Comfort Critters Received: Week One

First Group of Comfort Critters have arrived!

Nancy has reported that three  shipments of adorable Comfort Critters have safely arrived from the following people: 

• Amy, St Paul, MN
• Marie S., NY, NY
• Carrie M., S' Side, PEI, Canada
  

If you have shipped critters (and/or comfort shawls) to HHCC'ers Nancy or Fluffy, we will post a listing here at least once a week until the cut off date of February 14th.  We will try to also provide photos as well, as these critters are so adorable, and ready to be loved! 

Pastor Requests Halt to Sending Stuffed Goods to CT

On the Ravelry group, "600 Monsters," Pastor Laura (of Bethel, CT) asks for a halt of stuffed goods being sent to Connecticut -- stating  "in one day over 20,000 stuffed toys were received."  She further states to please "direct your donations to children in need in your community (or one of your choosing) in honor of the 20 children who have died. We are aware that there are many children in need of love and comfort, not just ours. Your gift in their honor will be a fitting tribute to Sandy Hook’s children and bless another as well."

You can read the entire thread here.

The HHCC's Position:  We are in agreement.

However, if you would still like to donate your hand-crafted critter to the HHCC, we will gladly accept it.  Please note our terms:

• Item must be hand-crocheted or hand-knitted.  NO STORE-BOUGHT ITEMS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
• Item must be crafted out of 100% acrylic yarn, and stuffed with 100% acrylic stuffing.  This is for ease of care and for eliminating possible allergy issues.  All color themes will be accepted.
• Item must arrive by the Valentine's Day deadline; our goal is to collect 1,000 - 1,500 hand-crafted critters.

We pledge we will do our best to place your generous hand-crafted donations with those in the Newtown & surrounding areas.

HHCC to Collect Critters and Comfort Shawls for Sandy Hook

img credit: www.123rf.com

On Friday, December 14th, twenty children ages 6 and 7, along with six adults tragically died at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.  The shock and sadness are beyond words.

 

But we don't have to say a single word; we have our hands.  Armed with crochet hooks and knitting needles, people from around the world want to let the families of Newtown know they are loved.  This is why, in conjunction with Crochet Guild of Prince William County of Virginia, The Happily Hooked on Crocheting Club, a Connecticut Chapter of the Crochet Guild of America, is stepping up to accept your hand-crafted projects, each with thousands of stitches wrapped in love.

From today until Valentine's Day 2013, you can send your beautiful hand-stitched donations to:

img credit: school.discoveryeducation.com

The Happily Hooked on Crocheting Club
c/o  Nancy
3238 Route 52
Stormville, NY  12582

Or to:
The Happily Hooked on Crocheting Club
c/o Fluffy

PO Box 934

Bridgeport, CT 06601-0934

 

We will gladly accept your hand-stitched stuffed critters and comfort shawls.  We ask that they be created using acrylic based yarns of any color.  For those wishing to use school colors, such as Red Heart's "Team Spirit" yarn in the colorway of 968 - Green/White (school mascot is the eagle) that would be wonderful too.  The school reportedly has some 450+ students.  Our goal is to collect at least 1000-1500 critters so siblings can be included. 

If you would like to include a hang tag on your gift, please consider using the tag below.  This will not only help us in tracking all the donations, but it will also help your recipient know where the love for him/her arrived from.

You can use this hang tag for your donations.

  

If you would rather make a cash donation or donate a crocheted or knitted afghan, the following organizations listed on the HuffingtonPost website would love to hear from you:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/14/connecticut-elementary-school-shooting-how-to-help_n_2302760.html

 

If you would like to join in on discussing critter creations there is the "600 monsters strong" group on Ravelry.  Looking for an animal pattern?  There are lots available, from patterns designed by Stacey Trock, and those featured on Red Heart's and Lion Brand's webpages, and many more on Ravelry and Etsy.

"[We are] very mindful that mere words cannot match the depths of your sorrow, nor can they heal your wounded hearts.

