For the folks in Vermont and upstate New York
Saturday September 03rd 2011, 10:27 pm
Filed under: Knitting a Gift

From India, who along with Ellen helped get the Warm Hats Not Hot Heads campaign going in January, wherein our fellow knitters helped us get 262 handknit hats sent to members of Congress to ask them to work respectfully and peaceably with one another:

“WARM HATS, WARM HEARTS

On August 28, Hurricane Irene visited Vermont. Although my town was spared the worst, many towns throughout the state suffered devastating flooding. My husband’s brother, sister, and mother narrowly escaped the rising waters of the Mad River, which inundated their home and their village, soaking everything in its path, taking out roads and bridges, and leaving behind inches of muck and piles of debris.

My family was lucky. Many of their things, including their clothing, are salvageable. But many others are not so fortunate. Though it is still quite warm here, we all know that soon the weather will turn much colder, and people will reach for that favorite sweater or scarf, only to remember that it’s gone.

I’m collecting donations of handknit hats, scarves, mittens, sweaters, socks, blankets, baby items, and knitted toys, items for anyone from babies through adults, to distribute to flood survivors in Vermont and upstate New York. If you would like to ply your needles for people in need, please contact me, India Tresselt, at warmhearts2@gmail.deletethesefourwordscom. Thank you!”

(I’m writing the email address that way to defeat those who would flood it with unwanted messages by the gross.)

And anything else we can do, India, please let us know. Thank you for looking out for those around you in ways the rest of us wish we could directly–although, needles in hand, whether we get to see their faces or only wish we could, still, yes. We can!

Writing this from California, the thought of real cold with one’s belongings gone, homes gone, work, gone: we lived in New Hampshire for four years. Our last winter there, I remember shoveling the seven and a half feet of snow that fell in seventeen days and the wind chill factor of minus 25 going on during a cold snap. A hat or a scarf there is not just for fun and fashion but an utter necessity.


7 Comments so far
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Over the last few days it seems, that storms are being felt across the upper United States while fire is ravaging Texas, I forgot got the storms in Louisiana. We have had tornadoes and straight line winds here in Wis. I think what caught my eye was a campground near Dodgeville was hit by winds and lightening , the poor people camping in there tents had to seek shelter as their tents blew away and lightening struck close by. Knitting like a mad woman here, trying to get some necessities made for different things. Praise the Lord no one was hurt, here in Wis.

Comment by kristy phipps 09.04.11 @ 6:06 am

My mother, in upstate NY, told me the focus has been on NY and NJ recovery and that while she knows Vermont was hit terribly hard, there’s been little news and little outside attention to that state. Possibly just the way Vermonters prefer but that doesn’t mean there’s not the same need, especially with a small population living so spread out and possibly so isolated.

The Adirondack region in NY was hit hard in the spring when the (very large) snowpack melted quickly, causing lots of flooding and washouts. This storm comes at a time where they’ve only got 6-8 weeks left before the end of any possible reconstruction. If the meterologists are to be believed, there are more storms coming….

Comment by Deb 09.04.11 @ 9:54 am

We kept getting reminded how lucky we are to live in Northern California where extremes of weather are very rare.

Comment by Don Meyer 09.04.11 @ 10:49 am

There are so many in need… The Outer Banks are indeed changed by Irene – roads gone, new inlets – and here comes Katia. So glad there are knitters with needles at the ready, and glad there are organizations to allow many to contribute directly.

Comment by Channon 09.04.11 @ 3:23 pm

And India writes that they are worried about new storms on their way. Knit faster! Knit faster!

Comment by twinsetellen 09.04.11 @ 7:28 pm

Perfect! Thank you. I have new hats that are already knitted just waiting for someone.

Comment by Joansie 09.06.11 @ 11:12 am

Al is from Vermont, and his brothers and mother came through just fine, though one missed a night at Green Mountain Roasters. His sons in Connecticut, though, were without power for much of a week, except the one who has solar and got a generator and managed just fine.

Comment by Patricia Day 09.06.11 @ 12:13 pm



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