In 2009, I decided to not only start working more seriously to expand my crochet skills but to use them (limited though they are) to make items and donate them to a cause. Luckily, I found two great on-line groups that have allowed me to do just that: Heartmade Blessings and the Yahoo Crochet List. The first group, Heartmade Blessings, is totally dedicated to making afghans for those who need comfort. The other list, simply called the Crochet List, is more diverse, but each month the group runs a charity drive for a different charity organization.
Before I found either of these groups, I surfed the net hoping to find some place to participate that was more local, but I couldn’t find anything, which considering I live in such a hot climate that’s not that surprising. So finding these groups was a good alternative for me. Plus, there is no pressure. I participate when I can. If I’m too busy, it’s not an issue.
Some day, I hope to have time and resources to help organizations that may be more local for me (such as when I donated blankets and baby items to my local hospital this past summer). Even in the South, babies need hats and the elderly need lap blankets. However, for 2010 I will continue to do this virtual volunteering. Maybe at some point in the future I’ll find a local group or even start one. Who knows! My other goal will be to continue to blog about charity groups that crafts can help support. So if you are looking for a charity outlet, you may want to take a look at past charity related posts on here, and keep an eye for future ones that I will write about.
January 1, 2010 at 9:43 pm
It’s great that you are contributing work from you hands in this way!
One of our local quilting circles makes baby and toddler blankets for a nearby Ronald McDonald’s house. I’m sure many children’s hospitals would have such opportunities. A local museum, the Audie Murphy American Cotton Museum, has a group of volunteers who crochet and knit scarves using donated yarn. These are sold in the gift shop and at local art and craft stores to raise money for the museum.
I will occasionally donate a pair of my higher end earrings for a cause. But the thing I do on a regular basis is a monthly donation to the Somaly Mann foundation from my business account. Somaly Mann helps free girls and women who have been forced into the sex trade and provides them with job training and skills for life. Donations can be as small as $2.00 per month!
I also loan money at Kiva, also from my business account, as well as donate small amounts to pay for the costs incurred by the Kiva micro-finance organization. This is mostly a loan, not charity, but I re-lend the money as soon as it is paid back. Kiva now has loans in the U.S., so this can be a local opportunity as well. Many Kiva borrowers are women who use the money to buy a cow, chickens, a sewing machine, etc. in order to raise the standard of living for their family.
It’s very satisfying to be able to help people who need it, even if it’s only a little bit. Every little bit helps.
January 1, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Yarn crafting is not very big down here in Florida. In fact, that is one reason why donating yarn items to charity works well for me because it’s not like I need a lot of scarves or hats myself. This way I have people I can make stuff for, and thus a good reason to crochet. I also donate jewelry pieces to various charity drives. For example, our local human society as a “fur ball” every year, and that has a silent auction. The area I live in is kind of weird. It’s about an hour+ away from anything like a “real” museum or large hospital. I’ll check out Kiva and Somaly too. Thanks for the tip.
January 2, 2010 at 8:48 am
Good for you! Using the work of your hands and hearts to bless others. My knitting and quilting is done on a local basis and given to children/adults in need. I’m getting ready to take a load of knitted hats to the sheriff’s department so they can give out when they go on domestic violence calls.
In 2004, Dave and I began sending boxes of yarn and supplies to the Komi Republic to special needs girls; they knit, crochet, sew all of their clothes, hats, sweaters, gloves, etc. We send seeds to the boys who plant vegetable and flower gardens. Women’s Day did a small article on me and the yarn is donated from women across the country and postage is paid by us.
Giving warms twice…the giver and the person receiving.
Good for you!
January 2, 2010 at 11:27 am
That is wonderful to hear, Sandra! Giving supplies is also a great way to give to others in need.
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