Pack your Boxes
My very own Tech Support & World’s Greatest Husband, AKA, Mr. Incredible, has just launched a short-duration project to “surge” fabric and sewing materials into the area around which he’s posted in Iraq. It is timed to coincide with both Ramadan, and the departure of his units from Iraq.
The project started, as many do, out of a confluence of inspiration and circumstances. It may have started with reading 3 Cups of Tea, an inspirational story not only of one man’s impact, but of his conviction that terrorism can only be fought effectively with education and opportunity, not by force. Follow that with the understanding that when a US military unit leaves an area, although they take with them everything on their master list of what they brought, truth is they leave a whole lot behind as well — bed sheets, small refrigerators, DVDs, old clothes, unused building materials, etc. As one man’s trash is another’s treasure, the idea to donate re-usable materials to local groups emerged. Then came the idea to supplement those resources with more — tailor made for individuals and sewing co-ops trying to make a living in the community.
The basic premise is to make a bundle of fabric and sewing supplies from your own stash, mail it to my hubby’s APO (American) address, and he will facilitate the distribution of the bundles. By bundling teh goodies, it saves time on his end as he won’t have to redistribute the supplies or use excess packaging for them, and it makes it far simpler for his local counterparts to distribute them to those in need.
The project is called Iraqi Bundles of Love, here’s a link to his FAQ page, and we’ve got until September 7, 2009 to bust our stashes and send what we probably won’t get around to using to my man, who will get it to those who will use it right away. If anyone is interested in donating, but doesn’t want/have a box-full, or can’t afford the postage, contact me and I’ll be a rally point here in Hawai’i. Please feel free to pass on the links, share this project with your sewing pals, local bee, quilt guild, etc. As I write this post, my husband doesn’t have a list of “most needed” items yet. Fabric, thread, needles, pins, yarn will undoubtedly be on the list. I hope it goes without saying that messages of God’s blessings or anything else evangelical/proselytizing should not be included. Let’s be sensitive to the world’s diversity. Thank you so much for your support of this project.
Tags: "Iraqi Bundles of Love", donate, fabric, philanthropy, sewing, sewing co-op
August 4th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Great idea! I’ll purge the stash and put together a box.
August 4th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
WooHoo! Count me in!
August 4th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
I was just looking for somewhere to donate fabric. It went away already, but I have PLENTY more. I’m in. If I remember correctly, it is best not to have fabric with pictures of people or animals. That way they will be acceptable to all who might receive them.
August 4th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
I would love to participate. Do you have any idea where I could send my package short of having to mail it to the US?
August 5th, 2009 at 4:54 am
[...] read Malcolm Gladwell’s book The Tipping Point (Wikipedia), it seems that a few connectors (here and here and here) have already caught onto this and are pushing out the news of this project, and [...]
August 5th, 2009 at 5:15 am
oh, just in time!
August 5th, 2009 at 5:57 am
Kristen, I’ve added a group in Ravelry to see if there’s any interest.
I’m PoppaBear’s SIL and I’ve asked Kelly to consider being the contact for Europe.
My mom just gave me a ton of stuff so I will get a box ready to go from here.
August 5th, 2009 at 7:38 am
Dorothee, I have a friend in the NL to whom you can send it; he can put stuff into the military mail system to me. Should make it easier, less expensive, faster, etc.
August 5th, 2009 at 8:20 am
what a brilliant idea! thank you! and the best part is that I’ll have time to participate when I return home…
August 5th, 2009 at 10:27 am
great idea — can I send my cat, too? (just kidding, I think!)
I’m sure I can put a box together.
August 5th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Wait — you’re not actually mailing the cat to me, are you?
Wow — this could get interesting. I suppose, though, that if there’s sewing and / or quilting involved, a cat will be needed to 1) hold things down, 2) block views during the making phase, and 3) provide proportion during the post-making phase photo sessions (that, or a 330ml can of soda).
August 8th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
I would love the address please !
August 10th, 2009 at 11:38 am
HI Kristin
I will mention it on my blog- such a wonderful thing to do- a stitch in time can certainly create greater harmony, Ihave seen that. Address please?
Dijanne
August 10th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Terry Grant told me about this. I love this idea!! I am hitting the stash now. My hope is that many good things will come from this project. Thanks for the opportunity to help.
August 10th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
I’ll be more than happy to fill a box..and mention it at group. Thanks for letting us know what we can do to help…3 Cups of Tea…wonderful book written by a very inspiring gentleman!
August 11th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Please count me in! I contributed raw materials to Australian quilters who were victims of the brush fires……talk about feeling terrific about stash reduction!!!! What a terrific husband you have
August 11th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Send me the address, too, Kristin! I posted about this at Be*mused and hope you get more contributions through it.
