This month’s Craft Leftovers Monthly I wrote an article about Springing into Action and how charity knitting/crochet/sewing is a great way to make an impact in people’s lives who are having a hard time, make a dent in your stash, and in general feel better about yourself. The original plan was to just have an April Challenge, but I think it would be great to do a monthly challenge starting with April!
I’ve started a Flickr Group for those of us on Flickr and a Ravelry Group for those of us on Ravelry. I wrote up some general topics to get us started (pattern ideas, programs to dontate to, finished charity objects). I want to encourage using up your stash by making for Charity.
This group is about a two fold challenge:
1. Encouraging the use of leftovers and stash.
2. Finishing and donating one charity handmade object each and every month.
Join the Flickr and/or Ravelry Craft Leftovers Charity Challenge group and post project ideas, links to programs that you care about, and pictures of your finished Charity Handmades!
Are you dedicated to taking the Challenge? Post about it on your blog. Add this image (resize it as you need). Just right click and select “Save Image As..” Or make your own button and share it with others taking the pledge! Just make sure to link back to one of the groups or this post if you do.
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So what prompted this challenge? To quote myself from the April issue of CLM:
“My first experience with charity crafting was a hand sewn bear I received as a kid. I was in the hospital with mono going through a ton of tests and getting lots of blood drawn and the nurses gave me this cute blue bear and he really made me feel so much better. Since then I’ve heard about so many charities that accept donations of handmade goods for people in need of compassion and love.
There is something so satisfying and fulfilling about spending time on something that you know will be used and loved. And there isn’t a better time then the spring – I always feel so rejuvenated, creative, and exhilarated.
This April I’m making a pledge to use up my Craft Leftovers on Charity Crafting projects. And I encourage you to do the same. Take the Craft Leftovers Charity Pledge for the month of April and donate a handmade project to an organization you care about. There are so many and I’ll list some resources (at the end of the post)”.
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Here are some great Charities to donate to. Me, I’m going to donate to the snuggles project. I’m looking for a ferret rescue program as well to make fleece hamocks/sleep sacks for (I think I see a pattern in the mix there).
Snuggle Project – www.snugglesproject.org – to find out how you can donate blankets for cages for all animals large and small.
Curechief – www.curechief.com – hand made kerchiefs that “bring HOPE and warm and fuzzy feelings around the world to cancer patients as well as those with Alopecia and other conditions that may cause hair loss.”
Project Linus – www.projectlinus.org – provide new, handmade, washable blankets to be given as gifts to seriously ill and traumatized children, ages 0-18.
Warm up America – www.warmupamerica.org – handmade afghan blankets, clothing and accessories for people who have lost their homes, fled abusive relations, or are being cared for in hospices, shelters, hospitals, and nursing home.
Afghans for Afghans – www.afghansforafghans.org “a humanitarian and educational people-to-people project that sends hand-knit and crocheted blankets and sweaters, vests, hats, mittens, and socks to the beleaguered people of Afghanistan.”
Dulaan Project – www.fireprojects.org/dulaan.htm – “This project seeks to inspire the generous spirit of the knitting community to help meet the urgent needs of Mongolia’s impoverished people.”
Hats 4 the Homeless – www.hats4thehomeless.org – knit and crocheted hats, scarves, and gloves for the homeless living on the bitter cold winter streets of New York.
The Preemie Project – https://thepreemieproject.com – bonnets, booties, and caps for preemie babies.
I would love to see a ferret hammock or sleep sack pattern. We have two geriatric ferrets and I would love to make something for them. The shelter we used to order from seems out of the business of making hammocks. Though I will say that our guys really love a boys’ sized pair of pants. With a few saftey pins it makes a great hammock and they love to peak their heads out the holes in the knees my boys’ put in there for them. ;-) And hmmm, not a craft leftover, but certainly a good recycle.
I’ve been doing this since May over on my blog https://BagsForZaza.blogspot.com. I’m fundraising for a family member’s adoption. A friend makes and sells bags at https://bags4darfur.blogspot.com to raise money for relief in Darfur. There are SO many way to use your hobby for charity. Most local hospitals accept certain items – just contact them!
Trying to find out info for this year’s dulaan project. Can’t seem to get anything. Need a deadline.
Hi –
Does anyone know of any donors who wouldn’t mind giving any craft items to my non-profit organization? I can tell you details if you’re interested.
Thanks you!
Serena