Al Barrett, founder of Threads of Hope, announced that specially-built crates packed with sewing machines and material needed to outfit an up-and-coming women's sewing center in Maasai, Kenya, have been shipped from Dunedin.
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Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Dec. 5 was a grateful day for Al Barrett and countless Kenyan women he has never met. Barrett, the 30-year owner of Dunedin Canvas Works and founder of Threads of Hope, finished loading a huge shipment of sewing machines and material that is now on its way to outfit an up-and-coming women's sewing center that will teach new life skills to a dwindling nomadic people in Maasai, Kenya. Construction of the sewing center is slated to begin in February 2013. Barrett and his wife's charity, "Threads of Hope," has sent sewing machines to 14 countries across the world, with a focus in Africa. The following is an excerpt from a Dec. 6 letter Barrett wrote describing his gratitude after nine days loading the shipment at Dunedin Canvas Works. Friends…
Al Barrett, owner of Dunedin Canvas Works off Bayshore Boulevard, uses earnings from his business to bring sewing machines and education to impoverished areas around the world.
Al Barrett has been sewing boating accessories for 30 years, but only in the last 16 has he found his true calling. The salty sailor still creates the cushions, covers, and other marine canvas products as he always has, but now he takes his profits from his nautical upholstery business, Dunedin Canvas Works near Eddie's Bar & Grill, to fund his charity Threads of Hope. Threads of Hope donates foot-powered sewing machines and provides education in making patterns, alterations and garment construction to widows and orphans. The foundation has sent sewing machines to 14 countries across the world, with a focus in Africa. It was the voice of God that changed Al Barrett’s life. Standing in his kitchen almost 20 years ago, he felt God speak to …
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Dunedin Canvas Works
1297 Bayshore Blvd, Dunedin, FL
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Benjamin Phiri
4:15 pm on Sunday, December 30, 2012
If you can also consider supporting a charity in Malawi called Urunji Child-Care Trust they are doing an incredible work supporting widows and orphans. more ›