Last week I had the most amazing pleasure meeting three lovely ladies at STITCHES Midwest. Veronica and Nancy, the owners of Dream in Color, and Kelly King, a mother who lost her daughter from a heartbreaking circumstance.
In 2010, Kelly’s 17-year-old daughter Chelsea went missing after going for a run at a nearby park. Over the next few days over 4,000 people came out every day to search for Chelsea and unfortunately, she was found on day five, the victim of a convicted sex offender. This truly is a heartbreaking, but amazing story, and if you’d like to hear more about it then you can listen to the Podcast that Ben, founder of XRX, conducted with Chelsea’s family.
Amazingly, instead of living in anger, guilt and revenge, the King family decided to take action with the law and had a positive outcome: Chelsea’s Law. Chelsea’s Law was “founded on the belief that violent sexual predators who go after children are a uniquely dangerous problem. Signed into law in September, 2010, the newly-enacted California legislation ensures that the state does everything it can to keep violent sex offenders against children from engaging in even more atrocious crimes upon release, and that those who commit the worst violent sexual crimes against children are put away for life:” This is a serious matter that needs more attention as families in all states continue to grow. Being a parent myself, this really put a knot in my throat as I tried to hold the tears back. It’s unfortunate that we even have to think about putting laws like this into action, but with the help of the King’s and so many others, we are keeping our children safer. They have passed the law in a few states already and will continue their efforts until they reach each of the states.
When listening to Ben’s Podcast I heard Brent King, father of Chelsea, say this: “If you allow grief to swallow you, it really will. As a family, we decided to choose hope.” This story not only affected their community, but it made awareness grow. Behind this horrible story grew a beautiful story that I believe we should all help bring awareness to. As knitters, as crocheters, as a community, we can help. Chelsea’s Light Foundation was created to bring awareness for Chelsea and to unite and lead people who are passionate about protecting their children and inspiring positive change in their communities. Children shouldn’t live in fear and the foundation wants to create a voice to pass laws and strengthen laws. One of Chelsea’s Light’s programs is a scholarship fund for those who enjoy extracurricular activities, but don’t have the resources to do so. So far over $300,000 in scholarships has been awarded in the past three years. The King’s have become close to each of the scholarship winners and treat them as their own. I thought it was really neat that Kelly sent them care packages at the beginning of the school year as she would have with Chelsea.
Chelsea’s Foundation is where Veronica and Nancy of Dream in Color really helped out. They had been looking for a foundation to help out for a while and when a mutual friend had mentioned the King’s story, they knew this is where they wanted to be, this is who they wanted to help out. It just struck them as heartwarming; they wanted to help protect children and stand up and do something. “When we met with Chelsea’s mom she told us that one of Chelsea’s favorite sayings was “go big or go home” and it is in that spirit that we want to honor her life and support the foundation. We decided to create a one of a kind accessory dyed in an exclusive color.” That accessory became known as Chelsea’s Shawl which was graciously donated by Stephen West. The Akimbo shawl became the symbol of Chelsea because she had a bohemian, eclectic style and Stephen West’s design seemed to fit that style, perfectly.
To hear Chelsea’s parents talk about her story is truly heartening and difficult to listen to. It contains mature content and may require some tissues, but it’s a story we should all be aware of. The King’s and Dream in Color have turned a sad story into a beautiful one and they know that Chelsea is looking down on them with a smile on her face. I want to thank Kelly, Veronica and Nancy for taking the time to meet with me. It was an honor and I’m so proud of each of you for the incredible dedication you have put forth.
Dream in Color donates $10 from every kit sold to the foundation. Stephen West also agreed to donate the proceeds from his pattern. In selling the kits, working up these beautiful designs and bringing awareness to the foundation will help greatly for those we love. Kelly said to me, “It takes so little to give back so much. We can make a big difference if we pay attention a little bit.” Kelly and the girls of Dream in Color are doing extraordinary work and you can help out, too. You can buy the kits in any of these locations, but we are also giving ONE kit away to one lucky winner!
Kit Includes:
- 2 skeins inspired by Chelsea’s favorite colors
- The Stephen West knit pattern Akimbo
Contest Rules:
- Contest open to US and Canada residents 18+
- One comment/entry per person per blog post.
- Contest closes August 31, 2013 at 11:59p CST.
- Leave a comment on this blog post answering the below question to be entered to win.
- Winners will be posted on Stitch&Unwind.com and notified by email.
Leave a comment by answering this question and you’ll be entered to win a Chelsea’s Shawl Kit:
Have you ever helped out with a charity or foundation before?
Updated 9/3/13
Congratulations to Rikki who has won the Chelsea’s Shawl Yarn Kit. Rikki replied to the question: “I knit and crochet prayer shawls for my church.”
Thanks to everyone who entered the contest and please continue your support with charity work and foundations.
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I used to help run the Prayer shawl group at my church parish.
My sister had stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and almost 12 yrs ago she received a bone marrow transplant. I have helped with the different issues she has been involved with.
I am a member of a group that knits for women’s shelters and children’s homes. We meet weekly at our local YMCA. We use donated yarn, or purchase yarn ourselves to knit items for these organizations. We knit everything from afghans, baby items, to a project this year, making knitted/crocheted or sewn Christmas stockings, in the hopes that each child will have a stocking this Christmas! The group began on September 11, 2001!!! We have been together ever since! I am proud to be a member of this wonderful group of women!
I crochet prayers shawls and blankets for people who I think need a hug and prayers. I try to find out their favorite color and then find a pattern that I think they will like. Everyone needs to know that they are not alone in their hurts and problems, and this is my small way of letting them know someone cares.
A crochet version of this shawl would be helpful. I make shawls and hats for my church and and for several other groups.
Yes! I LOVE volunteering here, and a quarter of profits from my business on Etsy, Two Hands One World goes to charities. It was actually started as a means for me to make a difference while staying home with my daughter
I had helped with Right to LIfe, worked with my political party, local food pantry and a few others. Not so much now because I’m disabled.
I have worked at auctions benefiting an educational foundation and a center for grieving children. Currently I knit hats for male patients of the Knight Cancer Institute in Portland.
I volunteer at our Salt Marsh Nature Center basically doing weeding, planting and clean up. During the year the Nature Center runs different events to raise money for the Salt Marsh Alliance. Some of the events include craft and art shows. I help out wherever I can sometimes selling raffles or making coffee. Just an extra set of hands you might say.
We try to help a different charity each year as a family, but my favorite was a few years back. My now 11 yr old dd asked to do a bikeathon by herself for St. Jude’s hosp. She raised over $250 by herself ( just a little guidance). So proud I am raising a charitable child!
I’ve done quilt blocks for preemies, crochet and knit for seniors making scarfs and gloves, bead squares for a bead quilt
The women at my church are doing a project this weekend to donate fleece wrappers for the coming winter months!
Worked for nonprofits for more than half my career. Plus various causes with my girls in Girl Scouts and church groups.
My husband & I were to be “trailhead angels” along the Pacific Crest Trail in the eastern Sierras which run from Mexico up to Canada. A woman from Seattle had flown from Seattle to Mammoth, taken the bus to Yosemite and the Tuolomnie trailhead and was hiking from there to Sonora Pass trailhead. She left on 8/10/13 and expected to arrive on 8/16 or 8/17 where we’d pick her up. Because of weather conditions (heat, rain, lightning and thunder) and mountain lions, the hike took much longer than she expected. She asked some other hikers who were moving much faster to call us and let us know it wouldn’t be until the 19th/20th. Needless to say, we worried because no one called to let us know. We contacted her husband and he asked us to get search & rescue going. She arrived on Wednesday, fine, a little sore, and glad to be back in civilization.
