Gift Basket Raffle

Here’s another good cause that I read about on Facebook, and just had to write about.  Hopefully someone will see this and contribute to what sounds like a very admirable project.  It was created to benefit a woman who was already dealing with Multiple Sclerosis, when she found out she had stage 4 T-cell lymphoma.  In the last year, she has undergone chemotherapy and radiation, as well as a bone marrow transplant.  But now, right before the holiday season, she has learned that she has new tumors near her spine.  Not only that, but insurance coverage is apparently lacking or grossly insufficient.  It certainly sounds like this is not going to be the best of holidays for this woman and her children. 

So, here’s what is being done on this woman’s behalf.  Gift baskets are being put together from various items donated by good-hearted souls.  These can include small hand-made items (yarn, crochet hooks, pattern books, socks, mittens, etc.), gift cards, stamps, or any number of small items that don’t cost a lot to mail.  And, of course, monetary donations are also appreciated.  As baskets are assembled, they will be raffled off on the website/blog.  One note here:  item donors are apparently responsible for sending the items to the winners. 

It appears that this endeavour is just getting started, but I’m hoping that it will be very successful.  I’m going to have to look at my own stash of finished items, to see what I can contribute.  Read more about it here.

Bridge And Beyond

I came across an organization today that is of very personal interest to me, because of its proximity to my own home.  I think I may very well end up sending some of my own hand-made items here.  Bridge and Beyond appears to be a very well-run group, devoted to helping the homeless in central Ohio.  This includes a number of families treated at two free clinics, as well as residing in several shelters in the area.

The weather has recently started to change in this part of the country.  Fall is definitely here, and winter is breathing down our necks.  I was very unhappy when I had to scrape ice off the windshield of my car Sunday morning, and shivered when I went outside to get the mail.  But, at least I have a warm home, and a nice warm car, whereas there are many in this world who do not.  As the temperatures inch downward to the freezing point, it becomes more and more important to help these people out as we are able.

This site appears to contain a lot of helpful information, which is presented in a very positive and motivating tone.  Attention is given to individual donors, and a running tally is kept of how many of each kind of item is collected.  (For example, so far this year 355 scarves and 90 pairs of slippers have been donated.)  Helpful suggestions are given as to what kind of yarn to use, and how to select projects.  For example, donors are reminded not to use wool yarn due to the possibility of allergies, and we are requested NOT to use white as it is harder to clean.  At this time, baby items are not being requested.  And something else that was pointed out, which will help all of the sites mentioned on this blog (as well as this blog itself), is that the more visits a site receives the better its chances are of showing up on search engines.  And in that way, hopefully more people will be motivated to help out.

Again, I encourage you to check out this worthy cause.  You can find the site here.

Appalachian Outreach

Appalachian Outreach, Inc. is a faith-based organization whose purpose is to provide material and spiritual support to the disadvantaged people of West Virginia.  This worthwhile effort has been going on since 2007, and seems to be going strong. 

One thing that struck me, as I was going through this group’s website, is the extent of items that they collect and distribute to these very needy people.  In addition to food and clothing, the organization actively solicits the donation of hygeine products, school supplies for children, toys, tools, furniture, and even construction materials such as drywall and kitchen cabinets.  (Many of these people live in sub-standard housing, which does not provide adequate shelter against the weather.) 

Special projects include Baby Bonus Boxes, which are given to new parents as they leave the hospital.  These include things like clothing and diapers, soap, bottles, toys, thermometers, combs, etc.  Shoebox Santas provide small items that cannot be purchased with the aid of food stamps or other public assistance programs, such as soap, deodorant, razors, hand lotion, stamps, umbrellas, hair brushes, playing cards, etc.  And, for a very small fee, families have access to a warehouse containing building supplies like windows, tile, and cabinets.  And I’m positive that donations of time and money will always be welcome.

Some opportunities for donating hand-made items, as I think about it, could include baby clothing and blankets, warm sweaters (for children and adults), hats, gloves, socks, bedding, toys, bibs, and more.  The group’s website does specify that they are not looking for dress clothing or knicknacks.  At the same time, a nice warm sweater can at the same time be very attractive.

As I’m located in the state of Ohio, I’m not all that far from this organization’s home base.  I may just have to make a field trip one day soon. 

You can check it out for yourself here.

Stand Up for Kids

When I stumbled upon the website for this very worthwhile organization, I couldn’t resist telling all about it.  Stand Up for Kids is a national organization, with the goal of helping runaway and homeless children — many of whom live on the street.  From its start in 1990, the organization has grown to include chapters in at least 20 states.  Programs are in place to help these children with basic necessities such as food, clothing, and hygeine, but also with housing, employment, and education.  They also strive to help children who are at risk for running away from home, working to help them remove themselves from abusive situations and keep them from having to live on the streets.

There are many, many ways to provide assistance here.  Of course, donations of time and money are always welcome.  But their wishlist also includes gifts of new or gently used clothing, hygeine products, food products, first aid products, bus passes and phone cards, and gift certificates.  And, of course, prayers are certainly appreciated.

