Live 2 Knit/Knit to Give

The knitting and crocheting world is bursting with creative, loving, and giving people. Most are aware of the many charitable organizations through which we can contribute our time, money, and fabric arts; however, I feel compelled to list a few of them here because I feel that it is so important to share our gifts and help those in need. Please, consider contacting your local charity organizations, hospitals, crisis centers, and shelters to provide your works of love locally.

The following are some general charities with which you can work. This is not an exhaustive list, of course, but can be used to help one start the journey of the “giving life” that is so rewarding.  We live to knit, so let’s knit to give!  Thank you!

FORGOTTEN SOLDIERS OUTREACH

Info on Program http://www.forgottensoldiers.org

Crafting Group with Forgotten Soldiers Program:

6113 Heliconia Rd
Delray Beach FL 33484-4673 US
Phone: 561-573-7406

Contact: Judith Levine jujurob2@aol.com

About us: We are a Senior Community that is Knitting and Crocheting
Hats and Scarfs for our Servicemen and Servicewomen.

FORGOTTEN SOLDIERS OUTREACH is a Tax-Exempt 501(c)(3) Not-for-Profit Corporation sending monthly “We Care” packages to our Soldiers.

We, at Floral Lake Villas in Delray Beach, Florida are knitting and crocheting Hats and Scarfs that are being worn under their helments and uniforms.

We are in need of additional yarn to continue this project.
Our first delivery after 1 month was 81 hats and 16 scarfs.

We use Worsted Weight yarn in Dark Colors (Grey, Dark Green, Navy, Brown, Camaflouge) and would gtreatly appreciate it if your company would consifder supplying us with some yarn.

We make / need:
Worsted Weight Yarn in Dark Colors

A Stitch In Time

http://www.astitchintime.bizhosting.com
50 Bank Street
Plainville CT 06062 US
Phone: 860-747-9930
Fax: 203-879-6431

Contact: Jill Schoenfuss, Special Assistant Executive Director astitchintime@mail.com

About us: A Stitch In Time is a nonprofit vocational training program for teenage girls. The program provides opportunities for young women in need to learn work skills in the context of a job setting, as well as providing vocational education classes. Participants operate an actual business – an online yarnshop and retail knitting business.

A Stitch In Time is a program of Living In Safe Alternatives (LISA), Inc., a private, non-profit organization, that has served the needs of abused, abandoned & neglected Connecticut children, teens, teen parents, & young adults for 35 years. Agency goals are to assist our clients in recuperating from the effects of abuse and neglect, as well as to acquire the skills necessary to build a healthy and happy future.

Both A Stitch In Time and LISA, Inc. accept volunteer participation.

We make / need: A Stitch In Time produces knitted items, mostly accessories, which are for sale on our website. Also available on our website are yarn, knitting kits, knitting equipment & patterns, and books. Our shop also opens to the public peridically for sales.

A Stitch In Time accepts donations of yarn, knitting needles and equipment, and knitting books and magazines. Also accepted are knitted garment and accessories. Monetary donations are always welcome.

afghans for Afghans
http://www.afghansforAfghans.org

San Francisco CA 94103 US

Contact: Ann Rubin, Founder afghans4Afghans@aol.com

About us: afghans for Afghans is a humanitarian and educational people-to-people project that sends newly hand-knit and crocheted blankets and garments to the beleaguered people of Afghanistan. Conditions in Afghanistan remain harsh and compel us to respond constructively and tangibly with our own hands. Our gifts are an expression of friendship and respect. We also sell Afghan-theme knitting patterns to encourage appreciation for Afghanistan’s textile heritage and as a fundraiser.

afghans for Afghans works in partnership with the San Francisco office of the American Friends Service Committee and other service agencies. afghans for Afghans started in late 2001 as a response to events that unfolded after 9/11. Thank you for your consideration and caring.

