Tags
Beaverton School District, BSD Project, Christmas, Homelessness, Knitting and Crochet, Student, Yarn
On Thursday – at the last possible minute (sorry Lisa!) I delivered 254 items to Lisa Mentesana at the Beaverton School District’s administrative office.
Seven boxes.
And a couple of bags.
Filled with all sorts of really cool stuff.
Destined for the 192 unaccompanied youth who are identified as homeless in the Beaverton School District.
“Unaccompanied youth” means no parent or guardian or family member involved in that child’s life.
61 of them are 9th graders.
86 are 10th graders.
80 are 11th graders.
162 are 12th graders.
This first delivery of lovely completed items will go in care packages for each of these kids for Christmas.
Someone asked once why we’re crafting these things in “good” yarn. Why not just junk yarn?
I asked a few people to answer that question for me – since I have a pretty biased point of view on this.
From a 13-year old Cedar Park student: “It will hold up longer. It would be more comfortable and probably be warmer, too.”
From a 17-year-old Sunset student: “What?! Who said that?! Who would say a thing like that?! Hello?!” This student was a little outraged.
The person who posed the initial question felt like it would be wasted on someone who would have no appreciation for the value or effort that went into the finished object.
I could give you a rundown of my reasons why. It would probably turn into a little bit of a rant.
So I’ll answer with this:
Matthew 25:35 – 40
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
I believe with every fiber of my being that if you are I am blessed, you are I am blessed to be a blessing to others.
And I’ll be honest here. I’ve got an 8th grader and an 11th grader here in my house. Like so many – it wouldn’t take much to be counted among the homeless. How can I not give the “good stuff”? Wouldn’t I want the good stuff for my children if they were to be counted among the homeless students of the Beaverton School District?
So how can I stand by and not want – be compelled – to give – maybe even sacrificially – for those who are within arms’ reach?
I gotta tell you one more thing.
Thursday – when I was dropping things off to Lisa – was the first time that it felt like this effort that is the BSD Project was just a little drop in a very big bucket – and I wished desperately there were more that I could do – more that I could offer.
Did you know that I’m starting to get inquiries from other agencies and ministries around town – folks with very legitimate concerns who are trying to get the homeless and needy warmly clothed – who want to know if we have excess. Is there anything we can send their way?, they ask.
It breaks my heart.
The BSD Project has rocked my world in more than a couple of ways.
It has made me consider something that’s been probably really obvious to everyone but me – but needs to be said out loud: “The homeless aren’t going to be going away just because we deliver some lovely hand crafted items.”
It means I can’t stop.
It means I take praying for an end to homelessness seriously.
It means that I’ve got a lot of serious thinking to do about this whole thing and what God is calling me to do about it.
YarnFest 
Yeah!
Hey, I recognized some of those knitted items! And I am Soooo glad we are able to knit stuff for these students out of the “good stuff”!!!
Wish I could see some of their faces…
I know – wouldn’t it be cool if we could?! But – at the same time – I don’t want any kid to feel like there’s an expectation in return for the gift, you know?
I won’t lie – it was pretty fun picking stuff out to send over! 🙂
Thank you!
Tammy – you have been such a wonderful support from the very early days! You continue to bless my heart!
Who said you shouldn’t use the good yarn!?!? Who would say that?!?!
Someone who hadn’t been cold, I think. Or suffered need much, I would assume. Let’s hope that their heart will be softened!
Hey – come home soon! You can sit on the couch and knit with your Mom and watch chick flicks! 🙂
I love you precious girl!
The items in those boxes are beautiful. I wish I would have heard about this project sooner! Hey, what am I doing looking at my computer… I have squares to knit and crochet!
Thanks so much for your support – and generous heart – Kim! You are such a blessing!
clearly, whoever said we shouldn’t use good quality yarn is someone who doesn’t knit or crochet! 🙂
Thank you for that lovely post. Reading what the kids had to say makes me feel even better about my participation in the project. And I will continue to participate as long as there is a need.
Sharon – thanks so much! Your support is so meaningful! Bless your heart!
I appreciate your reasons for using “good yarn”. But I want to state for the record, that I didn’t know I that polyester yarn was considered so inferior. When I was taught to knit 40 plus years ago, we had two choices of yarn in our house – wool or polyester/acrylic. Since I am allergic to wool, I chose polyester and that’s all I’ve ever used. To be honest I was extremely shocked by your recent notice that said the quilt squares needed to be made of natural fiber. My immediate response was “doesn’t she know some people can’t wear wool”. Well fortunately, I looked up what natural fibers are – they are not all wool – duh! But since no one had challenged my yarn choice since I was eight, I had never explored other options. It had become just a habit and I was just very naive. And make no mistake, I completely agree that these kids should receive something that they would be proud of. I never donate anything that hasn’t passed the neighborhood kid “wow” rating (they are all 12 or under).
I was really put off today when the yarn I have used my whole life (for myself, gifts, etc.) was referred to as “junk yarn”. Dina, I know your heart for this project, you aren’t trying to offend your knitters but standing up for your receipents. However at first I was offended, it made me feel that all the gifts I’ve given over the years were junk. Maybe so but I still see people wearing/using them. And based on the sheer quantities of polyester yarn in stores, I fairly confident that I’m not the only knitter in the BSD group that has used polyester exclusively. I’m not saying you should lower your standards, absolutely not!!! Just be aware that not all knitters (or recipients for that matter) have been educated enough on the subject to know the quality difference.
Thank you for all you are doing for this project.
Mary Beth,
I’m so sorry that that comment came across that way. I should have stated more clearly that the conversation with that “someone” included that person’s opinion that we should “trade this good stuff for things we want to make for people who will appreciate it for the junk yarn I have in my stash.”
There are som truly stunning and lovely man-made fibers out there! I’ve seen your work – it’s fabulous! This was in no way meant to be a judgement on fiber choice. I’ll admit it – I was a little steamed when I wrote this post. I should have followed wise – and established counsel – to wait a bit and THEN process it and respond.
And I totally agree with you – we have several crafters who are allergic to wool. I’m allergic to silk. People always feel SO sad for me when I defer from even touching the fibers that include some silk in them. Know what? I don’t feel sad for me at all! I just choose what works for me and what makes my heart happy to craft with, know what I mean?
I’m so sorry my words hurt your heart, dear friend! You have ALWAYS been nothing but the sweetest of hearts and supported and prayed for me when others would not come alongside. Your support for this project has been profound! I simply can’t fathom this project going forward without your invovement! Please forgive me!
You know, I have heard that passage from Matthew a ton of times. I think this time, you hit it spot on. Thanks for this update!
The first time you see a student in something you made is when it really hits you that your time was well spent. I worked on a similar project in Spokane and spotted one of my hats on someone on the street, it was then that I truly knew I really made a difference for someone. I have been “hooked” on doing this type of service ever since.
Dina, you are forgiven and I do appreciate the education on the natural fibers. And I love your passion to give quality items to these special kids.
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