#YourStory – Good Samaritan spreads the warmth

Chris's plan is that blankets can be knitted by Edenvale people for Edenvale people.

April 29, 2016

2 minutes read

Edenvale ambassador for the 67 Blankets initiative, Chris Boyd, takes a moment for an interview about her work and the initiative.

Keeping warm and snuggling under the blanket on a cold night can be taken for granted by many people in South Africa.

Some individuals, however, are unable to do so because of the situation they find themselves in.

The 67 Blankets for Mandela Day movement was started by Ms Carolyn Steyn, who is a Jeppe Old Girl (Jeppe High School for Girls).

The movement involves members of public who knit and crochet blankets or small squares that are sewn together. The blankets are then donated to the needy in order to help keep them warm in winter

Chris Boyd became an administrative ambassador for this initiative last year. She said she has always been crocheting, but once she saw the results of last year’s initiative at the Union Buildings where a blanket of 3 377 square meters was put together, she decided to join and help the people of South Africa.

Chris, who used to be an industrial engineer, said she is used to managing projects and enjoys what she does.

When she began, Chris was told that if she wants to drop off the blankets and crochet squares, she had to do so in Benoni – a 10 to 15km drive for her from Edenvale.

Once she became an ambasador for Edenvale, Chris started with a group of five volunteers and since then it has grown.

The group has hosted a knitathon, attended various events such as fêtes, and has even done some work with the Edenvale SPCA. Chris and her group also attend schools and teach the youth how to crochet and knit.

Chris is trying to start a new initiative that will help individuals in Edenvale. Chris is thinking of following the same concept of the 67 Blankets for Mandela Day movement, and get public participation. Chris’ plan is for blankets to be knitted by Edenvale people for Edenvale people.

An example of this would be giving blankets to the homeless as well personally giving homemade blankets to hospice patients.

Chris and her group of volunteers were recently involved in the 67 Blankets movements project in conjunction with correctional facilities. The event was hosted at the Drakenstein Correctional Centre, in Paarl, and they hoped to break the world record for the largest crocheted blanket set by India. The record was broken in Paarl when over 10 000 blankets measuring 17 181.6 square meters were sewn together. The blankets will be distributed across South Africa to those in need.

Chris said the group is always looking for help, public participation or just donations of wool.

Those who wish to assist, can contact Chris on 072 227 6863, send an email to info@67blankets.co.za or get more nformation at www.67blankets.com

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