"Crochet it Forward" - Crocheting for charities and other good causes

Paying it forward a stitch at a time.

I recently asked this question of my testing group and also on my facebook page:  "What are some things we can do with crocheting to benefit others?"  It could be a "pay it forward" kind of thing or a charity.  Here is a list of some of the things we came up with.

Beanies for Soldiers:  http://snappytots.webs.com/bfb

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beanies-for-bravery-soldiers

Scarves left anonymously for people in need:  http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/01/21/free-scarves-ottawa_n_4637385.html?just_reloaded=1

Project Linus:  Every child gets a blanket when in the hospital.  http://www.projectlinus.org/

Crochet for Cancer:  Donate hats to cancer centers.  http://www.crochetforcancer.org/

Pink Slipper Project:  Provides warm handmade slippers to women and children living in shelters. https://www.facebook.com/ThePinkSlipperProject

2014 Special Olympics Scarf Project:  http://colouringwithyarn.wordpress.com/2013/03/05/2014-special-olympics-scarf-project/

Operation Christmas Child:  http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/

Angels for Hope:  Non-profit organization that sends crocheted angels to those who need a special lift.  http://www.angelsforhope.org/

Angels for Nursing Homes:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AngelsforNursingHomes/

Knit A Square:  Knit or crochet a 8" x 8" square to be donated and made into a blanket for a vulnerable or orphaned child in Africa.   http://www.knit-a-square.com/

Afghans for Angels:  http://www.angelfire.com/ia2/AforApage2/index.html

Other ideas for local donations:

• Donate blankets to battered women shelters, homeless shelters, foster care, etc.
• Baby booties, socks, bibs, hats, other baby items for crisis pregnancy centers.
• Donate blankets or lap throws to nursing home residents, lap throws for dementia units, lap afghans to veterans in hospitals.
• Homeless people that you see asking for help - keep extra hats in the car ready to donate when needed.
• Hats and scarves for the homeless veterans.
• Blankets for the elderly at Christmas.
• Donate blankets for local animal shelters.
• Crochet nests for local SPCA.  http://vbspcawildlife.com/node/105
• Donate preemie hats to your local NICU.
• Memory blankets, memory kits for still births, miscarriages.  See "Afghans for Angels" above.
• Crochet breasts for women who can not afford prosthetics:  http://crochet-with-cris.blogspot.com/2012/01/faux-boob-breast-prothesis-pattern.html
• Police officers will often carry things like stuffed animals, hats, and blankets for when they have to remove children from their homes.  Ask if they will accept donations.
• Low income schools can often use donations like hats and scarves for the children.  These would often come out of the teachers' pockets otherwise.
• Food banks.  Some collect hats, gloves, and scarves along with food donations to put in their Christmas baskets.

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