charity projects (Last updated 01-05-07)

[firrantello]

This one is a directory of some US ones broken down by state: http://www.dotdigital.com/sewingcharity/location.html  

[Maki Minakoaino]

*sniff* It looks like we were unstickied...  

[Aphadon]

This is such a great idea, listing the charities here!

I've been wanting to crochet hats/scarves/afghans for people in need, but I'm still in the planning stages and I wasn't sure who would need them or where I could send them.

I've also been considering using a portion of the proceeds from my Etsy shop to donate or buy materials to make things for charity. Still planning that, too.  

[AvenTate]

Maki Minakoaino

Catcheen said she would sticky a thread for charity knitting/crocheting--so....Catcheen, Sticky please?? We are a sticky!! Thank you, Catcheen.

If anyone wants to include any links to charitys that take knitted or handmade items, let me know, i'll add it to the list.

Thank you to those who have added to our list of charities.

Charities or lists of charities

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints--Humanitarian Aid

This link goes to the Humanitarian Aid website for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints--one of the largest providers for humanitarian aid. There are things that people need that we can crochet, knit, sew, etc. that will truly help them. I believe all the information needed is provided on that website.

That is, IF people want to help and put their crafting talents to a good use.
I'm sure there are other places to send things you make, but I know for a fact that this one is legitimate and will send donated items to the people that need them.

List of Charities--http://www.woolworks.org/charity.html

Knitting for Charity--http://knitting.about.com/od/charityprojects/

Craft Yarn Council of America

http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/charityknittingforchildren.html

Bella Online's Charity listing

I got this from an email: Caps to the Capital project:
www.warmupamerica.com
and
www.savethechildren.org.

Zahra Ovaci

Here's a few I've seen around:

The Dulaan project
http://www.fireprojects.org/dulaan.htm

Knit/Crocheted leprospy Bandages
http://www.ghm.org/resources/hands-on/knittedbandage.html

Afghans for Afghans
http://www.afghansforafghans.org/

[Grendel]

Make a child smile
Hugs and hope
Post Pals

All three are mail sending charities that feature sick kids. I've had personal experience with them.

Mikono

http://www.projectlinus.org/index.shtml - named for the peanuts charactor who carries his blanket around, project linus makes blankets for children-teenagers who need them - foster kids who get to take little with them, children who are sick, kids who lost there parents, stuff like that. Here, the police and firemen even carry some with them in case of tragidy. heart

Keiyla

I love Project Linus, because I adore crocheting afghans!

Recently, I've also been obsessed with crocheting and knitting items for www.theshipsproject.com, a grassroots organization that donates hats, socks, and slippers to military servicemen deployed on ships or stationed overseas.

Project Helmetliner is a charity which requests pattern-specific knit and crocheted, wool ski masks, apparently known as "woolie pullies," also for troops stationed overseas.

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, on behalf of its Layette Program, accepts layettes, afghans, and quilts to be given to new babies, as part of a "junior seabag," for new parents attending a "Budgeting for Baby" seminar.

firrantello

This one is a directory of some US ones broken down by state: http://www.dotdigital.com/sewingcharity/location.html

Hey, the American Red Cross has knitted scarves and sock since ww1 so they always take projects and donations. - americanredcross.org - I think, its been awhile since I have looked at their site.  

[Smillaaraq]

ForestGreen

You might ask your local animal shelter if they need things. I believe the local Humane Society collects blankets for the cats and dogs they take in.

That's definitely a good suggestion -- the animal shelters around here are always very very grateful for donations of old towels, blankets, and other bedding for the dogs and cats. This can be a great way to use up odds and ends of yarn, fabric, quilt binding, etc. that are too small, stained, mis-matched, etc. for human charity projects -- as long as it's soft, sturdy, warm, and washable, perfect appearance isn't terribly important here!

I've been making small quilted blankets for the shelter my dogs came from -- recycled/scrap fabric, recycled batting, leftover bias binding, whatever's handy. If you're interested in patterns or sizing guidelines, check out Hugs for Homeless Animals. 3nodding  

[Silver Sunrise]

I know our local hospitals take small knitted or crochet blankets to give to the newborn babies. We were given one just before we left the hospital with our daughter. So checking out local hospitals and see if they do something like that might be a good idea. And if you're really motivated, if they don't you could pick a hospital and start a drive for handmade baby blankets to pass out. ^_^  

[AriRashkae]

Another place is your local hospital's NICU (if they have one). It's where the preemies and sick babies go. You have to specify if you want things to go there. Speaking from experience, having a donation of a hat or blanket (anonymous or not) can really help with the stress. sweatdrop  

[Rosie the Riviter]

www.shawlministry.com is a great site for those looking to set up a charity based knitting group or for those who simply want to put meaning for their knitting.
Basically you start the shawl (either knit, quilt or crochet) and say a little prayer or wish for the recipiant. As you continue your project you either pray or think of the recipient and as you finish/cast off you say 'amen' or what ever.
What I love about the shawlministry is how versitle it is. You can knit for the sick, those who are in mourning, college students, highschool graduates, even newly weds. The possibilities are endless and it fits in with any religious beliefs you have.
I knitted a shawl for a friends mum who had surgury and words can't even describe how it made both of us feel.  

[Fionamule]

I'm in a knitting group and we only make things for charity. Right now we are making blankets using the Warm up America! Afghan patterns. If you would like to contribute pm me.
The blankets are going to local shelters in New Mexico.  

[noocleer_biskit]

I'm knitting for a charity that takes blankies for animals in shelters. I just started a couple days ago, but I am really excited to be doing it!
{Hugs For Homeless Animals} Snuggles Project  

[Ms_Stuffaluffagus]

Theres always selling hand crafted goods then donating the money to a charity

 

[Sugar Bandit]

I think I'm going to knit/crochet fuzzy blankets for the local animal shelter. Or, I could always sell the blankets and donate the money. 3nodding  

[Silver Mist]

I keep looking into project linus. In the next year or so, I plan on setting things up that at least once per quarter (my uni goes on one weird quarter system) I make and donate a blanket to either a hospital or porject linus or some such.  

[NeedleDreams]

I don't know if someone already mentioned this one...

There's an organization that sends crocheted angels, butterflies and smileys to ill, elderlies and soldiers. It's call Angels for Hope. I crochet for them.

One of my cousins die last year of Brain Tumors and they send her dozens of butterflies and angels when she was dieing. It was so beautiful! It made her last days a little happy. When she die the family pin the angels and butterflies to the coffin. She was only 25 y/o.

Anyway. You can check them at angelsforhope.org  

[Delirium K]

I would love to make something for charity. whee my hobby helping someone, that would be great!
edit-I have this really cute free heart pattern, they are really fast and easy to make http://mochimochiland.com/weblog/?p=14