It's worth a shot
I may live in Missouri, but I'm an Iowa girl through and through. I grew up on the Mississippi and my parents still live less than two miles away. We were there for the flood of '93. And, really, when you grow up around it, you're not surprised by the floodwaters after awhile. It's not unusual to have to take a different route because your usual streets are full of water.When my dad drove to see us a few weeks ago, though, all of the streets were flooded. All across Iowa. There was no good way for him to get across the state because every major interstate was bogged down and highly dangerous, even I-80. The entire state was smacked upside the head with unending storms. My heart hurts for the people of Iowa, the place that is still my true home.
I've never been a disaster victim. I've never had to worry about all of my possessions and memories being carried away by raging floodwaters. I've never had to worry about getting Gracie out of the house before she drowns. I've never had to wonder if my family members made it out okay.
It's no secret that Justin and I are having one hell of a bad summer. I want to help financially, but we don't have enough spare cash to make a big impact. But a lot of people, giving small increments, can make a really big difference.
I've been saving up for a Hanne Falkenberg kit. I need more yarn like I need a hole in the head. So what about a raffle? For every five dollars you donate, your name will be entered to win a Hanne Falkenberg kit of your choice. If you're not a knitter and would like to help, for every $5 you donate you will be entered to win one of three pairs of handknit socks. All of the donations will go to the Red Cross. I read a few weeks ago that their disaster relief fund was completely empty, and with the way this summer is going, there will undoubtedly be more uses for funds than we can possibly imagine.
I've been really hesitant to do this - it's been in the back of my mind for weeks. I'm not a big-name blogger. I don't have a big following and I can only offer so much in return for your generosity. But there are people out there who have lost everything they hold dear and that greatly outweighs my fear of failure.
My goal is $1000 by August 15. We can do that, right?
To donate:
We've always been told it takes one person to make a difference - let's see what a lot of people can do.
Labels: red cross
posted by Kristin @ 9:18 AM
20 Comments:
Kristin, thanks so much for doing this. I've been wanting to help (we Iowan-born need to stick together!) but hadn't really known how yet. You gave me the necessary kick in the pants (with a well-knitted socked foot, I'm sure). I'm not a knitter, but my Iowan grandmother is. I don't know what the knitting kit is that you speak of, but if you think any knitter would like it, then if I win it I could pass it on to Grandma Magill. (My farm is OK -- we're in Western Iowa on a hill, so our area has managed to escape much of the trouble.)
I'm not an Iowan, but us midwesterners should stick together! Count this Kansan in.
Elizabeth
I have also been meaning to do something and this gave me the push I needed. And you made the choice of how to do it quite easy. I am a knitter and am 2/3 of the way through dacapo, my first Falkenberg, right now.
Thanks
I am not a knitter, but I am a fan of Iowa and Iowans; further I still have a large paper ear of corn that says somebody in Iowa loves me. Thanks for a chance to love back.
-Twin.
Your mom and dad are so proud of you wanting to help the people in your home state. If you pick my name, keep the knitting kit for yourself!
Thanks Kristin. This is a good thing. ;)
Just to let you know, donate button works but Donate now! text link bellow thermometer donation meter image to right goes to bad page.
As a relatively new Minnesotan, I had to put at least a lil something in the pot.
Good Luck!
just wanted to let you know that i've posted about this on the Daily Chum. i've also "upped" the stakes, lol. hope you don't mind, lol (go read, you'll see what i've done, lol)
http://www.limenviolet.com/blog/?p=3764
What a great thing you're doing. I read about the fundraiser on L&V's Daily Chum and glad to help.
umm, kristin? Miss Violet upped the ante again! she's donating 2 skeins of custom-dyed L&V sock yarn if you break $3000, and another lady would like to donate stitch markers. lemme know and i'll hook y'all up
I was in America for a conference a month ago and watched the floods on CNN. I couldn't believe the scale. My heart goes out to all the people affected. Thank you for helping people to donate.
Great idea! It is so scary to know that the RC funds are gone. I found this through the Daily Chum :)
I donated - thank you for giving us the opportunity to do something for others!
teabird / ravelry
I just donated and I hope you blow right past $3000! Thanks for doing this :)
Are you still taking prize donations? I make stitch markers and would love to donate some!
I'm in upstate NY and so glad UR doing this. I loved seeing the corn as high as an elephant's eye when I visited Ames as a kid. I'm 62 and you are 27 but we have lots in common in addition to knitting--one of my favorite books is also "When you give a Moose a cookie"
Thanks again and happy to donate, Suze in Ithaca, NY
I live pretty much down the road from the Illinois River in Scott County Illinois, and have seen first hand what this year's massive rains have done to us. I know Iowa has been hit harder than we have, and I deeply express my sorrow for those who have lost anything. I think this is a great idea.
I saw this mentioned on Ravelry. Great idea! - I just donated.
Quinn
I grew up in Illinois, lived for five years in Iowa City, and have made Wisconsin my home. We've been hit with the floods, too, and I thank you so much for taking action. (I'd donate more but my husband just lost his job.) Good luck and blessings,
Judith
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