Juniper Systems is a company that strives for a better future. Collectively and individually, we endeavor to embody our company values: Improvement, Respect, Service, Passion, Conserving, and Responsibility. We do this by creating high-performance technology that can withstand harsh environments and demanding conditions, supporting industries such as emergency services, manufacturing, mining, and mapping. But we also show this by our work in charity. This time of year, we are honing our commitment to helping others and caring for communities with our support for the AMAR International Charitable Foundation.
AMAR ICF provides healthcare, education, and emergency relief to vulnerable communities. Founded in 1991, by Baroness Emma Nicholson of Winterbourne, UK, after Saddam Hussein’s persecution and extermination of the Marsh Arabs, AMAR’s mission is to rebuild lives in regions affected by conflict and displacement, particularly in the Middle East. Over the years, AMAR has expanded its mission to support displaced people, with a particular emphasis on women’s empowerment, child protection, and mental health services for refugees. With its extensive experience providing aid to conflict-affected populations, AMAR recognized the urgent need for assistance and expanded its operations to support Ukrainian refugees.
Families fleeing Ukraine face unimaginable hardships as they are driven from their homes by conflict, often leaving behind everything they know. Many have lost loved ones and their livelihoods. Necessities such as food, clean water, shelter, and medical care become scarce. Families are forced to navigate unfamiliar and often hostile environments, seeking safety and stability while dealing with trauma and loss.
The Ukrainian refugee crisis led Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne to request help in 2023 from Utah Friends of AMAR Board member Louise Brown to direct an effort to provide 300 handmade hats and scarves to Ukrainian refugee children living in Romania. Louise reached out to her nephew, Juniper Systems’ own Daren Tibbitts, to see how they could get the items into Romania. With the help of Daren, Juniper Systems shipping resources and AMAR funding, Utah delivered over 3200 items created by Utah donors. This year, the Baroness is asking Utah to provide 5,000. We feel confident we can contribute in a big way and rise to meet the challenge.
Making and donating hats and scarves for Ukrainian refugee children is a vital act of compassion, as it addresses both immediate and emotional needs during a time of crisis. Each item will be hand-knit and include a personalized note from the maker — a tangible expression of care and solidarity.
You can have a chance to provide comfort to these displaced children. Join us in our effort to bring warmth to the heads and hearts of Ukrainian refugees. You do not have to be an expert knitter to participate. Here are some ways you can help Ukrainian refugees:
- Make hats and scarves for children ages 3 to 16 with double–yarn construction, including a personal hand-written note of encouragement or love with the first name of the maker. (Please have the hand-written note on thick paper like cardstock folded into the item, not attached.) Don’t know how to make a hat or scarf? Here are tutorials:
- Teach others how to make hats/scarves
- Donate yarn
- Spread the word on social media and through your networks
- Organize community and church groups to participate
- Donate funds directly to AMAR
Donated items will be accepted at Juniper Systems 1132 W 1700 N Logan, UT 84321 from now until Feb 1. Donate items by Nov 1 for them to arrive in time for Christmas.
Visit the Hats & Scarves Project for Ukrainian Children by AMAR on Facebook for more information.
Baroness Nicholson shared, “We hope for ‘A gift from a real person to a real child.’”
AMAR ICF
AMAR ICF is a UK-based charity focused on delivering healthcare, education, and emergency relief to communities in conflict zones, particularly in the Middle East. Over the years, AMAR has expanded its mission to support displaced people and refugees. AMAR’s work is driven by a commitment to rebuilding communities and fostering long-term resilience through locally-led initiatives.
US Friend of AMAR
The US Friends of AMAR is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Utah that supports the work of the AMAR International Charitable Foundation. Visit US Friends of AMAR for more information.
Juniper Systems is a leading manufacturer of ultra-rugged tablets, handheld computers, GPS receivers, GIS mapping software, and field computing solutions. Professionals utilize Juniper Systems’ innovative mobile computers in natural resources, utilities and public services, geospatial, agriculture, industrial, and military markets. Visit our website to see how Juniper Systems’ rugged solutions meet all your rugged computing needs.