I’ve found a way to keep the Christmas spirit all year around — even though the best evidence of that comes in December.
As many of you know, I’m an avid knitter. So avid, in fact, it caused tendonitis a year ago. I’ve been knitting since I was 19, and there are countless pieces out there I’ve created. Some I’ve even designed myself.
Over the years I’ve used this gift (and I truly consider knitting to be a gift) from time to time to make items for charitable giving. My current endeavor is hats for those who come to my church’s food bank. Every year we have the Giving Tree, and people hang cold weather items such as hats, scarves, mittens on it during December.
Those items are available for a group of people in need, some homeless, some struggling to keep a roof over their heads. All struggling to get enough food for themselves and their families.
The year-round aspect of this is easy to figure out. I knit the hats throughout the year, and keep them in a basket until it’s time to give them away. Some of the yarn is leftover from other projects, some is purchased for this purpose and some is donated to me.
I take pleasure in knowing a handful of people will have attractive, warm hats for the cold weather. Some say charitable giving is selfish, because you do it to make yourself feel better. I say, I don’t have to do this to feel good about life and myself. I do it because it’s the right thing to do.
Do you have a talent you share with others in need (whatever that need may be)? I know Judy shares her music and her growth from tragedy with others. Lois shared her kind heart and tough spirit with prisoners until health issues prevented her from doing so. And each month Kathy writes about how to keep the Christmas spirit alive year-round.
Most of you who read this have been given so much, even if it doesn’t always seem that way. For those who are struggling, I pray others reach out to you. I was lucky enough when, during my worst hours, kind people gave me a lift out of the abyss.
This is my thank you.
My World With Words 
Your collection is so impressive, Belinda. I’m very proud of you!
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Thank you!
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I love that you are sharing both your talent and your heart with people who will benefit from your wonderful gifts. Good on you, Belinda.
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It seems like a good fit!
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Beautiful collection of your wonderful talents – and wonderful piece!
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Thank you! I like seeing them all in a row.
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🙂 Indeed. They’re beautiful!
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Your work is beautiful! When I was going through Chemo, and lost all of my hair, I would go to Vintage Shops in search of knitted caps for my head. When your head if newly hairless, even a summer breeze feels cold. Some ladies knitted caps, and donated a basket full to the Chemo room. That was a very happy day! xx
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I am so happy to hear that. That’s the sort of thing so many of my knitting friends respond to, and I’m proud to be a part of that kindness. We don’t know what our simple acts might mean to others, and you’ve reminded me they can mean a lot.
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This is a fabulous post and I think that Giving Tree is a most fantastic idea! I just LOVE IT! DakotasDen
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Thank you. My goal this year is to encourage others to make things throughout the year that we can place on the Giving Tree.
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Reblogged this on Designs & Words and commented:
From one of my other blogs. Some of these hats have shown up on this site before!
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What an incredible talent you have and such an inspiring post. Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you!
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