[Nfb-krafters-korner] helping others

Tue Feb 9 00:21:02 UTC 2010

All of these ventures sound good and it's always to help others while doing 
something we enjoy.

Mary Jo
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Diane" <dianefilipe at peoplepc.com>
To: "cheryl echevarria" <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>; "List for blind 
crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, February 08, 2010 11:18 AM
Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] helping others

> 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.
>
>
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