It had been a very LONG, cold winter in SHAPELTOWN®.  The SHAPELS® had used their hats, scarves, and mittens almost every day, but now everything had been packed away for next year.

However, Otto Oval kept thinking about all of the children in SHAPELTOWN®  who did not have enough warm clothing or blankets for next winter.  He wondered how the SHAPELS® could help.

Suzy Square suggested contacting Dorothy, the owner of the SHAPELTOWN® Bookstore.  When Otto Oval called her, Dorothy said, “No problem.  I would be happy to lend a hand.”  “Great,” said Otto.  “I will see if I have a basket we could use to collect the donations.”

It did not take long for Otto Oval and Suzy Square to find a SMALL basket and bring it to the bookstore.  Of course it was an “OVAL” shape just like Otto!  Dorothy had placed a big sign in the window of the bookstore. They decided to call it the “Giving Basket.”  She told Otto Oval and Suzy Square to come back at the end of the week to check on the donations.

However, Dorothy called the very next day.  “You are NOT going to believe this,” said Dorothy.  “The basket is already filled!  We need a bigger basket.”  “I will be back in a FLASH,” Otto replied. He quickly found a MEDIUM-sized basket and brought it to the bookstore – another “OVAL” of course!

By the next day, the MEDIUM-sized basket was also filled.  “Well, I guess we need a really, really LARGE basket Otto,” said Dorothy. “I will be right back,” Otto Oval replied.

This time Otto Oval returned to the bookstore with a LARGE OVAL basket.  It was HUGE!

“All of the children in SHAPELTOWN® will be so happy,” Suzy Square said.  “But WHO is donating all these hats, mittens, scarves, and blankets?” she asked.  Otto replied, “I do not have a clue, but I do have an idea.  Let’s hide behind one of the bookshelves and see if we can find out.”  And that’s exactly what they did.

As they peeked through books on the shelf, they could not believe who they saw!  It was Cindy Circle! She had been very busy all winter and spring knitting and crocheting hats, scarves, and blankets.

Next, they saw Ricky Rectangle and Tommy Triangle drop off blankets and scarves.  They even donated some teddy bears just for fun!

Two minutes later, Debbie Diamond showed up with mittens and hats that she had crocheted.

Suddenly, Otto Oval and Suzy Square jumped out from behind the bookshelf and shouted,   “SURPRISE!”  “We had no idea that any of you knew how to knit or crochet!” exclaimed Suzy Square.  “It is so easy,” replied Debbie Diamond.  “We love making things and had lots of fun.  Of course, we had to teach Ricky Rectangle, but he learned quickly. He even made some blankets for his horses! But most of all we wanted to be part of the ‘Giving Basket’ project for the children. Besides, that’s what friends do,” said Debbie Diamond.