I am sharing this today as a direct quote from a Ukrainian Ontario-based knitter’s Instagram feed @allwoolandayardwide who is finding her way of empowering through collective good. I have reached out and offered to collect and ship out any hat and mitt donations over the next few weeks from the West Coast to help with these efforts. Please consider sharing and contributing if you are able, and feel free to drop off any small handknits (and a couple of dollars to add to shipping costs if you wish). We will ship out an inital package by mid-next week.

More updates to come.

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Warmth for Ukraine

Тепло для України

In Ukrainian, the name for February can be translated to “fierce” or “bitter.” There’s no good time to become a refugee, but this is an especially hard season. Many people, especially families with young children, have left their homes with little warning and even fewer supplies, and are now waiting in ever-growing queues at the country’s borders in challenging conditions.

We are seeking donations of hats and mitts to be included in humanitarian aid packages for refugees in Ukraine and its neighbouring countries. The situation is changing very quickly, and this page will continue to be updated as plans for this drive adjust.

What are we looking for?

We’re seeking hats & mitts of all sizes. These can be new (commercial or handmade), or second-hand (if clean and in good condition). We’re also accepting other compact winter-weather gear such as scarves, shawls, or warm socks. Unfortunately, we don’t have the capacity to accept larger items such as sweaters or jackets at this time.

Where can you send your donations?

We are collecting donations by mail at locations in Canada, the USA, and the European Union. Please message @allwoolandayardwide on Instagram or e-mail olesia.ellejay@gmail.com for the address for your region.

We will also be gathering hats and mitts at physical locations in Kingston, Ontario. More info to come!

Statement of Transparency

This initiative is being organized by Olesia LJ, a diasporic Ukrainian in Canada. Our hope is to add the goods we gather to the humanitarian aid packages being collected by a number of organizations in Canada.

Cold-weather clothing is obviously a seasonal good. If we receive hats & mitts after spring arrives, we will work to ensure their donation to others in need: either for next winter, which will likely see newly-resettled refugees in need of these goods, or to other initiatives in our communities (such as those that work with the unhoused).