We make / need: Join our campaign to knit and crochet wool (or other animal fiber) blankets, sweaters, vests, hats, mittens, and socks for youth (ages 7-14 years). We especially need more sweaters this year.

Alexandra’s House
http://www.alexandrashouse.com
PO Box 10034
Kansas City MO 64111 US
Phone: 816-931-2539

Contact: Patti Lewis, founder and mother alexandrashouse@mac.com

About us: Alexandra’s House is a community-based, peer support perinatal hospice program that provides active management and hope for families pregnant with or who have a baby with lethal anomalies and who is expected to die near or shortly after birth.
Alexandra’s House much appreciates any donations of blankets or soft toys that you wish to make. Please make any items appropriate for grieving families. As babies skin is often discolored very pale whites are preferred.
It means a great deal to grieving families to know that thoughts and prayers are being donated by strangers for the remembrance of their child.

We make / need: From their website:
knitting, crocheting or sewing 15″x15″ all white baby blankets,small plush toys

American Angels
http://www.OperationHelpingHand-AmericanAngels.com

Pulaski NY 13142 US

Contact: Lois Bowen, Co-Owner lbowenj2@juno.com

About us: We are a Nation Wide not for profit group dedicated to crafting for our military and their families. We have outreaches for baby items for military hospitals, comfortghans for our wounded troops, we send care packages to deployed services members that include slippers and black helmet liners (skull caps) during winter and cool neck-ties in summer months. We enjoy making our own ornaments for the many Christmas trees we send. We make every holiday special by crafting our own cards and/or decorations for each holiday. If you do any type of crafting and care about our military families you can fit perfectly into our group. We send to soldiers (Army), sailors (Navy), airmen (Air Force) and Marines alike. We have a special project just for fallen hero’s as well.

We have projects for those who knit, crochet or sew. We have patterns for those using knitting looms as well.

You can find us through
http://www.OperationHelpingHand-AmericanAngels.com – please click on the Angel to find our Crafty ladies. You can join our yahoo group as well – http://groups.yahoo.com/group/American_Angels/

We make / need: Crocheted or knitted mens/womens slippers with cuffs to cover ankles, black skull caps, and for those who sew we need cool neck ties for hot summer days. We also accept fleece slippers and skull caps made of black fleece. We accept afghans/quilts and crochet/knit squares to be used for afghans for our wounded troops. We also accept Christmas tree ornaments made using any craft you prefer. We accept Christmas trees, stockings, small tree skirts, and monetary donations. We will also accept ornament kits and yarn donations. Visit our website for more details on our projects or join our Yahoo group located at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/American_Angels/

Appalachian Angels

Barnardsville NC 28709 US
Fax: 828-779-0469

Contact: Sandy Burleson, Director sandyburleson@msn.com

About us: A local group of ladies in my community have started knitting/crocheting blankets, shawls, sweaters, etc. for elderly, needy children and some of the hospitalized or disabled members of our community. Any help or support you can offer will so much appreciated. We are in the process of getting a website built and trying to turn it into a more accessible organization. We started it as just a part-time endeavor and then found that there was such a need here in the mountains of North Carolina that we want to expand.

We certainly accept any and all volunteers. Right now we are just collecting patterns and all finished products are sent to my address and a few of us deliver on the weekends and throughout the week to the local churches and help centers. I also work at a local Sheriff’s Department and come into contact with people in need that way. They all need our love and prayers. Sometimes just a little token of love (blanket, sweater, scarf, knitted or crocheted toy, etc.) can make such a difference to a person who either has nothing, or just needs to know someone cares. Thank you.

We make / need: We make:
blankets, scarves, sweaters, shawls, afghans, lap quilts, hats, gloves, mittens, toys and kitchen towels and washcloth sets.

