Homelessness
always conjures up the images of adult men with substance abuse and
mental illness issues. However true that may be, homelessness around the Nation
as well as Maine’s, also includes veterans and families; women with children
often leaving abusive situations or those in the lower socio economic sectors
who may have lost their job in these difficult economic times. Let’s also not
omit the sad reality of youths that have no place to call home for a variety of
reasons. The troubled, runaways, sometimes unwanted young, trying to escape
abuse and troubling situations or those simply finding themselves alone and in
need of help, comprise a category of homelessness that is hard to even imagine.
The Maine
Mitten Project is a community effort being presented by The Fiber Center at Fryeburg Fair to help
keep Maine’s homeless children and adults a little warmer and to let them know
someone cares about them.
Anyone who
knits, crochets, felts or wants to learn how, can make mittens, hats or scarves
for children and adults to donate for a great cause. The hand-mades will be
collected throughout the year and exhibited at the Fiber Center during fair
week in 2013. At the end of the 2013 exhibit, items will be delivered to
Homeless Shelters for distribution to Mainer’s most in need.
The greatest
numbers of homeless people are from urban areas so we are approaching shelters
in Maine’s largest population areas to be the recipients of our handmade donations. So far we have partnered with Preble Street
in Portland for Cumberland County, and The York County Shelter in Alfred, for Southern
Maine areas. As we identify other organizations we will be posting them to this
site.
Flyers with
free patterns will be available at the Fiber Center during Fryeburg fair week from
Sunday September 30th -
Saturday October 6th from 9am to 9pm and Sunday October 7th
from 9am -6pm. Free knitting classes are also being offered Sunday September 30th
- Thursday October 3rd
from 7:30 – 9pm. Bring a skein of worsted weight yarn and size 8 knitting needles.
The Fiber Center is dedicated to educating and
exposing the public to the Traditional Fiber Arts through demonstrations and
exhibits at the fair each year. In an effort to bring the Traditional Arts and
the community closer together and to expand fiber education beyond fair week,
we have begun organizing an annual community fiber art project. These projects
not only bring attention to the Traditional Arts by involving the community in
a group effort, they also encourage people to learn a new craft by offering
workshops and classes throughout the year at local libraries, schools and local
art venues. Best of all, this new project will help keep Maine's homeless
a little warmer!
It is our
hope that you will be inspired to create for this project whether it's because
you love the Traditional Arts, want to learn them, or are a kind soul who wants
to help those in need.
We look forward to your kind support.....
