What is IBOL?
It's an opportunity to serve that takes just a few minutes of your time and leaves you feeling great! It's also a great opportunity to clean out some of that pile (aka. "the stash") of fabric and sewing notions that you've been saving for a rainy day. (Oh c'mon, do you really think you're ever going to use all of that??)
And what does "IBOL" stand for?
Because you know it's more than just a funny word, right? It stands for "Iraqi Bundles of Love", and it's a short-term service project thought up by Major Art La Flamme, U.S. Army, currently serving in Iraq. During his tour of duty, he's seen the incredible need for raw materials to make clothes and household goods. In his own words...
"Iraqi Bundles of Love is a short-duration project, set to last about six weeks, originally intended to surge fabric and sewing (and knitting!) materials into the area around which I live in Iraq. It is timed to coincide with both Ramadan, and the departure of my units from Iraq.
I made my first trip to this country in 1994. I know, I know — “Hey, Mr. IBOL Guy, Americans weren’t really welcome in Iraq in 1994 — WTH?” I went into the Kurdush region back then, doing homework for a school assignment (really!). I saw that nothing was every thrown away. Everything was re-used — bottles, packing material, tires, anything and everything. Iraq was, at that time, under international sanctions, the economy was hurting, and little was being produced in Iraq and little seemed to be coming into Iraq.
People made due. It’s not like they had a choice.
The general premise [of IBOL] is this. I am in Iraq, and I can get mail through the US Postal System. Willing contributors can send to me a flat-rate box of sewing / quilting supplies, all bundled up. I’d open the box, pull out the fully-contained bundle, and hand it off (with others) to our counterparts in the Iraqi Security Forces (Army and others) or the local police, for them to distribute. Some of the bundles will also be delivered by US Soldiers. The stated intent of this operation is to put sewing and quilting and knitting supplies into the hands of two types of recipients: locals who desperately need such things, and local sewing co-ops and other small businesses who have received grants or loans (typically to purchase sewing machines, rent space, etc)."

In short, it's a great cause and a great opportunity for you and I to make a difference in someone's life. Someone we can relate to who's just trying to make do with what they have.
[Photo borrowed from the IBOL website]
So How Can You Participate?
It’s easy. It’s simple. It’ll cost you just $13.95 to mail – and the box is free, just stop by your local US Post Office and pick up a Large Flat Rate box. Then head home and start cleaning out those sewing supplies that you’ve been hoarding.
But hurry! The Deadline to mail boxes is Tuesday, September 8th (2009).
For instructions on what to send, click here
For instructions on how to box it up, click here
For the address of where to send a box, just leave a comment below. I've got it and will be delighted to share!
To read the IBOL blog, click here.
As of this morning... 73,000 blog hits and counting. WOW.
Bundles received so far? 245... and lots more probably en route. Will yours be among them?
So Hurry! The deadline to mail packages is coming up fast.
Sewers of the world unite!