Stand Down for Vets Knit Knook Project Update

An update from Pat on the Homeless Vets Hats Project:

"An awesome surprise was waiting for me at the Knit Knook on Friday (April, 6th), One of our knitters, Kay, had dropped off 22 Hats for our Vets! The total now stands at 73 with the breakdown as follows:
10 children's caps - 5 boys and 5 girls
12 balaclavas - 4 men's, 2 women's and 4 neutral,
41 caps - 19 women's, 14 men's, and 8 neutral, and
10 unsorted hats, and
1 pair of mittens at the Knit Knook! All of this has been done since the 1st of January.

On Thursday, I talked with Rebecca Smith, of the VA. She told me about a Stand Down for Vets that will be held here at Beaver Ranch on Saturday, May 19th. There will be a pancake breakfast provided by the VFW, medical and social services, and a clothing give away. She would like 10 women's and 20 men's hats for the Conifer Stand Down. With the approval of the Friday knitters, we will provide these. She also would like a least 2 of us to help with clothing distribution at the Stand Down, and I said we could easily come up with these.

We are still committed to provide 50 women's hats for the Nov. Denver Stand Down, so I think focus needs to concentrate on women for the near future. Rebecca also mentioned that they can use a few children's hats - we now have 10, so we can use some more of these. They have a Women's Vet Shelter in Denver, hence the need for the children's hats. Our overall goal is still at least 100 hats total - obviously with in our reach."

Thanks to all of the Knit Knook knitters for being so generous with this project and special thanks to Pat for all her hard work coordinating this and putting it together!!

Latest update from Pat:

What an amazing group of women! In 4 months we have knitted 101 hats and one pair of mittens for homeless veterans. The goal was a least 100 knitted items by November. Anybody want to try for 200? I have heard from several knitters that they are still working on hats, or have some already done at home. Even though we have reached the initial goal, there will be about 500 vets at the Stand Down in Denver in November, and we are providing 30 hats for the Stand Down at Beaver Ranch on May 19th. All hats, gloves, and socks are still very welcome. Thank you all!