Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Crafters of all levels are encouraged to use their skills to help keep people warm this winter during County of Lennox and Addington Libraries’ Crafting for a Cause campaign.
Volunteers who knit, crochet or loom-or even those willing to learn how- will meet Nov. 16 and again on Dec. 14 at the Napanee branch, starting at 6 p.m. The group will create hats, mitts, scarves and more, which will be donated to the Morningstar Mission.
“Before COVID we were doing a bit of a Crafting for a Cause thing and it was kind of a monthly thing, a different project for a different organization every time,” explains Kate Wilson, L&A Library’s programming and outreach coordinator. “This time we thought we would stick with one organization over a few months. We’re working together to make hats and scarves, anything warm and useful for the Mission. Things that can be crafted. It doesn’t have to be hats or mittens or scarves. It could be blankets or face cloths. Anything that you can craft that would be helpful to the Mission.”
Participants are encouraged to bring their own materials while members of the public can also drop off donations to help create hats, mitts and more.
“If you don’t have these skills but you want to help, we do have the ability to teach you,” said Wilson. “If you always wanted to learn how to crochet, pop in. Our motto is a holey hat is better than no hat. A scarf that just ain’t right is better than no scarf. You can still do your part even if you don’t have the best skills.”
The Library’s popular Hooking in the Park program, which is now moving indoors because of the weather, will also be lending their skills towards the campaign.
Helping a local charity isn’t the only goal of the program. After nearly two years of isolation, the project has the added benefit of getting people back together in a social setting-while still doing so safely while adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols.
Another option to help is to simply donate clean new or gently used coats, boots and warm clothing to the Napanee or Amherstview branch from now until Nov. 25. Coats must be washable only, no leather or heavy wool. Accessories such as hats, mitts, scarves and socks must be new. The items will be distributed by agencies serving the vulnerable population. More details can be found by visiting www.unitedwaykfla.ca/winterclothingdrive.
October saw the return of a number of in person programs to local libraries such as S.T.E.A.M. Quest, Code Club and Youth Takeover.
A full schedule of events can be found at https://landalibraries.as.me/.
It’s recommended that people register before each event to ensure they have a spot, as space is limited.