We would accept any donations of:
yarn
knitted items (clean, undamaged)
crocheted items (same)
children and adult knitted and crocheted items
no cash or monetary donations please (we appreciate the thought but are not set up to accept these at this time)

Awareness, Respect, Compassion (ARC)
http://www.ARCnow.info
1932-37th St. NW
Washington DC 20007 US

Contact: Jee Jee Kim, Founder/Director KnitForARC@gmail.com

About us: Awareness, Respect, Compassion (ARC) is a non-profit, non-denominational, non-governmental charity knitting organization with a focus on international human rights refugees and abused animals. We also send to local domestic violence shelters. We are a registered 501(c)(3); our tax number and other information can be found on our website. Begun in 2007, ARC remains a grassroots effort. We accept volunteers year-round, and encourage you to start a local knitting group for ARC. We offer free knitting and crochet lessons to anyone willing to donate at least one item to the charity.

We make / need: ARC sends hand-knitted and crocheted hats, scarves, mittens, socks, blankets, and sweaters to shelters throughout the U.S. and abroad. ARC appreciates donations of yarn, knitted items, knitting needles/crochet hooks, notions, and financial support. Currently, we are donating primarily to Life Funds for North Korean Refugees, and The Washington Animal Rescue League. Items are sent or delivered directly to these organizations, which distribute the knits to the most urgent cases in order of need.

Binky Patrol, Inc.
http://binkypatrol.org/

Contact: Latanya Seale Amadeus83@hotmail.com or check website.

About us: Binky Patrol is a charity that donates new, handmade blankets (“binkies”) to children aged newborn to 18 in shelters, hospitals, and other areas of need. This listing is for the Santa Monica Chapter. We welcome new members. Your only qualification is willingness! We will teach newcomers to knit and crochet.

We make / need: Our binkies must be machine washable. The minimum size is 36″ by 36″. We make knitted, crocheted, fleece and quilted binkies. We can always use more helping hands and donations of materials, especially soft, washable yarn. We also appreciate donations of crochet hooks, knitting needles, patterns, and other supplies. If you have new, handmade blankets to donate, those are welcome also.

Bridging People and Places
http://www.bridgingpeople.org
4 Sarazen Street
Saratoga Springs NY 12866 US

Contact: Hollie Vanderzee, President vanderzeehj@aol.com

About us: A 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit corporation founded in 1999. All projects send love and healing messages to people experiencing illness, loss, or personal crisis. All of the “heart work” is done by volunteers; we have no paid staff. What we do: Sponsor kids helping kids; Award college scholarships; Give 2,000 “bear hugs” a year; Support parents who lose infants. The area I so enjoyed and thought other knitters would, is knitting the sweaters and hats for the 2000 bears. They only take about 4 hours each and make each bear an individual. The other area I am looking into is the bereavement items. Angel bears; blankets; etc for those who lose their child at birth. I hope this is a charity that people would like to learn more about. Also, thank you for your support of charity organizations. Lynne

We make / need: Knit teddy bear sweaters and hats, creating fabric blocks for quilts, selling bears, handmade size-appropriate gowns, caps and blankets for babies from less than one pound to full term. Donations are accepted for buying a bear and shipping to where they are requested. (One example was 500 to those in the fires of California.)

Hats For Heroes
http://www.hats4heroes.org

New Port Richey FL 34652 US

Contact: Amy Sessions, Founder amy@hats4heroes.org

This is a charity organization made up of every day men and women who just want to show our troops how much we love and appreciate all that they do for us. Whether you have a loved one in the military or not, without the hard work and dedication of our soldiers we would be nothing.

So please, join the cause. You don’t have to know how to knit/crochet/sew in order to be a member of this group. We need help with shipping costs, packing boxes or anything else you can imagine. If you would like to learn how to knit/crochet/sew, we can teach you that too. The more the merrier!

We make / need: By providing knitted/crocheted/sewn hats, scarves, slippers and other items to our soldiers overseas, not only are we simply keeping them warm, we are showing them our love and support.