I enjoy knitting chemocaps and donating them to the local oncology clinic and knitting hats for homeless veterans.
I continually look for opportunities to help local, state, and national charitable organizations with money, time, or in kind donations. I especially appreciate ways that incorporate my love of crafting and crochet.
In addition to regularly donating baby blankets and hats, I recently donated knit and crochet items to a fundraiser for a campaign against domestic violence.
Absolutely, I’ve worked with charities/foundations my whole life. Helping out should start at a young age. My most recent favorites have been Make a Wish and my local elementary school.
I have never helped out with a foundation or organization unfortunately. I do however help as many people I come across who are in need. The first time I ever helped someone I was 16 walking to work and saw this homeless man who was asking for money for food. I told him I was stopping at the sandwich shop to get my lunch if he wanted to come with me. I bought him food and we sat down and ate and he told me his story. He was a wounded vet who didn’t have any family to help him while he got back on his feet. The next day he was in the same spot. He didn’t ask me for anything just smiled and waved at me. I walked up to him and handed him about 30.00 in quarters and told him it was all the extra change I could find that I hope it helped him. A few days later he is in the same spot with clean clothes on and he looked like he had taken a shower. That following week I gave him 50.00 he thanked me and I never did see him again. By the few changes I saw in him I hope he was able to get back on his feet and do something for himself.
I knit afghan squares for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota and the Wounded Soldiers program at Fort Carson, Colorado. I also knit for other charities.
Yes, I have donated to our local hospital hats and blankets for the preemie units
Yes. I have helped with a charity or foundation. From my first volunteer activity as a candy striper to working with youth summer camps to volunteering with various ministries at my church to purchasing cause-supporting items, I have long been active in supporting causes.
Yes I am also a musician, and my sister and I have played in many benefits to raise money for anything from autism to Huntington’s Disease
no I never have .but like to 1 day thanks
I have helped with my college’s team for the Race for the Cure team for the last couple of years. I also volunteered summers at a YWCA near my house when I was younger.
Library, church and theater!
I try to help out whenever I can I doante to our local food bank on a regular basis and donate to our local pet shelter. I never can go thru a checkout without donating something whether to the childrens hospital, cancer society, and so forth. I have never made anything for a cause sadly but would like to.
I knit and crochet chemo caps for Delaware HeadHuggers and blankets for Kozy Kovers for Kids. A wonderful, compassionate lady named Robin organized both of these efforts, and devotes so much time (and her own money!) While I would LOVE to win the kit, if I should, I would pass it on to Robin, to use as a fundraiser or to make up to donate. It is a beautiful shawl, a wonderful expression of support for Chelsea’s family.
I help with our church’s yarn ministry, sort food for the local food bank, and help whenever I can. If I would love to win the kit to wear and remind me of the ways we all can help.
I’ve helped out at our local food bank and with various church organizations.
Yes indeed! I used to do a skate-a-thon to raise money for Jerry’s Kids Telethon – Muscular Dystrphy, every year from age 12 to 18. Last year I donated 5 custom designed beadwork pieces to Corner Pieces Autism Charity for an auction to raise funds for Light the Bridge Blue, April 1, Autism Awareness day!
I volunteer with ice hockey and ball hockey minor associations, sports that all of my kids play. Both positions demand a lot of time doing administrative work from home, which is easy as I am a stay-at-home mom. I enjoy knitting while “living” at rinks.
Yes I have helped in charities in the past. I have done a lot for premature babies.
I have helped out with numerous charities over the years…feels so good to do my part and help out folks who are less fortunate!
As I am beginning, no, I have not, as of yet, crocheted for charity. I do woodwork and made a cross for charity once. It was the little girls favorite verse and she was recovering in the hospital after a severe car accident killed her mother.
Coming back to crochet after a ten-year hiatus, I’d say I’ve never had the opportunity or resource to donate to any foundation or charity. But now that I’ve read this story, I’m more motivated to participate in organizations like that and be able to help other people in my own little way.
I sincerely hope the best for the Chelsea foundation and to everyone who supports it. May you guys bring more awareness and hope not only to the artisans and communities but to every nook of the world as well.
Peace, love and blessings to the King family
What about those of us who don’t knit. Is there a pattern for crocheting the shawl?
I have helped with charities since I was 13. Even though my health prevents me from a lot of physical activity, I still manage to continue helping. I believe giving to others enriches everyone’s life.
Our knit group is currently working on the Red Scarf project. We have done baby hats for hospitals, lapghans and shawls for a group home, and afghans for wards of the state. It is rewarding to share with others who may not have access to handmade items.
Project Linus is my charity of choice. I also make assorted items for local hospitals, nursing homes, and shelters. I love to do all kinds of knit and crochet, and my family can only use so much.
Not in a truly organized way but I do what I can to increase awareness and raise funds for the American Brain Tumor Association. And I make handmade greeting cards for Operation Write Home, a group that donates the cards to our service personnel overseas so that they can write home to their loved ones and friends.
I also crochet and sew chemo hats to donate to our local Cancer Center!
For the past 3 years I have been a Shavee for St Baldrics , to conquer children’s cancer. Yes bald as a cue ball ! I am a knitter/ crocheter so I make hats as well to cover my bald head from the chill when I’m not showing it off to raise money 😉 I shave my head to join with kids who don’t have a choice. 1 in 5 will lose their fight. I am thankful my 4 children and 2 grandchildren are healthy.
I started crocheting rainbow colored baby blankets for babies who will need them.
I helped found a group that made hats, scarves and mittens for local needy, have been involved with Relay for Life for several years, as well as the national kidney foundation, and have donated countless crochet items to charity auctions.
Knitting and crocheting is a new-found passion for me. Super Bowl time will be the one year mark. (I started by knitting purple scarves when our Ravens were in the playoffs.). I love that I can do something for charity now with this new skill. Chelsea’s story is indeed heart wrenching. As a high school math teacher, I work with kids this age every day. In that role, I’ve participated in projects too numerous to count. There is literally a new project every week in the school where I work. We’ve done everything from sending thousands of pairs of shoes to shoeless kids in Africa, to Relay for Life, and an annual Autism Walk. My favorite is one that has been going on all of the 33 years I’ve worked there: a Thanksgiving food drive. The food goes to needy families in our area, and I was even the winner one year of our Turkey Legs contest, collecting the most money for my legs, all of which went to buy turkeys to go with the canned foods donated.
I’m interested in getting involved with the chemo caps charity once I perfect my hat making skills.
I have helped with Relay For Life for several years- What a BIG EVENT here! I regularly donate to the local food bank (even when I was on food stamps) I don’t have much spare income or time, but a couple of lapgans a year go to one of the nursing homes – with instructions that they go to people who don’t have resources to buy what they want, and they are to be anonymously given.
I have volunteered in many ways over the years including helping build a house for Habitat for Humanity, crocheting hats for people with cancer, and participating in the Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome awareness in Oklahoma.
I volunteer at my local thrift shop to raise money for local churches.
Wow to have the courage to go through everything she did and still stand up for what is right that young lady has some big heart
I crochet mittens for little kids and give them to the North Park Covenant food pantry which feeds and clothes hundreds of families. During the winter I keep a pair of mittens with me and when I see a child with cold hands, I stop and give the child the mittens. The look on their faces is priceless.
Yes. My son, Sully, was diagnosed with cancer in 2010. He was 7 years-old. As a family, we got involved with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a head shaving event to support children with cancer, who have lost their hair during treatment. My son lost his hair due to chemotherapy. Through St. Baldrick’s, I raised money for childhood cancer research, while my husband took part in the head shaving event.
