Ottawa Home Economics Association: Hat Day
Ottawa home economists have been sewing polar fleece hats every fall for more than 20 years – thousands of them in total. In recent years, preparations for Hat Day have been more challenging because of increased demand from our traditional Hat Day clients given the increased economic pressures being exerted on their clientele.
Our Approach
to focus on the needs of smaller community-based groups such as those targeting women and children, and schools and food cupboards in lower-income communities or with special needs; and to broaden our resources by seeking out additional sources of polar fleece fabric/funding and available volunteers in the community with sewing and related skills.
For Hat Day 2023, a small but efficient group of Ottawa Home Economic Association member gathered in September to take on the task of cutting the polar fleece into four sizes of hats, followed in early October by a team of sewers and sorters. Final Hat Day production reached a record 859 hats and was delivered to an extremely grateful community in early November.
Hat Day 2024 Report
It takes a village. Thanks to all who made this year's Hat Day the best… maybe because the need was so great and the thanks received so heartfelt.
A special thanks to our team who joined me in cutting polar fleece hats -- cutters including Elizabeth Lee, Cathy Enright, Ellie Topp, Luba Brown, Audrey Schreyer, Susan Thorne and Lynn Stewart. Thanks also to our team at Bell’s Corners United Church (Anne-Marie Ellis, Elizabeth Lee, Luba Brown, Mary Johnston, Ellie Topp, Ellen Boynton, Judy Leeson, Susan Thorne, Gail Nevraumont, Betty Young, Elaine Silverthorn, Linda Reasbeck, Elizabeth Pearson, Lynn Stewart and Maxine Robertson) who sewed and sorted hats on October 23rd.
A special thanks to our team who joined me in cutting polar fleece hats -- cutters including Elizabeth Lee, Cathy Enright, Ellie Topp, Luba Brown, Audrey Schreyer, Susan Thorne and Lynn Stewart. Thanks also to our team at Bell’s Corners United Church (Anne-Marie Ellis, Elizabeth Lee, Luba Brown, Mary Johnston, Ellie Topp, Ellen Boynton, Judy Leeson, Susan Thorne, Gail Nevraumont, Betty Young, Elaine Silverthorn, Linda Reasbeck, Elizabeth Pearson, Lynn Stewart and Maxine Robertson) who sewed and sorted hats on October 23rd.
Although there was little free polar fleece available, and costs of the good quality fleece in Ottawa were high, we were able to find some significant sales (especially in the U.S.). Again this year, the primary donation came from the Ottawa Home Economics Association ($546). And, for the second year in a row, we also received a donation from Abhijit Potdar of NutritionBlocs ($200) who included our hats in gift bags that were given to approximately 100 children (mostly refugees) living in temporary shelters in Ottawa.
Distribution to recipient organizations, including shelters, foodbanks, elementary schools, were
made beginning in mid-November. Many sincere thank you notes were received.
Linda Robbins, P.H.Ec.
Hat Day Co-Ordinator and Volunteer
Distribution to recipient organizations, including shelters, foodbanks, elementary schools, were
made beginning in mid-November. Many sincere thank you notes were received.
Linda Robbins, P.H.Ec.
Hat Day Co-Ordinator and Volunteer