Knit Fest 2004 Donation Enables American Red Cross To Raise Funds For Disaster Relief

Red Cross Participates in Knit Fest 2004 in Toledo November 11-14 to Share Knitting History and Raise Funds for Disaster Relief

WASHINGTON, Monday, November 01, 2004 — The American Red Cross (www.redcross.org) is pleased to announce that it will be attending Knit Fest 2004 (www.knitfest2004.com) at the Seagate Convention Center in Toledo, Ohio, November 11-14. Thanks to the generous donation of a booth at the event’s marketplace by its organizers, the Red Cross will share its rich knitting history with a new generation of knitters and will sell its commemorative "Knit Your Bit" kit to benefit the Red Cross mission

"Knit Fest 2004 was organized based a simple goal--provide knitting enthusiasts with an opportunity to knit, learn, and shop," said Dara Tatum, representative of Knit Fest. "We wanted to incorporate classes for beginners and advanced knitters alike, as well as provide a diverse marketplace with unique yarns, fibers and supplies by vendors from across the country."

While Knit Fest is free and open to the public, voluntary donations will be accepted at the door to benefit the American Red Cross. In addition to vendors, the marketplace at Knit Fest will feature free workshops and demonstrations, book signings by nationally acclaimed authors and a "sit and knit" area.

"When we learned about the "Knit your Bit" kit, we decided to add another component to the event that is so indicative of knitters--support for a charitable organization. The Red Cross is constantly in the forefront of meeting the needs of others by responding wherever and whenever disaster strikes, like the recent hurricanes, that we’re so happy to help," said Tatum. "Not to mention showing off this innovative kit and connection to knitters past."

Knitting played a poignant role in the history of the Red Cross. During the first and second World Wars, the American Red Cross launched nationwide, volunteer-driven, knitting campaigns to supply soldiers and civilians with warm clothing. Its "Our Boys Need Sox: Knit Your Bit" campaign began in World War I, but became an even more vital during World War II. As textile producers and factories were converted to support strategic military needs, volunteer knitters helped supply soldiers with critical clothing for harsh climates. The Red Cross provided wool yarn and patterns that were designed to be compatible with their uniforms and equipment.

The commemorative "Knit Your Bit" sock-knitting kit, launched last May to coincide with the National World War II Memorial Dedication, pays homage to the members of the Red Cross Production Corps who took up their needles to aid and comfort the 16-million American men and women serving in the U.S. armed forces during World War II.

"Knitters have always been there to help people in need," says Darren Irby, Vice President of Public Relations for the American Red Cross. "We couldn’t ask for a better time or venue to share the story of the more than 7.5-million Red Cross volunteers--many of them knitters who served our country during the war-era by providing for the basic needs of Americans both on the war and home fronts--than Knit Fest 2004 which begins on Veterans’ Day."

The Red Cross kit features hand-dyed yarn (an 80/20 wool/acrylic blend), a replica pattern and the double-pointed and finishing needles necessary to create a pair of regulation military socks circa 1942. The kit’s collectible, reusable tin features an inset with original era poster artwork and the Red Cross knitting story.

A portion of the proceeds from the sales of knit kits will go to support the work of the Red Cross. Specifically, proceeds of kits sold at Knit Fest will be allocated for disaster relief services at the local and national level. These funds will provide for the immediate needs of the victims of thousands of disasters, such as wildfires, house fires, tornadoes, floods and more, across the country each year. Contributions for disaster relief enable the Red Cross to provide emergency food, shelter, clothing, counseling and other assistance.

To learn more about the history of the Red Cross, its services, purchasing a commemorative kit or making a donation, visit www.Redcross.org. Donations also may be sent to your local Red Cross chapter or can be made by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW.

About The American Red Cross
Governed by volunteers and supported by community donations, the American Red Cross is a nationwide network of nearly 900 field units dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Led by 1 million volunteers and 36,000 employees, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to families affected by more than 70,000 disasters, trains almost 12 million people in lifesaving skills and keeps U.S. military families connected worldwide. The Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood and blood products to more than 3,000 hospitals across the nation and also assists victims of international disasters and conflicts at locations worldwide. Marsha J. Evans is the President and CEO of the American Red Cross.