Heavenly Angels in Need
http://heavenlyangelsinneed.com
41300 Upper Calapooia Dr
Sweet Home OR 97386 US
Phone: 541-367-3078

Contact: Mary Glynn info@heavenlyangelsinneed.com

About us: We accept new members. We have a wonderful forum board for members to join to get free patterns as well as links to thousands of free patterns. We have links to how to video’s (knitting, crochet etc,.) we have places to chat and ask questions about crafts.
We have links to thousands of resources.

We make / need: We are an all volunteer charity that helps babies and children in need.

We donate memory boxes, clothing, burial garments,school supplies and more.

We donate to hospitals in need, crisis centers, NILMDTS and other charities,We donate to indivisual request, state programs, emergent situations, schools and so much more!

Check out our site to read more

Helping Hands Foundation, Inc.
http://www.needleartsmentoring.org
1100 H Brandywine Blvd
Zanesville OH 43701 US
Phone: 740-452-4541 x 3250
Fax: 740-452-2552

Contact: Penny Sitler, Executive Director psitler@offinger.com

About us: The Helping Hands Foundation, Inc. (HHF) coordinates the Needle Arts Mentoring Program(sm) (NAMP), which brings together volunteer adult mentors with a passion for the needle arts with youth up to age 18 interested in learning a needle art. HHF sends startup supplies at no charge to NAMPs. For example, a knitting NAMP would receive a pair of knitting needles and 1 oz. of yarn per participant, as well as a “How To Knit” book for each child. HHF also provides a training video and a leadership guide to help get the program started. We encourage a community service component – knitting or crocheting blanket squares, chemo caps, hats for newborns, etc. As of April 2007, there are over 170 NAMP programs in 30 states, with over 4200 children actively involved in learning the needle arts!

We make / need: We accept new yarns and needles. I have names of programs that would love “stash” yarns from individuals interested in donating them. Funding is always welcome!

HospiceCare Inc. Comfort Shawl Circle
http://www.hospicecareinc.com
5395 E. Cheryl Parkway
Madison WI 53703 US
Phone: 608-276-4660

Contact: Annette Cleary, Chaplain annette.cleary@hospicecareinc.com

About us: HospiceCare provides end of life care to the terminally ill, with a focus on our mission on enhancing the quality fo life at the end of life. We use volunteers in a number of roles. Our Comfort Shawl Circle includes knitters and crocheters who make and donate simple shawls that we can distribute to patients or grieving family members who are in need of a little extra comfort and warmth. Crafters of the shawls need only have basic knitting or crocheting skills and be willing to make shawls with the intention of bringing comfort to individuals who are facing their end of life or who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

We make / need: We make — and are seeking individuals to make and donate — simple comfort shawls using the pattern outlined in Knitting Into the Mystery (although variations are certainly welcome!) We also accept donations of soft, machine washable, bulky weight yarn (e.g., Lion Brand Homespun).

Knitting Without Borders
http://knittingwithoutborders.viviti.com

New York NY 10010 US

Contact: Catherine E knittingwithoutborders@gmail.com

About us: Knitting Without Borders is a group dedicated to making the world a better place, one stitch at a time. Founded by a group of New York City knitters in 2008, our goal is to use our creative abilities to help those in need. We work on knitting projects for local, national and international organizations. Knitting Without Borders strongly believes that even the smallest contribution can make a big difference.

As a group, we usually meet twice a month to discuss business and knit together. Members are welcome to come as often as they’d like or, if they prefer, they can work on the projects at home.

New members are always welcome and no knitting experience is necessary to join!

We make / need: Our group works for local, national and internation organizations. We make many different types of items, including scarves, hats, knitted toys, and blankets.

Currently, we are working for the ‘Mother Bear Project,’ an organization which sends hand-knit or crocheted bears to children affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations.

We accept yarn donations.

