Good morning T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! Yesterday, May 13, 2021, many of us saw the new CDC guidelines regarding “fully vaccinated people not needing to wear masks any longer”. We understand that many members of our fantastic T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family are tired of masks and social distancing. We are all really missing in-person interaction and the warm smiles of fellow crafters, veterans, and friends. However, we must ask for your continued patience. Many of our community partners, as well as those who T.H.R.I.V.E. Association answers to, have again asked us to please continue to observe COVID-19 safety protocols and continue to do our part in stopping the spread of this deadly virus. Please keep in mind that the wonderful community that we serve is a very vulnerable population- many of whom may not be vaccinated yet and/or may be immunocomprimised (meaning that the vaccine might not be as effective). Observing the “Hands, Face, Space” guidelines are truly an act of love and are just as much for others as they are for you.

Due to the nature of the very vulnerable population that T.H.R.I.V.E. Association serves and the fact that not all of our members are fully vaccinated and/or are immunocomprimised, we will still require masks for our Organization’s members, volunteers, etc. And, to ensure maximum safety for both our staff and volunteers, as well as the vulnerable population that we serve, our staff will continue working remotely or in small, controlled groups in well-ventilated environments. Further, we will notbe hosting indoor gatherings until at least mid-July.

We would like to reiterate that for those who want in-person crafting groups, we would be willing to have OUTDOOR weekly, or bi-weekly, morning meetings. Crafters would be required to bring their own lawn chairs, have a mask if personal crafting instruction is needed, and observe the “6 foot Rule”. Alternatively, we would be open to hosting virtual meetings which would ensure maximum safety for everyone involved. Please contact us if you would be interested in taking part in either an outdoor or a virtual knitting group.

Although several of the Stand Downs that we support have been postponed or have had to be altered to keep our communities safe in this current pandemic, we are still collecting goods that will be sent to the various V.A.s throughout the year so please, please keep crafting! If you are not a crafter, but would like to help, there are still many ways to support our cause! Please consider donating materials and/or making a monetary donation to help us cover the costs of materials, shipping, and overhead. Please remember you can support our cause by shopping on AmazonSmile. See the “Shop for Our Cause” blog post for additional information: https://thrivevets.org/index.php/2021/03/19/shop-for-our-cause/ If you need yarn, or other supplies, please contact us through email at thriveassociation@thrivevets.org or by phone at (469) 427-9654. If you have donations, we are still continuing our policy of curbside pickup. Please contact us to schedule a pickup if you are in the DFW area. If you reside outside the DFW area and would like to make an in-kind donation, please contact us to make arrangements. Remember, even one lovingly handcrafted hat or scarf can make a huge difference in the life of an underprivileged veteran or their dependent.

We thank you so much for your understanding and patience during this trying time.