Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! The DFW Fiber Fest in Texas is going down this weekend at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas and we’re going to have a booth there on August 29-30, 2026! We’re there to spread word of our mission and we’re also collecting your donations of handcrafted hats, scarves, etc. It is always a lot of fun and we look forward to seeing you there!
Crafting for Anchorage at the birthplace of “The Star-Spangled Banner”
Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! We hope that you all had a very happy and safe 4th of July weekend. Thank you to all of our amazing staff and volunteers who have been helping us to reach our goal of 150 hats and scarves and 20 blankets for our partner V.A. in Anchorage, Alaska. We are so grateful for your ongoing support and tireless efforts to further our mission to help end homelessness among our nation’s veterans and their dependents.
Although most of us in the “lower 48” are experiencing sweltering temperatures, it is important to note that Anchorage, Alaska does get quite cold at night; even during the Summer months. So, please keep sending in your lovingly handcrafted gifts. They are always needed, and we send them to our partner Stand Downs all year round.
If you’d like to donate a hat, scarf, mittens, or other handcrafted garment to our cause, please remember that the dear veterans and their dependents prefer dark colors, e.g. blue, black, green, grey, and all-time favorite, camouflage. If you would like to knit, crochet, or sew a garment in a brighter color, red or deep purple are always popular bright colors. We cannot emphasize this important point enough: please do not use sparkly or overly decorative yarns and fabrics. While they have their place, they are simply inappropriate for the veterans and their dependents (including children because of potential choking hazards).
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.
If you have donations within Baltimore or the DMV area, please contact us to schedule a pickup. If you reside outside of the Baltimore, MD or the DMV area and would like to make an in-kind donation, you can send your donations to us at:
Care of: Victoria Walker at T.H.R.I.V.E. Association
900 E Fayette St #1583
Baltimore, MD 21233
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us. Remember, even one lovingly handcrafted hat or scarf can make a huge difference in the life of an underprivileged veteran or their dependent(s).
Note: The photo above was taken at Fort McHenry- the birthplace of “The Star-Spangled Banner”! Happy 250th America!
Thank You Staff Members!
Happy Monday dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! We want to thank the members of our dedicated staff who spent their weekend crafting for our partner V.A. in Anchorage, Alaska. Their hard work and dedication to T.H.R.I.V.E. Association’s mission is second to none. A heartfelt thanks to all of you! We are so grateful for all that you do!
As we said in our post last week, our goal is to take at least 150 hats and scarves, and 20 blankets to the Anchorage V.A. These gifts are always deeply treasured by the veterans and their dependents. We have heard both from the veterans themselves and also from VA staff and other Community partners that our lovingly handcrafted gifts really do encourage the veterans and make them feel appreciated and loved. Our gifts are more than the sum of the parts; what makes them special is that they are handmade by the T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family of crafters with love and appreciation.
If you don’t craft, but want to help, please make a tax-deductible monetary donation to help cover the travel costs. Alternatively, if you would like to make an in-kind gift, we need Lion Brand Pound of Love yarn. Just one of these one-pound balls of yarn can easily make up to six warm double thick hats!
Crafting Therapy for Tax Day
Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family. We realize that this week is quite stressful for those still filing their taxes. That’s understandable! Please remember that any donations that you made to T.H.R.I.V.E. Association last year are tax-deductible and to include those in your deductions. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need a break, remember that crafting is good therapy and we have lots of Stand Downs coming up this year that all need your handcrafted garments. Good luck and happy crafting!
Donated Scarf Dimensions
Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family. With these frigid temperatures and biting windchills, the need for warm garments is even greater for the vulnerable underprivileged community that we serve. With your help, we can continue to provide the much needed warmth to our nation’s heroes while they are on their road to recovery. With this in mind, it is important that any scarf that you wish to donate for our cause meets the specific needs of our veterans and their dependents.
Regarding scarf width and length dimensions, it is imperative that all donated scarves are 60 inches (152cm) in length and at minimum 6 inches (15cm) in width. Ideally, the width of scarves bound for Stand Downs in colder climates should be 8 inches (20cm) wide. This additional width allows for the veteran or their dependent to cover from the base of their neck up to the bridge of their nose. Anyone who has lived in a colder climate, as some of our staff have, can attest to the importance of having your neck, mouth, and nose covered during those extra cold months. Through the years, we have received lots of helpful feedback from the veterans and their dependents about what they prefer and what they need. The longer scarves allow for the wearer to wrap the garment multiple times, ensuring that they stay warm. A wider scarf allows for more overall coverage, which also ensures additional warmth. We are all here to serve those who so selflessly served our nation and we aim to please!
