Good Wednesday morning to everyone. I really wanted to have this newsletter all typed up and ready to be sent with the Channel 8 story. But we all know the phrase, best laid plans of mice and men. I didn't get it ready in time, but I felt I had to stop everything and send this out today. First off, how do we thank Channel 8 news for their more than fabulous coverage? There are not enough fruit bouquets in the world. Tina Foster, the behind the scenes reporter has done such an amazing job. You never see her on camera, yet she seems to somehow get just the right footage aired. We were at the base for two hours and she really captured the essence of our visit. Believe me there were many times when there was not a dry eye, including Tina's. To all of you; the knitter's, the crocheter's, the financial donors, everyone, including the children who wrote the notes of inspiration; there are not enough descriptive words to tell you how much your time and efforts made to these young men and women. Not only were they surprised, in the beginning they were slightly confused, until we invited them to start trying them on and that is all it took. We overheard such comments as; "these were made by hand, for us?" "I can't believe how good they smell", Wow, these are really warm" and even "Hey, look at all the different ways you can wear this". It was such a little thing for lots of us to do and yet the immense joy and gratitude that radiated off of these young marines will never be forgotten. One young lady opened a note in her helmet liner and a beautiful rosary with prayer cards were inside, Valerie Crowe thank you, your receiver was actually in the story that aired last night; the young lady towards the end with black hair. When they were reading their notes from y'all and local school children they got tears in their eyes as did the reporter, photographer and I. It was very important to Yarn Heaven to have this last interview aired. We wanted you the donors to see that the helmet liners really are going directly into the hands of who they were meant for. We have heard all of the same rumors you have heard, they are not wanted or needed or allowed. Well as y'all can see from the news clip, they are exactly that. Rumors! This will even make your stitching hours even more worthwhile. We found out while we were at the base, that the helmet liners that the military does supply cost the soldiers $45.00 and for those of you who have seen the sample in the store will know how really awful that is, scratchy and stiff and not very warm. The group we donated to on Thursday is reservists. This means that they gave up lucrative positions in their private lives to defend our country. They took cuts in pay and benefits so every dime we can help them save is crucial. 1300 less service people have to pay for helmet liners because of you. Thank you so much from all of them. I wish you all could have heard their thanks for yourselves. Please keep knitting and crocheting. Remember gauge is very important. If your school donated notes to the soldier's could you please contact the store with an address to where thank you notes can be sent to the students, this is at the requests of the soldiers. If you are involved with a school, we would love to have notes from ALL AGE group children to stick in hats that don't have notes. As we were leaving the base, we saw soldiers rereading their notes and carefully folding them and putting them in their pockets. They most surely will mean a lot, because what you did not hear on the news last night, is those soldiers are now at this moment in Afghanistan, with a special little piece of America in their pockets! Thank you again. We are now back open on Mondays from 10am to 5pm, with free Helmet Liner Help from 11:00 to 2:00pm. The interview will be online by late this evening with many other pictures of the marines receiving their helmet liners. Please bear with me as I get the website into mint condition. We have added many new additions to the volunteer page. With much gratitude and appreciaton! Tarie

Sept.9, 2009