I imagine there are young people out on the street who would be very grateful to have a hand-made sweater or scarf, perhaps accompanied by a note of support.  Or, perhaps, take time to check out the list of chapters and find one in your area, then go take the time to teach that young person to take pride in something he has made himself.

I know this has gotten me thinking of ways that I can help out.  You can find more information here.

 

Great idea!

I was surfing around Facebook this morning, and stumbled across something that I thought was such a wonderful idea that I just had to share it.  It was related in the form of a comment in response to someone’s question as to what projects people were working on today.  (I’m not going to use any names, as I don’t have permission to do so.  But if the author would like to contact me, I would love to give her credit for being such an awesome inspiration.)

This person stated that she was making caps for children at her son’s school.  These caps are kept at the school’s office, to be handed out to students to wear out on the playground when it’s cold.  (So many times I’ve seen kids head out for the bus without anything on their heads!)  Apparently, this particular school has a rule that students can’t go out for recess unless their heads are covered.

I’ve seen a number of patterns for children’s hats (knit and crocheted) that can be worked up quite easily.  Basic stitch patterns and bulky yarn are wonderful for this purpose.  I remember, a few years ago, I belonged to a social knitting group where one of the women would take about 45 minutes to dash off a knitted rectangle with bulky yarn and large needles, sew it together down the sides, and pull one end of the tube together with a couple of whip stitches.  Voila!  A quick, cute hat!

What other quick projects can you come up with, to meet a need that you see in your neighborhood?

Knit-a-Square

Previously, I’ve focused only on groups based in the U.S.  But today, I want to talk about an international group called Knit-a-Square, and at the same time spring-board off of something I wrote about yesterday.  Surfing around Facebook, I came across an admirable group based out of South Africa, who have created a very large website devoted to helping orphaned children in that country.  From small, family-centered beginnings, they have grown to what looks like a large and well-organized group that has received donations from people in 40 countries.

All this group asks is that people send them 8″ x 8″ squares, either knitted or crocheted.  They do the job of putting the squares together, and distributing them to those in need.  Now, they do also accept other items, such as socks and sweaters, and even money.  But it appears the squares are their primary focus.

Their very helpful and informative site gives pattern suggestions, and other information about knitting.  They give a lot of information about their cause, and even a discussion forum.  They give recognition to special donors, and essentially do a great job of encouraging others to help out. 

Even if you don’t think you can ship items to South Africa, perusing this very helpful and informative site may inspire you to get involved in a similar program in the U.S. or your own country.  A quick search on Google will help you locate similar organizations, or you could even get a few friends together and start your own.  Every city has orphanages, or homeless and battered women’s shelters, for example, whose patrons would love to receive a homemade blanket or scarf.

Read about this very worthwhile organization here.

10 Ways to Get Started with Charity Crafting –

1. Think small. You don’t need to spend a lot of time crocheting an afghan. I’ve seen a number of groups soliciting small squares – if you send them in, someone else will sew them together. And blankets for premature babies are incredibly tiny, some as small as a dishcloth. If you use a simple stitch pattern, you can easily make up a square in an hour or less.
2. On a related note, think about making something for a baby. Even a sweater for a full-term baby doesn’t take long to stitch up, if the pattern is simple enough. And blankets or garments for preemies take even less time.
3. It doesn’t have to be complicated. A well-constructed garter stitch scarf can be just as lovely as one knitted with a delicate lace pattern. And it would probably be more durable, and warmer, and just as appreciated by a homeless man (or woman).
4. I always have a “portable project” in some stage of construction, something that I can throw in my purse and take out when I have a few minutes to wait at the doctor’s office or while riding in the car. I use a pattern that is easily memorized, and that can be done without much thought. Often, but not always, these projects end up being donated.
5. Keep an eye out for inexpensive yarn at garage sales, or in the bargain aisle at Wal-Mart. Even if it’s not a yarn that you would use for yourself, or for gifts, it could possibly be used for that charity project.
6. Include other people in your efforts. I know, from experience, that it can be very motivating to be working on a common project, with a common goal.
7. Everyone has a bag of scraps laying around somewhere. Consider using these to make up small projects for charity.
8. You don’t have to have a specific charity in mind at the time you’re working on a particular project. I have accumulated a number of scarves and other small items, that I keep on hand for when I hear about a worthy cause or when my church’s youth group is looking for items to raffle off.
9. I will often be knitting during church, or while sitting in a meeting or lecture. And I’ve spoken to a number of other people who do the same. Again, I’m working on a mindless project that keeps my hands busy while I listen. Often, these projects will end up being donated. In my opinion, the project ends up being doubly blessed by having been made in the House of the Lord.
10. To borrow an oft-used phrase, just do it. Don’t spend hours and weeks looking for just the right project. Don’t tell yourself you just don’t have time. Start small, and start simple. Believe me, once you do a few projects, and experience the joy of making something for someone else, you’ll get addicted. You’ll find yourself looking for excuses to do a charity project.

