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| Current Campaign for Newborns
Update as of May 8, 2008Please Read Dear Knitters and Crocheters for Afghanistan, Our Mother's Day Campaign for Newborns ... The CURE Hospital in Kabul has again asked us to send these specific wool items for newborns: * baby hats (head circumference of 10" - 15"; caps need to cover ears; ear flaps and under-chin ties are acceptable; hats need some stretch for comfort over forehead) * baby socks (foot length of 2.5" - 3.5"; proper socks with heels; no booties or slippers, please; for knitters only) * baby blankets (minimum 40" x 30" -- please, NO smaller!; we'd love if crocheters could focus on blankets, as crochet goes faster and is thicker generally; please think dense, not lacy stitches) CURE is one of the few hospitals that serves very sick babies in their neonatal unit. (We do not need items for premature babies. Just the sizes above.) Due date May 19, 2008, for U.S. and May 19 for Canada (via elann.com). Feel free to send in newborn items when ready. Some of our gifts will be hand-carried in luggage of medical personnel and volunteers. In particular, we especially need blankets of min. size of 40' x 30". Please get started as soon as possible on blankets to make our due dates. Important points to review * Use wool (or other animal fiber) to provide maximum utility in harsh weather. Please review our memo on wool and fiber content. * Please avoid white and very light colors that soil more easily. Afghans like all colors. Feel free to mix up a bright and cheery palette. Use up those wool oddballs. * Knit or crochet your favorite pattern or try something new. * Basic socks with heels and good cover for the lower leg; no booties or slippers, please. *Avoid lacy or airy patterns. Our general guidelines and mailing addresses are HERE for your reference. We just have to take advantage of these precious shipping and distribution opportunities when they arise. Shipping to Afghanistan with reliable relief groups and manageable logistics are getting harder and harder to obtain. When we receive specific requests from relief workers on the ground in Afghanistan, we do our best to say yes to the need.The Afghan people still need to know that we care. Maybe more than ever before. Our gifts are highly valued. Our gifts can be life-saving. Please spread the word! Another important way to participate ... please tell your fiber friends about our campaigns. We count on our volunteers for the essential word-of-mouth to keep our momentum. Please share the link to this webpage. Add one of our banners to your blog or site. Each blanket or garment means one more child is going to be a lot more comfortable because of you. We really can do something tangible and meaningful for people far away and living under tremendous hardship. Our gifts make a difference in the lives of the recipients. When we started this project with the San Francisco office of the American Friends Service Committee in late 2001, we did not anticipate that the need would exist for so long. We did not anticipate the degree of desire to reach out to individuals on the other side of the world -- with our needles and hooks! Volunteers across the US and Canada have generously responded with enthusiasm and plenty of heart. Thank you for continuing to take action with your own hands. Your involvement is deeply valued. Our best, Ann and colleagues at afghans for Afghans PS: Need some group camaraderie to complete your items in time? Join Heidi's afghans for Afghans' knit and crochet-along. Please jump in now! Heidi is waiting for you! Last-Minute Mother's Day Gift Idea for You! Send Your Mother our free downloadable PDF "In-VEST for Peace" greeting card. Send us your wool newborn hat, socks, or blanket for Afghanistan as a tribute to your own mother, and then send your mom (or any beloved mom!) our greeting card to let her know! The card features the In-VEST for Peace watercolor created by Rosemary Hill. Rosemary's playful art communicates a most sincere message. Rosemary is a talented San Francisco Bay Area artist, graphic designer, jewelry maker, and knitter. |  At the CURE Hospital in Kabul  At the CURE Hospital in Kabul  Paul Magnusson and his wool baby blanket for Afghanistan  At the CURE Hospital in Kabul  Newborn socks galore knit by Betsy Tucker, Charlottesville, VA
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© 2008 afghans for Afghans. All rights reserved. |
