What Ever Happened to our Scarves?

I recently received an email from Nancy Jewell, spokesperson for Coats & Clark, about Sandpipers contribution to the 2009 Special Olympic Winter Games. Several of us crocheted or knitted scarves for this worthwhile project. I blogged several times about the project and included pictures, too. Look back in the blog archives for pictures of our work. This one of Mariana's scarves.

Anyway...this email thanked us and revealed the astounding number of scarves sent in by talented people from all over.

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I believe you blogged about this so thought you might be interested in the total results to which you contributed. Thanks for the good words and good work.

Over 40,000 scarves received from Knit and Crochet Enthusiasts

. . . When the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games begin

in Boise, ID, February 7 – 13, 2009, one thing is for certain.

All athletes, the delegates supporting them and visiting dignitaries

will be donning Red Heart® Super Saver™ Delft Blue and White scarves

lovingly made by knit and crochet enthusiasts from around the world.

The World Winter Games recently announced receipt of over 40,000 (and counting) handmade scarves, in response to an October 2008 partnership with Coats & Clark and the Special Olympics World Winter Games. The goal was simple; top the 2007 goal of 1,000 by reaching for 5,000 scarves made from Red Heart® Super Saver™ Delft Blue and White yarn, the official colors of the World Winter Games. The response was more then spectacular.

“We are so excited and more then thrilled with the outpouring of support from our generous knitters and crocheters,” said Alyson Bell, senior vice president, sales and marketing needlecrafts for Coats & Clark. “It is just a true testament to the spirit of people who want to give of their hands and from their hearts. It speaks volumes!” No special pattern or skill was required. The only rule was the scarves had to be hand knitted or crocheted using the Red Heart® Super Saver™ Delft Blue and White yarns. Most scarves were accompanied by special handwritten notes of encouragement to the athletes.

Stories of great giving are emerging from this outpouring of support like the students in the Birmingham, MI school district who, over their winter break, made over 300 scarves, some knitting and crocheting for the first time ever. These kids reached out to their parents, grandparents and teachers to learn the craft, making the experience not only charitable

but generational. The staff from Coats & Clark offices made more then 460 while Ravelry.com supporters contributed over 1,200 alone.

The scarves have already made an appearance wrapped around Special Olympic athletes who participated in the Inauguration Parade of President Barak Obama Tuesday, January 20, in Washington DC. Plus, the scarves may pop up on sports commentators or a talk show or two, according to the International Special Olympics team. The Red Heart® Super Saver™ scarves will be worn for the Opening Ceremony in Boise, February 7, where special mention will be made about the love that went into each and every stitch,

keeping the athlete warm and encouraging them to reach for their goals.

“The warmth of these scarves will wrap the athletes in love and support.

As a matter of fact, we could probably wrap all the spectators too,” quips Bell.

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We may not have made a huge number of scarves but we certainly feel appreciated and it's thrilling to think that perhaps a scarf that one of us made wrapped around the neck of a Special Olympian marching down Pennsylvania Ave, or perhaps will be worn by a sports commentator, or, gasp! Regis Philbin!