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Welcome to SWAP
Scarves With A Purpose!
A "Tight-Knit" Community Effort.
Knitting scarves for the homeless and deserving.
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| Interested in Lending a Hand?
To volunteer to teach knitting
To learn how to knit
To volunteer to knit
To donate yarn
To donate scarves
To learn more about SWAP
Connections for the Homeless
Suggestions?
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More than
scarves donated to date!
Knitted by more than100
sixth-, seventh-, and, eighth-graders; high-schoolers;
mothers; friends; and assorted winter-knitters, from around the US and
Canada!
Knit with other SWAP-ers, in person, on the last Friday of each month!
Email for details. |
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The Story of SWAP |
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"I learned to knit from my mom. Then I stopped.
But so many years later, I picked it up again - like crazy. I knitted scarves for just about everyone I knew. After
about six months of keeping friends' and family's necks warm, I realized that there were far more people out there who
really needed a hug around the neck - the homeless. So, I went to my daughter, Mel, and asked her, 'Don't you think we
should knit some scarves for those who could use them in this cold Chicago weather?' 'That's a great idea!' she
replied. And so it began.
"I was so pleased that my 12-year-old daughter wanted
to join me. And after she learned how to knit, her friends decided they wanted to learn, too. One thing
led to another, and here we are - everyone's HOOKED!!!!! I now hold monthly knitting parties, teach students how to knit at
a junior high school, receive scarves from people far and wide - all working to knit Scarves With A Purpose.
"Unfortunately, my mom never got to see SWAP materialize.
I know that she somehow knows, though, and is smiling from above.
"I'd be particularly pleased if you'd like to join us in
making a difference. To learn more, follow a link on the left side of the page."
- Jodi Hebeisen
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NEWS and NOTEWORTHY |
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March 2008
- 76 more scarves are donated to Connections for the Homeless.
January 2008
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Happy New Year! Jodi Hebeisen here with another update.
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I'm pleased to announce that the scarves are continuing to roll in
- men's scarves, women's scarves, wool scarves, winter scarves, head scarves ... all sorts of shawls and
wraps and scarf-like knitting for the homeless and underserved. Another 200, in fact, were recently added to the total
- some from as far away as Alabama! Thanks to everyone who's helping the cause.
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In other news, I'll be teaching basic and advanced knitting at the house, again
this year. So, if you want to learn how to knit, increase your knitting skills, or just enjoy some fun storytelling
and conversation, all are welcome to join us, in person, on the last Friday of each month!
(Email for details.)
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Too, I'm now also teaching knitting at St. Norbert's Church, here in Northbrook,
Illinois, on the first Tuesday of each month.
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And, I just finished a class at Glenbrook North High School for the HERO
(Home Economics Cooperative Education) class.
March 2007
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SWAP is alive and well.
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In fact, we've been receiving scarves for the homeless via mail from some fabulous knitters
in California, Florida, and throughout the Chicagoland area - that's 100 more scarves ready to be donated, courtesy of the winter's
knitters! Thank you one and all for knitting your Scarves with a Purpose!
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Too, this summer we'll be doing more soup kitchen work and helping out at the shelter.
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Stay tuned, volunteers. And keep knitting!
July 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
November 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
November 2003
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SWAP donates almost 130 scarves to A Safe Place, a Chicago-area battered women's shelter and
PADS, a homeless shelter and soup kitchen in Waukegan that serves people throughout Lake County, Illinois.
June 2003
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Each scarf comes with a tag that
reads: "A group of young ladies has been
knitting scarves to let you know someone out there cares about you.
Wrap this around your neck and feel the love." |
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Knitting - it's not just for grandmas anymore! |
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Founded in 2003 in loving memory of "Cookie" |