Event:	Special Olympics USA Scarf Project - Knitting/Crocheting Scarves (and watching movies!) Share
Location:	International Village - Theater Room 201 W 96th Street, Bloomington, MN 55420
Date:	Nov 13th 2011, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Staff:	Manager: Amie K ; Coordinators: Jill P , Laura M
RSVP:	This event has already occurred

Event Description:

Special Olympics Scarf Project Info:

The handmade scarves donated to the 2012 Special Olympics USA Scarf Project will be a symbol of unity, support, compassion and empowerment, as the Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families, volunteers and supporters wear them with pride in knowing they have become part of the Special Olympics family.

The idea for a scarf project resulted from an opportunity to provide a gift of welcome for the athletes of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games held in Boise, Idaho. A call went out for 5,000 Red Heart delft blue & white scarves, and by Games time nearly 60,000 scarves had arrived from every state in the U.S. and from 12 countries around the world.

Special Olympics Idaho, then, carried on the tradition with their own state scarf project in 2010, and again the knitting and crocheting communities opened their hearts and put their needles and hooks to work. Over 2,100 Red Heart cherry red and grey heather scarves arrived from 48 states in just five weeks for the Idaho State Winter Games, and the celebration of unity began as they were presented to the athletes, coaches, families, volunteers and supporters during the Opening Ceremony – for all to wear throughout the Games.

In 2011, the Special Olympics USA Scarf Project spread its wings and went national! Thirty-five Special Olympics Programs participated, and by the conclusion of the project in March 2011, we had received over 26,000 scarves and contributed to an unprecedented sense of unity, support and community for the athletes and the Special Olympics Movement as a whole.

What we'll be doing:

We will be knitting and crocheting scarves! Minnesota’s goal for 2012 is to collect 1,025 scarves.

Don’t know how to crochet or knit, but want to learn? Come give it a try! We will be teaching simple patterns for beginners!

MOVIE: Friends Episodes

Get comfy – PJ pants, sweatpants, whatever! We’ll be hanging out and watching Friends episodes on the big screen! Bring anything you’d like to drink – some snacks will be provided.

Important Info:

Volunteers must bring their own knitting/crocheting supplies. There are specific requirements for the type of yarn, but you can use any pattern you like as long as the scarf has both colors. Scarves should be approximately 6" wide and 54-60" long. Some sample patterns can be found at: http://scarvesforspecialolympics.org/patterns

Yarn MUST be one of the following brands/colors: Red Heart Super Saver - 387 Soft Navy, Red Heart Super Saver - 319 Cherry Red, Red Heart Soft - 4604 Navy, Red Heart Soft - 9925 Really Red

Yarn Buying Tips: Sign up on-line for Michael’s e-mails and you’ll get some great coupons! You can also buy the yarn on-line at a discount from the Red Hearts website: http://www.shopredheart.com/default.aspx?PageID=424&ProjectID=3

Why do I need to follow the official colors/yarn guidelines?

The 2012 Special Olympics USA Scarf Project is not only about providing a hand knit gift to Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families, volunteers and supporters, but it creating a sense of unity and community. Consistency in colors, sizes and design helps strengthen the message that we are all part of the incredible Special Olympics Movement.

Where to meet:

We will meet in the International Village Theater Room, which is located inside the Leasing Office building. Parking is available in any of the nearby lots.

Special Olympics:

Dignity, acceptance, and a chance to reach ones potential these are human rights worth promoting for everyone. For more than four decades, Special Olympics has been bringing one message to the world: people with intellectual disabilities can and will succeed if given the opportunity. Special Olympics is where athletes with intellectual disabilities celebrate and are celebrated for their accomplishments. It's often the first time that our athletes have truly taken center stage and been recognized as individuals. And the focus is not limited to sports. In diverse areas like healthcare, leadership training, legislative self advocacy and employment, Special Olympics takes a leadership role.