Yarn Connects Kids in Oklahoma to Winona Lake Crafters
Posted
Staff Report-
WINONA LAKE- Oklahoma may be 870 miles away, but it will soon be connected to northern Indiana by yarn and love. Julia Porter, an employee at The Island Weaver in The Village at Winona, and her aunt, Pamela Thomas, of Tulsa, Okla., were on the phone last Tuesday morning after the tornado that ravaged Moore, Okla. Thomas, a first responder and a social worker, was on the scene in Moore while she and Porter talked about what they needed and what could be done from here. According to Thomas, kids in crisis need something comforting, familiar and soothing. Enter “care squares,” a 14”x14” piece of cloth with a pacifier attached at one corner. These squares are distributed to children of all ages. Thomas said that children as old as 10 or 12 may begin sucking a thumb or fingers again in times of crisis, and doctors and healthcare workers would prefer to have a pacifier for them to use. Care squares are an easy way to fill the need. Locally, The Island Weaver at The Village at Winona is collecting and sending care squares for Moore, Okla., by way of Thomas. The care squares can be knit, crochet, woven or sewn out of soft cloth. They must be 14"x14", machine washable, soft, cuddly, and kid friendly colors. The Island Weaver has a large number of pacifiers that can be attached at the shop before shipping. The Island Weaver also has a few looms ready to weave care squares, so people can also stop in and weave on a “shop square” to send. The Island Weaver, supplying local fiber enthusiasts with weaving, knitting, crochet, and spinning supplies, is located at 807 E. Canal St. in The Village at Winona and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Island Weaver can be reached at 574-268-YARN or www.theislandweaver.com
