedicating their time, talents and love, NIN volunteers are able to give a warm welcome to at-risk newborns in their own local communities. They utilize their sewing, crocheting or knitting skills to create much-needed items. They invite beginners to join in and enlist their help year-round in collecting donations and supplies to support their local chapters. Clothing, diapers, blankets, hats and many other basic items are donated to the little ones.
Anyone who sews, knits, crochets or quilts, can visit www.newbornsinneed.org for more information. The organization is a 501(c)(3) charity, providing tax deductible receipts when requested.
Binky Patrol
This 100% volunteer organization has a simple mission: to make and delivery handmade blankets to children and teens in need of comfort. These are children who are ill, abused, experiencing trauma of any kind. They all deserve to know that they are not forgotten and that someone cares. All types of binkies are welcomed: sewn, knitted, crocheted, tied, quilted, embroidered -- as long as they are soft, washable and made with love! For tips on how to make the most popular ones, please visit www.binkypatrol.org
Our group has members who are active in the Triangle (NC)chapter of Newborns in Need. We will make items and give directly to the local chapter. We can give you a count of the # and kinds of items, if you like. We will know the total # of items on 5/20.