Make lapgans for veterans and give to St.
Jude’s childrens hospital.
I am currently involved in collecting crochet needles, yarn, and cross-stitch kits for an orphanage in Kyrgyzstan, Asia. I have several hats that I have made that will also be sent. “This year’s school hats are next year’s play hats.” The nurse who works with the children knows how to crochet and will teach them.
My granddaughter is continuously collecting box tops for education and the tabs off aluminum cans for the Ronald McDonald House. When she collects enough, her mother takes her to the Ronald McDonald House and donates in person. My daughter wants her to see what her efforts are doing.
Have a blessed day.
I particapate in a Prison Ministry called Kairos, we crochet Prayer Shawls for our guests for our semiannual 2 1/2 day retreats. It is a blessing when you see a mother or a sister, or aunt or a wife, etc., that has a loved one inside that they blame themselves for the loved ones being put in prison. These shawls that have been prayed over is for them to feel loved and being hugged by the Lord Jesus Christ.
The endless skeins of yarn produced many pray shawls for the patients were I work till one day. We found out we were purchased by another hospital and several co-workers would be let go. Our group found that the co-workers that were leaving needed support, prays and the warm of our friendship. We included them to our shawl project and still kept our patients wrap in the shawls also.
I volunteered several times at a support group for grieving parents after my best friends son was killed in a senseless drug related car accident. I also volunteer at our local feral cat clinic.
I lost my grandmother to breast cancer when I was 16 and have been a team captain and comittee member for our local Relay for life, raising cancer awareness, money for cancer research for over 10 yrs.
I have daughters and it is very scary to know there are people like that out there. I commend the Kings for making a difference in their daughters name. Their efforts will save other familys from going through the same tragedy.
I knit and crochet for two local groups….the Council on Aging where once a month a project is chosen and we provide the handmade articles to be donated charitably throughout our community and for a Senior Citizen’s Center. The Center is run solely off funds generated by the different jobs and groups we serve throughout our city. Thank goodness we have caring organizations to make life better for all of us.
Yes, I volunteer every week at Give Kids the World and I’ve volunteered with AARP.
I have crocheted for different keep warm charities
I have had breast cancer and I also lost my daughter to breast cancer, she was 28 when she was diagnosed and 37 when she passed away. I donate to several breast cancer organizations, Susan G. Koman is especially dear to my heart.
Crochet hats for newborns, quilts for friends and newborns, booties for newborns, donate to foodbanks, anything i can do tohelp.
I volunteer crocheting items for foster childten. I was a foster child and understand the need to have something of your own that comforts you, especially if you go from one foster home to another. Also help elementary school age children in a “stranger danger” type program teaching them about safety & how to protect themselves. I also crochet an afghan for every new baby I happen to come in contact with & those who go on to college to have something nice & comfy at school. I enjoy crocheting!
I enjoy giving teas for senior citizen centers, giving an annual tea to raise money for the American Cancer Society, take place in as a volunteer in the Susan B. Koen walk a thon, volunteer at an 1800’s house, knitting and crocheting hat and scarves for the homeless shelter, knitting and crocheting layettes for premies in need, knitting and crocheting hats and scarves for a children’s home, knitting hats and scarves for the local Veterens, knitting and crocheting hats for all the local oncology centers and with the rest of my time, I just crochet for fun and end up donating the items somewhere!
My son had cancer and I am so blessed to help others!
Such a beautiful way to remember her
I donate when I can and where. I have especially donated items to our local hospital for our little babies who have become angels way too soon.
I have never done anything for a charity before but would love to do some. God Bless the ones that have done so.
I’ve given Baby crocheted booties and bonnets to Lighthouse minitries, a home for unwed mothers. I, also, donated a tablecloth, for a silent auction, for them.
My husband and I have volunteered at a charity, CRF4acure, began to raise awareness for childhood cancer when the sister of my son’s friend passed away.
To celebrate my 60th birthday milestone, I am knitting 60 baby hats for charity. I’m currently on #35! This has been a great, fun project for me.
I have knitted and crocheted hats and scarves for several organizations.
I have knit and donated chemo caps for both children and adults.
I crochet little beanie hats for the Nicue babies (along with little sweaters and booties) at the hospital where my mother works.
I help friends and family in need such as car ride running to stores and cleaning would love to win
I crochet lap robes for use by veterans at the VA hospitals. I have been doing this for about 8 years, and try to complete at least 1 each month. I have also made scarves for the Special Olympics.
Yes,
I have crocheted and knitted afghans and painted art work for the Parkinsons group in Nova Scotia for them to raise money and also helped in The Canadian Cancer Society. All good agencies worthy of help.
Yes I have. Ive done preemie hats and blankets. Ive also helped by donating to fundraiser auctions. That yarn looks wonderful. I hope I win so I can try it….
You guys are wonderful. Great story although sad too. Thanks so much for sharing, and keep up the great work! To answer the question, I have yet to but have been planning to for years, honestly. I love great causes. I’ve just been busy crafting for friends and family that I don’t get far enough to craft for anyone else :/ I shall soon though! 🙂
I volunteered with food distribution organizations, have crocheted for the Special Olympics, and have donated items for charity auctions for a variety of causes, from animal shelters to cancer fundraisers. This is an amazing story, thank you for sharing it! My heart goes out to Chelsea’s parents.
I have donated baby hats and sweaters and blankets to the local hospital-I belong to Christmas at Sea project and donate Caps for Babies every year
I have made and donated lapghans, chemo caps, prayer shawls, newborn hats and also fabrics to Newborns in Need. I found this kept me sane when one of my daughters was going through chemo.
Yes
As a military spouse, I have donated time to various military foundations, functions and families over my husband’s 29 year career. Now, I am giving back to Burritt on the Mountain in Huntsville, Al. where I can appear in period clothing while crocheting, knitting, or quilting at the living museum where Alabama’s Heritage is kept alive. Chelsea’s Shawl is such a wonderful memory!
I recently donated dog sweaters and toys to an online auction to help raise money for healthcare for Rat Terriers in foster. The stitching group I belong to has done several projects for other animal charity fund-raising.
Over the years I have helped and volunteered with several Charities….knitted blankets and helped at our local CAT (Cat Adoption Team)Knitted hats for Halos of Hope and at the moment Knitting for a Project Pooch Fund Raiser.
I took in a homeless family – mom and two children – who were attending the school I worked in. I noticed they came to school sometimes in their PJ’s and had many various health and emotional issues. They were living in their car. Their mom knew nothing about getting the help she needed, about parenting, about nutrition, healthy, inexpensive food shopping, or food preparation. They stayed with me for a year during which time I helped them to get back on their feet, taught about the above items, and worked with her children. I never heard back from them but hope my love and care and education improved their lives for years to come.
Yes, I have knitted and crocheted for various charities and have also just given away a few items to make people happy.
I have crocheted hats, baby booties, etc for various charities. I just learned to knit, so I will soon be donating knit holiday ornaments for soldiers overseas.
I crochet prayer shawls for the prayer shawl ministry at my church.
Each month I pick a different charity to contribute to. I also try to knit &/or crochet items for charity.
My husband has ALS. We have helped with the ALS Walk.
I have also helped with the March of Dimes. I am very sorry for the loss of
your sweet daughter. Breaks my heart to hear this.
God Bless Chelsea and your family.
Over the years I have helped organizations and the less fortunate to the best of my abilities.
I donate annually to the EDD foundation which funds activities for children with special needs – they have summer camps and winter activities to help kids do sports and activities that they might not ever be able to do…for instance skiing for kids with visual impairment. I quilt or knit items that are auctioned at their annual fundraiser.
