Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Sunday, December 8, 2013

A Quilter's version of the Night Before Christmas




A Quilter’s Christmas
T’was the night before Christmas, but I wasn’t asleep
I was locked in my sewing room, projects knee deep
the stockings were waiting to be finished and bound,
but no bias tape maker or thread was found
When from the front lawn I heard such a clatter,
I flew to the door to see what was the matter
St. Nick and his crew had stopped on their way, 
to bring glory and gifts to the world today
Santa I cried, I am all out of kilter!
What do you have in your bag for a quilter?
He smiled as he pulled from the back of his sleigh,
a patchwork bag to make my day
Mettler and Fiskars, Olfa and more, 
but I gasped as I saw the fabric galore
Marcus and Blank and the Elf on the Shelf.
Dear Santa I cried there is too much for myself!
Let’s share all these goodies to cure all quilters’ pains!
I hopped in his sled and grabbed the reins
We laughed and called out as the sled took flight,
Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Inspired from A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore

Written by Betty Gormick

Monday, December 2, 2013

Update on the Red Scarf Project

On behalf of the AIDS Awareness Week committee, and all the staff here at the Regional HIV/AIDS Connection, I’m writing this message to convey a big thank-you for your individual and collective volunteer contributions!

With your help we managed to exceed our initial goal of 400 by an additional 113 scarves, reaching a grand total of 513…and they are still rolling in!

Our Executive Director Brian Lester has said   “…We cannot effectively serve the RHAC mission without the dedication of our dynamic volunteers.” Without a doubt this rings true in relation to each of you. Your help has truly been invaluable in underpinning the huge success of this year’s Red Scarf Project, raising HIV/AIDS awareness and supporting the mission of “Getting to Zero”!  - Zero new HIV infections, Zero discrimination and Zero AIDS-related deaths.

Some 2013 Red Scarf Project Success Highlights:

·         100+ volunteer ‘knitters’:  97 individual knitters and 11 community group contributions
·         High impact public scarf art installations and handouts throughout London, Stratford and Woodstock …see pictures and ‘by the numbers’ below.
·         Clients of our partner agencies got to share in the warmth ….scarves were distributed to My Sisters Place, At^Lohsa, Unity Project, and The Mission.
·         Over 3000 red ribbons were concurrently distributed to the general public
·         Strong media coverage (TV and print)… helping to effectively spread the message further across the regions.



Thanks once again!
Martin  
Community  Relations Coordinator