August 11th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Please send me info so I may send a box and I will also share with our fiber arts group in Dallas. I ADORED “Three Cups of Tea” and shared it with everyone who would listen. Your husband gets extra stars in my book for sure.
August 11th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
I like this guy better all the time Kristin, technical guru and world activist, what a combo you lucky gal. And, uh, yes, I think I have a few things that would make perfect bundles
August 11th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
I love this! Thank you!
August 12th, 2009 at 8:01 am
Will be happy to contibute….just send me the details and I’ll also pass the information along to my fellow quilters.
August 12th, 2009 at 10:44 am
That box looks familiar. I just filled one up with books and cookies Monday and it’s on it way to my youngest son who is also in Iraq. It will be fun making fabric “bundles” instead. What a wonderful idea!!!
August 12th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
THANKS! I appreciate you and your husband. I am excited to participate. What a great idea! Thanks for putting it together.
August 12th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
You bet, I’m all over this one – count me in -
August 13th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
[...] a wee bit of extra fabric laying around and am grateful for the opportunity to send this off today. Participation details on Kristin’s blog [...]
August 13th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
kristen,
i’d love to help. i’m going to check out the FAQ and post about this as well. it’ll be fun to put together a bundle.
August 13th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I would love to send along some crafting items. Please send or post an address and I will get a box off. Thanks for allowing us an opportunity to contribute!!!
August 14th, 2009 at 3:59 am
H!
Just saw this on Pink Chalk blog.Besides fabric and sewing supplies, could you use yarn and knitting needles? I need to downsize quickly and this is great. Ialso need the address.
Thank you!
Gerrie
August 14th, 2009 at 5:12 am
Hi. Glad to hear about your project- I’ll let everyone in my little quilt group know about it!
August 14th, 2009 at 5:45 am
This is amazing! Your husband rocks! Please send me the address; I’ll get crackin’ this weekend!
August 14th, 2009 at 6:52 am
What an amazing project! I would love to participate and have a bunch of things already gathered. Please send along the mailing address and I will have it in the post tomorrow morning. Thanks!
August 14th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
I saw Jacquie’s (http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com) post about yours; so I hopped over to IBOL to get the address. Thanks so much for spreading the word and love
BTW, your cat in the box is adorable! Mine cannot get enough of empty boxes either.
August 14th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I would like to donate some quilty love. I also read Three Cups of Tea. Please reply with the APO I will get sorting.
August 14th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Thank you so much for doing this. The Iraqi people were so kind to my brother when he was deployed there with the Marines. I couldn’t tell you how many times a family who was clearly struggling to get by would insist on preparing a meal for him and his comrades, and all he had to offer in return was some candy for the children.
Please do send me an address where I can mail a bundle or two!
August 14th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
This is just wonderful. Please send me the address so I can send a box off to that wonderful guy who is doing this. My daughter is currently in Iraq and I will be sending her a box as well, just not fabric at this time. Thanks!
August 15th, 2009 at 3:25 am
I want to say a word for ‘our men’ – including Art La Flamme. My husband is a great “quilter’s hubby”, too… he is so wonderfully patient – carrying my stuff, waiting while i shop for moooore fabric! – and right now he is stopping by the post office to get flat rate boxes, which I will pack, and then he will carry!
Let’s here it for the ‘quilter hubbies’ – aren’t they just great guys?
August 15th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
I’ll send a box address Please.I’ll mail as soon as I get it.
Thanks Donna
August 15th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
I read about your project on Pink Chalk’s website and would be happy to mail off a box or two. We sent two or three enormous boxes of Beanie Babies off to Iraqi children a few years ago, and I’m happy to be able to de-stash some of my fabric this time around. Please send the address for shipping. Thanks!
August 16th, 2009 at 1:39 am
I have a lot of stuff to part with, please send me the APO address.
Hilda
August 16th, 2009 at 5:34 am
I’m so tickled with this project – have been sending such bundles to daughter and son in Afghanistan – and feel privileged to have this opportunity! I so appreciate you’re sending the shipping address! grateful thanks.
August 16th, 2009 at 7:08 am
Unique way to put the bundle together and it’s done! I’m in Canada so need to send it to??? Please contact me with your address. This is a wonderful project. I picture myself receiving any one of these bundles in the conditions over there and it makes me want to send more than I can afford to post!
August 16th, 2009 at 7:15 am
I would love to send a bundle or two or three. Please send me the address. Thank you.
August 16th, 2009 at 7:34 am
Please count me in. What a wonderful thing to do…fabric instead of guns! We really are piecemakers!
Merrie Jo
Port Angeles, WA
August 16th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
What a wonderful project.
