MAINE MITTEN PROJECT HAS BEEN RENEWED!

Thanks to the interest of a new organizer, The Maine Mitten Project has been renewed! Ms. Sandra Paul had played a vital role in tagging and distributing the hand - made items since the project began three years ago and was sad to see it end. She had seen first hand the appreciation of recipient organizations when she made deliveries each year and felt the need for it to continue. Though the project will no longer have the scope that it once had, we are grateful that she has stepped up and wants to re-vitalize the project so that some of Maine's neediest can continue to benefit from this great cause.

Preble Street Portland and the Biddeford WIC program will continue to be recipients. Should the project grow again to it's former size, other locations will be added as necessary to help fill the need of warm hand-mades to some of Maine's neediest.

Thanks to Ms. Paul for her willingness to proceed with this important cause! She will welcome all donations and see that they get to those who need it most!

MAINE MITTEN PROJECT IN IT"S FINAL YEAR

The Maine Mitten Project is now in it's third and final year. Collections and distributions will continue through 2015 and will end with a final distribution just before the holidays. In the event that we get some additional items beyond that time, we will gladly see that they get to one of our target charities.

We will have helped almost 3000 people by the time this project has ended. Thank you all for such a great project and no doubt the people whose lives we have touched thank you also!

Donations Streaming In!

A BIG Thank You to:

•  Elizabeth McKinnon of Saco who dropped a yarn donation to the Heart of Biddeford office on Maine St. in Biddeford, Me. Anyone wishing to pick up yarn and create for the mitten project  is welcome to stop by.
• Elizabeth Halpern of Dedham, MA, Nancy Merrill  of Middletown, DE and Rhonda Haavisto of Marshfield, MA for their hand made donations.

Maine's needy will be very grateful to you all!

Maine Mitten Project News & Updates

The 2014 campaign effort is well under way with hand made donations accumulating. Here are a few good stories to share!

River Bailey, a senior at Sacopee Valley High school, is a young man who was asked to do some community service. He learned about our project and decided to help those less fortunate than himself and has sent us 16 pairs of fleece mittens that he made for our cause. River has been involved with fiber before while raising angora rabbits in 4H.

Thank you River! No doubt the recipients of your lovely mittens will be happy and warmer becasue of your thoughtful caring.


Barbara Fiske is from Adams, Ma. She found out about our project on the web and said she began knitting right away. She plans to continue knitting and sending them to us knowing how cold the weather has been. She signed her note saying that all items have been knitted with love for the recipients. She has sent us 16 items so far!

Thank you Barbara and I know the homeless recipients will be thankful as well. We will look forward to your continued support!


IF you or someone you know is interested in helping, the people of Maine will be grateful to you all!

Thanks!

Casco Bay Fibers New Drop Location for Maine Mitten Project

I'm very pleased to announce that Casco Bay Fibers at 15 Main St In Freeport is now accepting donations for the Maine Mitten Project. I haven't had the pleasure of visiting Karen's store yet but plan to when I am in Maine in February. A big thank you to Karen for supporting our cause!  I look forward to all of the folks who will learn about our project and make donations thanks to Casco Bay Fibers.

Hopefully all of you Spa folks will take a minute to drop by Karen's shop and check it out during the 2014 spa weekend if you haven't already!

Visit  Casco Bay Fibers to learn more about them, their knitting classes, and our project! 

New Contributions Continue to Come in!

A heartfelt thank you for our new contributions of much needed men's items!

Patti Quinn - Meredith, NH 

Mary Timberlake - Princeton, NJ 

Joanne LaCroix - Fairfax, Va

Tom - Portland, Me

Thank you!

And a very Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!

Sanford Maine WIC Program Grateful for OUR Hard Work!

This just in from another grateful group! Thank you Brenda for letting us know! It's what helps keep us going :-)

"Dear Mitten Project Members,

Thank you very much for the hats and mittens that you donated to the WIC program in Sanford.  The items are beautiful and we are very grateful to everyone who worked so hard to make them.  With the weather getting colder we are able to hand these warm items out to families in need.

Again, thank you for your generosity." 

York County Community Action WIC program.

Brenda Feenstra

Shaw House in Bangor Making Youths Happy Thanks to Maine Mitten Project Contributors!