I made hats for the Packers/Steelers Super Bowl Charity Challenge. Was so much fun to see how many hats/scarves/mittens would be made by crafty football fans.
I foster and volunteer for a local animal shelter.
Have taught Girl Scouts and 4-H members to crochet.
Yes, I have.
I have not worked with an organized charity but I have donated chemo hats to my local medical oncology center. I also made two shawls for the nurses who worked closest with my mother during her breast cancer treatment there. I have made several scarves for the various doctors and nurses who take care of my elderly parents. It is the greatest feeling in the world to give a little token of appreciation to those who dedicate their lives to helping others.
I have made prayer shawls for my church, the most memorable being a tiny knit shawl for a little boy born 15 weeks early. It was placed on his incubator and I am pleased to say he is now a happy 6 year old.
I have also made blankets for Project Linus and preemie hats. I was part of a knitting/crocheting group where we all did projects for charities. There are still a lot of good people out there.
I used to volunteer with tutoring children in a non-profit daycare/after school program in Kansas City, MO run by nuns. Every day after school, kids would come to the “kitchen” area where the table were for assistance with their homework. These were kids from pre-K to seniors in high school. The parents had brought their kids there to be cared for during and after school while they worked. These were inner city, at-risk kids from single parent or poverty level income families. I worked there the whole time I was in college – 4 yrs. As a grandparent, I knew the love these kids required just to feel like they mattered! So many were very sad when I had to leave, as was I. These kids were amazing people with hopes and dreams that might never see fulfillment due to their family and income limitations, but we encouraged them anyway. What is life without Hope? Just like Chelsea’s dad said, I believe it is true. I know that I made a difference to at least a couple kids and that they will remember ‘Miss Margaret’ who would great them with a smile, with a hug, and most of all with excitement to see them. I still miss their precious faces and burgeoning spirits!
Chelsea’s story was heart moving. As a mother and grandmother, I can’t bear the thought that some thing like this could happen to anyone, but I might not survive if it happened in my family. Chelsea’s family’s story is inspiring. Thank you for bringing the story to me. I’d like to be part of this.
Yes, I agree. It would be great to have a crochet version. I would love to help make these.
I’ve made shawls for our church prayer shawl ministry, this would be an awesome one to make!
I’ve donated knit/crochet baby items to a local charity, and collected toys and donations for a Christmas hamper programme–as well as volunteering at a few different places over the years.
Yes, I have donated crocheted items to the Carl Perkins Foundation for domestic violence and abused children, in Tennessee. This Yar would be a great addition to my crochet ability to provide to foundations such as Carl Perkins.
I volunteer as the Route Coordinator for the CBCF CIBC Run for the Cure in Prince George. This is my third year in this position. Thanks for the nice giveaway!
Yes I have. I have help out at numerous charities through my church and school. We give mattresses and box springs to the less fortunate, paint rooms at the christian orphanage,build parks for children in underprivileged areas, ect.
Yes, cofounder of prayer shawl ministry at church, also knitted teddy bears for families at local homeless shelter, pink scarf for breast-cancer research, scarf for Seamen’s Mission in New York, scarves for veterans in VA hospitals through the National WWII Museum, socks for soldiers in Afghanistan, baby clothes for Threads of Love ministry, small blankets for shelter pets, and organized blanket square knitting and crocheting at school where I work to make three blankets for two orphanages in Russia. I live in a warm climate, and my son and husband don’t want a lot of knitted or crocheted items, and I love to craft, so making things for those who really need a little warmth and softness is ideal. I recommend a book called Knitting for Peace for many great patterns and checking Ravelry for charity projects. If you pray, you can pray while you knit or crochet for the recipient. Sending it off or delivering it feels like Christmas morning! Even if you never know anything about the recipient, you know they will know someone cared about them.
I am always donating my hats etc. for different non profit clubs and I also give hats to cancer fighters
My mother taught us as very young children to help others whenever we could. If we were baking, she would bake extra and drop off random plates of baked goods at neighborhood homes. At the beginning of the school year, we donated our clothes for those who needed it and when we went shopping for school supplies, mom always bought extra to donate to the schools. All these little things added up to mean so much to me as an adult and it is ALWAYS a pleasure to spare a few more dollars on things I am already buying to help those in need. Whether its the local women’s shelter, the church up the road, or the food bank, we always make a point to help out- even if its helping out by donating our time. My mother’s dedication to charity has made me more aware of my community and its needs which allows me to now pass along this tradition of giving to my children.
You bet. Have done a knitting/crochet circle with the Tent City residents, made prayer shawls for distribution by the priests at church, donated handknit items to the homeless distribution, and am part of a quilt ministry that makes quilts for others.
the stitchery guild I just joined is doing cancer caps over the hot summer.
have two ready to donate!
I have helped out different charities and organization in a multitude of different ways. I have fostered both children and animals, donated crocheted blankies to animal welfare sites so they have a warm cuddly place to sleep, donated to different places so children have a warm hat and I make prayer shawls, for no particular place but I will give them to those in need.
I have volunteered with numerous charities and nonprofits – girl scouts, red cross and united way. I love to crochet baby blankets and give them away.
I knit chemo caps for cancer center and volunteered at the local soup kitchen and thrift store for 4-1/2 years. I now volunteer at our local senior citizens center.
I volunteer at church and have volunteered for Girl and Boy Scouts
I’ve been involved with lots of community charities. Mostly food programs and women’s shelters. Feels good to help others!
I have made prayer shawls for friends going through rough times. It started with a friend who’s daughter was going through dialysis & it snowballed from there. This yarn is so pretty, I think it would make a beautiful shawl!
I volunteer for various organizations and am thinking of adding one or two more to my list. I donate platelets and plasma on a regular basis also. I feel honored to help those less fortunate than myself.
I love to knit and crochet baby blankets to donate to hospitals, animal shelters, Linus blankets and just about any organization looking for knit or crochet projects. I loved making scarfs for Special Olympics and look forward to many more projects in the future.
I knit and crochet prayer shawls for my church.
A crafts group I belong to makes handcrafted bookmarks each year to donate to an adult literacy program. The knitting group I belong to has done knitted donations to our local NICU and program for unintended single mothers. I’ve also knit hats for my college’s holiday hat donation to underprivileged children.
I have always helped with charitys, from church to guiding to community. Recently, I make doll clothes all through the year and then I donate them to the Christmas Tree for children that would not otherwise get a gift, along with new dolls that I’ve purchased, and custom made carrybags.
Yes, I’ve crocheted laugh and for the church which donates them to a hospital for people with cancer or in the ED, for infants in the neonatal intensive care unit and for veterans.
I have knit & crochet for several different charities over the past….many years! My favorites are hats & scarves for the homeless; blankies for preemies & more recently prayer shawls through the church.
I have donated crochet tablecloths (my own patterns) for “Relay For Life” and I am a participant. (2001-recent
Yes! I once crocheted 12 preemie baby hats for save the children. I loved it. When I have more time I plan on doing project linus and the purple hats.
i am blessed by crocheting others prayer shawls for many different occasions and some times sickness too <3
I have knit prayer shawls for our church for the past several years; also knit and crochet many items for a craft auction for various missions projects through our church.
I’ve crocheted over 2000 hats and about 300 scarves for Emergency Youth Shelters, Women’s shelters, Newborns & Preemies at hospitals. I plan to learn to do mittens this fall.
Giving back is something I try to do all the time. I have painted for The Memory Box program. I crochet for others and volunteer where I can. Donating dog food and blankets is close to my heart. Nursing homes, pediatric wards, shelters, the possibilities are endless.
