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

 

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

Delivery: 123 items to Children and Teenage Chemo Warriors

Last week, our dear friend, Melissa was able to deliver 123 items to the Pediatric Oncology Unit at CHOC (Children’s Hospital in Orange County).  It included 3 scarves, 1 headband and 119 hats of various styles, colors, and sizes.

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 appreciative of you and your dedication to making this world a better place!  It’s easy as 1-2-3 because of you and your support!

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

2020 Blanket Challenge Details

For 2020, Our Challenge: 200 blankets donated to babies and chemo warriors

We have been asked some questions about this Blanket Drive.

We are accepting all sizes (from baby lovies to adult large throws), loom knitted, crocheted, sewn and/or fleece blankets.  The criteria for yarn, fleece or material remains the same

• Must be new, never worn or used
• Should be washable
• Smoke-free & pet hair-free
• Soft yarn is best- cotton acrylic, silk, fleece or a blend.
• Wool/alpaca is acceptable, though is known to be scratchy.  If using wool or alpaca, please label the item- to warn those that are allergic
• Please wash your hands on a regular basis while making the items.
• Items do not need to be laundered if they are kept clean.  If you feel an item has to be washed before donating it, please use a hypoallergenic detergent and rinse very well.

If you follow us on Pinterest, we created a new board for this 2020 challenge to spark inspiration and provide some helpful tips.

As many of you know, we started Knitting Rays of Hope with loom knitting hats and then started dabbling into crochet with the help of Youtube and Pinterest.

I crocheted my first blanket a few months ago for a friend’s baby and enjoyed the process of it.  I used a shell stitch and found it easy enough to crochet it while watching tv.  If your talents are quilting or knitting, please feel free to make blankets that will suit your talents.

I found a chart for blanket sizes from Craft-Mart.com that will hopefully help provide some guidance.

While searching for ideas, I found All Free Crochet had an article for over 25 blanket patterns for beginners here.  And I may just try this blanket, as one of our friends, T. Stella Bernard suggested a baby afghan made up of individual squares that are sewn together.  I hope that this will be easy to just crochet squares and then put them together.  Wish me luck!

We thank you for trying to learn new things like making blankets to help us spread hope.

Thank you!
~Pali

 

Some Sunshine Doo-Dads

Our good friend, Robin from Sunshine Doo-Dads in Phoenix, Arizona sent us these cheery hats of all sizes.

Robin’s note reads:

I am happy to be shipping off this over stuffed box to your wonderful cause!  I already had all but 1 of these hats completed when you issued your request for blankets.  Although I am not currently a blanket maker, I am going to learn so that I can contribute! Thank you for your efforts and providing so much with my donation

We love how Robin’s hope and cheery spirit is so contagious from her “Sunshine Doo-Dads” to her willingness to try to learn how to make blankets.  We are so grateful for Robin as a great supporter/friend and an active and consistent member of our community!

Have a great day!
~Pali

Merry Christmas

Wishing you Joy on this Christmas Day!

May your day be filled with laughter, love and hope!