(Photograph taken last
year in Sandton Square with hundreds of blankets surrounding Nelson Mandela’s
statue)
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day has captured the
attention of thousands of people from around the world. To date, the movement
has collected over 8,000 handmade blankets which will be distributed to those
in need in winter.
Before that, the initiative hopes to break a world record by
collecting 21,000 blankets before April 21, 2015. The blankets will first be
displayed at the feet of the Nelson Mandela statue at the Union Buildings on April
21, 2015, to celebrate South Africa’s 21 years of democracy. Airlink and
Stuttaford Van Lines will collect the thousands of blankets and will return
them to their places of origin for distribution to those in need as soon as the
cold strikes.
“Over the past year, many people have asked me how they
could get involved in this incredible initiative, despite the fact that they
can’t knit or crochet. We now have a solution,” says Carolyn Steyn, founder of
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day.
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day have established drop-off
points across the country for wool donations. The wool will then be distributed
to knitting enthusiasts and transformed into beautiful blankets for those in
need.
“There are so many knit-wits out there who can and want to
knit, but don’t have the resources to do so. For example, we have recently
launched the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day initiative at the Zonderwater Correctional
Centre. The prisoners have already knitted a number of squares for us and are
willing and able to knit more, they just need wool. That’s where you come in!
We hope that in the spirit of good-wool, South Africans will donate generously”
says Steyn.
If you would like to contribute wool, and help those who are
able to help those in need, visit the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day (South
Africa) Facebook Page or visit www.67blankets.co.za,
e-mail info@67blankets.co.za or
phone 061 767 6767.