In February of 1968 at Ebenezer Baptist Church, speaking of how he wished to be remembered, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said the following:
I'd like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to give his life serving others. I'd like for somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to love somebody.
I want you to say that day that I tried to be right on the war question. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked. I want you to say on that day that I did try in my life to visit those who were in prison. And I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity.
Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major. Say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. I won't have any money to leave behind. I won't have the fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind.
Dr. King is known for his strong commitment to the civil rights movement in the 1960s and as a champion for justice. Throughout his life and actions, Dr. King placed huge emphasized kindness, humility, truth, and the importance of giving. As we contemplate the values he fought so hard to enact, we find ourselves ready to give more to the communities in which we live. This blog post focuses on ways that you can give to others through crafting and our community. Click here to learn more about Dr. King and the impact of his legacy.
Knitted Knockers are special, handmade breast prosthetics for women who have undergone mastectomy or other breast procedures. While traditional breast prostethics can be heavy, uncomfortable, or require special equipment, knitted knockers can be worn inside a traditional bra, are lightweight, soft, and made with love.
How it works: The patterns, for knit or crochet, can be found here. Knockers are made out of Cotton Classic so they can be easily washed. Once they are done, drop them off at our store!
Little Hats, Big Hearts is a program by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association which raises awareness of heart disease and congenital heart defects.
How it works: Knitters and crocheters make red baby hats for infants out of cotton (or acrylic) which are then distributed to babies born in hospitals throughout the month of February, American Heart Month. While the distribution is mostly in February, we accept hats throughout the entire year.
The International Rescue Committee of Salt Lake City provides opportunities for refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, and other immigrants which help them rebuild their lives and integrate into life on the Wasatch Front. The IRC recently has started a knitting club for local refugees. Click here for more ideas on how to support refugees in Utah.
How it works: Blazing Needles is accepting yarn, needles, and notion donations for this knitting group.
Box Tops for Education was started by General Mills in 1996. The program has since expanded to include tons of products, from household cleaning, to food storage, to food. You can find a list of participating products here.
How it works: Collect your box tops and bring them into Blazing Needles. We will then distribute them to local teachers. The school then turns them into GM and gets a check!
If you have questions about yarns or patterns or how to further assist those in need, feel free to ask us! If you have any charity suggestions which relate to knitting, crafting, and local community, please email us at sales@blazing-needles.com
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