CROCHET FOR CHARITY – Donate Your Handiwork and Make a Difference

For years I’ve wanted to crochet for charity. I have never gotten to it. Perhaps, just perhaps, now is the time!

Charity work honestly probably does more for the giver than the receiver.  I believe, however, that it is the interchange as a whole that improves life for everyone. When we give from our heart to another who receives it, positive energy multiplies. How could it not? Volunteering is something I did more often when I was a member of a church community than I do now as a freelance writer who hovers closer to my computer than anywhere else. Aging Abundantly and writing has been my main contribution to the world, for what it’s worth.  However, I’d like to do more for the children of the world.

AWAKENING HANDIWORK FEVER

I have not crocheted in years. In fact, I had not done any needlework or crafting at all since I started writing, until I jumped, dazed and confused, into the quilt project for little Emmett.  Looking back on it, taking on this project was a turning point for me, and I loved all of it, including the frustration and fear.  Learning something new and struggling through the challenges woke up a part of me that had been fast asleep.  I vowed to come right back home after he was born and start another one. I have not, and he will be one at the end of the month!

So, in honor of his birthday, I’ve decided to start crocheting and quilting and donating items to charities for children. My online search brought up tons of options and information.  This morning I shared a couple with the members of the Aging Abundantly Community. I’m hoping to inspire a group effort to spread even more love to those in need than I can do alone. Plus, it seems a great way to stay motivated and share information.

CHARITIES ACCEPTING DONATIONS

PROJECT LINUS

HELPING CHILDREN IN NEED “At Project Linus, a non-profit organization, we provide homemade blankets to children in need. Our blankets are lovingly made by adults and children from all walks of life and many different sources.”

I love this organization. They’ve been around since 1988 so you’ve probably heard of them or even donated to the cause. They have been responsible for creating more than 5 million handmade blankets and giving them to children in need. Donations are accepted through local chapters. An interactive map on their website will help you locate the chapter nearest to you.

NEWBORNS IN NEED

Established in 1992 and headquarter in North Carolina, this organization was the brain child of Carol Green, a woman who saw a need.  She discovered that deceased babies of those who could not afford burials were literally being thrown out with the trash or being buried in paper bags. (gasp!! ) She began to enlist help to create burial clothes for these neglected babies, later expanding to items for living babies in need. This charitable organization provides patterns, a list of specific needs list and local chapters on their website.

KNIT YOUR BIT

“Since its launch in 2006, Knit Your Bit’s reach has been vast—more than 10,000 knitters and crocheters in all 50 states have participated. Through their efforts, the Museum has distributed 50,000 scarves to approximately 1,000 veterans’ centers, hospitals, and service organizations across the country.”

CROCHET FOR CANCER

“Crochet for Cancer is a Christian volunteer based non-profit that donates handmade chemo caps to cancer centers for patients coping with hair loss.” Visit their site for patterns, chapters and all the details.

KNOTS OF LOVE

“Our mission at Knots of Love is to warm the hearts and heads of those experiencing traumatic hair loss.  Our volunteers lovingly hand-knit and crochet caps for those struggling with treatment-induced hair loss and tiny Neonatal blankets for fragile new lives in incubators.  Knots of Love caps and blankets server as a constant reminder to the patient and their loved ones that they are not alone.  All Knots of Love handmade creations are distributed free of charge to hospitals and treatment centers throughout the country — and most importantly at no cost to the patient receiving the caps.”

KNIT A SQUARE

Knit-a-square was founded in October 2008 by a family who decided to take action at a family reunion to address the needs of orphaned and vulnerable children. “It is based on the grim reality that there are 140 million children orphaned or made vulnerable worldwide with the greater proportion of them living in southern Africa. They live in dire poverty. They lack love, shelter, food, education and warmth.” Visit their website for all the details.

SOLDIERS ANGELS

“Happiness is… a warm blanket! Which is why we love giving blankets to troops and veterans. No Sew Blankets are easy to make and so appreciated. Imagine if you received a handmade blanket with a special note of thanks and appreciation? This small gesture means the world to our heroes and they treasure their blankets for years to come. Blankets are a BIG hit with our heroes! In fact, they are so popular we hold an Annual Blanket Drive each year to collect lots of them.”

 

---

FREE PATTERNS & twenty-minute-tote

WHY YOU NEED TO CROCHET AN OCTOPUS!