Warm Up America! is made up of volunteers creating handmade afghan blankets, clothing and accessories to help those in need. These items provide warmth and comfort to people who have lost their homes, fled abusive situations, or who are being cared for in hospices, shelters, hospitals or nursing homes.

Evie Rosen, a former yarn retailer and knitting teacher, came up with the idea for Warm Up America! because she wanted to do something to help the homeless. Her simple concept of asking customers, friends and the community to knit and crochet 7” x 9” sections, to be joined into afghan blankets, grew into a nationwide program which has produced more than 250,000 afghans. These have been donated to victims of natural disasters, battered womens’ shelters, the homeless, and others in need. In 2002, Warm Up America! was incorporated as a 501C3 tax exempt, charitable organization.

Today, the organization includes volunteers across the country, donating their time to crochet, knit, and join 7” X 9” rectangles. A Warm Up America! afghan resembles a patchwork quilt of many colors and textures, just as the participants and recipients represent the varied faces of America.

Volunteers are encouraged to work with others in their community to complete rectangles, join them into afghans, and to donate them locally. However, when that is not possible, individual rectangles and completed afghans may be sent to Warm Up America!’s headquarters.

The Foundation maintains a request list of charitable agencies which provide services to the homeless, battered womens’ shelters, and other people in need. As completed afghans are ready, they are shipped to the agency at the top of the list. Contact is maintained with the agencies before and after shipping the afghans.

Website

warmupamerica.org