2008 Charity Projects

We have chosen 5 charities to be the recipients of our knitted items this year. The items will be collected at the September 16 Guild meeting and then distributed to the appropriate group. Some of them are local, so we hope to have a representative from the charity at the meeting, to receive the items in person. We tried to have a variety of causes as well as different types of things to knit, so that we all could find things that we would like to make. In the past our Guild members have proven themselves to be very generous, with their time, resources and creativity. We’re sure that we can count on you again to make lots of lovely things for:

2008 charities are:

• The Mother Bear Project - www.motherbearproject.org/
  The Mother Bear Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing comfort and hope to children, primarily those affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations, by giving them a gift of love in the form of hand-knit and crocheted bears. The simple gift of a hand-knit bear with a tag signed by the knitter has touched children who have nearly nothing in the world with the message that they are loved by someone halfway around the world. Patterns are $5.00 (knit or crochet).
  
• Marillac House - www.marillachouse.org/
  Through Project Hope for Pregnant and Parenting Teen Mothers, Marillac House provides comprehensive support and services that address the many needs of teenage mothers and mothers-to-be, in the community. The teen mothers would love to receive any knitted items for their babies: Blankets, sweaters, socks and booties, mittens, caps, full outfits or individual items. They can also use doll clothes, as well as, clothing items for older brothers and sisters. Anyone that would prefer to work on larger items can donate, scarves, hats and mittens to the moms and the hardworking staff at Project Hope.
  Read more about Marillac.
  
• Stitches from the Heart - www.stitchesfromtheheart.org/
  Stitches from the Heart is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that sends handmade clothing, blankets, and love to premature babies all across the nation. They also have a senior program that helps seniors help others by donating yarn and supplies.
  
• The Peapod Project - www.peapodfoundation.org/
  This program focuses on supporting and guiding families dealing with the tragic illness and loss of a child. The Peapod Project, in affiliation with Children’s Memorial Hospital and The Heartlight Program, is in great need of matching knitted hats, booties and blankets for infants and toddlers. They also need lap blankets for teens. These items do not need to be fancy; they actually prefer simple and pastel colors.
  
• Threads of Compassion - threadsofcompassion.blogspot.com/
  Threads of Compassion is a loosely connected group of survivors of sexual violence who desire to offer comfort and support to recent victims. The idea is simple. Anyone whose life has been affected by sexual assault or abuse is welcome to knit or crochet a scarf which in turn will be given to a victim of sexual violence when they enter the hospital for emergency treatment. Whether scarves are done by survivors, or friends and family members of survivors, it does not matter, (scarves can also be made in honor of friends who were raped, family members who suffered sexual abuse, etc.). The scarves do not have to be any specific size or color, but we do ask that you try and make them at least 5 inches wide and around 65 inches long. Also the yarn used should be as soft as possible, so that the scarf can be held close without feeling rough to the skin.

Check these pages for updates, including suggested patterns.

2008 Charity Chairs are Lou Spedale at manouli@peopelpc.com (773 274-6505) and Worna Haywood at worna@ameritech.net (773 859-5534).

Additional Pattern Resources

(Please keep in mind and respect copyright restrictions - some free patterns prohibit the sale of items even for charitable purposes.)

• www.bellaonline.com/subjects/207.asp
• www.dmoz.org/Arts/Crafts/Knitting/Patterns
• www.knittingpatterncentral.com
• www.bevscountrycottage.com
• www.knitting.about.com
• www.p2designs.com
• www.woolworks.org
• 5-hour baby sweater for premies - Jul. '06
• Animal "Snuggle" blanket - June '05
• Neonatal premie hat, Convertible Mittens, Shaker Stitch Slippers - May 2007
• Doll sweater - Dec. '05
• Ear flap hat - Aug. '06
• Felted bookweight - May '05
• Multidirectional Scarf - Dec. '04
• Premie burial bunting - June '05
• Premie hat - May '05
• Vintage doll sweater - July '05

Charities We've Contributed to in the Past

• Adopt-A-Native Elder - http://www.anelder.org/who.htm
• Area neonatal hospital units (preemie items)
• Graceful Stitches - http://www.gracefulstitches.org/GS/default.aspx
• Guideposts Knit for Kids - http://www.dailyguideposts.com/help/knitforkids.asp
• The Santa Train - http://www.kingsportchamber.org/portal/santaframe.htm
• Tree House Animal Foundation - http://www.treehouseanimals.org/index.html
• Charitable Crafters - http://www.charitablecrafters.org
• Helmet liners for U.S. troops - http://www.geocities.com/helmetliner/
• Hugs for Homeless Animals - http://www.h4ha.org
• Warm Up America! - http://www.warmupamerica.com
• Warming Families - http://www.warmingfamilies.org