Hannah's Socks

Brrrrr, it's cold out there! Consider helping those suffering from exposure to the elements, and make a little girl's dreams come true, too. A local charity, Hannah's Socks, is securing socks for the poor and homeless of metropolitan Toledo and Cincinnati, all because little Hannah Turner, a four year old who accompanied her mother to a soup kitchen to feed the hungry, noticed that some of the men weren't wearing socks, despite the very cold weather. Hannah wanted to give one of the homeless men her own socks, but when it was made clear to her that they wouldn't fit, she decided she wanted to collect warm socks to give to anyone poor and homeless that would otherwise be without them. Thus, "Hannah's Socks" was born, and nearly 60,000 pairs of socks have been collected for men, women and children in need. 

Check them out at www.hannahssocks.org . 

(The photo and article below are taken from the Toledo City News magazine.)

Little Winter Visitors...

Happy Holidays!

A Little Gingerbread Cheer...

I love the 577 Foundation. Since moving to northwest Ohio, it has become one of my favorite destinations. Established by local philanthropist Virginia Secor Stranahan, the 577 Foundation offers all kinds of creative courses and opportunities that are in line with 577's mission of providing community offerings that are "educational, environmental, experimental--and fun" . I've taken Chinese cooking classes, courses on composting and winter gardening, and ceramics classes, including a recent workshop where we learned how to make these cute gingerbread house (out of clay) which we "personalized" with our own creative touches. With a little votive candle tucked inside to illumine this little cottage on cold and cozy winter evenings, I will treasure this little craft for years to come! Thank you, 577 Foundation--you all are fabulous!

www.577foundation.org

Have Yourself a Merry Fair Trade Christmas...

A Nativity--made out of recycled materials. From the Philippines, purchased at 

Georgette's Grounds and Gifts. www. georgettes.org

The Nativity--with the Virgin Mary in a sari, compliments of the fair trade gift shop at Grailville. www.grailville.org. 

Peace dove ornament carved from a large seed. 

www.tenthousandvillages.org

South African Christmas Angel (complete with cool sunglasses). 

www.artaidsart.org

Giving the Gift of Crafting...

This year we're "getting creative" with our holiday donations for those in need. Mercy College of Northwest Ohio student Bobbi Schelkun is seeking donations of yarn and knitting supplies to teach the kids at Toledo's Padua Center how to knit Christmas gifts for their parents. Padua Center, sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Toledo, is a community based presence reaching out by empowering people at all stages of life to achieve their maximum potential through education, counseling, support and community involvement...as well as, apparently, through learning a craft.

So, instead of sending a check, we went out and bought "kid size knitting needles" and enough yarn for two or three simple projects such as hats and scarves. We are pleased to support a project that teaches urban young people an enjoyable and useful craft skill, but we also want to encourage and applaud Bobbi for her innovative and imaginative use of her crafting talents to help "craft a better world".

Bobbi also wants to start a Project Linus chapter at her college. Donations or inquiries can be directed to Nancy Surella, Community Partner Liaison, Mercy College, at (419) 251-1411.

This holiday season, consider funding a grass roots craft initiative as part of your holiday giving to those in need. Consider sharing information about your project with us.

www.paduacenter.org

www.projectlinus.org