Hats and mittens from this campaign have been sent to the Native American Friendship Centre in Moosonee, Northern Ontario — often called the “Gateway to the Arctic.” The hats and mittens will be distributed to children living in the First Nation communities of Moosonee and Kashechewan, which are only accessible by rail or small plane, but not by road. This shipment included 230 hats and 62 pairs of mittens!

A very warm thank-you to all who were part of this campaign, making it possible to send so much warmth and love to the children of Moosonee and Kashechewan.

Hats & Mittens are especially needed by the Innu kids of Natuashish and Sheshasuit in Northern Labrador. We will be helping both communities in this Warm Hands drive, with an end date of January 31, 2011.

Many kids in these communities need hats and mittens to protect them from the bitter cold, but do not have them. The majority of kids are between the ages of 6 and 12, but hats and mittens for kids up to age 16 are very welcome. These items distributed by the Directors of Community Health, who use the items as incentives to get young moms to bring their children into the clinic for checkups.

Please send all finished hats & mittens to:

Wool-Aid
1381 Rocky Creek Court
Belleville, IL 62220

We include guidelines below. Please aim for hats and mittens that will be very warm for the children — remember that we send to children who live in extremely cold conditions!

Guidelines for Hats and Mittens

• Use wool (at least 80% wool/animal fiber).
• Use worsted weight yarn or heavier.
• Mitten and hat sets would be wonderful, but are not required.
• Hats with earflaps or double-layer hats are wonderful and warm (pattern suggestions below).
• Hats will ideally be able to entirely cover the ears. The thicker, the better, so please, no lacy hats.
• Mittens should have generous cuffs — 2-3 inches or so — for extra warmth and protection from wind.
• Head circumference for older kids: about 18 to 22 inches.
• Mitten measurement for older kids, from the base of the palm to the tip of the longest finger: about 7 to 8.5 inches, but allow a bit of extra length for wiggle room.

If you are able, a contribution to help share the cost of shipping expenses would be appreciated. See How to Donate to Wool-Aid for details.

Our campaign for the Warm Hands Network to help the Innu children in Northern Labrador has come to a successful close. We have sent 4 huge boxes weighing nearly 135 pounds — 61 baby blankets and 76 pairs of socks! All has now been received, and everything will be distributed through the clinic there:

Thanks to all who made it possible to send such warmth and love to the Innu children!