I know you haven’t heard from me in a long time due to the limits on our activities because of our trying not to catch the Covid-19 virus, but now, despite our continued precautions, I have “news” to share with you. 

At the beginning of last week we started our autumn shipping.  We sent 970+ scarves and 200+ hats (both kids and adult) to 19  shelters for abused women.  Despite changes from the way we usually ship, everything went smoothly.  And we are already hearing from happy recipients.  Rewire Community, the newest destination for our scarves, has an interesting and heartwarming story. 

A few weeks ago, Yamini Dixit, the Exec Director, contacted me, asking if we could contribute comfort scarves for their Survivor Care-Kits.  Here’s what hooked me.  As part of their COVID-19 relief efforts, they put together Care-Kits for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors to provide temporary emergency relief.  The kits include items ranging from basic toiletries (brush, cream), to hygiene (masks, sanitizers, sanitary pads), non-perishable food and warm winter items (scarves, blankets), etc.  You can see where we fit in.  They send the kits to local (they’re in San Ramon in N CA) domestic violence agencies as well as local police departments to help during emergencies.  I put them on our shipping list immediately.

So last week, we sent them 50 comfort scarves.  Here’s what Yamini wrote to us in appreciation. 

Dearest Leslye, 

We received 50 beautiful scarves yesterday. The love, compassion and comfort you sent our way is overwhelming, and we are so very grateful to you and the wonderful hands that weave these threads together, connecting us all! . . . .

Thank you again!
Yamini 

The “wonderful hands” are YOURS so I knew you’d want to read this.  Give yourself a big pat on the back for all the good work you do to help domestic violence survivors everywhere in CA.

Also last week, Phil (my husband) and I went to the Ruth Bader Ginsburg memorial at the Skirball Cultural Center.  The memorial was small, but impactful.  All we could do was drive through, but they did let us stop, get out of our car, and view the memorial more closely.  We went in the afternoon, so it wasn’t too crowded.  I expect it got very crowded in the evening, when they lit all the candles.  Many of you asked if we took any photos, and of course, we did.  I am happy to share them with you.  RBG was a giant in the movement for equality for women.  She inspired me throughout her career.  Her strength on behalf of women in all walks of life will be sorely missed.

Finally, at the suggestion of one of our participants (Handmade’s volunteers are really the greatest!!!), we contacted another new to us shelter, Community’s Child.  Located in nearby Lomita, Community’s Child has been around for 15 years.  I don’t know why we didn’t know about them sooner, but there’s no time like the present.  I had a nice chat with the exec director, Tara Nierenhausen.  She told me they serve 650 families.  They’re planning a drive through Thanksgiving event and want to include our scarves and hats among the items they give to their clients.  Tara asked for 400 kids hats alone, explaining that most of their clients do not have heat.  The kids wear the hats to bed to keep their heads warm.  Her theory is that warm heads help keep the bodies warm and warm bodies prevent sickness.  My grandmother would agree with that kind of sickness prevention.  I always knew our needles were powerful, but this makes them even more so.

I expect/hope more shelters will be opening and we will continue sending out more scarves and more hats in time for the holidays.  We do have a lot in storage (you have been really busy and creative while staying at home), but honestly, we never have enough.  So keep your needles clicking! 

Love,

Leslye