Operation Caregiver
http://Operationcaregiver.org
PO Box 722289

San Diego CA 92172 US

Contact: Eva LaMar emlamar@san.rr.com

About us: We are a non-profit grass roots organization with NO overhead. Our focus is to send care packages to our troops at the “tip of the spear” of miltary action. The troops serve in remote areas where is is difficult to obtain the usual comforts we take for granted. The mobile PX does not come to them due to dangers and road conditions. But the mail has to get delivered! So we mail kits with comfort items and greetings from home. Please go to our web site for details.

http://www.operationcaregiver.org
http://www.operationcaregiver.org/kc.htm

We are plan a yearly Christmas shipment that will include hand knitted (or crochet) hats,hand knitted (or crochet) booties, and greetings from home through letters by local school children. The hats are “off duty caps” and do not meet the helmet liner requirements. We have sent these before and they enjoy them while having some treasured time off. The hats and booties are mostly used to keep warm while sleeping. It gets cold in the mountains at night!!

Please consider joining our effort. Just email me or go to web site for details. Kntting and crochet patterns for any skill level are available.

We have a regular shipments of caregiver kits mailed through out the year. Donations are welcomed! Just refer to our website for dates and details.

We make / need: We make hats for the troops knitted on a knifty knitter loom, or by regular knitting needles. Some people crochet the hats.

Patterns are available by contacting me at emlamar@san.rr.com or going on the web site, http://operationcaregiver.org

When we meet our target of 1350 hats we will move on to making scarves an booties. So stay tuned by checking our website.

We have several motivated knitters that would welcome yarn donations if you would like to help out in other ways. Yarn can be mailed to our PO Box (see web site). We use Lion Brand “woolease” and “homespun” in muted colors.

Project Linus National Headquarters
PO Box 5621
Bloomington, IL 61702-5621

http://www.projectlinus.org/

Voice: (309) 585-0686
FAX: (309) 585-0745

Project Linus National Headquarters is located in Bloomington, Illinois. National President Carol Babbitt and Vice President Mary Balagna direct and orchestrate the activities of Project Linus chapters located across the United States.

• First, provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”
• Second, provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.

We are always in need of your help to assist us in fulfilling our mission. You can donate home-made blankets by becoming a “blanketeer,” give of your time at a local chapter event, or even become a Chapter Coordinator yourself.

Purls of Hope
http://childrenshope.org
11 Park Place
New York NY 10007 US
Phone: 212-266-5133

Contact: Claribel Vega claribel@childrenshope.org

About us: Purls of Hope is a part of the Children’s Hope Foundation, an organization that helps children affect or infected with HIV.

Purls of Hope meets once a week at the offices of Children’s Hope (on Wednesdays from 6-9 pm) and they knit squares which are then put together to make blankets that are given to babies of mothers infected with HIV.

The organization is largely made up of volunteers with a small paid support staff. The knitters who come on a weekly basis are from independent volunteers or volunteers who come from other volunteer organizations. Some volunteers are students from NYU.

The organization accepts supplies or squares or baby blankets all ready made up. New knitters are encouraged to come and join the group to be taught how to knit or crochet. We are a happy group who is accomplishing a lot of joy for our community.

We make / need: We make blankets and afghans for babies of mothers infected with HIV.

We accept squares or swatches of knitted or crocheted materials. The squares are not of any particular size. In fact if someone has gauge squares they have made prior to starting a project they are happily worked into the blankets. One of our philosophies is “There are no mistakes” so if you have an imperfect piece it is still used and we say it gives the work “character”.

We also accept donations of knitting or crochet needles, sewing needles, or yarn.

SHE Creations – Stitching Heaven & Earth
445 Hundred Acre Woods Road
Bristol NH 03222 US
Phone: 603-481-0442
Fax: 603-744-7733

Contact: Cassie A Nelson, Founder & President cazz_28@hotmail.com

About us: SHE Creations (Stitching Heaven & Earth) is a non-profit, non-denominational organization made up of volunteers who knit and crochet caps, scarves and lap-robes which are donated to cancer patients attending Cancer Centers.

SHE Creations volunteers are made up of individuals, knitting groups, church groups, womans groups etc. We currently have Regional Chapters in ME, NH, NY, MA, PA and CT with volunteers in 12 States.

