Store and customers donate more than 60 blankets in 2006

Store and customers donate more than 60 blankets in 2006

A number of years ago, Georgetown Yarn and Crafts owner Diane Crawford came up with the idea of having her customers knit/crochet blanket squares, make them in to blankets and then distribute them in the community. Crawford says she likes to give back to the community where she has lived for 35 years. "There is always a need and it is such a good feeling that by doing something you love to do-- knitting/crocheting-- you are helping in your community," she says. The shop gives out free yarn and patterns to its customers or any one who is interested in helping out (most of the yarn that is used is donated by the shop's customers). One of her customers, Janet Tellier, has knitted/crocheted more than 1,700 plus squares to make over 35 blankets and put them together herself! Crawford and her staff then sort all the squares by colour, etc and bundle them together. Customers pick up the bundles, take them home and put the squares together to make blankets. "One customer has put so many blankets together that we all have a hard time keeping track of how many she has done," says Crawford. All the blankets are donated locally through the Georgetown Salvation Army, Links2Care (formerly Halton Hills Community and Information) and Halton Women's Place. Georgetown Yarn and Crafts customers have donated over 650 blankets in the community-- over 60 this year alone! These agencies are amazed at the number of blankets donated each year, and all said there is a need, says Crawford. Georgetown Yarn and Crafts customers also make mitts and hats for the same agencies. If you would like to help by donating yarn, making squares, mitts/hats or putting squares together, please call Georgetown Yarn and Crafts at 905877-1521.

Georgetown Yarn and Crafts owner Diane Crawford (left) and customer Janet Tellier, holding one of her completed blankets, stand in the middle of some of the blankets that were donated this year.