Alexandra’s House

First of all, I have to apologize for abandoning this endeavour for several months. I’ve been involved with recuperating from major surgery, as well as conducting a job search. My mind has, quite honestly, been on other things. But this weekend the Lord reminded me of what I had set out to do here, and I felt a need to return.

For the most part, I’ve tried to focus here on projects that aren’t as well-known as some, in the hopes of encouraging others to support these worthy causes. And the one that I’m going to talk about today is certainly worthy of any support that can be given to them. I found myself in tears just reading the stories of some of the people they have helped.

Alexandra’s House is described as a perinatal hospice organization. This means that they provide support for families and friends of infants who are destined to die, either before they are born or shortly afterward. I sobbed openly as I read a story written by a woman who talked about how she and her husband had been so happy to discover that they were expecting, only to find out at her first ultrasound that the baby had serious physical deformities and most likely wouldn’t survive. They chose not to terminate the pregnancy, instead turning to friends and family for prayer and support. As the pregnancy continued, and their son developed more problems, they found out about Alexandra’s House and were immediately provided with spiritual/emotional support as well as information on what to expect as well as hands-on support at this terribly painful time.  One thing that particularly affected me was when she described having her hair and make-up done, for a special photo shoot, in her best maternity dress. 

I have frequently observed the good that hospice organizations can do for the dying and their friends and families, through my work with the elderly. I also got to experience these things first hand, when my own mother passed away last spring. But I can’t imagine how especially difficult this kind of work must be when newborns are involved. The birth of a child is supposed to be such a happy time; to know in advance that a child will not survive has got to be so tragic for all concerned.

So, how can we help such a wonderful organization? First of all, with our prayers — not just for the families, but for the workers. Donations of money are certainly welcome. On the organization’s website, it states that they also accept postage stamps, small plush toys, and blankets. They do request that all blankets be 15″ x 15″ in size, and white or off-white in color. (I recall a co-worker who gave birth to a stillborn son, and she spoke about how meaningful it was when the hospital staff carefully wrapped her baby up and allowed her to say good-bye as she held him close.)

I would encourage everyone to take the time to visit this organization’s website, and read more about the valuable work they do.  (And support them in some way, if you feel so moved.)  But, be sure to keep your handkerchief handy when you do!

Project Linus

This is a group that has been around for quite a while, and has chapters in most states within the U.S.  Project Linus‘s mission is to provide blankets for children who are ill, or traumatized in some fashion, to provide comfort and a feeling of acceptance and belonging.  Blankets can be constructed in a variety of ways, including knitting, crocheting, and quilting.  The group does have some specific requirements about how blankets are to be constructed, and from what materials, but their website contains a number of free patterns.

The group encourages donations of other kinds as well, including giving of time or money, and on-line shopping with several businesses that have agreed to give Project Linus a portion of proceeds from sales.  Once a year, they sponsor a “Make a Blanket Day,” as well as a weekend Institute where it is possible to attend workshops, classes, entertainment, as well as participate in special projects.

This group has a large and well-organized site, as well as chapters all over the country.  They report that they have donated well over 3 million blankets to children of all ages.  I would encourage all to spend some time browsing around the site, and participate if you feel so inclined.

Read more about it here.

When not to knit

I have noticed that my fellow knitters and crocheters (and other crafters) are usually very generous people.  If someone is in need, or if there is a disaster somewhere in the world, very soon the internet will be full of people soliciting help to make blankets or hats or some other useful item to send to those in need.  However, sometimes that’s not always the best thing to do.

Recently, I came across a very interesting article having to do with the tragedy going on in Japan right now.  I’m sure everyone is aware of the earthquake and tsunami that took place there not long ago.  And I’ve already seen a few people posting on various internet discussion forums about attempts to organize efforts to make blankets, caps, and other things for the people in that country.  However, the author of this article was of the opinion that this was not the most appropriate action to take at this time.

Right now, in Japan, the entire country’s infrastructure is a horrible mess.  Shipping has been disrupted, and the agencies in charge of providing assistance are having huge difficulties distributing even basic commodities such as food and water.  Even if it was possible to get things over there, chances are strong that they’ll just end up sitting in some warehouse.  Whether right or wrong, things like housing, food, and supplies needed for basic survival just have to come first. 

The same thing happened last year, with the earthquake in Haiti.  There was apparently a lovely young woman who worked very hard to turn plastic shopping bags into tarps, and ended up stuck with 50 of them because the funds to ship them to Haiti were just too prohibitive.

What most of the aid agencies are saying they need right now is money.  There are a number of organizations that are collecting cash donations, and I would encourage everyone who wants to help the Japanese people to do a little research as to which agency they feel comfortable supporting.  Make those afghans or caps or socks, and sell them on Etsy or at your local flea market.  Then send the proceeds to people who can use that money to help out where it’s most needed.

There will come a time when people in Japan will be grateful for all of those hand-made items.  But I have to agree that right now probably isn’t the right time.