Thanks for the great knitting comments! 22, 23 / 365

I was really happy to have found the Ships Project:

http://www.theshipsproject.com/

The organization sends knitted goods, "little hugs from home" to troops deployed overseas. I have heard from many people whose lives have been touched by the mission in a positive way, including the founder.

Respondents sent in two other great connections for people who want to help:

Socks for Soldiers sends shipments of warm toasty knitted socks to troops:

http://socksforsoldiersinc.com/

For those who quilt: Quilts of Valor helps bring together those who sew, longarmers, and even those who can't sew but want to contribute to help send warm quilts to injured troops:

http://www.qovf.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=149

I still haven't found a UK organization for citizens who want to knit for troops, but people have suggested working with The Ships Project to start a UK chapter, or look for groups on the knitting forum - Ravelry:

https://www.ravelry.com/account/login

Believe me, these handmade works of love and art are really appreciated.

Here's a piture of a baby blanket that M. sent to me. It went to good use when a baby was born at the hospital in Iraq after her mother was injured by gunfire and went into early labor.

Take care and keep knitting!

Knitting for Troops 20/365 The Ships Project

Getting back to suggestions on how to help troops:

If you can knit (or want to learn: I can rebuild a trachea, but still can't knit. M. swears it is easy!)

one way to support the troops is by knitting comfort items like hats, slippers and neck coolers. I can tell you that when I was in Iraq in JAN I was freezing my patootie off!! M. had knit me a green camouflage blanket and a desert camouflage hoodie and they were put to good use!

A great place to start is the Ships Project:

http://www.theshipsproject.com/Home.htm

They started by knitting warm slippers for sailors who would get cold in their berths, but send items to land and sea troops. They will coordinate group mailings and have a very clear guide to help choose which items to knit.

RJ Julia Book Store, Madison, CT Hatian relief

(Source: Bookpublishing Today)

One of my favorite book stores in the world, RJ Julia in Madison, CT

http://www.rjjulia.com/

made this announcement that they would be donating Booklovers Club membership dues to Hatian relief:

(begin quote)

Haiti Disaster Relief at R.J. Julia
This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday when you sign up for our popular Booklovers Club membership, or renew your expired membership, 100% of your $25 membership fee will go to
Doctors Without Borders for Haiti Relief!

(end quote)

Here is information about joining the Booklovers club (you can do it over the Internet):

http://www.rjjulia.com/gift-cards-and-more/booklovers-club-membership.html

We are planning a signing at RJ Julia WED 31 MAR at 1900. I can't wait!