August 17th, 2009 at 9:59 am
I would love to send some bundles. Please send me the address. I already have the boxes at home, as my son is in Afghanistan.
August 18th, 2009 at 4:22 am
Please send me the address. I remember leaving most (if not all) of my non-uniform stuff with a woman I met while deployed there. I’d love to send off a box!
August 18th, 2009 at 6:11 am
I would like to participate. Please send me the address. Thanks. MJ
August 18th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Please send APO address. I have the boxes and am meeting with quilters this weekend and going a retreat the next weekend. I’ll see how much interest I can stir up. My DH is retired Army.
August 19th, 2009 at 4:33 am
I’d love to send a bundle to Iraq. Let me know where to send it. This is such a wonderful idea. Mr. Incredible really is – incredible.
August 19th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Count me in!!
August 19th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
I certainly have fabric I can bundle and ship, just send me the addy. Thanks!
August 20th, 2009 at 3:58 am
What a wonderful idea! I saw this on an heirloom sewing forum. I’ve been sewing all my life and have LOTS of stash that I’d love to pass along. Please send me the address and I’ll get something in the mail right away.
August 20th, 2009 at 6:25 am
I just posted about the project on the JoMortonStitchers Yahoo group! I’d love the address. . . and, if you’d think it ok, I can post the address to the group as well to save each person coming to you for it. Best of luck with this wonderful effort! Amy, in South Lyon, MI
August 20th, 2009 at 7:06 am
This I can do! I love to send packages off that give a smile to someone else. Please send me the address and I’ll get a package in the mail.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:24 am
I would love to participate! Please send the address and I’ll get it together this weekend. I’ll post in my blog, too:)
August 21st, 2009 at 3:16 am
I would love to share my stash of sewing and knitting supplies! Please provide an address, and my bundles are on their way!
August 21st, 2009 at 4:28 am
Please send the address so I can share with a couple of coworkers and get some boxes in the mail!
August 21st, 2009 at 8:14 am
I need the address so I can send my bundle. Thanks. Judith C.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:53 am
Kristin,
What a great idea! I will gladly purge my stash. Would you suggest yardage of one fabric or one yard of several fabrics.. You know how we quilters buy fabric! Please
send me the address.
PS Your hubby is a keeper!
August 21st, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Please send me the APO address. I have more than I can ever sew up and will be glad to pass on some fabric.
August 23rd, 2009 at 4:10 pm
I would love to share! Sign me up, and I’ll put this on my blog, hope you get inudated with bundles!
now I’m off to get the book, 3 Cups of Tea…
thank you!
August 24th, 2009 at 4:46 am
Add me to the chorus. Could I please have the address?
August 25th, 2009 at 9:03 am
Please send the addy, have my boxes packed and ready! Thanks!!
August 25th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
just posted links and a photo of my boxes of bundles on my blog-taking them to guild tonight to inspire others…as you already know, your husband rocks! doing this project-I too read Three Cups of Tea years ago and was pretty inspired. thank him again ok?
August 25th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Greetings – My quilt group wants to do this – I can’t find an address to send the goodies – could you send it??? I am going to my group at 1:00PM California Time (Pacific Time) on Wednesday – August 26th!!
Thanks – can’t wait to help out!!
August 26th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Hi guys:
I found more stuff to send by lost Art’s APO addy. Can you e-mail it to me? Lisa
August 27th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
It’s Thursday, Aug 27. Would there still be time to send a package by Aug 31? If so, can you please provide the APO? I’ve got stuff in my stash that I’m not really sure why I bought it. It’s not disgusting or anything, but I guess it’s not me anymore. It would be great to use it to help someone get ahead – it sure beats having it continuing to just sit there, unused and unloved!!
August 28th, 2009 at 6:27 am
I’m totally in…I can get to the PO by Tuesday…is that OK? Please email me the addr…you ROCK!!!
Megan
August 28th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Keep in mind these need to be in the mail by Sept 7th. That’s a holiday, Labor Day, so shoot for Friday Sept 4th if you can. I heard that Sept 8th will work in a pinch, but why put it off? Also, where you have women you will find children, so crayons and drawing paper will not go to waste either. Besides, maybe the women want to draw a pattern. Isn’t this fun?
August 31st, 2009 at 4:45 am
I’ll hurry and get this done! Thank you.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I took my IBOL to the post office Saturday morning. I hope it makes it on time.
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:36 am
Would love to help out! Send address and I will send fabric/yarn.
God Bless you and keep you safe!
September 4th, 2009 at 1:30 am
This site was sent to me be another sewing friend. I am excited about helping to make this project happen. As a retired military wife I support any efforts that our men develop to help the Iragi people caught in the middle of this unfortunate fight. Thanks the Mr. Incredible for making a difference!!
Send address address today!!