The mission of SHE Creations is to become a national and international network of volunteers donating to Cancer Centers to meet the special needs of cancer patients.

My name is Cassie Nelson and I live in central NH. I have always had a passion to want to do something to help cancer patients, and being a knitter myself, I decided to research what could be made to give to the patients.

After contacting numerous Cancer Centers, I discovered the type of caps most requested by patients, the different yarns preferred, whether there was a demand for these caps and did the Centers have specific guidelines for these handmade items including scarves and lap robes.

SHE Creations is not just about donating caps etc–its about meeting the special needs of the patients. Through the efforts of our Regional Coordinators and volunteers, who so graciously and selflessly volunteer their time and materials making these items, play a key role in making all this possible.

If our handmade items can offer warmth and comfort to a patient when they are going through very uncertain and troubled times, then we have accomplished our mission.

We make / need: We make anything from caps to socks, scarves, lap robes etc to meet the needs of cancer patients.

Whether a beginner, intermediate or advanced, all volunteers are most welcome. We appreciate and thank all our volunteers for their time and their efforts in helping us make these items to donate to cancer patients as this is an ongoing and all year round project making and donating to Cancer Treatment Centers.

Due to SHE Creations ongoing growth and expansion, we are also looking for extra volunteers as well as volunteer Regional Coordinators who wish to become more involved in the promotion of SHE Creations in their region and State. They will help to assist in acquiring additional sources of new knitters, crocheters and sew-ers; plus help to increase awareness of SHE Creations throughout their region.

Stitches From the Heart
3306 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica CA 90405 US
Phone: 310-472-5151
Fax: 310-452-3362

http:\\www.StitchesfromtheHeart.org/

Contact: Kathy Silverton, Founder StitchesFromHeart@aol.com

About us: Stitches From the Heart is a non-profit charitable organization whose members contribute their talents by knitting,crocheting or quilting for needy children. The volunteers send their finished gifts of knitted and crocheted hats, booties,sweaters, blankets and quilts to Stitches headquarters. In turn, these items are added to other items and regularly sent in large boxes to hospitals and charities throughout the United States. Currently there are over 6230 members who have made over 200,000 items!

We make / need: We accept knitted, crocheted and quilted items for newborns, preemies, superpreemies and toddlers. Stitches accepts donations of yarn and other needlework materials, money, office supplies etc.

The Emancipation Network
http://www.emancipationnetwork.org
21 Crestview Drive
East Sandwich MA 02537 US
Phone: 800-831-6089

Contact: Sarah Symons, Executive Director sarah@madebysurvivors.com

About us: The Emancipation Network (T.E.N.) Charities is a local and international response to the human rights emergency of human trafficking – the modern practice of slavery. We offer a way to become involved in the struggle to end slavery, and give you the tools and support you need to mobilize your friends and your community.

27 million people around the world are believed to be enslaved, according to UNICEF. This is more than at any other time in history.

The Emancipation Network (TEN)was founded to provide immediate help to survivors, high risk women, and anti-trafficking agencies, and also to be part of creating a critical mass of abolitionists in the US who can participate in large scale efforts to eradicate slavery once and for all.

There is a program to help these survivors of human trafficking become self sufficient and we create handicraft programs amongst there organizations and help them sell their products to support themselves, create hope and independence. http://www.madebysurvivors.com

