Taoist Tai Chi Society of Canada
Western Region
Helping others stay warm
Meeting the Society's objective of helping others often starts in small ways. In the spring of 2002, a few people from the Edmonton Branch started a project to knit and crochet 8” squares and join them to make blankets for people in need. Other members soon added their efforts and an estimated 70 blankets were made in the first year and a half. Since then, the project has developed a slower but surprisingly steady momentum that continues today.
Every few months, as blankets are completed, they are donated to various organizations in the community and, through those agencies, distributed to people who are living on the streets, in women's shelters, single mens' hostels, hospitals, or in centers for seniors, youth or victims of family violence.
Each unique blanket represents the warmth and support of the many hands that created it. Our members help in a number of ways; by collecting yarn from family and friends, by buying and donating the yarn, by knitting or crocheting the squares, by joining the squares to create the blankets and by delivering the blankets to outside organizations.
People involved in the project occasionally get together for an afternoon tea and sewing bee. These events provide not only an excuse to indulge in some decadent desserts, but also an opportunity to learn new stitches and techniques for joining, discuss designs, introduce other members to the project and to recognize how we, as a group, have helped and can continue to help, other people.
April, 2007
