WINNIPEG – A Winnipeg knitting group is well past the halfway point towards its goal of collecting 2,000 pieces of winter clothing for Syrian refugees.

Ram Wools Yarn Co-op has taken in approximately 1,300 items since the donation drive started late last year.

“They come here with nothing and they don’t know our weather and they just need these kinds of things,” said Jodi Knopf, who is donating a baby’s blanket along with several pieces of winter clothing.

“People that knit really like to knit and you can only have so many things for yourself so a lot of it does get knit for other people and given away which is just awesome,” said Ram Wools Member/Owner Lori Franko.

The items are being distributed to Syrian refugees, and other newcomers, by Altered Minds, a local settlement agency.

“It shows the generosity of Canadians … it makes refugees feel like they’re in a good place,” said Altered Minds executive director Grace Eidse.

“They’re very happy, they realize they’re getting quality and that it’s unique, it’s not off the rack,” she continued.

Though the campaign was originally only seeking clothing, other items have started to stream in.

“People have also been bringing in gently used jackets, boots, we got a microwave, small household items anything that would be useful for a family setting up for their first time,” said Franko.

[“source-globalnews”]