|
Newsletter. November, December 2007 & January 2008
To
all our knitters, small jumpers are still arriving by the hundreds. Please,
this must stop. We can only give the aid agencies what they ask for and
small jumpers are becoming almost impossible to place. Unfortunately the original
small pattern is still being passed to others, if you hear of this happening
let us know. We still have an adequate number of knitters so please do not pass
the pattern on.
Delivery and
telephone calls to U3A Nunawading and the volunteers that come in on a regular
basis to pack and deliver to the warehouse is working well. Thank you to the
ladies and U3A committee of management who came onboard to make this happen.
If you would like to help, ring the office and Elsie will be in touch with you.
We have now
sent 400,000 jumpers, plus beanies, scarves, comfort dolls and blankets to vulnerable
children all over the world many thanks to the ladies who have been running
the project from other states well done everyone.
NSW
Knitters please note Unfortunately our contact in NSW has decided not
to continue, Lyn is finding it difficult to get the goods away, any items you
may have completed for NSW can still be sent to Lyn but no more knitting for
NSW unless someone is prepared to take the project over. Please do not
send your knitting to Victoria as we are flat out placing all the knitted goods
we receive daily from within Victoria.
We are always looking for shipping
containers that are going overseas in which we can include your knitting. This
is a significant financial saving in getting the goods to the children. If you
have any contacts or hear of any organizations that would like to include some
of the knitting please let us know. Email: Lyn and Ken copper@vic.chariot.net.au
or Elsie elsiem@bigpond.net.au or if not on email
call 03 9878 3898.
The latest on where the knitted goods have been sent.
A young family
we have come in contact with go each year to Thailand to work at McKean Rehabilitation
Center and Agape Orphanage. This year 50 people from age 4 to 60 are making
the trip and will be taking a number of your knitted goods with them to be distributed
to the children at the Orphanage. The leaders have asked that we pass this message
on to you.
“ Please tell
your knitters never to underestimate the value of what they are doing. Not only
are they providing a much needed gift, but through taking the time to make the
gift they are showing a baby, child or adult who has lost everything, that they
are not alone and that someone on the other side of the world cares that they
are hurting and is prepared to reach out in a very practical way”
Pictures have been supplied of villages fleeing the Burma army
taken in March and June by relief teams.
A huge load
went to Tibet and Vietnam another load to Uganda and more to Fiji and East Timor.
The little knitted dolls are a great success so we are thrilled about that.
If
you can help with a donation no matter how small to go towards running cost
such as couriers to container sites and general costs of stationary etc. it
will help us to keep the project going. If you would like a tax deductible receipt
please make your cheque or money order payable to The Australian AIDS Fund (P.O.
Box 1347, Frankston, Victoria, 3199) which will issue receipts.
If you would like a newsletter enclose a stamped addressed envelope or your
email address with your parcels, it has become impossible for us to continue
to acknowledge your kind donations without this as we receive many hundreds
of parcels each week.
Remember we are only asking for the larger size jumper
you may also wish to knit a beanie to match, we have learnt that the African
children just love to have a beanie. If you would like to adapt the jumper pattern
for an even larger size please do so as we have found that there are many older
children that tend to miss out on warm clothes. Knitted or crochet blankets are
always welcome, any size. Use your own patterns for the beanie and blanket. (blankets
the bigger the better)Please pass this information on to anyone you know who is
knitting for us.
The original baby jumper pattern is no longer
required.
Knitting from within Victoria (delivery & postage) is to be
sent to Nunawading University of the Third Age. Nunawading Community Centre, 16-20
Silver Grove. Nunawading. 3131. Melways ref 48/E/9. Between the hours of 9.30
am to 3pm Monday to Friday. If you are unable to deliver during these times please
telephone 03 9878 3898 to make other arrangements.
U3A will
be closed from the 29th November 2007 to February 1st 2008, if you
have a problem you can ring the office and leave a message; the answer machine
will be cleared on a regular basis.
A big thank
you to the people who are collection points for the project, remember these
people then bring your knitting to us, please pack your goods in a strong bag.
No delivery to be made to collection points over the holidays and
remember it is up to you to get the goods to a collection point or to Nunawading,
we cannot continue to travel all over Melbourne doing pickups, the cost of petrol
is making this impossible. Avoid plastic bags where possible.
Listed below are the collection points that we have in Victoria and interstate
if you would like any of these contacts please call 03 9878 3898 or email:
elsiem@bigpond.net.au but remember
the main drop off point for Victoria is the U3A office at Nunawading.
- Victoria - The Mornington Penninsula, Boronia, Oakpark, Hampton,
Murrembeena, Werribee. Lilydale, West Rosebud, Ararat, Shepparton, Scoresby,
Leongatha, Warragul, Traralgon and Donald.
- South Australia: Kathie Montague 8388 8071 or Gail Harrison
8278 3196
- West Australia: Marcia Stretch 9439 3633
- Tasmania; Gill Reid. 03 6394 7797
- Queensland: Karen Gard. 07 3888 0107 or 0407177657
Ken Lyn & Elsie and The Australian AIDS Fund Inc wish you all a peaceful
and happy Christmas. And as always many thanks from the Vulnerable Children
of the World.
|