We make / need: The Emancipation Network (TEN) often has trips to their partners overseas and bring clothing and toys games and books for children. In the past they have also brought first aid needs.
only accept new items, Their is a group of volunteers going to a center/shelter in Thailand in June. I am not sure if people can knit some things for the kids or how this works…but I saw that you were open to helping charities and I have been volunteering for this one for over a year and a half now. The Emancipation Network (T.E.N.) does accept volunteers to help spread the word, to help with handicraft sales and of course donations are accepted. T.E.N. has helped many organizations internationally with repairs, rebuilding and different emergency situations in their centers/shelters. We would love to get as many people involved in creating awareness about this human rights attrocity. We do have one group in Kurnool India that has a knitting program, they desperatly need help creating a product that Americans would appreciate. Their yarn and designs are not fantastic, currently they are making silk scarves and selling them to us, but they are not really selling in the US….we need to find them a better handicraft to make. Their center is part of a YMCA (yes middle of nowhere india there is a YMCA) and another foundation run by a christian church called St. Joesephs foundation. THey are in serious need of help due to their remote location and need. Many young girls are being trafficked at night by their own families to help feed and cloth the family many end up with HIV/AIDS and worse. Please let me know if you have any ideas to help these wonderful people out in Kurnool! Thanks!!!

The Pink Slipper Project
http://www.pinkslipperproject.org

Colonial Heights VA 23834 US

Contact: Joyce Lucas, Joyce Lucas info@thepinkslipperproject.org

About us: The Pink Slipper Project – Women Everywhere Stitching to Make a Difference.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of women and children are forced to leave their homes and seek safety and healing in shelters across the country. This year, you can make a difference in the lives of a few of those women and children and remind them that you are thinking of them. They are not alone. We are excited to launch our much-anticipated Pink Slipper Project, and we hope you will help us spread the warmth.

What Is the Pink Slipper Project?

Inspired by Terry Grahl of Enchanted Makeovers.org,and her work with women’s and children’s shelters, The Pink Slipper Project is an endeavor to help warm the hearts and the toes of women and children living in shelters. Our goal is to provide hand-made slippers to as many women and children as possible.
We will continue to work closely with with Enchanted Makeovers shelter projects, providing warm slippers to the residents of each makeover project, along with as many other womens and childrens shelters we can provide for.

Not only will these slippers help keep the recipients warm, they will be a daily reminder that someone cared enough about them to make something special just for them, which goes a long way in the healing process.

The slippers don’t need to be pink, but they do need to be warm and, of course, new.

We make / need: How You Can Help with the Pink Slipper Project.

Ways that you can help…

Create slippers using our free patterns listed at http://www.pinkslipperproject.org

Create slippers using your own patterns

Get your sewing, knitting and quilting groups involved

Donate materials – fabrics, yarns, thread, cotton batting etc.

Help us spread the word.

Warmest Thanks,
Joyce Lucas, Founder
The Pink Slipper Project

Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition (TASSC)
http://www.tassc.org
B
4121 Harewood Rd. NE
Washington DC 20017 US
Phone: 202-529-2991
Fax: 202-529-8334

Contact: Rebecca Kurz, Board Member, Volunteer rebecca@tassc.org

Veterans of Florign Wars of the United States Ladies Auxiliary
http://www.vfwpost7327.org
7417 Salford Court
Alexandria VA 22315 US
Phone: 703-945-0935

Note: at time of posting, this organization was constructing their website. Contact via email or mail until page is posted. Thank you.

Contact: Terri Spencer, Publicity Chairman terri.spencer@vfwpost7327.org

About us: The Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary have a rich tradition of enhancing the lives of millions through its community service programs and special projects. From providing free phone cards to our nation’s active-duty military personnel to raising money for the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., the VFW is there — “honoring the dead by helping the living.”

We are interested in donated yarn to make lap robes/blankets for veterans at the Veterans Administration hospitals in the Washington, D.C. area. We are also interested in new members, whether to formally join our organization or just act in a volunteer capacity, including activities such as knitting and crocheting.

We make / need: We make lap robes and lap blankets for military veterans. We accept yarn for crocheting and/or knitting, and also fabric remnants to make same.

Warm Up America
http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/warmup.html

Warm Up America
P.O. Box 9
Gastonia NC 76034 US

Contact: Information Officer info@WarmUpAmerica.org

About us: Warm Up America

Warm Up America! (WUA!) is an organization made up of volunteers who create handmade afghan blankets, clothing and accessories to help those in need. These items provide warmth and comfort to people who have lost their homes, fled abusive relations, or are being cared for in hospices, shelters, hospitals, and nursing home.

