Charity Knitting Project

[Fleur-de-Lis]

For 2011, one of my goals is to be more active in charitable productivity and charitable giving.  To that end, I'm focusing at the moment on the possibility of knitting caps/afghans for preemies and chemo patients and collecting the same from others.  (See * below.)

The trouble I run into is I find very little information about where/how to donate, and with my schedule don't have as much opportunity to identify the outlet for my labors as I would like, such things being more easily done in person during business hours.

Since "in person" isn't an option, and since telephone is impractical for multiple reasons, I am, I think, left with email or letter to various hospitals, etc. to see if they want what I can provide, with the follow-up being to publicize that I am collecting for a given cause.  *The publicity is because I choose to believe others are as stymied as I am on the "where to give" issue, and I want to resolve that for as many as possible.

So:  Who would you contact at each hospital to see if they want/can accept such things?
Does every hospital have a charitable giving coordinator?  (Does any  hospital?)

Thoughts? Ideas? Interest helping?

[FoxPaws]

I don't know much about the way hospitals work - the activities director, social services coordinator, child life specialist, or director of volunteer services might be good places to start.

You might want to check with your favorite yarn shop or the local knitting guilds as well (if you haven't already done so). I know the quilt guilds here have several programs they support and every quilt shop I've ever been in seems to have at least one charity they support.

What a wonderful resolution! Happy New Year and much success with your project. 

[Doll Fiend]

Another suggestion is human societies. Blankies to keep the puppies and kitties all warm.
I myself wish I knew more but I definitely would like to help. I do have some simple patterns for hats for adults and littles.

[Outdoor Girl]

At the hospital, I think my first point of contact would be the Ladies Auxillery.  Here in Canada, it is a volunteer organization that works with the hospital to act as porters for non-critical patients, as well as staff registration desks, run the gift shop, etc, to free up time for trained staff.  Maybe check your local hospital's website and see if there is a link for a similar organization?

I'll be doing this myself this week.  I have a bunch of chemo caps knitted and my Dad is going in for a hip replacement on Thursday so I'll knit some more while waiting that day and visiting on subsequent days.  I'm going to try to drop them off while I'm there.

Another spot to consider for donation is the local women's shelter.  I've donated afghans, hats and mitts that have all been appreciated.  I just called their business number and made arrangements to drop stuff off.

Or your local Christmas Cheer type organization.  Because we're in a cold climate, they try to give each child a toque and pair of mitts.  I helped out with the sorting this year and there were a number of handmade hats and mitts.  A google search should turn up something.

As Doll Fiend suggested, Humane societies like knitted blankets, too.  Maybe check your local one's website and see if there is any info?

[TotterGirl]

Chiming in very very very late!

Consider contacting your local United Way for agency contacts.  I work with my area's United Way every year for the Community fund grant evaluations and have seen lots of organizations which would love these things.