Blankets for the less fortunate

Join eMalahleni in support of this community project of knitting 67 blankets for Nelson Mandela Day for the less fortunate. The event starts on April 6 and carries on to April 19 from 09:00 at Highveld Mall by the Dischem Court. Anyone willing and able to knit or crochet squares is welcome to join in this amazing project in memory of the late Madiba.

The pledge is to make 21 000 blankets in South Africa. The pledge in eMalahleni is to make 210 blankets, where 200 of the blankets that are made, will stay in eMalahleni to be given to the less fortunate to keep them warm this winter.
‘67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day’ started as a challenge but has quickly grown into what some are calling a movement.
In December 2013, Zelda la Grange, Nelson Mandela’s trusted assistant, presented philanthropist and ‘Arts Angel’, Carolyn Steyn, with a challenge: knit, sew or crochet 67 blankets! These blankets would then be distributed to those in need on Nelson Mandela Day, July 18.
Carolyn gladly accepted Zelda’s challenge but soon realised that she wouldn’t be able to achieve it alone. The 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day campaign was founded by Carolyn and now she calls on people from around the world to knit, sew or crochet a blanket and help keep someone warm this winter. The only requirement is that the single bed sized blanket or baby blanket has to be handmade – no store bought blankets will be accepted.

Blankets should measure: single- 140 cm x 180 cm, baby 100 cm x 100 cm and group blanket squares 20 cm x 20 cm. Most importantly, those who pledge to make a blanket must please keep their promise and complete the blanket or blankets.
The reason for this is because buying a blanket is easy, making one on the other hand is time consuming and laborious. So much love and passion goes into making something yourself and the recipient of the blanket will hopefully know and understand that they matter. Please join this campaign and this incredible journey.
“Stitch by stitch, we will be keeping thousands of people around the world warm this winter in the name of our beloved Nelson Mandela. His legacy lives on in each blanket we produce with our own hands,” said Carolyn.

So join the movement that has captured the attention of thousands of KnitWits for Madiba from South Africa, Australia, USA, Canada, Cyprus, India, New Zealand, the UK and Jordan. For more information contact the local ambassador, Evelyn Cooper on 081 896 8559 or email everycoops@gmail.com or visit Facebook, Twitter and the website.