For those of us who create, we are often eager to share our projects with others. Creating items to donate allows us to continue to create without stuffing our closets full of unused items! There are some guidelines to consider when sewing for donations:
- Check with the intended group for the type of items needed and follow their guidelines. Many have size limits on quilts.
- Look for local opportunities – contacting your local quilting guild is a good place to start for donation suggestions.
- Check the organization to make sure it is legitimate and uses the requested items as advertised.
- Always contact the organization prior to sending/delivering a donation to make sure the item will be accepted.
Locally, there are several opportunities for donating quilted items. Again, check with the organizations as to their needs and size/material requirements. The local hospice organizations both will take quilts but do have size requirements. Nursing homes often look for quilted items as well. Again, contact one that may be close to you for more information. If you are interested in quilting for veterans, contact your local VFW, American Legion post or other military organization.
Nationally, there many groups who work with quilters to distribute donations to specific audiences. I’ll highlight a few of those…
-Quilts of Valor (qovf.org) is probably the most well-known of the national “quilt” charities. The mission of this foundation is “to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.” As of December 2023, over 373,394 quilts have been provided to veterans. The website contains extensive information on the foundation, state/regional contacts, and suggested patterns for the quilts.
–Quilts for Kids is a nonprofit organization “dedicated to transforming fabrics into patchwork quilts to comfort children facing serious illness, trauma, abuse, and natural disasters.” The website at www.quiltsforkids.org details who receives the quilts, requirements for donations, and other ways you can help. I have donated to this organization and find them to be great to work with.
-Project Linus gives handmade blankets to children in need. Their mission is to “provide love, a sense of security, warmth, and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need…” They accept not only quilts but also knitted and crocheted items. The Project Linus website (www.projectlinus.org) has many suggestions for items along with downloadable patterns.
-Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS sponsored by Quillers Dream Batting. “ALS is a devastating disease that leaves a person’s body paralyzed while their mind and spirit are alert and active. By participating in the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge you help raise awareness about ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), bring warmth and hope to the lives of ALS patients, and also help raise much needed funds for research for a treatment and a cure. Donated quilts are given to ALS patients or used to raise research money for ALS by being photographed, displayed, auctioned or raffled. In addition to contributing your quilt to a wonderful cause – ALL donated quilts are eligible to win exciting and wonderful prizes. The Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge is non-judged and all donated quilts are entered into general prize drawings. There are also incredible prize packages for winners in seven (7) different categories.” Visit the website at http://www.quiltersdreambatting.com/hopesanddreams/ for the entry form and more information. I have also donated to this Challenge and find them great to work with.
-Glory Baby Ministry specializes in burial and memorial packages for miscarriages, stillbirths and infant loss. For more information, check Glorybabyministry.org; we do have a local chapter located at 1411 Scottsville Road, Suite B, Bowling Green.
Sewing provides solace to us, the makers, and can bring solace to the recipients. We know that a quilt or other item sewn with love can bring comfort. If you are interested in making quilts for others, begin with your local church, school, or other community organizations and see who may be identified as someone in need of being wrapped in a quilt!
-submitted by The Sewing & Vacuum Center
