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KwaZulu Natal 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day Knitwits out-knitted themselves in the annual blanket collection, more than doubling their goal of 670 blankets, with a final count of 1394 blankets.Hashtagged #LocalBlanketsIsLekka, the charity’s 2023 blanket drive will see ‘KnitWits’ (volunteers) and Ambassadors going all out to crochet and knit blankets for display in their region. For the past nine years, all blankets made in South Africa have been displayed en masse at a national venue, but this year, blankets are being displayed in their regions, where the blankets will be donated to people in need.In KZN, KnitWits are working hard to keep hundreds of needy people warm this winter, with a growing number of new volunteers joining in the fun each week. Residents of homes for the elderly, school and university students, and people from all walks of life are working together as a caring community that wishes to make a real difference in the lives of those living in dire circumstances.
For KZN’s Big Blanket Reveal, 67 Blankets is collaborated with Holy Family College in Glenmore, near UKZN in Glenwood, Durban. On Saturday 10 June from 11h00, blankets made by KZN KnitWits were displayed in all their rioutously glorious colour at the school, which hosted 67 Blankets founder, Carolyn Steyn, along with a number of other VIPs.
The event also featured some of KZN’s top youth talent in a programme of music and dance, with face painting, food and drink sales, and a huge splash of colour guaranteed to delight the whole family.
67 Blankets is made up of volunteers from across South Africa, who knit and crochet blankets for needy people who would otherwise be cold in winter. Nine years ago, the organisation was founded by Knight of the French National Order of Merit recipient, Madame Carolyn Steyn, who is internationally recognised for her contributions to philanthropy, the arts and media, was in Durban for the reveal event.
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day invites the people of KZN, regardless of age, gender, creed or race, to get involved and help keep someone warm in winter. Get your friends together to make a communal blanket. Encourage your children to learn the crafts of crochet and knitting. Get your school, your bookclub, your place of worship, your colleagues involved. Spend time creating something for someone you’ll probably never meet, and feel the rewards that flow from giving, sharing and community; of being kind to a needy child, someone who is disabled, or an elderly person in need.
If you don’t know how to crochet or knit but would like to contribute, YouTube and 67 Blankets volunteers can help. Otherwise, donations of yarn are greatly appreciated for those who have the will to help, but not the wool.
To find out more about how you can get involved, email info@67blankets.co.za or go to 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day (South Africa) on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Brian Legemaate
