Ft. McCoy in Sparta Wisconsin is housing 7000 Afghanistans, here is something I think is so

[a kennedy]

awesome……women from Madison about 2.5 hours away from Sparta, are giving the women from Afghanistan fabric, sewing machines, thread, elastic and other stuff needed to sew THEIR OWN STYLE OF CLOTHING……. 🥰 🥰 🥰 I do so appreciate all the new and slightly worn clothing donations from all around Ft. McCoy, but fabric and sewing machines I think is just a fantastic idea.

https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/madison-women-donating-mountain-of-fabric-for-afghan-refugees-to-sew-own-clothes/article_df8cf037-07b0-5373-90a5-bd3c99b2c891.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

[2naSalit]

1. That's cool.

I lived in Madison during the Muriel boat lift, a good third of the refugees ended up at Ft McCoy. I worked for an air freight service and made a few "special" trips to ORD* from Madison to pick up tear gas and take it to Ft McCoy. I wasn't allowed to call dispatch from there or anything.

I am glad to see that these refugees are having a different experience.


*Chicago O'Hare airport.

[LakeArenal]

2. My friend in Marquette County is with that group.

She used to do the same in Nicaragua.

We used to hit rummage sale and donation sites for as many sewing machines as we could find. Then they’d pack up a plane with them and fabrics and little things and volunteers would go and help the women there.

There are so many unsung heroes out there.

[a kennedy]

3. I know......such a huge effort to make them feel welcome.

[Irish_Dem]

4. What a good and clever idea. Sounds like you are one of the unsung heroes!

So many people doing good things every day.

Kudos to you and your friend.

[LakeArenal]

5. Thanks. Fun too!

[Irish_Dem]

6. I love fun projects that are also doing something good for others.

[LakeArenal]

7. Ha. It's not like we never found good stuff to keep at all those sales.

But the underlying reason WAS sewing machines. Ten years ago you could find three in a day and about $15 each. Little harder these days.

[Irish_Dem]

8. Hey if you can find some good stuff along the way for yourselves, great.

You deserve it.

I think I read somewhere since Covid people are sewing at home more.
Gals I know have been sewing masks.

And people are at home more, so crafts are popular.

Sewing machines may be harder to find.

I may actually start crocheting again, thinking of one of those large yarn chunky throws.

If my one aunt who lives in Wisconsin was still able to sew, and someone could have given her a pattern
she would have been able to whip up some nice things the Afghan ladies would like.

Maybe that is an option, US women with sewing machines, if shown the dresses and scarves, etc. could do some of the work.

[questionseverything]

9. Hardly anyone sews now at least compared to fifty years ago

Heck people barely cook

My poor 4-h leader is spinning in her grave