All right, my friends – this has been a long year for Ms. Shelly, she of great passion and even greater heart. Her dream originally was to bathe campers – who have been battling great things in their lives – with some love and cover them with home-made afghans.

She put out her desire onto the internet and asked crocheters from around the internet (which spans around the globe!) for 6 inch squares that would be put into afghans for the youngsters. Next came a plea for crocheters to edge the squares and join them into the afghans.

Her dream grew – wouldn’t it be cool to enclose bags for the tags that were on each individual square – (48 tags per afghan) 140 afghans needed bags. Yellow Rose and I would be working on collecting 70 bags each.

It’s time for an update and followup request. I have 48 bags in my possession currently. I’ve gone through my emails and I think there may have been a few more promised but haven’t been received yet. (it gets a bit difficult because we all have our online personas and our real life names – and a purple moose can sometimes be easily confused, you see.)

So, here is my request – I need 22 bags to hold up my end of the deal. If you have it in your heart and have not yet contributed, now is your chance. Email me (prplmoose AT kenaiwriter DOT net) and let me know if you are able to help out.

Shelly is checking on the time when we might be able to deliver the afghans – and that will determine the absolute latest time we can gather the bags to get them to Shelly to get them placed with the afghans to get them delivered to the camp.

See how small ideas snowball?

Shelly also had an idea to raise funds to send some of the kids to camp for free. While the funds raised will not do all that, with your help a tidy little sum was raised. Thanks to all who helped out.

Wanna see the bags received so far?

The bag to the lower right in the center picture (of the first three) is photoshopped into the picture – it is the backside of the 3 bears bag. So very cute!

Thanks again to everyone who has helped. Have a wonderful, extended, weekend – think on those who have served to keep us free – those who continue to serve – and those who gave their greatest for our country. God bless us all, everyone!