We have suspended our monthly meetings until further notice.
We have been able to rent a space at a very reasonable cost and are turning it into the Crochet Clubhouse. This space will hold all of our yarn and blankets, sale items and all the supplies we use. It also allows room to have a few members come in at a time. This will maximize our ability to continue our work and to provide our blankets to agencies that need them for their clients now more than ever. At the same time we can minimize the exposure of our members to possible risk.
The Crochet Clubhouse is centrally located at 111 Waterloo Street - close to the old Vic Hospital. There is plenty of free parking - including underground parking - on site and it is in a pretty quiet area.
The Board has made some introductory plans - nothing about the processes outlined below are cast in stone. We welcome all feedback and will make changes on the fly to enable our work as a Club to continue safely.
The Clubhouse will be open every Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. In addition it will be open the last Wednesday of the month from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Here is how we will begin:
Wednesday, November 18. 10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
Wednesday, November 25. 10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. AND 3:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
Wednesday, December 2. 10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
Wednesday, December 9. 10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
Wednesday, December 16. 10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. AND 3:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
Members are invited to visit the Clubhouse at any time within these timeframes. The number of persons allowed in the building will be dictated by the Provincial guidelines - currently 10 persons inside any space.
Additional safety measures will be in effect - masks must be worn for the entire visit, members will be asked to sign in and out, hand sanitizer will be available for frequent use.
Projects will be available, blankets can be brought on each visit. If you are missing an elusive ball of yarn to finish a project, you can search for it while you are there; you can browse the extensive pattern collection. Just think, there is no need to stockpile yarn or blankets and no need to wait until month end meetings. Depending on how busy the Clubhouse is at the time of your visit, you can stay and visit with the volunteers on duty.
For members who can come t0 111 Waterloo Street but who are not comfortable coming in to the building, we will bring projects out to your car and take your blankets in for you.
At the same time, we will continue to deliver projects to and pick up blankets from members who can not leave their homes. It will be easier for the volunteer drivers to plan their delivery schedule and to restock their project supply at the Clubhouse.
We are very excited to introduce all members to the Crochet Clubhouse! It's like the silver lining at a difficult and stressful time. We feel there is lots of flexibility for your visits over the next 5 weeks - that is a kind way to say "Please don't everybody come at 10:00 A.M. on November 18th."
Looking forward to seeing you at the Crochet Clubhouse!
We were honoured to have been among the three finalists for this prestigious Award, and are thrilled to have won!
The Award was presented at Museum London on November 12th, 2008, and it included a financial gift of $2,500.
(We shall use the money over the course of the year for the purchase of yarn with which to make even lovelier blankets!)