Taught my students how to crochet making scarves for Special Olympics. I make hats, gloves and blankets and blanket squares for a family shelter, regularly. This spring a group of us made items in blue for child abuse awareness month. Good for the heart, mind and soul.
I have made blankets for Project Linus and people with cancer, as well hats for cancer victims, and I donated my hair to Locks of Love.
I haven’t. I have never knitted before either. I am an avid crocheter but I am learning to knit.
Yes, PRC and knitting hats for newborns at local hospital.
Yes. I help make lap blankets for my local Salvation Army
I would love to start making blankets for our church in the winter the chapel gets quite cold. I welcome any suggestions how to start doing this.
I have knitted and crocheted blankets for the Linus project and knitted hats for babies in the hospital I work. I also have knitted hats for the service men and women overseas.
I have helped raise $ for Relay For Life numerous times. So much fun and great exercise!
Awesome story!!!!!…would love to make the shawl….
I shave crocheted blankets, scarves and shawls for gifts for people who are grieving, elderly,
poor and donated to local collections such as NAMI. When my mom had stomach cancer I crocheted her shawl, blanket and hats which I shared with others when she passed a way. I like to crochet something for others whenever I see a need. It is something I taught myself at young age and something I like to give back. I am presently crocheting has for a grandfather and his grand daughteter who is battling osteosarcoma.
I helped make quilts for missions at my church, and hats for newborns at the hospital. This sounds like such a very important cause, and is just after following a story of a 12 year old in my hometown that had the same thing happen to her this last week.So sad!
I help out at my local Community Care, which is responsible for so many important services to the citizens in our area, young and old!!
I have volunteered with the Humane Society with “bathe and dip”, vaccinations, etc. I also volunteered with a group called Compeer, which matched volunteers with chronically mentally ill people in the community. They were kind of a Big Brother/Big Sister group. I am a registered nurse and taught volunteers about medication.
My daughter and I helped crochet some newborn hats; the church was taking them to the hospital to welcome babies into the world.
I had the good fortume to initiate a prayer shawl ministry6 at my home church called “Sisters Under the Skein.” We did a lot of valuable ministry that way and had great fellowship when we met every month.
As a minister and as a woman dealing with the crippling affects which MS has had on my body, I have worked with many foundations which attempt to change our world for the better for each successive generation. I had read about Chelsea’s story a while back, and I am delighted to discover the efforts of so many needle artists have had on her family’s foundation. I always told the youth and children in my past churches to look for the hidden blessings in all of life’s difficulties and challenges. The blessings are always available, but sometimes, as in the case with Chelsea’s family, we have to look a little harder to find them, and we sometimes must also be the ones who the Lord uses to create those blessings for future recipients of all of the challenges and difficulties with encase life today. I hope all who read this page and/or who learn about Chelsea will remember they, too, can create hope and positive influences for those undergoing difficult times. I am so pleased to see how Chelsea’s family took the most awful of experiences and used it as an impetus to make a better world for other young people.
As I scrolled down reading each response, I realized I read the question wrong. I read “have you been helped out by a charity”…duh! I was excited to tell you about what the Masons did for me both as a child and as an adult. oh well.
As far as me helping out a charity, etc. I do charity work…prayer shawl ministry; Linus Project; local hospital NICU for stillborn babies; hats/blankets for homeless; veteran’s needing warm gear; Walk Across America squares; Outreach to Appalachia; a few items for Rosebud Reservation when folks from my church went on a missions trip there. I try to find new organizations each year to supplement the “regular” ones. There is an excellent book, Knitting for Peace by Betty Christiansen that lists many, many organizations one can help out, in addition to one’s local needs.
Great question, just wish I could have shared my bounty from others. 🙂
I made knitted and crocheted hats for infants, mailed them to D.C. and they were distributed throughout the world to needy newborns. I am always interested in helping, and will be serving with our church packing food for Feed My Starving Children foundation on 9/20. It is such a blessing to serve!
After Hurricane Sandy hit NYC and NJ, my family and I donated clothes and food and volunteered with community members to help victims. When school started back up I helped organize a bake sale at my son’s elementary school. I also volunteered at the bake sale. In 1 day we raised almost $1,000 for victims of the hurricane.
I have crocheted some hats for a local homeless shelter and made squares for the Michael’s blanket program. This is a marvelous way to turn the family grief into something powerful that can make a positive difference in peoples’ lives. Bless the King family, today and every day as they move forward.
I have crocheted baby afghans for the Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society.
Yes I work with our STARS which is an organization that works with rape and sexual assault victims.
I have crocheted infant hats, cocoons, and blankets to be given to children in Sudan by a co-worker who went on a medical mission there.
I donated my crocheted blankets to the cat house..no kill cat shelter.
I have helped out my mother-in-law and niece by making them sew-on labels for some ruffle scarves they sold to raise money for the Kids With Cancer Society.
My daughters, husband and I have helped with an animal rescue. Volunteering at different functions and my husband, Dennis, was Santa last year to take photos with pets. I took the photos and my girls helped with the pets.
Yes the Mother Bear Project. It is a wonderful way to give back to children in another country that have nothing. The joy they feel in receiving a bear that someone here in the states crochets with love is amazing to see in the pictures that are taken and posted on the website.
Our parents brought us up knowing how important it was to do all we could for ohters. Through church, local organizations, our work and our lives. I worked with low income children and their families for 20 years and then ran the local thrift store and emergency food program in our county for almost as long. Since retiring I have crocheted for several different programs and am continuing to do all I can at our local Nursing Home and in our community. They will know we are our Father’s children through our actions. Thank you for sharing all of these stories to give others ideas of ways they can give of themselves.
I make hats, shawls, christmas items foe the schools, greiving childrens asspciation and for homeless
I have been involved with the prayer shawl ministry.
I sew for a group called Teeny Tears (teenytears.org) that specialises in bereavement diapers for infant losses between 18-32 weeks. IF a hospital a mother delivers at a hospital that has little gowns, so often there are no diapers that will fit. Gone are the days that nurses are forced to create covers out of tape and cotton balls, or simply use commercial diapers that are too large, or worst of all the baby has nothing. We hope to provide modesty and a keepsake for the family of their precious one, since “a person is a person, no matter how small.”
I help by volunteering to make hats, booties and blankets for the local Children’s Hospital for the newborns and preemies.
Yes, I have.
I am a Cradle Roll teacher in my church and I have crocheted afghans for orphans that the church sent to orphanages.
I crocheted and knit for about 5 yrs. 6×9 rectangles for Handmade Afghan Project which provided afghans made of rectangles made by people from all over the country to wounded soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan. Over 10,000 afghans were distributed.
I have been involved with the Morgan Harrington who was found murdered 3 months after being abducted when attending an Metallica concert and now, unfortunately, another young girl is missing. 17 yr. old Alexis Murphy. Why do we have a new group of families who have to endure the loss a family member to a perverted criminal?
I also have done multiple charitable causes, my favorite being prayer shawls.
I make squares for Warm Up Canada,as well as hats and scarves for charity
Yes, I cross stitched a panel or two for a quilt made for victims of 9/11.
I belong to a church group that made dozens, if not hundreds, of crocheted cotton thread bandages for the Hansen’s Disease colony in Louisiana. Whenever I can, I donate crocheted items to the local shelters and premie/low income infant care groups. It takes no time and is needed so much.
After reading this story I think what you are doing is wonderful and very rewarding. I would love to win the kit so I could knit the shawl.
I crochet hats for babies @ the hospital I work for. I also donate to 2 local agencies that are a part of our church diocese.
