August 15, 2014

Knitting A Difference

In the midst of the colder months, staff, students and members of the public have been spending Thursday lunchtimes knitting squares to create blankets for the not-for-profit organisation Wrap With Love.

Since 2008, UOW has supported Wrap With Love, which has sent more than 356,000 blankets across the world.  From Africa to India, blankets are delivered to more than 75 countries providing warmth and comfort to those in need.

Organised by the UOW Library Wellbeing Committee, many volunteers not only attended the lunchtime sessions held on Thursdays, but also knitted squares in their own time.

Committee member Kristy Newton said she was pleased with the ongoing support of the project.

“Every year we have an amazing army of volunteer knitters made up of Library staff, UOW staff, students, and the Wollongong community. This year we’ve made 21 blankets in total and we hope to have even more next year,” Ms Newton said.

This year, one of the main contributors to the project was the Illawarra Committee for International Students (ICIS). ICIS, who run regular conversation groups for international students with the aim of improving their English speaking skills, knitted squares for the project during their lunchtime meetings.

Inspired by the chance to make a difference, Ms Newton said was encouraged to hear that the blankets are making an impact for underprivileged people around the world.

“One of our previous Associate Librarians now works at the School of St Jude in Tanzania and has seen firsthand the positive effect these wraps can have. She told us that these blankets really are appreciated,” she said.

“The wraps are bright, colourful and warm and are a way for us to show the communities that we care,” she added.

The Wrap With Love project will recommence in 2015.