Just got a lovely note from Sally at Shaw House in Bangor, one of our recipient shelters, that focuses on youths. I can't tell you how proud I am of our accomplishment and of the impact we are having on our community!

I just had to share it with you!

"Thank you so much for the distribution of hats and mittens from the Maine Mitten Project. All of the items are absolutely wonderful and we are very, very  grateful to everyone that worked on the project with you, for their kindness, time and talent.

We have started to distribute warm hats and mittens to the homeless youth that we serve here and they are thrilled to receive them! Now that the weather is getting colder these items are an amazing resource for our Street Outreach workers when they connect with young people on the streets. Also for young people at our Shelter and Day Drop-in Center, when they see the colorful hats and mittens their eyes light up! We will post some pictures of these happy faces (and happy hands J) on our Facebook and our Website, so that you can share with all the wonderful people that contributed to the project. Please let them know that thanks to all of your generous hearts and caring hands, the homeless youth that we serve at Shaw House, now have some protection from the worst of the Maine winter this year.

Again thank you Gale for inviting us to be a recipient of the Maine Mittens Project … we are truly grateful for this generous support!

Very best wishes,"

Sally

Sally Tardiff

Executive Director

Shaw House

Tel: 207-941-2874

Fax: 207-941-2875

E-mail: sallytardiff@shawhouse.us

Website: www.theshawhouse.org

I will post a link once I see that they have posted some of their pics but  take a minute to check out what this great organization does for Maine youths!

New Donations for The Maine MItten Project

Giving thanks to some recent donors!

Want to help but have no yarn? There's lots of yarn now available at the Heart of Biddeford on Main St, Biddeford for anyone wishing to create but has no yarn. Stop by during their business hours 8am - 5pm to pick up yarn.

Thanks to Mary Dardano, Susan Swanton, Linda Monmaney, and Ann Thompson for the yarn donations! Ann has been collecting yarns for us from various resources and though I don't know who they are, we are grateful :-)

Thanks also goes out to Knitters from the Scarborough Public library, Hawkins from Brunswick, Me, and Diane Peach all the way from Story City Iowa who recently sent in hand made items.

Thank You From York County Shelter For Mitten Project Donation

ALL but one  delivery has been made and the recipient organizations have been truly grateful making this project very rewarding,

Joan Sylvester, Community Relations Director/Volunteer Coordinator of the York County Shelter Program sent us this kind note:

"It is truly amazing the “huge” number of items people sent in support of the Maine Mitten Project. I saw the picture of some of the items displayed at the Fryeburg Fair  Fiber Arts Center on your blog.  Unbelievable! It is so heartwarming to know that this many kind, caring people are knitting for our homeless men, women, and children. When our folks “brave” the chilly Maine winters, they will know that the person who knit the hat, mittens and/or scarf they wear cares very much about them. Please share with your donors our great gratitude for all their efforts for others, please include yourself in our gratitude."

Your welcome Joan! It has been our pleasure!

Maine Mitten Project Final Request for 2013

More than 800 of our collected items from generous knitters and crocheters were for children! Since only one of our four designated shelters accepts children's items we decided to put them to good use by including the WIC programs in Sanford, Biddeford, Portland, Auburn, Bangor and Skowhegan, Maine. Needless to say those groups were extremely pleased to learn that they would be receiving very needed items for their clients.

Although our 2013 collection campaign officially ended with the Fryeburg fair event last week with a whopping 2051 items I am making a final plea for Men's items as we were sadly unable to deliver enough Men's items to one of our shelters. Folks love to make things for children and often the stash being used to make charitable items are not man friendly :-) I'm not comlaining mind you, as EVERY item we receive is being directed to those in need but I felt it couldn't hurt to make one final request with another 6 weeks to go before this shelter will have their annual holiday event. I am looking for an additional 100 men's items to fill their need.

Anyone wishing to help will be greatly appreciated!

Please send any additional men's donations to:

Paul/ Maine Mitten Project
79 Harriet St
S Portland, Me 04106

Thanks to everyone!

