You all have shown us, over the years, great kindnesses by giving or exchanging presents with us on holidays, and having group parties with us. We thank you all for your attention and generosity. With the holidays approaching, we, at the Threadbender, want to do something with a different meaning. The celebration of Veteran's day and my husband Bob's volunteering at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans gave me an idea.
We want to knit (crochet or weave) for those at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. We encourage everyone to donate at least one item that can be passed on to a resident at the Home as a holiday gift. More than 600 men and women (primarily men) of all ages reside at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. Machine washable gifts of hats, scarves, mittens (especially thumbless in larger men's sizes), socks, ponchos, ladies shawls or a throw if you can. The residents' needs are for warmth. We will attach a tag to your offering indicating the item, it's size and your first name. We have some free patterns that we can provide at the store. We have a free pattern available online for the thumbless mittens. Just click here.
The Grand Rapids Home for Veterans was constructed in response to the needs of Michigan's veterans in the aftermath of the Civil War. The first official day of operation in the new facilities was January 1, 1886. It is a 758 bed nursing home for veterans, with 618 nursing care beds and 140 domiciliary beds. The nursing care beds include 115 special needs beds of two 35 bed nursing units for the care of Alzheimer's dementia patients and one 45 bed nursing unit for dual diagnoses patients
Here is a website about the GRHV that will answer any questions you may have about the facility. http://www.michigan.gov/dmva/0,1607,7-126-2362_2749---,00.html
Below we have indicated some yarns from our store that would be appropriate. Again, they probably should be machine washable for easy care. The best, and least expensive choices are at the top of the list. All are machine washable. Remember, these are primarily for men so make color choices accordingly. However there are some women who reside at the Home as well.
Encore
Vintage
Vintage Chunky
Marble DK
Marble Chunky
Click Chunky
Amazing
Flirt
Weekend
Merino 5
Comfort
Greenland
Panda Silk
Cotton Classic
Denim Ultra
Baby Bamboo
Almost all our sock yarn is machine washable (you can double or triple it)
Jeanee
Balder
Rhythm
Peru
Chunky Mochi
We actually have some camouflage colors in three yarns also.
If you are not from this area, we encourage you to find out if there is a Home for Veterans, a Vet Center, or other facility near you that may have needs for their residents or participants.
And be sure to thank a veteran for his or her service.
Warm regards,
Julie
