KAS IS ON THE MOVE - TO A NEW HOME!

[Pam Antink]

A new home for KAS, with thanks to you color Two weeks ago, we sent you a critical appeal. We'd never asked before for a specific amount. This time, if we were able to achieve a long overdue and very necessary transition to keep our much loved KAS flourishing, we asked you for US$9000. Within 48 hours, we had $5,427 as documented in the Square Circle Forum. This was with special thanks to one very magnanimous donation of $4,500 in memory of a loved one, from a member who has asked to remain anonymous. Plus dozens and dozens of donations that ranged from $300 to $2.00, each one ad ding to the possibility that we could make these essential changes. By the end of the following week we were able to send Ronda R69,755. This was in addition to our usual, much- needed, monthly operating expense contributions. From this . . . color So with heartfelt thanks to you, we have a new home. As soon as Ronda and Wendy knew a proportion of the money requested was secure, they were able to accept the keys to a fabulous new home for KAS. The building owners' acknowledgement that we are a volunteer organisation put this dream space within our reach. Ronda and Peter have their home back after 5 years. Although Ronda says she is already feeling 'the empty nest' syndrome, while Peter says he slept better last night as he didn't have the eyes of 400 odd soft toys watching him! Space to move color Everyone involved is thrilled about the efficiencies this move represents. With proper working tables, allocated places for squares, hats and toys, it will give our volunteers space to move. This means we can include many more volunteers on opening days without having to cram everyone around the coffee table in-between mounds of wrapping, trying to sort, pile, bundle and record the squares. . . . to this. Wait till you see it in operation! color Next steps color Now Wendy and Ronda can pursue the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) program, we mentioned in the appeal, to find a suitable person who can help run the operation and actively fundraise within South Africa. Having suitable premises, rather than operating out of a home was fundamental to this next essential initiative. Daily bread color We must still rely on you for our daily operation costs, so if you give small amounts every month, you are the fuel that keeps the KAS machine running. Thank you. Every dollar, like every square, goes toward warming those precious children. You can do that here. Pam and the Mods are going to help me reach those who gave a significant donation. I hope you will be patient with us and also accept that every donation, even $1.00 is significant and greatly valued, but we must work within our volunteer resources. Watch this space color For the joy as it unfolded in South Africa, clean ing, packing up, unpacking and the first day opening in our new home, Wendy and Ronda will put a a special report on the home page of the Forum on Monday. We greatly look forward to your comments! My thank you gift color You may not know that I wrote a book last year titled, Clans. Supercharge Your Business . The book is dedicated to you, the wonderful KasFamily and details some of the history of the community. It has just been uploaded to Kindle and to thank you personally, I've made it free for you to download until July 18th, although when I last checked you could read it but not download it for free yet. If that's the case, perhaps you could revisit in the next 24 hours or so. If it's still showing a price, it should be free very soon! Click here. The book aims to help social entrepreneurs create communities to grow their business but much more importantly, make a significant difference in others lives. If we could create a movement of entrepreneurs and business owners around the world who sought to benefit others rather than just their bottom line, what could we do to alleviate suffering around the world? It isn't only the responsibility of wealthy philanthropists like Bill Gates, but a fundamental duty for us all. Thank you from another direction color  To understand just how much you touch other's hearts, please read this beautiful letter recently received by Ronda, from Thomas Maphosa, Zenele, Randfontein, Johannesburg. Thank you Sister Ronda. Your ministry became an answer on the big question towards vulnerable children who could not be defendant from such coldness that weaken the bodies of little poor children and make them even sick. We praise the Lord as we see them come to church especial in the evening services covered them self with those blankets. I realise as I read your email that your ministry reaches out to many lives and we pray that the Lord will continue to use you especial in times like this. The Lord bless you and the square knitting ministry in the Name of the Lord JESUS. Love you Dear Sister. You deserve all the thanks we can give you color You are remarkable and we val ue you greatly. With a massive cyber hug and deep gratitude for helping us take these next steps toward securing a sustainable KAS into the future, Sandy, Ronda and Wendy You are subscribed to Square Circle.  The back issues are at the following URL...  http://www.knit-a-square.com/Square_Circle-backissues.html  If you wish to remove yourself from this mailing, please click on the following URL...  http://knit-a-square.com/cgi-bin/mailout/mailmgr.cgi?us=LQ.21181431.28937883.709fdba0310a41913bc4592fdcac2bc6  (If the above URL is not a link, copy-and-paste the URL into your Web browser. That will confirm your removal.)  To change your e-mail address, please click on the following URL...  http://knit-a-square.com/cgi -bin/mailout/mailmgr.cgi?ca=LQ.21181431.28937883.709fdba0310a41913bc4592fdcac2bc6  (If the above URL is not a link, copy-and-paste the URL into your Web browser. That will confirm your change.)

