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Thursday, November 8, 2012

A bit of a 'word ramble' today...quite a bit of nothing in particular! lol

In a recent post, I showed photos of some beautifully knitted jumpers that had been made for K4BN to give away to the needy. I'd also like to share with you something written by Karen Croke (the founder and organiser of K4BN) after meeting up with someone who had received a jumper from us. Once again Karen was doing something for the less fortunate in our community. She, and her DH Peter,  had gone  to help out in Aunty Rene's Kitchen which makes sure that needy people in the inner city suburb of Spring Hill don't go hungry. This is what happened...


'One lady, came up to me and asked if she could give me a hug. She was wearing a jumper that we had given her during winter. She said she wore it heaps, yet it still looks if really good condition, it was a blue denim colour from what I could see in the dark, with "baubles" knitted into it! She told me that her daughter had recently had her first child, and because of that the daughter mellowed and found mum and asked her to come and see the baby. She was wearing the jumper when she held him, and said that he kept on touching the "bobbles" on the jumper. She doesn't seem him regularly but when she does she always wears the jumper. Says she washes it by hand, sometimes she doesn't have detergent or anything, so its only plain water, but her obvious joy at having that jumper and the fact that it is a bond with her grandchild was quite emotional! 

Hopefully her daughter will allow her to see her grandson a bit more regularly.
It certainly shows that what we all do is so greatly appreciated.'



I really admire the members who knit jumpers, especially those to fit adults. There is so much work and yarn involved, but I guess all members have a part to play. Many of us know each other's 'specialities' and set aside particular yarns from donations for that member. 

Now as well as knitted, sewn and crocheted items, K4BN provides hundreds of toiletry bags (a.k.a. hygenie packs) to the needy each year. At the recent Scarborough Knit and Natter I was able to take some photos of the latest lot of these  which are ready for distribution. 

This type of bag is for family groups...Karen's husband is always on the lookout for toiletry items on sale :-) 


This is what is in a 'single' bag

This small 'wheely bin' is packed full of filled toiletry bags... members donate toiletries to help fill these bags


Now I'm still going to discuss donations etc but first I digress....

A little while ago DH and I drove down to IKEA. DH had some lifting to do ....
 I had some trolley pushing to do also....


At home a few days later, we worked as a team and assembled our shelves...voila!!



Most of the cubes are still empty...but for how long ???
Well when we went to IKEA, with K4BN in mind, we bought some other things ....


Some packets of finger puppets and some stuffed toys....


Because... my SIL's friend gave me some bags for the group...On closer inspection, the bottom of the lining in each of the bags wasn't sewn and the linings' open edges were a bit uneven... 

So I sewed across the bottom of the lining on each one and gave them all a 'good press'....problems solved! 


But I thought the bags would look even better with a 'surprise' in them...


So I put my IKEA bargains in some of them...Sometimes I wish I was a 'kid' again. I'd love one of these! :-)

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

what a lovely post Maria and we do the care bags at xmas as well its a lovely idea.xx

kaiteM said...

i think you are "a kid again", you put together such fun things.

Naturally Carol said...

It's the 'joy of giving' I think! I think God dishes it out liberally to those who do..it's just a pity that those who don't, don't know what they're missing out on!

Becky said...

I agree - LOVELY POST! Just a little input from me after reading the letter from the founding member... a small trial size box of detergent would be a nice added bonus to the hygiene packs at Christmas time from the sound of it. IF you can find some at an awesome price.

Susan said...

Aw Maria, this is such a special post. What kind hearts you and your fellow K4BN members have. I simply adored the story you related of the lady with her treasured 'bobble' jumper :D)