While men in black stormed the offices of this magazine with their weapons, shooting and killing with abandon — an actual storm is ravaging Syria, leaving millions of mostly Islamic refugees in peril. The news wires are full of photos of dead children — those who have frozen to death in the latest weather while hiding in icy refugee tents with their parents.
Healing the sick. Feeding the hungry. Housing the homeless. Loving the orphans and the widows and those who feel cast aside. Letting others you disagree with speak and trying to understand, rather than silence — this is how we should express our faith. This is how we should evangelize.
Love is how we show our character — regardless of who or what you worship.
There is a group on Ravelry, Hats And More For War-Torn Syria (see their Facebook page, as well) that aims to do something different. The group formed in 2013 with the goal to send a few packs of hats to Syrian refugees, and there was so much interest (and need) the group has continued to accept donations.
If you are in the US, you can send your items to:
Salaam Cultural Museum
℅ Rita
3806 Whitman Ave N
Seattle. WA 98103
Those outside of the US can send their items to:
Hats for Syria
C/O
Big Yellow Self Storage
Hand In Hand For Syria
20 Lenton Lane
Nottingham
NG7 2NR
Wool is preferred for all items, but the group says to use whatever you have available. I would suggest tagging your items for fiber content, so they know what your handmade items are made from.
Items are needed for everyone from infants through adults, and if you don't knit, you can also send purchased items. We've got a few winter coats Owen has grown out of, and I plan to include those in my package.
Whatever your religion, whatever your stance on the fighting going on, I ask you to stand with me for displaced people, who have lost everything. People who are dying from cold after having to flee their homes. I may not be able to change any of these things, but I can knit. And I can knit. And I can knit some more.
Robyn, thank you so much for this. It is exactly what I needed to read today. I have been feeling so helpless of the face of everything that's going on in the world but this reminded me that there is always something we can do. There is always knitting x
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I have a huge bag of old hats, gloves and scarves in the garage....was wondering whether to keep them or not, and now I know what I'm going to do....trying to get few more friends involved to send a larger package, thanks for sharing this x
ReplyDeleteHey Robyn, Thanks so much for the information and the inspiration. Since you wrote this post, I spent the first month of this year knitting hats using wool from my stash into hats to send to Syria. I have 10 ready to be sent, and plan to make many more. Hopefully we can make a few heads a little warmer. Katie. X
ReplyDeleteIs this effort for Syrian refugees still going on? I'm sure the need is still there, greater than ever, and want to know before sending anything. Many working together truly can make a difference!
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