What began as a way to force myself to relax when I was forced to quit working, crochet has become a means of expression and caring for me. I know that there are many crocheters who feel the same way; that soft little blanket in your hands is both beautiful and protective, and you just know that it has a perfect home … somewhere.
Every year, just past Valentine’s Day, I put together a bundle of crocheted items and send them to a charity. It’s never at an exact time, but it is always past the holidays. Many people focus so much of their energy on holiday charitable giving that the cold months following Christmas can be one of real need for the charities who do so much.
Looking for a charity or two that you can donate your lovingly made items to? Keep reading.
Colorado Charities
Maybe it’s just the fact that I was born and raised here, or perhaps it’s become part of my genes as a fifth-generation Colorado native, but I love this state I live in beyond words. Whenever I bundle my crochet charity items up, it’s to Colorado that I want to give back. There are more reasons, which I could state as being the “real” ones: HUD waiting lists in Colorado average 1 year, the teen pregnancy rate in this state is higher per capita than nearly any other, or the fact that living in the mountains puts strain on babies throughout the cold winter months.
Whatever the reason, there are dozens of Colorado Charities in need of crocheted and knitted items. Even if you haven’t got a single creative bone in your body, many of these charities will happily take donations of thread and needles, purchased blankets, and monetary donations.
I’ve listed these in no particular order, so you’ll want to read the charity’s description to find the one you’re driven to help.
Warm Hearts ~ Warm Babies – http://www.warmheartswarmbabies.org/
Description: A group that is comprised 100% of volunteers dedicated to making life easier for Colorado’s tiniest citizens, they sew, knit, crochet, and quilt for both preemies and full-term babies in need. Donations are made to hospitals, crisis pregnancy centers, shelters, law enforcement agencies, foster care agencies, WIC offices, and individuals throughout the state of Colorado. The gifts are always donated free of charge, and any monetary donations the group receives is turned over in full to help the babies of Colorado.
Donations Needed: New baby items sized preemie – 4T including quilts, afghans, receiving blankets, buntings, sleepers, gowns, outfits, bibs, hats, booties, sweaters, and dolls. Supplies for volunteers are always accepted and much in need – quilt batting, polyfil, sewing machines, notions, thread, yarn (especially baby yarn), and fabric are appreciated. Cash donations are always used to benefit the babies and any checks should be made out to Warm Hearts ~ Warm Babies, Inc.
Mailing Address: Warm Hearts ~ Warm Babies, P.O. Box 1266, Brighton CO 80601
Email:info@warmheartswarmbabies.org
Boulder County
Chapter of Project Linus – http://www.projectlinus.org/index.shtml
Description: As an overall organization, Parent’s Magazine named Project Linus as one of the 10 Children’s Charities That Deserve Your Support. As of September 30, 2005 the various chapters of Project Linus (nearly 400 of them now) have donated 1,441,440 blankets. An accomplishment, to be sure, but it would never have been possible without the support of its hundreds of volunteers. Their new, handmade blankets and afghans are donated to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need of feeling love, security, warmth and comfort.
Donations Needed: Blanketeers to provide new, handmade, washable blankets to be given as gifts to children ages 0-18. All sizes and styles of handmade blankets, including quilts, tied comforters, fleece blankets, crocheted or knitted afghans, and receiving blankets are welcome. Donations of yarn, fabric, batting and thread are welcome and these supplies are provided to the volunteers. Any monetary donations will go toward getting blankets into the hands of children – there are no paid employees in Project Linus, and since they are a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization, your contributions are tax-deductible. Checks should be made out to Project Linus.
Mailing Address (Boulder County Chapter): Boulder County CO Chapter of Project Linus, 3107 Harmony Court, Berthoud CO 80513
Email: heather@teamosborne.com
Community Knitting/Martin Luther King, Jr. Library –http://www.projectlinus.org/index.shtml
Description: Focusing on promoting diversity, this multicultural group knits for homeless families in the Aurora area. You can choose to donate to the group or join them every Wednesday at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library in Aurora Colorado from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Needles and yarn are available, or you can bring your own.
Donations Needed: Largest needs are infant’s and children’s sweaters and hats. Donations of yarn and popular size knitting needles (1-9) are appreciated and used by the group for the donations they make.
Mailing Address: Community Knitting, 9898 E. Colfax Avenue, Aurora CO 90010
Email:bbaxenda@auroragov.org
Gateway Battered Women’s Services -www.gatewayshelter.org
Description: This group works hard to provide services for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. Some of their services include training and education, crisis intervention, and advocacy. They currently provide programs that include a 24-hour crisis line, an Emergency Shelter and an Extended Stay Program that houses up to 38 women and children at any given time, counseling, and community education and training.
Donations Needed: Knitted and crocheted items in a variety of types, both for the immediate use by the women and children they help and for use in their silent auctions to raise money for their free services. They also have need of your old cell phones, volunteers to help run fundraisers, and monetary contributions.
Mailing Address: Gateway Battered Women’s Services, P.O. Box 914, Aurora CO 80040
Email:dvetrano@pattonboggs.com
Warm the World – http://www.warmtheworld.org
Description: Currently, this group is supporting Fort Carson’s 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (Army, ACR) while they’re in , making blankets for the more than 400 new babies expected by the 3rd ACR. They will provide all the yarn and pay for shipping to volunteers willing to knit, crochet, or quilt the blankets and are happy to let you use any pattern you want to make. In addition to supporting the 3rd ACR, this group also donates blankets for children and adults to non-profit pregnancy centers, foster agencies, and the elderly at risk.
Donations Needed: Handmade blankets for children and adults – they’ll even provide the yarn if you need it. Obviously, they also love any contributions of yarn – scraps or full skeins – and both knitting and crochet needles.
Mailing Address: Warm the World, 62 Tanner Parkway, Canon City CO 81212
Email:founder@warmtheworld.org
Charity Crochet Patterns
With all the places needing your help, it can be a free-for-all looking for the neatest patterns you can find. These links will get you going quick.
Project Linus Patterns & Links – http://www.projectlinus.org/links.shtml
Lion Brand Yarn Free Crochet Patterns – http://cache.lionbrand.com/content-crochetPatternIndex.html
Bev’s Country Cottage – http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/
BW Charity Creations –http://geocities.com/bwcharitycreations/
Free Preemie Patterns – http://www.handmadewarmth.com/1aprils.html
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