Helping out is part of our DNA. My daughter and I help pack food for a local food rescue foundation once a week and my husband and I both volunteer time to our synagogue and our kid’s schools.
My family and I give to and help several charities. Our son is involved with the Patriot Riders among other things, and we try to help many of the veterans charities in our area. We work at the local food pantry, we put on a carnival for a different charity or organization every year, I have crafted hats for several newborn units and I am organizing a program to donate knit or crocheted toys for the adoption bags at the Humane Society. We are helping an organization that provides food to needs Appalachian children during the summer. We work with other organizations also, but without handcrafted items.
I crochet and knit blankets and hats for premature babies at the local hospital. I also make and design flowers for the hair, and crochet support ribbons with swarovski crystals in them to raise money for the lupus foundation of America. No-one really knows much about this disease and I find that telling them where the profit is going, gives me an outlet to talk to people about this potentially deadly disease. After being diagnosed in 2007, I realized there was a real need for higher education for those who have loved ones suffering from lupus so that they could both mentally and emotionally prepare for the day to day hardships of living with it. I’d like to think I’ve made a small difference in both education and funds =)
Lapghans for disabled veterans and St. Jude’s.
Yes, many times. I’ve washed dishes at benefit dinners, called corporate donors to solicit prizes for charity runs, and answered phones at telethons. I’ve stood outside supermarkets signing up new voters; I’ve addressed envelopes; I’ve knitted hats. It’s hard to let a week go by without contributing in some way to charities and foundations that help others. That’s what civilization is all about.
I volunteer mainly for sharing and caring hands-a wonderful food shelf and homeless shelter. I also love to do the packing feed my starving children. I have also helped with a breast cancer walk, cheering on the walkers/runners.
I crocheted cancer caps for our local hospital.
I have volunteered since I was a teen.Enjoy helping others.Now am raising my 12 yr old grandson and volunteering at hiw school.
What an awesome idea for such a life tragic event. May God bless all and I would like to know more about how to help
I have volunteered at our local library. I also have volunteered lots of time with scouts – both with my son and with my daughter.
I have a missionary that I support who has started an orphanage in Mexico. I have helped with fundraisers, crocheted gifts for locals, travelled to the community, and give a portion of any earnings from crochet to the ministry. Chelsea’s law is equally important. As parents we need to stand together to protect the children of the world from predators and abuse! Thank you for joining forces with this very worth cause!
I’ve helped with a number of organizations over the years. One’s that I’ve worked with using knitting and crocheting include making blankets for Linus Project and also making warm large blankets given to homeless families living at our rivers (a local casual non organized group of people who help Sacramento area homeless) and also include making squares and whole blankets for Warm Up America. I’ve knitted shawls , jewellry and hats for a local PTA who have an annual silent auction as a fundraiser. Church bazaars and local hospitals have also been knitted for. As a breast cancer survivor, I personly know the importance of donated chemo-caps. It’s important to me to give back when and where I can.
Charity is not an act, it is a way of life- a way of being. I don’t feel comfortable sharing the ways in which I use my talents to try and lift others, but I will tell you that if we could all just open our eyes and do SOMETHING to help another person, and then make actions like that a part of our lives, this old world would be transformed! Whether it is taking a meal to someone in need or participating in a church project, we can all make a difference in small and big ways. How wonderful to see such great women reaching out in love! And that beauty (both literal- the shawl- and figurative- an inspiring and giving attitude) came out of Chelsea’s tragedy.
I crochet for NEWBORNS in NEED, adn during the winter I make lap blankets for the senior citizens in my area. All are so very near & dear to me!
I volunteered with a ministry sending hand crocheted hats, blankets and other items to babies who were born into needy families; I volunteered (and still do) to a local homeless ministry, making hats, scarves, etc. I have also made a TON of crochet baby blankets and am considering right now which ministry to donate them to. :0)
I knit preemie blankets for the San Angelo, TX Fiber Guild. My mother was a member and as a way to honor her memory and her teaching me to knit I try to get them at least six blankets a year. I knit chemo caps for anyone that I know who is touched by cancer – especially from fur-type yarn to give them a laugh. And I also try to have several hat/scarf sets each year for our church’s involvement with Homeless Stand Down and for a Giving Tree sponsored by a local service group in the Cleveland, OH area.
Absolutely! I have made blankets for our local Linus group for the last 15 years as well as making small items to help our local community including hats, mittens, blankets for the nursing home and preemie hats for the NICU. Over the years I have sent items to help children and sick all over the world … It makes me feel like I can do something big being right at home.
I teach knitting and crocheting at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.
I regularly contribute finished items like baby blankets, hats, booties, pet snuggles and full size afghans to a number of local charities and I know that as long as I’m still able to crochet & knit that I’ll continue to do so. I have MS and a few other disabilities that make it tough some days to keep the hook/needles moving but there are many people in need who have problems that are much worse than mine. A little bit of yarn and effort is the least that I can do to help them in my own small way. I salute all the families like Chelsea’s who continue their lives with courage after suffering devastating losses.
Yes I volunteer at the hospital where we knit and crochet for cancer and heart patients. I also knit baby blankets and hats for international charities. I also knit prayers shawls for our area churches. I am really touched by Chelesa story and her courage to continue with life after her loss.
I’ve made preemie caps for hospitals here in GA & in FL when we lived there for a while. I made several caps & scarves for the homeless shelter here in town. It makes you feel good to help others, God bless the Kings for their sacrifice & charity. I don’t think I’d be that strong.
No, but I’ve made quite a few hats for women with cancer, and for preemies.
I volunteered at a youth centre, a place where teenagers can go to chat with friends, play pool or video games without being influenced by others. It was an awesome place and made the kids feel like they had someone other than their parents who believed in them.
Besides Habitat for Humanity, Locks of Love, United Way and Back Pack Attack at work… I helped start a ‘Cinderella’ program at my old middle school. We collected donated formal dresses and accessories and helped the young ladies who couldn’t attend the 8th grade dance otherwise. They were always ‘whisked away’ and secretly outfitted for the occasion. The tradition still goes on.
I have helped with the local food bank.
What a great triumph for the King family, I can’t wait to go to the Loopy Ewe in Ft. Collins, CO to get some of these kits. Sometimes we need a reminder that helping others and being part of the goodness in the world is what life is really about.
I am unemployed and have been for some time now. However,I hit yard sales and thrift stores for yarn to use for hats and scarves to be donated to my local mission.
i love to crochet and i sew quilts for the babies for the local hospitals.
Growing up my parents belonged to the Volunteer Fire Department. Many occasions I helped her with the various charities that this department worked with. Some of these were sending care packages to soldiers during the Vietnam War. I will always remember packing up all the items and getting them ready to go to those young men to fight for the freedom of individuals.
I have made chemo caps and sweathers for various groups. One year I made every kid in our church a prayer hat or scarf that the congregation bathed in prayers for a good winter at school. I’ve lot count of the prayer shawls and blankets I have crocheted or tied (fleece) over the past 10 years for members, friends and strangers. Most recently I have completed 5 baby blankets that will go to a neo-natal ICU unit in PA. I love creating and the best part is the giving.
our crochet team(mostly at church) have participated in several charities. caps for good out of ny, for one, and local drives. we specialize in hats and blankets for babies, that go to needy families, as well as to every baby born into our little country church. each of us has her own favorite charity, with mine being vanna’s warm-up america. this issue(chelsea’s law) is near to our hearts as we have had several young ladies disappear in our area, only to be found with tragic circumstances – in the three adjacent counties: harnando, citrus and sumter). giving, prayer and education are the surest ways to fight the evil of this world and save our children. thanks for your efforts. karenb/fredw
I volunteered for over 5 years, and when I was physically unable to continue, I started crocheting chemo caps for kids & teens with cancer and other severe illnesses. I also crocheted nearly 100 tiny stockings for my mother’s church, to put on their Christmas tree, with each tiny stocking contain wishes from families, so different folks could take a stocking and fulfill another family’s wish!
