WRAP with Love
Recently WRAP WITH LOVE responded to Bishop David
Cremin's appeal as Vicar of Immigration, in conjunction with
David Addington from Northern Beaches Refugee
Sanctuary.
[Photo:Somalian Refugees]
Refugees from Sudan, Sierra Leone and Somalia arrive in the early hours of the morning at Sydney Airport carrying their few possessions in a plastic bag. However it is not long before there are tears of joy as David Addington and his volunteers greet them each, with a gift of welcome and comfort - their very own, very individual, WRAP WITH LOVE 'Wrap'.
Origins of Wrap with Love
You may have heard of the unique voluntary organisation, WRAP WITH LOVE, but are you aware of its origin?
In 1992, Sonia Gidley-King was deeply saddened by TV reports
of people dying of starvation and hypothermia in
Mozambique.
[Photo: Sonia Gidley-King]
She prayed for guidance, asking what she could do to help. The answer came as a voice inside her head and she immediately set out to knit a blanket in an attempt to make her contribution, no matter how small.Inspiring Others...
Without realizing exactly what she had embarked upon she
inspired thousands of others to act. Soon people everywhere were
taking up needles, crochet hooks and crafting skills. Thus a
unique aid agency was created which aims to save lives by
donating woollen wraps to people in disaster zones around the
world. 
[Photo: Orphans in Uganda]
In the past 12 years more than 86,000 wraps have been sent to people in 71 countries, including Australia.It is well known that knitting / crocheting is like a meditation - it calms and relaxes the mind. When it is combined with the Christian ethics of doing for another, it enriches the volunteer and provides an inner glow and feeling of well-being. No doubt this is why thousands of people gather together on a weekly basis to craft 'Wraps' over a cup of tea and a piece of cake. For many this is their only social contact, something to look forward to with friends and within Community Centres. There is no stress associated with crafting 'Wraps' as they all start out as a simple 10 inch (25 cm) square.
Catholic Women's League Wollongong and WRAP WITH LOVE
In 1993 members from the Catholic Women's League diocese of Wollongong began their involvement with the Wrap with Love program. Since then over 1,800 WRAPS have been sent from the diocese under the direction of Diocesan coordinator, Maureen Anderson.
Contact WRAP WITH LOVE
Address for mail:
Wrap with Love Inc
PO Box 10
ROSEBERY NSW 1445
Warehouse address for couriers and freight deliveries is:
Unit 4 - No 4 Huntley Street,
ALEXANDRIA NSW (off Bourke Rd)
Email: wwl@pacific.net.au