The Need is Great
Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! We hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and warm from the arctic temperatures of the winter storm that began this weekend. Our vulnerable homeless military veteran community is desperately in need of hats, scarves, mittens, lap blankets, etc. during trying times like these, where freezing temperatures are felt across the nation.
If you’d like to donate a hat, scarf, mittens, or other handcrafted garment to our cause, please remember that the dear veterans and their dependents prefer dark colors, e.g. blue, black, green, grey, and all-time favorite, camouflage. If you would like to knit, crochet, or sew a garment in a brighter color, red or deep purple are always popular bright colors. We cannot emphasize this important point enough: please do not use sparkly or overly decorative yarns and fabrics. While they have their place, they are simply inappropriate for the veterans and their dependents (including children because of potential choking hazards).
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.
If you have donations within the Baltimore area, please contact us to schedule a pickup. If you reside outside of the Baltimore, MD area and would like to make an in-kind donation, you can send your donations to us at:
Care of: Victoria Walker at T.H.R.I.V.E. Association
900 E Fayette St #1583
Baltimore, MD 21233
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us. Remember, even one lovingly handcrafted hat or scarf can make a huge difference in the life of an underprivileged veteran or their dependent(s).
Back At It!
Happy Plough Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! We hope that you all had a joyous holiday season and a lovely start to 2026. We here at T.H.R.I.V.E. HQ are back from our holiday vacations and ready for action! We have Stand Downs on the horizon so please stay tuned for updates.
If you’d like to donate a hat, scarf, face mask, or other handcrafted garment to our cause, please remember that the dear veterans and their dependents prefer dark colors, e.g. blue, black, green, grey, and all-time favorite, camouflage. If you would like to knit, crochet, or sew a garment in a brighter color, red or deep purple are always popular bright colors. We cannot emphasize this important point enough: please do not use sparkly or overly decorative yarns and fabrics. While they have their place, they are simply inappropriate for the veterans and their dependents (including children because of potential choking hazards).
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.
If you have donations within the Baltimore area, please contact us to schedule a pickup. If you reside outside of the Baltimore, MD area and would like to make an in-kind donation, you can send your donations to us at:
Care of: Victoria Walker at T.H.R.I.V.E. Association
900 E Fayette St #1583
Baltimore, MD 21233
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us. Remember, even one lovingly handcrafted hat or scarf can make a huge difference in the life of an underprivileged veteran or their dependent(s).
We’re Thankful for You
Happy Monday dear, T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! We hope that you all have a safe and joyous holiday. As we were having our monthly meeting, we went around the table and asked each staff member what they were thankful for; and although we each had our own things to be thankful for this season, the common thread was you, our T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family. We are so thankful to have you all in our family. It takes a village to accomplish our goal. You are vital in helping us accomplish our mission to end homelessness among our Nation’s veterans and their dependents. Remember that we love you all and are thinking of each and every one of you here at T.H.R.I.V.E. HQ.
We know that the holidays can be tough for everyone. Just know that we are always here for you. And, although our office will be closed for the Thursday and Friday of this week, our phone lines are always open if you need to talk. Stay safe, and take care of yourselves.
Veterans Day 2025
Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family. Tomorrow is Veterans Day, which is a very special day for our community. It is a day of remembrance, gratitude, and also provides the additional fire that we use to keep fighting for our cause to end homelessness among our nation’s veterans and their dependents.
This day honors the signing of the Armistice in 1918, which officially ended the first World War. Many of those who made it back home were scarred by horrors of the “great war” and so many, including members of some of our own families, carried unspeakable pain with them for their entire lives. They were silent. They remained stoic. They had done their duty for their country.
Today we would like to offer a moment of silence for those brave American service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we can have a future free of tyranny. We would also like to thank all of the brave men and women who are currently serving, and those who have served, our great nation. You have our heartfelt gratitude and our deepest respect.
Labor Day 2025
Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family. We wish you a safe, happy, and restful Labor Day!
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