06/01/2020
Let me share a story about how a small act of kindness and seemingly random, tiny events can happen for a purpose and make a real impact.
On my personal page I simply told friends I was starting a new project - knitting pouches for wildlife injured and orphaned in our bushfires. I simply asked “who will join me”. Within minutes there were friends joining the knitting circle, others offering to buy yarn and send it etc. and I can almost hear the knitting needles clacking away to make a difference to small joeys of varying species.
I started knitting too... and within a matter of hours two of my dogs - trying to help... - sat on and broke two of my knitting needles, and then a third needle simply snapped on it’s own whilst not even being touched! Darn it, I thought!
Oh well, I have a great community here where I live, and I may be able to get replacements quickly rather than doing a roughly 1.5 hour trip the next day to buy some. So, I put the call out on a local page to buy some 4mm knitting needles and I had two offers for free ones, and a lend of some fancy square metal ones easier on my hands to get me started again - all dropped in to my home already or pending delivery!
In addition, more locals have joined me in the efforts. One lovely lady said “How lucky that you asked for these knitting needles, or we’d never have known about this. I have lots of cotton material and sew and can make pouch liners. Where is the pattern?”
Lucky? ‘Guided’ is my thinking.
Then another acquaintance got in touch who works for Qantas - could we use woollen airplane seat covers as pouches or pouch liners? I asked the Guild I joined and we’re busy investigating what the seats have been treated with, but so far it’s looking good for - are you ready - 10,000 woollen seat covers that can be turned into wildlife pouches! 10,000!!!
This all came from one post and my seemingly small decision and action to knit wildlife pouches to help, and a decision to get knitting in spare time - such as after dinner, when the tv might be on for a bit. Yet, what a real impact that decision and action is having.
I’ve said I’m happy to be a drop off point for pouches etc. in my area and will coordinate postage. If you’re a sewer or knitter, and wish to help, either contact me or the group whose details I’ll pop in the comments. I’ve also put sine basic knitting and crochet patterns in as a photo, and other info. 🙂
Never underestimate the difference you can make, or the impact of a seemingly small gesture.
