simpletruths

Crafting Hope

It's one thing to craft.  It's another to craft hope - out of yarn, out of fabric, hope.  it's great.

 

 

Craft Hope is one of my favorite organizations. Over the years I've been able to participate in many different projects - Craft Hope for Haiti, scarves for foster kids,  and bracelets that made their way to Russia.

 

It was great.  Now there's a new project  (project 16 to be specific).  Beanies and Bags!  

Can you knit, crochet, sew?  If so Craft Hope is spear heading the collection of beanies for children undergoing cancer treatment and pillowcase sized "overnight" bags for their trips to the hospital.

For more information (where to send everything, when to send it by) take a look at Craft Hope's Littlest Warrior post.

Ok.......GO!

 -- check out some of my past 'do good' posts here --

 

*Don't forget to visit me over at The BackLoop

Wearing hope

via crafthope.com

Last year, through Craft Hope, I was able to donate a couple of red scarves to orphans here in the US who had aged out of the system AND had made it into college!

This year Craft Hope has partnered with Orphan Outreach to collect handmade bracelets for orphans in Russia.

I'll let you go to the Craft Hope site for more information but here's a couple statistics for you:

In Russia, 60% of girl orphans become prostitutes and 70% of male orphans become hardened criminals.

*sigh*

I've already started, I hope you'll join me. 

Giving - one square at a time

About a month ago I mentioned that I was interested in doing more charitable knitting and crocheting.

 

Well I found something! An organization called KasCare-an organization that focuses on providing support to AIDS orphans in South Africa,  runs a project Knit-a-Square.

It is exactly what it sounds like. Donated knit and crochet squares are sewn together to make blankets for AIDS orphans in South Africa. They also accept and distribute hats.

From their site:

Our goal for 2011 is 175,000 squares (5,000 blankets), 5,000 hats and 2,000 knitted garments.

There you have it.  I'll keep you updated about what I'm making for the project.

Giving

Of the many things I want to do this year, near the top of that list is donating more of my knitting and crocheting.

Last year I was able to make a scarf for the One Red Scarf Project and I was able to donate a few items to the Craft Hope for Haiti Etsy Shop.  This year I'm hoping to do another charity project - or two. 

One thing I'd love to do is find an organization that donates handmade hats to newborns in hospitals and communities that really need them.

Anyone have any suggestions?  I'm open to programs anywhere in the world.

Earth Day special order

I got a pretty cool custom order and it's ready just in time for Earth Day.

These are 100% cotton rounds that will be used to replace disposable cotton rounds. They get softer with use and you can just toss them in the laundry at the end of the week with everything else - although they'd probably have a better chance of not getting lost if you put them into a mesh bag or even in a pillow case.

 

I'm thinking about making more and offering them in sets of 8 or so. They can be used for makeup removal, toner application...anything you use cotton balls/rounds for. 

 

 There's even the possibility of making larger cotton rounds for face cleansing.  

What do you think? Would you be willing to stop buying disposable cotton rounds or cotton balls with these reusable ones - or something like it? 

WIPs

Here's some of what I've been doing:

This burgundy scarf is for the Orphan Foundation of America’s Red Scarf Project, that I'm participating in through craft hope. 

 

Each year over 25,000 students age out of the foster care system (having never been adopted). The Orphan Foundation is committed to helping them become tomorrow’s successful citizens. 

 

 

Then there are the bracelets (so excited for these).  These are three sets that I've recently put together.

  

  
 

And the coasters are coming along very nicely :)

Lending a hand

With everything that is going on in Haiti it can be tough to know when, where and how to lend a hand (or a dollar).  Most people, myself included, need to take action while it's still at the forefront of our minds.   

I have donated a few items to Craft Hope for Haiti. This group has opened an Etsy shop to benefit Doctors without Borders efforts in Haiti.  Crafters can donate items to be sold and anyone can shop at the etsy shop. None of the money is being kept my the sellers (as a seller I can confirm this).

All types of crafters are donating their wares for this shop.  From hand made soap and knit hats, to calendars and children's clothes.  There should be something for everyone.

 

A time to give

The Oakland Salvation Army needs at least 2000 toys for under privileged children from babies and toddlers to preteens and teens - as of the 11th only 200 had been donated.

No matter where you are this holiday season  the problem is the same.  Donations are down, while the need has skyrocketed. People who were not too long ago in a position to give of their time or money, are finding themselves in the receiving line.  

If you're not sure where you local Salvation Army toy drop off station is, contact your local fire station - they often do toy drives this time of year.  

Or just give a little something to the man or woman ringing the bell with the red bucket.  The money they collect this time of year is a huge part of what will sustain them throughout the rest of the year

Remember the cranes?

Do you remember the cranes from this post? Well, not only did they arrive at their destination unscathed, but Pam posted a picture of them. 

Just to give you a quick update - Pam has surpassed her goal of 1000 cranes.  It's looking like Jen will receive 1009 (so far) of some of the most beautiful cranes I've seen.