[Susan Haines]

God has been with KAS from the very beginning, when it was just a thought in the hearts of Ronda and Sandy, It grew from that thought into what it is today, and still continues to grow.  I am so very proud to be a member of this organization.  So very happy to know that goodness spreads.  That there are so many of us in the world who CARE.  It is the caring hearts of all that keep KAS moving forward, and God is with us the entire way.  It's just so......huge!!!!!  It's so exciting to try to imagine where it'll all end up, but I know one thing for certain, it'll be HUGE, as well.  

[Irene Martin]

Fantastic news!! How absolutely wonderful for all the KAS team.  I am sure that everyone agrees that KAS can only go onward and upward.  With all thanks to Ronda and the team.

[Kathy Platts]

Fabulous news! A great step forward for the KAS team, and Ronda gets her home back! Of course it means we can now send more over to SA knowing there is plenty of room for storage - yehhhhhhh.

Congratulations Ronda and Team xxxxx

[Sandy McDonald]

I just love the excitement and joy you are all showing in these messages, that is such a testimony to how much we are all part of the journey as Pam says.

Barb, could you wish for a major South African corporation with deep pockets to become our benevolent major patron.   That should be within our reach.  So let's all wish for it as you have wished for the KasVan and KasHome.   Now the KasPatron!  :)

Thanks Laurie, it comes with my love to you all and I hope very much that you enjoy it.   Wonderful inspiration Anne from Madiba.  Wouldn't he be proud of us.

PS  Sorry about the irritating word color after every headline, no idea where that comes from and also the text over the pictures.   You may want to use this link to spread the word.   A new home for KAS

[Barb Beattie]

Sandy, if I won a big lottery, I would be honoured to become the benevolent major patron. If I wish for a KasPatron, do you suppose it will help me win the lottery? Worth a try, don't you think? It would be a win-win for both of us.

Alrighty, then. I'm sending it out to the universe that you will receive a KasPatron.

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(Those are vibes coming off my fingertips).

[Sandy McDonald]

I can Barb, keep sending it out!

[Sharon B]

What a wonderful surprise!  All that huge space just waiting to be filled with squares and hats and sweaters and toys!  I'm smiling already just thinking of the pictures to come.  

I feel just the smallest touch of sadness for Ronda feeling the "empty nest", but I can also imagine the joy and pride she must feel knowing that her (brain)child is growing up and doing more and more good things, and will continue to do good things for a long, long, long time to come.

Thank You for letting us help with your work, and thank you, thank you, thank you for the wonderful photos and newsletters.

[Barb Beattie]

omigosh! What fantastic news! Just look at all that bright, cheery space! Looking at those ladies hunched over the coffee table makes my back hurt. This new space is going to be so wonderful. Pam, I can't believe you managed to keep it a secret. Did you feel like you were going to burst? I know I would have.

Ok, so true story...I kept saying that if I ever won a big lottery, I would buy Ronda a new vehicle. And then she got one. So then I said I would buy her a building. And she got that, too.

They say things come in threes. So, Ronda, dear, what's the third thing you would like me to buy you if I win the lottery?

[Pam Antink]

Well done Barb, you obviously say your prayers in the correct manner!  Keep up the good work for KAS!

[Bev Jeffery]

LOL Barb....