2013 Maine Mitten Project Exceeds All Expectations!

Here's a great photo Max took of the exhibit at The Fiber Center at Fryeburg fair last week This is only a small representation of what was collected and the final tally is in. When the project began I thought if we received 400-500 items I would be pleased. Once we got half way through the drive I had bumped up my prediction to 1000 items, a very nice number. However, you went far beyond my expectations and we counted a total of 2051 items which includes many sets which we counted as one item donated. I have accounted for 124 donors. There were more than that but some items came to us untagged and nameless, so a big thank you to anyone whose name we missed or never received.If you donated and your name did not make the list please PM me and I will be glad to add your name to our list.

YOU ARE ALL AMAZING! Many folks in Maine will be much warmer this winter thanks to your kindness.

There was a large number of infant and small children's sizes which our designated shelters do not have clients for. As a result, we have decided to add the WIC program to our recipient list so that children in need will be able to benefit from your generosity. I will post a list of all recipients organizations and locations as soon as we have completed our distributions.

Again, thanks to all who helped. 

I look forward to another great year with the Maine Mitten Project!

Maine Mitten Project Count Rising!

The Maine Mitten Project got under way last fall and was promoted during Fryeburg Fair week in 2012. We've nearly come full circle for our first year and some of our collection results are in.

Our Mailed in donations from various donors including folks who heard of us through Rivalry.com and Artful Giving.com, and items collected at the Heart of Biddeford, Rangely Library, and Scarborough Library have totaled 525 items! 

I can happily report that from the Heart of Biddeford donor location we have collected 146 pieces with more than half of those donations coming from Suzy Mullen. Way to go Suzy!

With a few other collection locations still to account for including our huge supporter Close Knit Sister's Yarn Shop in N Conway, NH, I fully expect to reach our goal of 1000 pieces!

After the fair is ended I will complete a final report which I will post including acknowledgment of all donors.

YOU ARE ALL AWESOME and we thank you SO VERY MUCH!

Mitten Project Is Making Progress Good Progress!

 This photo just in from one of our supporters from Ravelry.com. Thanks Rhonda!

These are from another Ravelry knitter. Thanks Mary!

And though I don't have a picture, we received a package with 9 pieces from Peggy Hopkins in the Virgin Isles. Peggy's mom is 92 years old and also participated in the Maine Reef Project! She tells us that it gives her mom something to use her left over yarns for and makes her happy.
We're happy too!

Also making a contribution this week was Donna who delivered a box and bag of unwanted yarns for us to hand out to anyone wishing to make items for our cause.

 Thank you to ALL!

Please note that since I am not in Maine regularly I am unable to take photographs and report on all donations. I apologize to anyone who has been left out. I can only report on the work that I receive information about. I will do my best to recognize everyone once we have a completed list of donors after the exhibition. I appreciate your patience :-)

August 2013 Maine Mitten Project Update!

Lots of great stuff coming in from very generous contributors. We are so fortunate to have so many folks helping our project out!

From the Scarborough, Maine public library, Celeste has sent in this photo of 24 pairs of mittens created by Maria Orff of Waldoboro. Thanks Maria!

Also in from Close Knit Sisters Yarn Shop in Conway, NH, this donation of 72 mittens from Judy of Conway. AMAZING! 

There's still time for contributions! We will be accepting them at the Fiber Center through fair week from September 29th - October 6th or drop them at any of our drop locations listed on our home page.

July 2013 Mitten Project Update

Family life and dealing with aging parents have kept me from posting lately but I have a bit of time so wanted to share some recent news.

Donations keep coming in to collections sites and with every single item we grow closer to our goal! You are ALL incredible and we are so grateful for every single item that we receive. The generosity of community for the Fiber Center projects continues to surprise and delight me! I do not have names of most donors yet so I apologize for not acknowledging you all but know that in the end I will do my best to post a comprehensive list of everyone whose name I have from received donations once the project is complete for this year.

But for now, Close Knit Sisters continues to collect an amazing amount of items from folks all around the Maine and New Hampshire border. Most recently, Donna from Poland, Maine dropped off more than 100 items! Thank you Donna!

The next great find after arriving in Maine for my visit was a huge box from Jefferson Ohio donated by BluSkyes Charity Knitting, a member of Ravelry.com. I counted 198 pieces from them! In addition to a few lovely hand made hats, BluSkyes found a tremendous sale on hats, gloves, mittens and ear warmers at her local fabric store which she said she couldn't pass up. Her generosity will certainly help keep Mainers in need a bit warmer!

