Question about knitting for charity

[rokeon]

I'm brand new to knitting, but I learned when I got into making chainmail that my ideal project is not one that has an overly firm due date; I'm the sort of person who starts a project, forgets it exists for six months, then finds the supplies buried under a stack of books and sits down to finish the whole thing in two days without sleep. So I'm looking for charity programs that either accept donations continuously or reoccur every year.

I can find a million search results about charity knitting, but some of them (like helmetliners for soldiers) seem to be defunct and others are just hard to judge from their webpages. Does anybody have any organizations they'd recommend?

Comments

[james]

I donate to The Bridge Project which collects items year 'round. And they give to a variety of places in their area, so basically if you knit it, they can find someone to take it. (Within reason - lace doilies for a table? Not so much. But any clothing item or bedding, yes.)

The focus is keeping homeless folks warm during winters in Ohio, so the primary focus is warm (thick) hats, scarves, mittens. But every month there is a specific focus for projects like squares for putting into blankets, or cotton dishcloths. But even when an item isn't a month's focus, they'll accept items donated for the cause. (The only exception is wool squares for putting into blankets. They store these until they're put into a blanket and it's basically one lady making them into blankets so she doesn't want them sitting around in the way until she's ready for them.) but everything else gets passed along year 'round and so is accepted year 'round.

I've been donating for about two+ years now and she shows every sign of going strong for years to come!

[rokeon]

That made me think to look up the site for my local homeless help group, and they do indeed accept winter clothes and accessories year-round. We don't have a permanent shelter, just a temporary one that they set up when it starts getting cold. I know they're always short on beds, I'm sure the other supplies would be welcome too.

[james]

Oh, excellent! Helping locally always helps on shipping costs as well. ;-)

Sometimes we do 'toiletry' packs for the shelter, like travel sizes of shampoo and hand wipes and deoderant, along with handknit washcloths. And stuff like slippers are quick and easy to make, and shelter residents can wear 'em while washing out and drying their socks.

[pinesandmaples]

Most animal shelters take pet blankets on a rolling basis, if you want to knit large squares that will be used to snuggle animals. They should be knit with acrylic yarn, though.

Project Linus is also a rolling group that does good work with children.

[birgitriddle]

I'll second Project Linus. My mother is a local coordinator, though she does quilting instead of knitting.

[pinesandmaples]

Cool!

When a family in my hometown lost their house in a fire, Project Linus had blankets for each child in their favorite color. One was a quilt, one was a knit afghan, and one was a fleecy thing that was tied, I think? But I was really impressed by the prompt and lovely response.

[rokeon]

I wouldn't have thought of pet blankets, but that's a great idea for something quick and simple.

Project Linus has a great name- you don't even have to say it's for blankets.

[ct]

Project Linus comes to mind. Donations are made through local chapters rather than through the parent organization, but it looks like there are several chapters in your state.

Or if you want to make something smaller than a blanket, there will always be newborns in need of hats. Try calling around to local hospitals to a) figure out if they accept donations, and b) ask what their requirements are in terms of materials and such.

[rokeon]

Project Linus sounds like a really good program, and there are a couple chapters near me. Probably going to start with more smaller things, but blankets are definitely something to work toward!

[bedlamsbard]

There's Afghans for Afghans -- I don't have any personal experience with them aside from being on their mailing list, but from that alone they seem to be very solid, as well as active.

[pinesandmaples]

A4A has had some serious instability over the last 5 years. Lots of bloggy dramatics so I'll spare you. The key factor was an organizational take-over that did not handle some of the issues very well. (Sorry, I was on the front-lines of the falling down. That's the only reason I know.)

[rokeon]

I am deeply afraid of bloggy dramatics, so very good to know. It sounds like I'll definitely go with Project Linus once I start making blankets.

[labellementeuse]

Two thoughts:

- your LYS, if you have one, might know; try asking next time you're in.

- Where I live hospitals take donations of knitted hats and cardis for babies. this might also be the case where you live. There tend to be vaguely specific requirements (around materials, sizes, etc) so have a look around?

[patelyne]

We have a cancer center a couple towns over, and they are always looking for donations of chemo caps. Also I've heard the hospital is looking for smaller hats for preemies. You might want to see if your locals have similar needs. Hats are great for donating because they don't take very long, and small enough you can play with different yarns :D

[lyra500]

Some hospitals accept knits for premature babies on an ongoing basis because its so important they stay warm and so difficult to get clothes that fit them! My local wool store even has an arrangement with my local hospital to make it easier and cheaper to donate.