Blankets for the Little Ones
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- Blankets for the Little Ones
History
The **"Blankets for Little Ones"** project focuses on donating handmade goods created by members of our community to hospitals, maternity units, charitable organizations, and other places in need of support.
This initiative began in 2019 when we responded to Middlemore Hospital’s call for clothing for premature babies and newborns.
A group of hardworking and talented women crocheted and knitted clothes and blankets, which were donated to Middlemore Hospital.
Since then, the project has grown, and over the past four years, we are proud to share the following achievements:
- Over 30 individuals have contributed over the years, donating various wonderful items.
- It is hard to estimate the total number of donated items, but we’ve provided over 100 blankets and approximately 300 items such as baby clothes, hats, booties, etc.
- Since 2020, we have also sewn fabric pouches for Nurturing Families (formerly Mummys in Need), offering a sustainable way to distribute cosmetics and hygiene products to people in financial difficulties.
- Donations have been made to Middlemore Hospital, Waitakere Hospital, Beanies for Babies, Nurturing Families, and Care 4 Kidz.
- We have organized gatherings to knit wool squares, which were later sewn into larger blankets.
- Friendships have been formed, patterns shared, and new knitting and crocheting techniques learned.
Every contribution matters and is welcomed! Even a handmade hat can keep a child warm, and a knitted square can become part of a blanket.
Over the years, we’ve received gratitude for our contributions to the wider New Zealand community and have even earned the nickname *The Merry Band of Knitters.*
We are grateful to the Doina Community for their financial support, enabling us to purchase materials—this project wouldn’t be possible without those funds. Most importantly, we thank the volunteers who have dedicated their free time to this initiative; we admire your dedication and perseverance.
We are continuing the project this year and invite you to contribute in the following ways:
- You can crochet or knit.
- You can sew fabric pouches (for Nurturing Families).
- You can donate yarn or money if you’d like to help but don’t have the time or skills needed.
We will provide materials and patterns. If you’d like to participate, please contact Călina Tătaru at calina.tataruwise@gmail.com. If there is enough interest, we will organize a meeting to discuss the project and start working together.
Coordinators
Members
Maria Bocirnea
Corina Ulmeanu
Mariana Popa
Elena Serdocz
Maria Lapusan
Carmen Stoenciu
Zamfira Bunduc
Constanta Voiculescu
Patricia Ostate
Zenaida Alexoiu
Diana Dumitrascu
Veronica Secara