Thanks again to everyone who is supporting our cause!

Ravelry.com Members Support The Maine Mitten Project

Knitters and crocheters who don't already know about www.ravelry.com are missing out! This is a GREAT interactive website that offers gazzillions of patterns, many free with photos of the work, comments about patterns discussion groups, support groups and more. 

The Maine Mitten Project has formed a "group" on Ravelry and boasts 44 members. 

One of our members "kleinch"posted this photo of her contribution to the project and says "For the Maine Mitten Project, for which we are collecting at school" 

I have since learned that the school is in York, Maine so we will look forward to their contributions.

Here's another from Ravelry member Wooleybear368 and made with her first hand spun. How generous of you Wooleybear!

Thank you all!

Maine Mitten Project Collection Approaching Our Goal!

The hard part about this project is that I can only report on what I hear about. I know there are many folks out there who are knitting and crocheting for our project but I have no real idea of how many folks we have inspired to participate. I look forward to this year's deadline at Fryeburg Fair time which opens on September 29th when I can get a final count of our, well, YOUR  efforts!


OUR GOAL? 1000 hand mades to distribute to our recipient organizations. We just might make it with all of your help! I roughly estimate that we are somewhere around 600 items. I know of many folks that are creating for us, including a Maine Reef contributor form St Croix, but have no idea what we will receive in the end. 

Keep up the great work EVERYONE! Every single item helps and is appreciated.

I recently put out a new quest to the Ravelry.com knit and crochet group letting them know that our mix is  a bit shy on mittens. Ask and ye shall receive :-)

These lovelies were completed by Marcia with more under way. Thanks Marcia!

I also heard from Jennifer from REMAX Country Living in Fryeburg, one of our drop locations. She  has attempted to email me pictures of completed work multiple times but we seem to be having a technical problem so I'll post them when it gets resolved.

And finally today, the Close Knit Sisters report for May:

Our count for May:

Mittens: 8

Scarves: 10

Hats: 39

Hat/mitten sets: 4

Blankets: 4

Donated by:

Patricia Eastman

Gloria Tibbets

Mountain View Knitters Guild

 

Total count so far:

Mittens: 85

Scarves: 70

Hats: 215

Hat/mitten sets: 4

Blankets: 4

 

And Zoe also reports that " June is a whopper! Jody from Glen NH has crocheted/knitted 50 men's hats, 50 women's hats & 25 scarves! Not counted in total yet."

 I sincerely hope that when this year's deadline at the end of Fryeburg Fair which runs from September 29th - October 6th this year, that our goal of  1000 items is exceeded in our final count!

Contributions will be accepted throughout fair week at the Fiber Center after which we will distribute them to our recipients. Any items arriving to us before the fair will be displayed to honor our achievement.

YOU ARE ALL AMAZING! 

THANK YOU!

 

Maine Mitten Project Needs......

   The Maine Mitten Project is collecting some wonderful hand made donations for Maine's Homeless but we are a little off balance and could really use more mittens, fingerless, mitts or wrist warmers. 

IF mittens are not your thing, no worries! WE gladly and gratefully will accept ANY and all hand mades that come our way.

Thanks and happy creating!

This beautiful mitten was made by Marcia a Midcoast Maine, Ravelry.com Maine Mitten Project Supporter.

Thanks Marcia!

Rangeley Maine Public Library & Knitting Group Partnering with the Maine MItten Project

Martha Bicknell of the The Rangeley, Maine Public Library knitting group recently contacted me to ask about creating for the Maine Mitten Project. Yeah and thank you Martha and the Rangeley knitters! Your contributions will be greatly appreciated!

This group meets on Tuesdays from 4:30 - 5:30pm. Martha is inviting anyone who wishes to join them. Locals as well as vacationers are welcome!

Additionally, the Rangeley Public Library has become a local drop location to anyone from that area wishing to create items for Maine's homeless.

Located at 7 Lake St and their phone number is 207-864-5529. Items can be dropped during their regular business hours:

Tuesday 10- 7

Wednesday thru Friday 10-4:30

Saturdays from 10 till 2pm

They will be collecting hand made hats, mittens, and scarfs through early September.

Isn't this a lovely building! Thank You for your support Rangeley Public Library!