HATS, HATS, MORE HATS!

Hello dear friends!

I love hats....I've always loved hats.  I don't wear them so much now, but I used to love to fancy up and wear them to church!  Fortunately, I have never had to be concerned with having enough hats to keep me warm.  I am so thankful that all of my children and grandchildren have all of their most important needs met.  I also love making hats and have enjoyed making them for several charities as well as family and friends.  This is my favorite picture from S. Africa, you have most likely seen me post it more than once!  The pure joy on her face is worth more than any amount of money!!

Every year Wal-Mart put’s all their cold weather hats & gloves on sale, 50% off.  The hats are very inexpensive to start with, so at 50% off they are only 65 cents!  When I noticed this last year I bought 10 or so hats and donated them to a local charity. This year, I went on a mission to get these hats for the orphans in S. Africa.  As you may know, Africa will be coming into their winter as we approach summer.  What you may not know is that the average winter temperature in S. Africa is 39 degrees F (thank you Laurie Fortier for that information!).  People often ask me why making the blankets and hats is so crucial for these children.  Many of us have a preconceived notion that it is always hot in Africa, but clearly that is a misconception.  I’m so thankful that I happened on to this charity, as it has given me such a clear purpose in helping these children.  Knowing that even one child, a continent away, will benefit from my help is an amazing feeling!

When I found the hats on sale at Wal-Mart again, I quickly grabbed up over 30 hats to send to the KAS community.  With this in mind, I would like to challenge each of you to grab a couple hats the next time you are in the Wal-Mart store.  Pick a local charity or shelter and drop them off.  Better yet, invite your friends to do the same and donate them wherever your heart tells you to.  Or, if you would like, you can send them to me and I will forward them on to S. Africa! I know I can’t meet all the needs of these children, but I feel I’m being urged to keep pushing, to get more people involved!   It takes so little to make a huge difference in these children’s lives!  Five hats are less than $3.00, which is the same as a cup of coffee at Starbucks.  I think I can pass up a few designer cups of coffee for the knowledge that I have helped someone stay warm!  (As you can see, I picked up a few other things for them as well!)

I will be tucking a dozen squares into the package with the hats.  Starting with Lent, my goal is one square every day.  By the end of Lent, there will be enough to make a blanket (it takes 35 squares), with a few left over!  I apologize for the quality of this photo, I was having issues.....

I am also working on how to monetize my blog.  I hope that when I have added that piece, you will come back and help me spread the word!  Everything earned will be used for sending these items to S. Africa.

For all the gorgeous women in my life, I would like to share Kitty's Fiber Journey with you; her blog today features an incredible YouTube video.  http://www.kittysfiberjourney.com/  .  There is also a button above, to the right of my post, that you can use to get to her blog.  Please do watch it and I hope you will share it with the girls and women in your life!  It would mean so much to me!
(After watching, scroll down and read her earlier posts regarding KAS.....Laurie has blessed me by including my blog in an earlier post as well!)

I wish everyone a warm and joyful weekend!
Hugs to all,
In fellowship,
~Mary Anne