The Red Scarf Project

Do you know about the red scarf project? I almost let too much time slip by before I blogged about this, but how long does it take to knit or crochet a scarf? Not that long for many of you.

Each year, the Orphan Foundation of America asks for donations of hand made red scarves. These handmade creations are collected between September 1 and December 15 each year and then sent in Valentine's Day Care Packages to former foster youth enrolled in college or trade school. The foundation also collects money that is used to support these former foster youth.

In 2005, the first year of this project, 3,500 scarves were received and in 2006 there were 15,000. I don't know how many they expect to receive this year, but you can be sure each one is special to the student who receives it. The makers are encouraged to attach a tag saying “Handmade for You” with your first name, city, and group affiliation, if any.

Here is the website where you can learn more about the project and the foundation.
The scarf pictured above is actually a gift (and not technically knitted or crocheted, it is made from my favorite medium, a recycled lambswool sweater). It is a gift for a person who works tirelessly to help foster youth achieve permanency.