 [We] can only hope it helps for you to know that you’re not alone in your grief, that our world, too, has been torn apart, that all across this land of ours, we have wept with you. We’ve pulled our children tight.

And you must know that whatever measure of comfort we can provide, we will provide.
                                                         ~President Obama, Dec. 16 prayer vigil for victims

2012 HHCC Holiday Donations

HHCC Members crocheted (and knitted)
for local charities in 2012.

HHCC members have been very busy crocheting (and knitting) a variety of projects ranging from baby blankets, to lapgans, to blankets - to hats, scarves, and potholders.  All of these items were then labeled and sorted.  HHCC'ers Grace & Dee then drove their loaded vehicles to the Salvation Army and to the Elizabeth House to deliver all the wonderful goodies!

Here is a tally of what was donated today:

94 sets of hats, scarves & gloves
19 sets of hats & scarves
15 baby blankets

2 baby poncho sets
8 baby sweater sets
25 blankets/lapghans
  1 pillow

The staff at both locations thanked the Club members for all their thoughtfulness & generosity! :)

A Big Thank You to our members for their Generosity!!

Danbury Hospital Thanks HHCC

In February, as part of the HHCC's "Hats from the Heart" charity drive, members hand-crocheted (and knitted) 85 adult chemo caps which were then donated to the Danbury Hospital.  Original blog post: http://thehhcc.blogspot.com/2012/02/donation-to-danbury-hospital-greatly.html

Yesterday the HHCC received a letter of thanks:



Danbury Hospial Thanks HHCC'ers for Generosity

May & June 2012 Meeting Details

At the May meeting, HHCC members donated eight red scarves to the WomenHeart drive while Anna provided more information about this organization.  Want to learn more about WomenHeart?  Check out this video.  The red scarves collected - a symbol of care and support for women with heart disease - are to be distributed in NY.


Dee demonstrated how to
steam block crochet.  Img used
with permission.

Upon request, Dee brought in her "hot off the hook project," a Delta Lace Topper (pattern found in Karen Whooley's booklet, "Learn to Delta Lace Crochet,") and provided members with another demonstration on how to steam block (the last time she did this demo was in 2010);

Mini~Dee models the
Delta Lace Topper after
it was blocked. Img
used with permission.

members were amazed to see the before and after results.  Dee also advised members that the pattern book is currently on sale at AnniesAttic.com -- and to remember to utilize their CGOA Member Discount when ordering.

Donations for the Salvation Army drive, and for the Elizabeth House were collected, which included an afghan hand crocheted by Rosalie.

 -*-*-*-*-*-

At the June meeting, since the Danbury Library is closed on Sundays during the summer months, HHCC member Margaret Hubert graciously hosted the meeting.  HHCC President, Grace, presented a delicious cake in honor of Margaret to be inducted into the CGOA's Jean Leinhauser Crochet Hall of Fame next month.


HHCC'er Andrea shows off her
crocodile stitch sample.

Margaret taught members how to create the Crocodile stitch, and had yarn stash enhancements for all in attendance.  For more details and pictures, check out Margaret's blog post here: http://margaretshooksandneedles.blogspot.com/2012/06/ 

More donations for the Salvation Army and for the Elizabeth House were turned in, including an afghan hand crocheted by Theresa's mother.  Everyone had a great time!  :)

HHCC Thanked for Salvation Army Donations

On Thursday, June 7th, HHCC'ers attended the Women's Auxiliary "Luncheon Appreciation."  This luncheon was in appreciation of donations received by local groups, such as The Happily Hooked on Crocheting Club, to the Danbury Salvation Army. 

HHCC President, Grace, accepts Certificate of Appreciation

This is the HHCC's 9th year in donating to the Salvation Army.  Each year HHCC members hand crochet (and knit) scarves, mittens, hats, baby layettes and more (along with a new toy drive) to help the Salvation Army provide to the hundreds of local families in need.

The Women's Auxiliary had a fantastic spread of food, including live music.  HHCC President, Grace, accepted the Certificate of Appreciation.  :)