Evie Rosen, a former yarn retailer and nationally known knitting teacher who resides in Wausau, Wisconsin, came up with the idea for Warm Up America! because she wanted to do something to help the homeless. Her simple concept of asking customers, friends and the community to knit and crochet 7″ X 9″ sections that would be joined into afghans grew into a nationwide program that has produced more than 250,000 afghans. These afghans have been donated to victims of natural disasters, battered women’s shelters, the homeless, and others in need.

By 1995, the program was an overwhelming success and Evie turned to the Craft Yarn Council of America, a non-profit association of yarn companies and publishers, for assistance. Warm Up America! soon became a major national, grassroots program. In 2002, Warm Up America! was incorporated as a 501C3 tax exempt, charitable organization.

Today, WUA! includes countless volunteers across the country. Thousands and thousands of knitted and crocheted afghans and accessories are distributed to various charities each year.

We make / need: Volunteers donate their time to crochet and knit a 7″ X 9″ rectangle (or more). Sections are either joined by individuals or groups in a community and donated locally or sent to Foundation headquarters for joining and distribution.

The beauty of so many different participants is that a WUA! afghan resembles a patchwork quilt of many colors and textures, just as the participants and recipients represent the varied faces of America.

Collection of Completed Sections and Assembly of Afghan Blankets
Volunteers are encouraged to work with friends, co-workers and family members to complete an afghan and donate it in their community. However, when that is not possible, the Foundation’s office serves as a collection point both for individual sections and for completed afghans.

Distribution of Afghan Blankets
The Foundation maintains a request list of charitable agencies, which provide services to homeless, battered women’s shelters and people in need. As afghan blankets are received at the Foundation, they are shipped to the agency on the top of the list. Contact is maintained with the agencies on the Foundation’s database before and after shipping the afghans.>

Who receives the afghans?
WUA! afghans are distributed to individuals and families in need through community service organizations as well as through chapters of national organizations such as the American Red Cross. Sponsors of WUA! in communities around the country are encouraged to donate completed afghans within their own community in the true spirit of “neighbor helping neighbor.” Agencies to which the Foundation has donated afghans include:

Women’s shelters
Nursing homes
Children’s hospitals
Hospitals and hospices
Daycare centers
Veterans’ homes
Churches
AIDS facilities
Homeless shelters
American Red Cross chapters

About us: TASSC is a wonderful organization that helps Survivors of torture from all over the world. Many are from other countries and speak little English when they first get here. Others held high-ranking positions in their formal countries. All of them need help healing. The Healing Threads Project seeks to teach the skills of sewing, crocheting, knitting, etc. in the hopes that the process of “creating” will help them “create” a new, happier life.

We make / need: We need donations of:
Fabric
Yarn
Notions
And anyone in the Washington D.C. area with sewing skills to help assist.

Recently (fall 2010), we had a sewing day and there were many happy moments for the women who were able to create (check out our facebook page for photos). Now, we are planning a weekly sewing/gathering day for the women to continue supporting one another and learning/perfecting their skills.

Warming Families
http://www.warmingfamilies.org
P.O. Box 400
Orem UT 84059 US
Phone: 801-376-3732
Fax: 801-802-0880

Contact: Suzanne Osmond, President alan@osmond.net

About us: Warming Families is a charity site to help “Strengthen Families” by crafting various clothing items and donating them through Warming Families to various agencies, families, and individuals in need. It’s efforts are a part of the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, One Heart Foundation. (http://www.oneheart.org)

Volunteers are welcome to participate!

Please visit our site at: http://www.warmngfamilies.org and enjoy the satisfying “feeling” one gets by helping others!

We make / need: Our website has links to help instruct those who are new to knitting and crocheting. Contact us!

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