I moved to Baltimore after Katrina from Metairie,LA. when our home with 6 in. water was uninhabital(2005)my life left behind. I needed to be busy but am in a wheelchair for 15 years so couldn’t get out to keep busy, Hadassah an international org. was knitting 9 in, squares which are then crocheted to-gether into afghans and given to various org. such as Women without Homes, Abused Wives,Women and Children on the Run…and quite a few others. We gather together from 15 to as many as 40 to make sure everyone is sure to get one. I live in Atrium Village a retirement home in Owings Mills,Md. and 7 other residents joined me in this endeavor. We do not sleep our lives awayin the lobby, We knit and crochet to help others.
I have crocheted for over 50 years and have given every bit of it away to those who need them. I have made slippers, shawls, laprobes, afghans, baby items and more and given it all away to Nursing Homes, Vets Home, or to young mothers who don’t have any money to buy things for their babies.
God Bless all of you who are so giving!
Big Hugs!
I have co-founded two nonprofit organizations that help women start and grow their businesses, http://www.cweonline.org and http://www.sswbn.org. I have helped numerous cultural organizations to become sustainable. Currently I am chair of the board of http://www.themarblecollection.org and pro bono chief financial officer of http://www.prosperitycatalyst.org. In 2006 I was awarded the President’s Call to Service award for having over 4000 hours of community service. I am well on my way to the second 4000 hours.
The Ladies of the Church I used to attend started crocheting and Knitting little Preemie hats and sewing flannel blankets for the incubators at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland Ohio after the Premature Birth of a baby Girl to one of the members Daughters. The first year if I remember right we sent 95 little hats to the NICU at Rainbow.. I crocheted 8 hats and sent them in the first year. The Mom and her little Daughter take them in each Year.
(I believe the little girl is now 8 yrs old ?)
I donate to the Ronald McDonald House and Project Linus
Yes I am currently involved with a Prayer Shawl Ministry for folks diagnosed with cancer.
In the past, I have participated in “Afghans for Soldiers” and done pro bono work in my profession for United Way. Currently, I am working on prayers shawls to remind people that someone cares while they wrap themselves in soft folds of yarn. I have also made jewelry for Autism fund raising. I love all art forms from oil painting to crochet to jewelry to quilting. I hope to use these mediums as a means to give comfort and support to others. Thank you for bringing this foundation to our attention.
I learned of “Knitting for Lynn” out of New Hampshire while at Camp Calumet
Yes I volunteered for an non-profit organization in Orlando Fl. call F.O.C.U.S (Federation of Churches United to Serve) We were the voice for those who cannot be heard, we stood up to unfair foreclosure laws, voters rights, and immigration. I have made several trips to our states capitol, and also spoke on tv to try to get government to change foreclosure laws. Too many families are being put out in the cold.
Thanks for giving us an opportunity to win the giveaway.
Aloha! Started young in school collecting donations for St Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Christmas-In-April, Habitat for Humanity, and local fundraisers as an adult. Now, semi-retired, I work with women in recovery, crocheting hats for newborns at the local hospital and also crocheting baby afghans for new moms (dads & grandmothers, too!) in local 12 step recovery programs. It would be nice to win the kit since the pattern is not available in any of the yarn shops on Hawaii Island (aka, the Big Island). My prayers are with Chelsea’s family and all those who have suffered loss in their families. Mahalo & Namaste!
My children and I volunteered at the crisis center every Friday until it closed last year. I want my children to learn to serve!
I make prayer shawls that are distributed through my church, st Andrew in Plano, TX. Also use yarn remnants for baby hats that go to preemies at Parkland Hospital.
I want to build a stash of scarves to donate http://www.handmadeespecially.org/
Yes, a church we attended in another location participated in an annual crafts fair that was great fun for those who helped and those who came to shop, eat and enjoy the festivities. We would get together throughout the year to make all kinds of crafts, some to sell at the fair itself, and some that were made especially so kids could buy reasonable Christmas gifts for their families. It was a wonderful experience of sharing and community.
I’ve helped out with many Friends of the Fox River events. Throughout high school, I did river cleanups, stream monitoring, and other special events. And I’m looking to get active soon with the DuPage County Forest Preserve’s extensive volunteering program.
I have knitted scarves, shawls and mitts for our local Hospice. I also knit baby items for a once year community baby shower sponsored by the Soroptimist club in our area.
Every year I work on special pillowcases that are given to the patients at our local children’s hospital.
I am really touched this story and am thinking about giving some gifts of this kit with the story attached. I have some friends who would feel strongly about these issues. I have been involved with knitting preemie caps. My mom and I knitted 100 and donated them to the local children’s hospital.
Every bit helps. Use the talents you have to do what you can!
I have done knitting for various charities posted on Ravelry and other blogs. I’ve also knit up socks and hats for some missionaries in upstate NY. AND I like to keep kitty afghans in the car for when I’m waiting in line to pick up my kids.
I donate annually to the Humane Society, the Alzheimer’s Foundation, the Human Rights Campaign and an organization dedicated to education reform. I have leant my knitting skills to helping create blankets for the victims of the Joplin tornado and purchased patterns supporting various causes. Professionally I work for a housing authority helping low-income families find affordable housing and recently completed my masters degree in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development so I can make more of a difference in my career track in nonprofit. Props to Dream in Color and Stephen West for supporting this great cause!
I have raised money doing the 30 hour famine during all my years in highschool .
Yes, I have volunteered for many but the ones closest to my heart have been Relay for Life and our local Women’s Crisis Center.
My family has volunteered serving a free Thanksgiving dinner at a local church. My daughter and our Girl Scout troop made blankets and scarves for our local women’s and children’s shelter and gathered donations for the animal shelters and St Jude’s research hospital.
the hospital where i work has a foundation where employees can have donations taken right from your paycheck. the funds raised go to help make patients stays nicer for them. they purchase special items such as the warmers they use for the hot blankets, that are so nice when you are in the hospital. we also have a fund to help out fellow employees who are having a hard time making ends meet. I know of a single mom whos car broke down and was able to get it fixed with the help from this fund. i am happy to be able to donate to both of these at work.
I have made many of the Lion Brand Fun Fur chemo caps for friends, and friends of friends, but that was on my own. Our church runs a Pumpkin Patch each October to fund our outreach projects in the community, and our group of knitters makes hats and accessories to sell at the same time. They are mostly fun caps for kids, like pumpkin hats, cat, puppy, beehive, and birds.
Beautiful reminder of Chelsea’s Law. Brings tears to my eyes …
Yes, through knitting and beading. (These are the first things that come to mind.) I am working on knitted hats that my LYS collects for children in the area who need something warm for the winter. On the beading side, I started a program with my beading guild. Working with the hospital’s women’s center, we create “Hero Bracelets” that are given to women as they are preparing for breast surgery (a nurse meets with them in advance to give them surgical information and answer questions). We wanted to add one nice thing — one beautiful thing — to, what must be, a very difficult appointment. I wrote a poem that goes on the packaging of the individual bracelets. (The women pick the bracelet that they like from many colors and designs.) The poem culminates in telling the woman that she is “our hero, even though she doesn’t know us” — mainly because she moves forward and is brave, even when she doesn’t feel like it. The bracelets have a tiny silver bead with a ribbon on it, so it is a discrete reminder that she is a survivor of breast cancer. We make and deliver more than a 100 bracelets to the women’s center each year (and, unfortunately, they continue to need that many). Our guild members (the Midland Beading Guild) have continued to make these bracelets year after year with enthusiasm. This year, one of our members “earned” her bracelet, too. (That’s how she us.) And it made us all very proud to have been able to support her and so many other unknown, but heroic, women in our community.
