The Red Scarf Project is a little to-do by Foster Care To Success:

We are the oldest and largest national nonprofit organization working solely with college bound foster youth. For over 30 years we have helped them navigate the tricky waters of academia, understand the importance of personal fiscal responsibility, determine achievable career goals, and create networks of friendship and support. As a matter of fact, since 1981, over 50,000 foster youth have received information, advice, support or funding from Foster Care to Success, helping them to transition from care to adulthood through education.

We help by not only providing tuition grants but book money, living stipends and emergency funding for those unexpected expenses that could derail the most dedicated student on a tight budget. We also provide academic coaches, personal mentors, care packages and internship opportunities to the 3,500 young people we serve annually, enabling them to enjoy a college completion rate many times that of their peers who lack such support.

They’re very busy. In fact, they’re so busy that when I wrote to their information email address for information, they immediately wrote back. It happened so fast, I was surprised the emails didn’t squeak with friction. Man, the internet is amazing!

It sure is red.

What’s the what, then, what can you do?

RED SCARF PROJECT GUIDELINES:
Size: approximately 60” long and 5” to 8” wide. Scarves should be long enough to be wrapped around the neck, with tails long enough to be tied in the front.

Style: Think unisex collegiate. Fringes are optional. Your scarf should drape, tie easily and be soft.

Color: Red! However, this could mean burgundy, cherry, russet, red stripes with other colors, or multicolor hues including red.

Finished & tagged: Yarn ends should be securely sewn in. For a personal touch, attach a tag saying “Handmade for You” with your first name, city, and group affiliation, if any. Donors have also included washing instructions, messages of encouragement, gift cards, and more.

Mail to: Foster Care to Success, Red Scarf Project
21351 Gentry Drive Suite 130
Sterling, VA 20166

NOTE: Scarves are accepted between September 1 and December 15 annually. As we have limited storage space, please send your scarves only during this time period.

Foster Care To Success is not concerned with fiber allergies, but they do want the scarf to be both red and soft. The dimensions are easy. You can do this standing on your head. What sort of goes unsaid is that the Red Scarf Project also would like you to include a little gift card and a note of encouragement. Here’s the thing: you can make a scarf, then collect change trapped between your couch cushions between now and October and that will be enough for a nice gift card for Staples or Office Depot or Barnes & Noble or Best Buy. Someone you will never meet – someone who’s had a rough go of his or her young life – will be glad you gave a damn. And maybe knitted. No one would sneeze at crochet.