[Nfb-krafters-korner] helping others

[Diane]

What does everyone think about putting our energy into helping other people rather than beat me up about the MM earrings?
See below and let's discuss!
Di

 
Giving Back to Others Through Crafting
Have you ever wondered how your special handcrafted creations can enrich the lives of those in need? There are numerous ways for you to get involved in these special organizations. 

1. Stitches from the Heart

When president and founder, Kathy Silverton, read an article about premature babies going home from hospitals with very little, she began knitting booties, blankets and hats. Eventually, friends and other knitters and cricketers she had met at local knit shops joined her. An article in a local newspaper resulted in more than 100 women contacting Kathy to learn how they could help. Soon, Stitches from the Heart, an organization that sends handmade clothing, blankets and love to premature babies in hospitals all across the nation, was formed. Additionally, its senior program accepts donated yarn so seniors living in assisted-living facilities can help others too. Currently, volunteers number more than 12,000. Stitches from the Heart has distributed over half a million items to over 1,088 hospitals and charities around the country.

Here's how you can help: Stitches from the Heart accepts knitted and crocheted items for babies. There is a sizing chart with approximate measurements on their Web site, along with guidelines for choosing materials. Knitting supplies and yarn for its senior program are also welcome. Additionally, stamps to cover postal and shipping costs are always welcome, as are copy and card-stock papers. Stitches from the Heart continually seeks the names of hospitals it can help with its handmade items, and a complete list of hospitals it is currently helping is available on its Web site. According to the organization's volunteers, "We 'Stitch from the Heart' because it is from the heart that all good things come."

2. Crafting for a Cause

Members of Crafting for a Cause create and donate handmade items to their Web store, and all proceeds go to various South Dakota charities such as the newborn unit of Pine Ridge Hospital, Pass Creek Elderly Center on Pine Ridge Reservation, the Pretty Bird Woman House on the Standing Rock Reservation, and to the children at the UC Davis Pediatric Cancer Infusion Center in Sacramento, Calif. One example of how its donations are spent is for propane for the elderly on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

If you have recently cleaned out and organized your stash and found items that may fetch a few dollars, Crafting for a Cause will create listings for supplies in addition to finished items.

A wide variety of crafts and supplies are sold including plastic canvas, card making, jewelry, soft sculpture, knitting, sewing and embroidery.

3. CardMaker Magazine's Readers Reach Out

Readers Reach Out invites its card-making readers to create handmade cards for charitable organizations. Each issue, a new card theme is chosen, as is a different organization, such as Life Source Services, the organization chosen in March's issue. 

Located in Baton Rouge, La., Life Source Services is a certified hospice provider that gives care and support to patients facing terminal illnesses. Its dedicated team focuses on empowering patients and their families to achieve a peaceful and comfortable end-of-life experience. For this organization, CardMaker seeks cards with a variety of themes including birthday and "thinking of you," but asks that card makers refrain from sentiments such as "get well soon." 

Previous organizations chosen by Readers Reach Out include Snail Mail for Seniors, Love Letters: Random Cards of Kindness and Necessities Bag, a group that supports mastectomy patients. In addition to cards, the program's organizer seeks suggestions for future organizations that would like to receive handmade cards including, but not limited to, group facilities, such as children's hospitals, nursing homes, cancer-treatment facilities and women's shelters.

4. Hats for the Homeless

When I read the story of Hats for the Homeless, I was truly touched. During each holiday season, a young man who was concerned about the homeless and less fortunate during the cold winter months would gather the help of his friends. Together, they would roam the NYC streets giving hats, scarves and gloves to the homeless. When he died suddenly in 1998, Hats for the Homeless was created in his memory to continue the tradition he started. 

Hats for the Homeless' volunteers knit and collect hats, scarves and gloves throughout the year. The weekend before Christmas every year, they meet in NYC, which has one of the highest homeless rates in the country. Together, they distribute these gift-wrapped items to the homeless in St. Francis Xavier's soup kitchen on 15th Street. 

Hats for the Homeless seeks your knitted or purchased items but does not accept monetary donations; the organization's address is listed on its Web site. 

5. Angels For Hope

"Spreading Hope one stitch at a time" is the mission of Angels For Hope, a crocheting nonprofit organization that offers free crocheted angels for anyone in need of hope.

Upon joining the organization, volunteers commit to making one item per week. Once you have learned the pattern, you will be assigned one angel, butterfly or smiley face (your choice) per week and will send the crocheted item directly to the recipient.

In 2008, Angels For Hope sent 70,062 items to ill or injured persons. Items have an attached tag that lets the receiver know he or she is not alone and is in the thoughts and prayers of the giver.