It was March 28th.  A posting to Ravelry, the social network for knitters and crocheters appealing to those of us who embrace charitable endeavors.  Camp Happy Times needs hats for kids, aged 5-21, cancer survivors attending their 29th summer camp.  The appeal?  These kids often arrive without basic necessities for a cool mountain climate, so could we possibly help them find 200+ caps for their kids.  But the challenge didn't end there.  They also had a medieval theme for this year's camp, and could the fiber community possibly help them with princesses and jesters and crowns and wizards?

All of us at Halos of Hope knew we could find 200+ regular hats for their campers.  We have an incredible supply of hats from volunteers across the country that come in every month.  It was March, deadline was July.  200 hats for kids in 4 months, easy to do.  It was those medieval hats.  Could we help this incredible organization create a kingdom in time?  

We heralded our request in our newsletter, championed the cause through Ravelry, Facebook, Twitter.  And then, our good friends at Red Heart Yarns, sounded the call as well.  The folks at Knitting Paradise added their voices.  And the next thing we knew, the jesters came in a-jingling.  Crowns checked in.  Someone found a chain mail hat pattern and helmets for the knights. By June 1, we had 100 hats.  But we were 100 short to be sure all kids attending camp would have a medieval hat to choose from.  We heralded the call again, extended the deadline.  And the hats came pouring in.  Ten…twenty…more…and by July 3rd, we reached our goal.

But that wasn't the end.  Hats continued to roll in.  Regular hats for the kids, medieval hats of all sizes, shapes and colors.  The creativity was amazing!

When we finally opened the last box from the last big incoming wave, Halos of Hope volunteers had contributed over 300 regular hats and 325 medieval hats giving the kids plenty of options to make their camp a royal success!

In 4 short months, what began as a 'can we do it?' turned into an 'oh yes, we can!'  The fiber arts community never fails; they are among the most generous, creative and compassionate souls that I think I've ever met.  We had some people donate one hat, and some donate dozens.  Some dozens upon dozens.  As our Camp Happy Times contact, Robin, said, it was "absolutely mind blowing amazing can’t believe it” and the kids will each feel like they have a unique costume to go with the medieval theme.

Thank you is what we say, but it rings so hollow in the wake of such a celestial campaign! You all are royalty in our eyes!  Thank you so much for helping us to help the Camp Happy Times kids have a fabulous 29th season!  We can't wait to see the pictures!!!