Every December we encourage the sharing of handknits to those in the community that could use the warm hug of a hand made gift. From hats to scarves to socks, anything you would like to make to share we can find a recipient for. For many years we used to host a one-day Warm Things event, and then it became a month-long drive; now we collect all year round and distribute as the need arises.  Last week we sorted through our current donation collection and made room for this year’s Warm Things Drive!

Into the world over the past month we contributed:

• 125+ various handmade gifts that will be distributed by front-line mental health workers in the Lower Mainland
• 40+ of the most gorgeous warm items that will be gifted to newcomers in supported housing
• 868 pairs of socks distributed amongst those living on the streets of the downtown east side
• 150+ child-sized hats that will be gifted to youth in Vancouver through a local Neighbourhood House
• 40+ feminine knits added to the collection of a high school club that knits to donate to the DTES Women’s Centre

Add this to our running Warm Things total and we are off to the races! So we now have ample space to collect new handknits, crochets and weaves for our official Warm Things Drive 2025! Over the years the Baaad Anna’s Warm Things Drive has collected any good-condition pre-loved or purpose-made warm winter items that are not in use in your household such as hats, mitts, scarves or sweaters/hoodies. Drop them off in store anytime during our regular store hours of 11am-6pm and we’ll distribute them once the cold sets in!

Also, do you know of a worthy non-profit or club that could help these get into the hands of who needs them most? Send us an email at baaadannas@gmail.com with the title ‘donation potential’ as we try to match each handmade item to the best possible recipient; we would be happy to learn about other groups doing great work in our community!