But, as I mentioned to a fellow blogger friend the other day, I think sometimes people want to help others in far-flung locales, and we overlook many who need help right in our own area(s). So, I want to help at least one charity in each of the 50 states. I want to offer quality handmade goods to people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to purchase or have handmade. I want to help charitable organizations and people at the same time.
So, Project # 1:
Our 50 states tour begins in the beautiful state of Oregon. We will be making
hats and slippers for Veterans at the Southern Oregon - White City
Rehabilitation Center. It is a 600 bed facility, and I am told that they always
appreciate hats and slippers. These can be knitted, crocheted, or sewn. The key
is that they must be handmade. If you don't make items yourself, but you want
to contribute, you could purchase handmade items at Etsy, Artfire, 1000 Markets,
or some other handmade venue.
Deadline to have these received by me is October 25, so please allow appropriate mail time. I will be presenting these to my contact at the facility on November 2, just in time for Veteran's Day. The address to send your items for this project is:
Sinclair
P.O. Box 1046
Jacksonville, Oregon 97530
My modest goal for Project #1 is to have 20 participants. My contact was very excited to hear that we might be donating 20 items. Let's try to make it even more!!
If you are in, please leave me a comment to let me know what you will be making. Then, follow us on Twitter (add the hashtag #sharingourgifts when tweeting), join our Yahoo Group, and follow us on Blog Catalog. Blog about the project and help us gain even more followers. I will Stumble and Tweet any blog posts about it that I know about...so comment here with a link when you post.
I will be making a knitted hat since I don't make slippers. It is for adult males, so will be sized appropriately. Let's make this a happy Veteran's Day for as many as possible! If you have a request for Project #2 to be in your state, leave me a comment!
Post Script: I am not an incorporated charitable organization. However, you are not donating to me, but to the organization that is the subject of the project. I am not certain whether your donations will always be tax deductible, but if you request, I will find out that information for each project as we go along. I offer you satisfaction in giving, as well as all the internet publicity I can muster. If somebody ever wants to donate their legal services and time to incorporate me and help me become a bona fide 501(c)(3), I will not turn it down.
7 comments:
Found you through ravelry. Will be joining your group there. I would be blessed to add a hat (or two - depending on how many I can make before your deadline) to your project.
I'd like to suggest a shelter for victims of domestic violence & sexual assault in Alaska next. We have a 32 bed facility plus a transitional facility with 25 beds. Mittens for children are needed every winter - all sizes from teeny to adult sizes welcome. You can read about The LeeShore Center at their website: http://www.alaska.net/~leeshore/
@PurpleMoose: thank you so much! I will put you down for a hat or two, and I am checking out your requested project. Is there a particular person I should contact there at the shelter to discuss the project?
Since the first project is only minutes from my house, I have to be a part of it. Could you please ask your contact at the VA for the most common foot sizes and if they prefer machine washable? That will make a big difference in the type of projects to be made. Thank you for making the effort to help these Veterans. They are often forgotten.
I found you from a post on one of my facebook friends. I will try to make at least one hat before the deadline. I actually have school coming up and only have about 3 weeks of vacation left, so it will be fairly soon. I live in Oregon, so what a Great place to start!!!
I would love to contribute a hat or two -- I live just a short ways away from that VA center. I've never made donation hats for adults though (only kids in shelters or going through chemo) -- what type of hat would you suggest is appropriate? I'll be crocheting. Thanks for organizing!!!! I'll be following you on twitter.
Count me in too! I saw your group and joined on Ravelry. I will be making a hat. Casting on now, as a matter of fact! This will be my first knit-for-charity project and its just what I have been looking for! I am excited.
Happy to have you, gramanana. I will find you over at Ravelry and add you as a friend also. Thanks!
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