Help Save Ivan

 Please take a minute to visit the blog below.  The story of Ivan is included there as well as pictures of this sweet little boy.  Ivan is loved by a family and they would like to adopt him and save him from being in an institution for the rest of his young life.  You won't soon forget his story.

http://saveivan.blogspot.com/

One Million Pillowcase Challenge

The One Million Pillowcase Challenge is another wonderful example of "Being the Difference".  The information is below - check it out.

make a pillowcase
make a difference

Calling all quilters, sewers and crafters! American Patchwork & Quilting is challenging you to join our efforts to Make a Pillowcase, Make a Difference. Every pillowcase can make a difference in your community. A pillowcase can provide comfort for a cancer patient, hope for a foster child, encouragement for a battered woman, or beauty for a nursing home resident.

To participate, find a shop hosting One Million Pillowcase Challenge events in your area. Once your pillowcases are complete and donated locally, log on below to enter how many pillowcases you made. Help us reach our goal of ONE MILLION Pillowcases.

God's Tiny Angels

This is a group that I interact with personally and it is run by a wonderful lady - Danette Lemaster.  She does all the work of cleaning, packaging, coordinating and shipping of the items donated for the babies.  She is aided by a wonderful army of ladies and one gentleman who craft for her and enthusiastically create everything from hats to blankets and booties as well as burial items and more.  Below is information about this wonderful group.

Every day across the world there are babies born ill or in need. Some of God's babies have little more than a tiny diaper. Imagine what you could do to make their new lives a little warmer!

Our home on the web has been blessed by others that have sewn, crocheted, quilted, knitted and even went out to yard sales for the little ones.

Gods Tiny Angels is an all volunteer group that provides items to Cabell Huntington Hospital in WV and elsewhere across the country, free, to the parents.

Help make a difference today. Tomorrow will bring more of God's Tiny Angels.

" Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday."
"God took care of yesterday, why not let Him take care of tomorrow?"

You can find them on the web at  http://danettesangels.tripod.com/home.html

 

Heartmade Blessings

Heartmade Blessings

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This is another wonderful group I found online that is working to make a difference in the lives of those who have suffered a loss or crisis.

Heartmade Blessings is a world-wide group of volunteers dedicated to providing hand-crafted items to those people suffering a loss, tragedy, or going through a rough time that need to be reminded of the simple fact that people care.  Our organization was founded in March, 2001.

Heartmade Blessings come from all the wonderful people who donate squares for afghans and bearghans. They are also made possible through the efforts of the warm, caring people who donate their time in assembling and organizing the distribution of these items to those in need. We truly believe these people are nothing short of a "blessing" themselves.

Heartmade Blessings does not accept monetary donations.  However, our members provide their own yarn and mail squares and Comfort Afghans, Bearghans at their own expense.  With this in mind we do accept postage stamps and yarn donations.
In addition, our supply of crocheted squares is always low due to the number of Comfort Afghans sent to various people and organizations. We are always in need of volunteers to send us squares, to assemble the afghans for us, and to donate their time and love in whatever way possible for each person.
For more information or questions, go to
Heartmade Blessings does not accept monetary donations.  However, our members provide their own yarn and mail squares and Comfort Afghans, Bearghans at their own expense.  With this in mind we do accept postage stamps and yarn donations.
In addition, our supply of crocheted squares is always low due to the number of Comfort Afghans sent to various people and organizations. We are always in need of volunteers to send us squares, to assemble the afghans for us, and to donate their time and love in whatever way possible for each person.  If you are interested in helping this group you can find them at http://www.heartmadeblessings.org/Aboutus/Aboutus.php

Stitch A Wish Program

Stitch a Wish is another great program for those who like to craft for a cause.  The link is below and a blurb about they do is also below.  Check it out if you are looking for a place for your handmade goods.

Stitch-A-Wish volunteers sew for hospitalized children. The program provides the patients with colorful, child friendly pillowcases that brighten their rooms; medical play therapy dolls that help patients learn about and understand the medical procedures they undergo; telemetry bibs that allow toddlers mobility even while attached to heart monitoring equipment; saddle bags that give bed ridden children a sense of independence by providing them with easy access to their favorite things; preemie clothing for the tiniest infants to wear for their long awaited first trip home. These items, and many others, are utilized daily throughout the medical center for comfort, therapeutic play, arts and crafts, and safety.


http://www.dfwstitchawish.com/stitch/default.aspx

Dolly Donations

I found this wonderful site today and it is well worth taking a look.  Sarah has a passion to help others and if you are looking for a wonderful crafting cause, this is a great one!!!  Free patterns are available and lots of other information.  See what Sarah has to say below:

"My names Sarah. I’m a mother to a beautiful daughter, a wife to a brave fireman, and an artist who has a passion for sewing.

My mission is to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate, especially orphaned children around the world ....... to provide them with a source of comfort ...... to send them love, one dolly at a time!"

DollyDonations at gmail dot com
http://dollydonations.blogspot.com/2010/01/adorable-knit-dollies.html  

Binky Patrol - Making Blankets for Children

Binky Patrol in South Carolina

In late February, I came across a wonderful group and I knew I had to join as soon as I saw it.  Their tag line is "We make blankets and give them away to children in need of comfort. It's as simple as that."  I was so excited to find there was a need for a chapter in South Carolina and so I applied to start a chapter here in West Columbia, SC!!!  How exciting - but no matter where you are, you can help by going to their web site at http://www.binkypatrol.org

Check out what we are doing here in West Columbia, South Carolina on our Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Binky-Patrol-South-Carolina/353948326581?ref=mf

Even if you don't sew or have never made a think - you can help this group.  The wonderful thing about working with a chapter in your area is that you get to decide where your donations go and work with groups where you know there is a need.  Short of starting my own non-profit, this is the most exciting thing I have found.  This way there are others in charge who know all about what to do and how to do it and all we have to do is follow their lead and find the need.  Here in South Carolina we are starting with a battered women's shelter where children are displaced and have been through some pretty rough times.  I just can't wait to make my first delivery!!!  Check it out and you might find this is a wonderful match for you or someone you know.  They also take donations to the national organization!
Crafting for a cause to help children!!! 

We Must Try To Contribute Joy To the World!

Roger Ebert - "I believe, that if at the end of it all, according to our abilities we have done something to make others a little happier and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime, to make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We mu...st try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, health or circumstances. We must try. I didn't always know this and I am happy that I lived long enough to find it out."

http://twitter.com/ebertchicago

Sew to Serve

I found the greatest links today while looking around on FaceBook.  I already knew about the We All Sew Blog at weallsew.com but they have another wonderful page called Sew-To-Serve and it is full of links that will give you all sorts of ideas and ways to utilize what you make in wonderful giving ways!!!  I have a huge stash of things I have made and I am so excited to find these wonderful opportunities to share them.  Check it out at the link below - you will be glad you did!!

http://www.weallsew.com/sew-to-serve/

Sewing for the Homeless

I found the site below today when I was surfing around.  This is a wonderful opportunity to give back and use your sewing skills for the good of others!!  If you love to sew and would like to help others, please check this out.  If you know of other ways to contribute sewing skills, please let us all know.  I love sewing but don't always have a home for what I make.  What a wonderful way to use something you enjoy to help others!!

http://nikkishell.typepad.com/wardroberefashion/2009/12/sewing-for-the-homeless.html