Stitches for Syrians

Mar 02, 2016

Stitches for Syrians was created in advance of the anticipated arrival of more than 2,000 Syrians in the region. The intent was to galvanize people who knit, crochet or sew, and to provide an avenue to streamline the donation of homemade products to Kingston Immigration Partnership and the Kingston Military Family Resource Centre.

The generous response of the community to these newest residents has been astonishing, in quantity, quality and range of people and places. Over 1,110 hand-made items, many including small personal notes of welcome, have been received, sorted and bagged.

Local church, student and seniors groups have responded. A six year old learned to knit (first for her doll) because her teenaged sister made her first hat to donate, and encouraged her friends to create also.

When knitters from Centreville and Yarker areas got involved, they started a Facebook site to encourage others. Aberdeen’s Wool Company in Lindsay and Knitaway seniors group in that community created and delivered many items. Several drop-off locations were organized in Napanee, Bath, The Wool Shed at Topsy Farms, Kingston’s Knit Traders, and The Minotaur.

Stitches for Syrians not only gained momentum regionally, but in the United States as well. Three groups from Arizona have already donated many boxes of hand-stitched items, including hand-quilted afghans, shipped at significant cost to themselves. In addition, a knitting group in Sunnyside, New York has mailed warm products.

Some of the privately sponsored Syrian families have arrived. The first five families received all help requested - over 127 items from our cosy stash. More will come and receive all they need. The first government sponsored families are going to Canadian communities with immigration centres, so Kingston is not yet certain of the timing or numbers that will arrive.

When they do, we’ll be ready with a warm welcome.

For more information, please contact Sally Bowen at Topsy Farms at 613-389-3444 or send a message to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.