Refugee Outreach for Thornton, CO

09/28/2022

Thank you so much! It's the first package for this whole project. I will admit I got a little teary last night when my boyfriend sent me a text with a picture of it. It's such pretty colors and I know that some kiddo is going to love it!

09/09/2022

Hi everyone! I just received an email from a lady attached to the local mosque. She has pointed me in the direction of McElwain Elementary. They have many of the Afgani refugees attending there and are running a winter gear drive in November. I will be reaching out to them this weekend to get further information.

She was also able to give me some specifics on crafting. Namely there are only two of concern. No silk. And no faces.

If any of you wish to start sending items, my address is listed in the information for this page.

I also want to ask a LYS in Englewood to be a drop off point, but the awesome owner is in the middle of a move. So I am waiting another week before I spring it on her. I know all too well only so much insanity at once.

08/29/2022

I believe in the power of handmade things. On my wall hangs the quilt my boyfriend's great grandmother made. I have countless quilts my mother has made me. They aren't just a way to stay warm. They are testaments of love.

And I create with the knowledge and tools that those before me have given. I use my grandmother's 1949 singer and cherish my great grandmother's hand carved crochet hook.

I firmly believe that handmade does more than warm your body. It warms your heart. It's a lot of work to make these things. And we wouldn't do it if we didn't absolutely love it.

It is my sincerest hope that the children we are going to help with this are able to feel some of the love.

And I am so deeply touched that I'm far from the only one who wants to help them.

08/28/2022

In my daily life, part of my job is being a food vendor for two school districts here. I was speaking with the kitchen manager for Thornton Middle School. She let me know that the school has a large increase in Muslim students and that many of these children are Afgani refugees.

She told me of a group of six. These six - their respective parents found out that a couple were set to go to America and they begged the couple to take their children. It is presumed that the parents of these six are no longer alive.

And my heart broke. These children have been through the unimaginable. They came here with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.

Well, I'm a fiber artist. I spin yarn, knit, crochet, and do a million other things with yarn. And these kids need to be warm. Not just physically, but emotionally. For those of us that make, we know that store bought just doesn't have the same emotional weight as hand made. There's a little love in every stitch.

So I started reaching out to the fiber community. And honestly, I am more than a little overwhelmed at the support I am finding. It's beautiful.

I am waiting to hear back from the Iman of the local mosque for answers to several questions, but I have already received approval from the schools for distribution of winter gear. I know there are at least two other schools in the area facing the same problem. And I know their kitchen managers too.

For right now, I am focusing on hats, scarves, gloves/mittens and a stuffed animal. I am happy to take anything else you have to offer though.

Thank you so much for your help. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. Thank you for helping these children.

Nonprofit organization