Celebrating Juneteenth

155 years ago today, the last slaves in the U.S. were granted freedom. As we celebrate #Juneteenth, it is a reminder of both how far we’ve come and how far we have to go in the fight against racism.

This year, Juneteenth takes on a special meaning as the fight for equality and racial justice gains momentum and a feeling of urgency.  We live in a country where the lives of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks and George Floyd were snuff out by lethal violence.  And as we are hearing from students, too often classrooms fail to connect these events to our country’s complex, violent and racist history.  Perhaps this is why Juneteenth still isn’t a federal holiday, and its history is often overlooked.  But Black history is American history.  And as we celebrate Juneteenth together, let’s use this moment to renew our commitment to creating opportunities for all of California’s students to thrive.

– Tony Thurmond

 

Busy Hands, Loving Hearts

My kind friend, Teresa sent me 3 face masks that she handmade for my personal use.  These are so cute, and I am so touched, but the story behind it is even more uplifting.

Teresa has already made 30 so far but is now working on supplying all of her husbands’ work crew. Her mother taught her how to sew, and she is now using those precious lessons, sewing machine, and materials that all belonged to her mother, to spread hope during these unprecedented times.

The front of the face masks

The insides The butterflies and frogs hold the filter materials.

 

Teresa wrote a note that reads:

These face masks were made with love from materials and supplies left to me by my mother. Even the sewing machine was hers from the 1960s!  All mechancial and still going strong!

The smaller mask with elastic ear loops has a pouch to insert a filter material, if you can find any.  Without the filter, it is 60-80% effective in catching bugs, made from 100% cotton fabric.  If it seems too big, loop a ribbon or string thought the ear loosp and tie around your head for a better fit.

The rectangular style mask has filter material inside (inter-facing).  I don’t know how effective it is but have heard that this might be as much as 90% effective in catching bugs, also made form 100% cotton fabrics.  This mask seemed hotter to wear to me but if placed just right, didn’t fog my glasses!

Nothing guarranteed, but I figure it’s better than nothing and at the very least keeps us from touching our faces.

Thinking of you and hoping you stay safe.

In California, it is now ordered that we wear face masks anytime we make a trip outside, and we can only make trips outside for essential business, such as groceries, pharmacy or medical appointments.

These face masks are cute, whimsical and so thoughtful that I am smiling — believe me, I am smiling, even though you can see it from behind my face mask.

Be safe and kind,
~Pali

 

How to Help

It’s easy to be scared during these unprecedented times. We hope that you are safe and well, practicing social distancing and staying safe at home.

If you are able and want to help, some of the hospitals are requesting items, due to the lack of PPE (Personal protective equipment).

Our sweet friend, Melissa, a nurse, forwarded me an email that her hospital (St. Joseph) and CHOC are requesting  the following items:

In addition to new, unused 3M, N95 and surgical masks, we can accept the following supplies for making face shields:

• Bolts of 16, 18 or 20-gauge clear vinyl
• 3/8-inch and/or 1/2-inch braided elastic in white or black
• 1-inch Airtex High Density Foam (green)
• Gorilla Glue or 3M Scotch Heavy Duty Double-Sided Mounting Tape

You can mail them directly to

 St. Joseph Hospital
1100 W. Stewart Drive
 Orange, CA  92868

or

CHOC
1201 W. La Veta Avenue
Orange, CA 92868

For questions, pls email COVID19Donations@providence.org

You may also contact your local hospital and ask if they need these donations.

We have also found Masks for Heroes (website) and a Facebook Group. There are instructions on how to make facemasks and how to donate to hospitals directly.

There are also many online patterns and Youtube tutorials if you want to crochet a facemask for personal wear for minimum trips to the grocery store.  Just google Crochet Facemask with face shield.

We underline that you should only donate if you can and have these items available to you without making unnecessary trips to the store.

We are so appreciative of all of you in our community of prayer and hope.

We send our best wishes and positive thoughts.

Thank you!
~Pali

Brighten Up Someone’s Day

A new friend, Keila, from Shreveport in Louisiana, found us and sent us chemo caps in various sizes and styles, ear warmers and PICC Line Covers.

Her note reads:

I recently found your organization online and was so excited to contribute to such an awesome cause.  I am sending beanies in various sizes, ear warmers and PICC Line covers.

Thank you for creating this organization and allowing me to make someone’s day a little brighter.

We are so grateful you found us and will include these in our next delivery.  We cannot spread hope and love without your generosity.

Thank you!
~Pali

The Biggest Contribution Yet!

The American Heart Association from Atlanta, Georgia sent us 4 boxes full of red baby hats, which is the largest shipment we have ever received! The hats are all red, but different sizes and styles to raise awareness for February, which is American Heart month!

We were quite surprised and amazed by how many hats were shipped to us! We will start counting, labeling and getting these ready for the deliveries.

Thank you for finding us and thinking of sending these to spread hope and love!
~Pali

Delivery: 175 to Babies

A little bit ago, our dear friend, Melissa was able to deliver 175 items to the babies in the NICU at St. Joe’s in Orange County.   The delivery included 110 red hats, 64 hats of various styles and colors, and 1 pair of baby booties.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this delivery, by making the hats, labeling and photographing the hats to delivering the hats!  We are so grateful that you are committed to spreading hope and love!

Thank you!
~Pali

Utah’s Skyridge High School Sends Hope

We received a package filled with hats from the National Honor Society from Skyridge High School in Utah.

We are so impressed when youth get involved in making a difference in the world- showing compassion and love for strangers is a lesson that few understand until much later in life.

We are so proud of everyone involved and thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Thank you!
~Pali

So Proud of our Youth!

We received a box of hats made by the ROAM Club from Burroughs High School in Ridgecrest, California.

We always applaud when our youth get involved to make this world a kinder, better place.  We are impressed with these hats and the level of difficulty and dedication found– you make us so proud!

These hats will keep babies and chemo warriors warm and feel loved!

Thank you for helping us spread hope, love, and warmth!
~Pali

110 Red Sweet Hearts

A new friend, Barbara from Georgia made 110 red baby beanies in various sizes and styles for the American Heart Association.  She later found out that they had discontinued this project and sought us out!  Aren’t we lucky she did?

We will donate these red sweetheart hats in honor of today, Valentine’s Day to a local NICU to spread love and hope!

Barbara’s note reads:

These are the hats as per our email conversation.

Hope they work

Any feedback would be welcome.

Hope to make some adult hats now.

We walk in faith and believe in God’s plan.  We are grateful you found us and hope that you will continue to want to contribute to Knitting Rays of Hope!

Happy Valentine’s Day! 

Thank you!
~Pali

Spreading Kindness because of Friends like YOU!!

Our friend Michelle, from Bakersfield, California sent us another package of hats– all different colors, styles, and sizes.

Michelle also wrote us a note that reads:

Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of your amazing organization.  Thank God for people like you– spreading kindness simply because you can.  Blessings to you and everyone who receives these hats.

Thank you, Michelle, for your consistent contributions and willingness to help make items to spread hope and love.  We are so grateful for our community and it’s because of people like you that we are able to spread hope, love, and warmth!

Thank you!
~Pali