Warm Woolies: Making Winter Warmer for Orphaned Children
Life can be hard in a Russian orphanage, but a hat or vest from Warm Woolies gives kids something to smile about!
Warm Woolies works in some of the harshest climates in the world, delivering cozy vests, mittens, hats, and slippers to orphans in Russia and other disadvantaged countries. Their goal is to make 6,000 pieces of warm clothing to protect children from the winter cold!
Warming Hearts and Hands
Warm Woolies got its start in January 2003. There's nothing quite like the personal touch to inspire people to act, and two adopted Russian boys named Andre and Roman kick started Warm Woolies. A friend of their adopted mother realized how desperately Russian orphans needed not only warm clothes, but warm hearts! She decided to knit 100 pieces and send them to Russia.
Now Warm Woolies hopes to send 6,000 woolen hugs overseas! They mainly need vests, sweaters, and socks, but baby blankets, hats, and any other child-sized items are welcome. Warmth and durability are the only requirements Warm Woolies places on donations. If you think it might make a child smile, it's probably just right!
Making Helping a Snap
Warm Woolies does better than just ask for donations. It provides everything you need to get going! They'll even supply needles and yarn, although if you're not in the Denver area, they ask you use your own yarn at first and include a note asking for more.
But the most fun part of any project is the patterns, and Warm Woolies provides them in spades! Have you always wondered how to knit a hat? Do your sweaters turn out not quite right? Does the thought of turning a heel make you head for the hills? Never fear -- Warm Woolies provides a new pattern every month, most of them aimed at beginners!
The Warm Woolies cardigan coat/sweater is especially fun! This multicolored sweater is so darn cute and easy you just might find yourself knitting one for your own family after you finish your donation!
Let's Do It!
Warm Woolies is a friendly sort of charity: they accept all kinds of donations from any skill level all year long. If you're interested in helping out, browse the Warm Woolies website for ideas and tips! There's an address to mail donations if you want to get started right away!
