Thursday, September 3, 2009

Iraqi Bundles of Love - An Idea Whose Time Has Come . . . And Almost GONE!!


We just found out about this wonderful project (thanks, Schaune!) and we're going to give you the abbreviated version, with links, because time is short!

The idea is to send all those things you have stashed (yarn, needles, notions, fabrics, etc, etc) that you're likely never going to use and send them, in sweetly arranged bundles, to a US soldier, stationed in Iraq. Said soldier, Art La Flamme, has seen a tremendous need by local people for materials with which they can make something beautiful, clothe their children and themselves, and generally get on with their lives. As a result of his observation, caring, and willingness to act, IBOL was born. We want to get in on it and encourage you to do so as well.

The thing is this: all packages have to be in the mail no later than September 8 so they can reach Art and his unit during Ramadan and before they depart from Iraq. The most pertinent links are listed below, in an effort to streamline things for you. If you do decide to participate, please remember the deadline and we'd love to hear all about your experience.


Iraqi Bundles of Love - This is the main website for the project.
The Intro - Click on this one to get the basic story
What to Send - here's what to put in your bundle
Building a Bundle - step by step how to do it, including the brilliant idea of using a flat-rate USPS box that will set you back around $12 in postage, no matter the weight of the contents. (Never mind a few misspellings!)
Sew, Mama, Sew - a blogger's thoughts on the project, put beautifully. (We would do our own, but, like we said, the clock is ticking and we're working on our boxes!)
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Other links - We Googled the project and came up with 20,100 results. The news is spreading!

Note: How do you know where to send your box? It says to leave a comment anywhere on the IBOL site and you'll be contacted with the mailing address. Or you can leave a request and your email in a Comment on this Knitch blog, and we'll send you the information right away. Don't worry, your email address will not be posted to our blog - we have ways of keeping such things private!

Art La Flamme with just a few of the many
Bundles of Love coming his way.

2 comments:

Nell said...

Check your post office for a larger flat rate box to be sent to AFO/ APO addresses! Thank you beloved Knitch WebMistress, and thank you JanaBanana for telling me about this first!!

Disneypal said...

Hey, you can send me the address. I'm not 100% sure I can get anything out by 09/08 but I will try.