Happy Sunday Everyone! Schnapps was busy getting a haircut and bath yesterday, so we don't have any new hat patterns just yet. He'll be knitting later today, I'm sure!
I am sharing this post that I put on Facebook yesterday because I know that several of you follow here but are not on Facebook. In the past couple of weeks, I have had several people write to me and request free PDF's of patterns (which is great!) and then tell me how I should be donating my hats to large non-profit chemo cap groups. I would hope that anyone who is requesting a pattern would at least take a minute to read the blog post that goes along with the pattern. Every blog posts mentions Delaware Head Huggers and Kozy Kovers for Kids. I guess that some people just don't pay attention. I do not ever want to limit my patterns to certain groups. I am hoping that by putting my feelings out there for all to read people will stop telling me what I should be doing. I run these two organizations by myself and will continue to do so in the way that I feel benefits the most people. I am hoping that by posting this I will not have to continue to waste my time responding to those who seem to think that they know what is best for me.
Here is the post:
Just wanted
to make sure that everyone, especially all the new comers to this page
understand. My goal is to help everyone make chemo caps for WHOMEVER
needs them. I have corresponded with people in Australia, England,
Ireland, South Africa, Canada, Mexico, Italy and several other countries
who are making hats from my patterns and distributing them locally.
Some of the most supportive members of
this page use my patterns and donate locally. THAT IS FABULOUS! If your
local center is in need - HELP them! If you contribute to a large
non-profit, that is also wonderful! Hats are getting to those who need
them. I am here, accepting hats, for those of you who wish to send them
to me - for whatever your reasons - be it that one of the non-profits
didn't recognize your donation or criticized it, be it that you don't
know where else to donate your hats, or be it just because you feel like
it. There are always people in need of hats and I will continue to
send them out as soon as they come in. I also know that many people use
my patterns to make hats for other causes and reasons (including gifts
for perfectly healthy friend). That, too, is wonderful! I'm happy to
know that my patterns are being used all around the world for so many
different reasons.
I do not tell anyone what to do with their finished hats and I am asking for the same courtesy. Everyone has their favorite charity - I personally almost always choose to donate to a grass roots, local movement that doesn't get mired in administrative red tape and salary concerns....I like 100% of my donations to go directly to a cause. That does not mean that donating to a different type of cause is invalid in any way. If everyone just HELPED someone, in some way, rather than trying to tell others what to do with their time, talents and money, perhaps more would be done. I share my patterns to encourage sharing and comfort. Please do not try to make that into a contest with other groups and please do not try to steer my efforts into something that you think is more valid than what I am doing. Stop worrying about what everyone else is doing and simply make a stand to make things for others and make the world a bit nicer, happier and more comforting! Schnapps and I send HUGS to all! ♥
I do not tell anyone what to do with their finished hats and I am asking for the same courtesy. Everyone has their favorite charity - I personally almost always choose to donate to a grass roots, local movement that doesn't get mired in administrative red tape and salary concerns....I like 100% of my donations to go directly to a cause. That does not mean that donating to a different type of cause is invalid in any way. If everyone just HELPED someone, in some way, rather than trying to tell others what to do with their time, talents and money, perhaps more would be done. I share my patterns to encourage sharing and comfort. Please do not try to make that into a contest with other groups and please do not try to steer my efforts into something that you think is more valid than what I am doing. Stop worrying about what everyone else is doing and simply make a stand to make things for others and make the world a bit nicer, happier and more comforting! Schnapps and I send HUGS to all! ♥
Schnapps and I hope that everyone will go about making a difference in the way that means the most to them. I fully encourage people to donate wherever and whenever they can. That is important to me and Schnapps and why we do things the way we do. YOU should do good where you believe it best. There are so many in this world who need so much. Please don't try to turn doing nice things into something petty or controversial.
Spreading some happiness and love is also important to us. So, please help us make a difference, one head at a time, with hugs, hope and love. Help anyone in any way you wish - if you are making someone smile for any reason, you are helping fulfill our mission!
Hugs, hope and love and smiles to all!
Robin & Schnapps
I love your patterns, I donate to several local hospitals and cancer centers. We are a small area but I checked and they have several that donate hats, shawls and throws, wheelchair lap blankets and of course newborn needs also. I have happily joined in with mainly hats thanks to your wonderful patterns. Not only am I building my skills but also feel I am helping with your cause in some small way. Being on a very limited and low income your free patterns make my efforts possible. Several nurses have donated yarns so that I can continue to make the hats, as they love your designs. So, though I would love to be able to donate $$ to help defray the expenses I am unable in my financial confines to do so, but every hat that I make using your designs has a small note attached giving credit for your pattern plus of course the fiber content and care instructions.
ReplyDeleteThank you is not enough to say really, I know that I have been blessed every time I take the hats to the centers. Give Schnapps a good scratch behind the ears for me and a big kiss on his nose! You both are blessings everyday in my life!
Thank you for understanding what I was trying to say! Making a difference is what is important!! In whatever way you can do so. My ultimate goal is to make a difference, one head at a time, with hugs, hope and love. And that is exactly what you are doing for the local hospitals!
DeleteAnd by you donating locally, that is a financial contribution to Delaware Head Huggers, since I do not have to ship those hats or send hats to those hospitals and centers. HUGS!!!!
You don't have to give credit for patterns - I am just happy to know that they are getting to people who need them.
THANK YOU!!!!
And your patterns are always a HUGE hit.. they are always excited to see what new patterns I bring in!! Love the smiles that I get when the nurses dive into the box, LOL. They separate the weights, some want heavier hats, some prefer the lighter weights, I try to make several of each and I take every month or two, depending on how much time I have had to knit. I would be lost without your free patterns, always such a joy to find them ready to download and print out for my Head Huggers folder!! God Bless and thank you again!!
ReplyDeleteThat is great to hear. And please, just email me at robin@delawareheadhuggers.org if you think they could use more hats and I will send some out to them as well.
DeleteNo thanks needed! Thank you for helping so many!
Hugs!
Robin
I have been making hats from your patterns for my own special people. Most of them I size smaller and make for newborns at a local hospital. I also have a special little friend with alopecia. I always knit a flower on her hats, because she loves them so much. Unlike chemo patients, she will never grow hair. Thanks for the patterns. I hope you don't mind that I am not in a club.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely don't mind that you are not in a club. You're doing wonderful things and making the world a happier place! That's just what I hope everyone will do with my patterns.
DeleteHugs!
Robin