Haiti and knitters’ generosity
February 7th, 2010Many of you know that Stephanie Pearl-McPhee’s Knitters Without Borders initiative has, since the Haiti earthquake, rounded the $1 million mark.
But the Harlot isn’t the only industry notable raising funds for the beleaguered nation. Designers Vickie Howell and Bonne Marie Burns of Chic Knits donated a percentage of proceeds from the sale of patterns to relief organizations. Handbag maven Jordana Paige has raised a whopping $15,000-plus. Classic Elite Yarns and Patternfish are giving 100% of sales of CEY’s Sprout Tank to Haitian relief. WEBS pledged 5% of sales from Jan. 25-Feb. 1 to Doctors Without Borders.
And KFI offered to match donations from its retailers, their customers and KFI employees dollar for dollar.
“Our retailers have responded enthusiastically and generously with their own contributions,” writes Jeffrey J. Denecke Jr., KFI manager of operations, “but also some have gone to further lengths to collect from their customers as well! Some are matching their customers donations (and we in turn are matching that–meaning a 300% increase). Others are sending their customers donations with a certain percent of the profit from that day. Some have had concerts, others special sales events at their stores. It really has been a wonderful outpouring of love from the industry.
“It is heartening to those of us at KFI especially, since we have employees from Haiti, many of whom were concerned for their loved ones over there.”
So far the KFI effort has inspired $20,000 in donations, a number the company has matched with its own $20,000 check. The total so far: $40,000 and counting! The money is going to the American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders and Direct Relief International.