I regularly volunteer for the National MS Society, in addition to participating in their cycling events as a rider. I’m hoping to do some charity knitting this winter, in the lull before cycling training starts again.
I’ve volunteered with several organizations and charities over the years. From local historical museums, zoo’s, children’s camps and cancer walks. My future volunteer projects would be to help with dog and animal rescues. Maybe even knitting or crocheting items for the animals to use or to raffle off at fundraising events.
I have helped with many charitable organizations; meals on wheels, girls scouts, Salvation Army knitting/crocheting chemo caps etc. A few of the ways follow. A local woman did a purse drive for victims of domestic violence who many times leave their situation with just the clothes on their backs. My office donated purses filled with items women have in their bags; wallets, hand creme, lipstick, Kleenex, etc. At holiday seasons and start of school we help out disadvantaged children with backpacks filled with school supplies, Easter baskets and Christmas gifts.
I started a shawl group at the church I was attending and got a few of the women involved in make comfort shawls. We got together once a month to knit or crochet the shawls. When members of the church or people we knew of outside the church were ill, hurt, greiving, etc. we would gift them with one of the shawls as a comfort and reminder that we were with them. We also made blankets to send to young people in the church as they went off to college to remind them that they were being thought about while they were gone.
I crochet hats and scarves for the homeless and families at the shelters in town.. I also have crossed c here’s various afghAn a messengers for a native American tribe in another state. I am also helping out putting together afghan with donated squares for the Wounded Warriors project. I would love to make this shawl for the king family.
I volunteered at the Thrift Korral that benefits the Grossmont Hospital Hospice and purchased donated yarn to make kemo hats and premie baby hats and baby blankets. I give away all my knitting to anyone in need as I am a knitaholic and have a project in my hands at all times. I live in a senior community and there is always someone in need or someone in their family in need.
I knit items for the Monarch Children’s Justice and Advocacy Center auctions in Olympia, WA. I also knit a Christmas stocking each year for the Pacific Northwest chapter of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals holiday silent auction. I support a number of other charities (not with knitting) especially CurePSP, http://www.psp.org, hoping to find a cure for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a devastating disease that killed my mother.
I’ve done some charity knitting (mostly baby hats), and have helped out at pet-adoption drives. Nothing too fancy, just extra hands.
I also enjoy participating in Sock Sniper (www.socksniper.com), which is a fun speed knitting sock swap that raises money for Doctors Without Borders.
My charitie(s) are rescue animals. To give an abused or abandoned animal a second chance at a loving home is as much a blessing to me as to the animal and new owner! Love God’s furry angels! Most of the time all it takes is patience and love. I rocked an adult collie in a rocker for hours while he shook. He joined our household and made the lawn mower his enemy. Stories could go on and on. Love the shawl and the colors.
I have knit baby blankets for Debbie Bliss’ program, Knit One, Bless Two and hats and scarves for the river mariners of The Seamen’s Church Institute as part of their Christmas package.
There is a local program called RSVP (Retired Seniors Volunteer Program). These seniors knit and crochet for charity programs, yet many are on a limited income. Yarn donations are gratefully accepted on behalf of these seniors. It has become common knowledge that I am always willing to gather yarn donations and drop them off at the agency. Many homebound seniors are able to make a valuable contribution and connection with this program. It speaks to my heart that this is a win-win situation.
I have helped with many charities over the years – too many to list here. But this foundation certainly appears worthy. Good luck and many blessings to your success. Love the shawl. The combo of Steven West and Dream in Color is lovely!
I have helped with multiple charities and foundations in the last 25 years.
I have knitted or crocheted for the Special Olympics, I have volunteered at food banks and other non-profits, and I continuously add special crafting items to my normal routine for random donations throughout the year.
Chelsea Light Foundation sounds like a wonderful thing and I would be proud to work with the pattern and yarn in the kit to produce such a lovely item.
Yes, I’ve helped out several charities. What a great way to turn something tragic into helping others!
I am new to crochet, so I have not done any charity crochet yet. I HAVE given time volunteering though! 🙂
I have not crocheted for charity but I would like to in the future. I have sewn for charity.
My prayers go out to you and your family. I’m glad you’ve found a way to rectify the wrong and turned a tragedy into a blessing.
I really want to make handmade items for charity but I don’t know where to start. I want to make Winter clothing for the homeless and families who live in halfway homes. I need a sponsor though to supply the yarn since I don’t have an income.
I would love to win this yarn. I do crocheting for patients in children’s cancer wing at local hospital and this would be great.
Like everyone I’ve given a few dollars here and there to charity. However, almost 10 years ago I found my calling working for a non-profit residential treatment facility for teen girls. Being in the middle of things definitely puts a different perspective on “helping out.”
i would love if the pattern was for crocheter. i had joined a seniors group and we did numerous items for their crafts sales and giveaway
I taught my daughter’s girl scout troop to make winter hats for a local family homeless shelter. The girls really enjoyed it and were very emotional on delivery day when we toured the home.
I’ve crocheted blankets for Project Linus and prayer shawls. I’m teaching my step-daughter how to crochet so we can make winter wear to donate to local homeless shelters too. Compassion and selflessly giving to another are, in my opinion, are the highest callings. Even if I don’t win, Dream in Color will be my first choice in fine yarn!
I love to crochet and am running out of people to crochet for – plus I have a huge yarn stash! I will be looking for a charity in my area! Would LOVE to give away afghans!! One year our church put together grocery baskets for needy families in the area and I crocheted scarves for all the members of the families.
I ran a prayer shawl ministry that donated to an at home hospice agency. I have also donated crocheted items to varies different auctions to raise money for different causes.
I helped with different charities through my church, visiting hospitals and care facilities, prayer groups, etc.
I make blankets for Project Linus, hats for preemies at our county hospital, lap robes and stump covers for the Veteran’s Hospital, and hats and prostheses for local cancer patients,
I am the leader of the CLC Prayer Shawl Ministry. We crochet, knit & quilt shawls, wraps, & lapghans for cancer patients.
yes! I knit up cotton washcloths for the local breast cancer awareness fundraiser held in oct,,I have been doing this for approx. 8 years,,and I love it!!
motherbear.org is FABULOUS charity ( just look at the faces)…also scarves for special Olympics.
The King family are an inspiration!!! I don’t know if I could have been so courageous.
I have volunteered at an animal shelter and am not involved with Hope for Pets, an organization that helps people be able to keep there pets in tough time. We also have a spay/neuter clinic that I help with. I crochet items that are sold to help raise money for the org.. I also crochet items i donate to homeless shelters. I’ve started crocheting afghans to donate to the Veterans Hospital.
Thank you for having this giveaway.
I make scarfs, mittens & my husband makes scarfs & hats for the kids at the homeless shelter
I knit or crochet lapgans with a group that call themselves The Happy Hookers. We give the blankets to the American Cancer Society for distribution to chemo centers.
I have donated products to toiletry bags through my local quilt store as well as many other things over the years. Time, talent, or money – we all have something to give.
My grandma taught me at the age of 3 to knit, then crochet & sew. All of my 47 years, that I can remember, I’ve made things for others. I have worked and participated in Ride for Kids that helps children and their families who have brain rumors. My list is kinda long and i can’t remember all the names but will try to list: Susan G Komen women’s cancer, different pet societies from Tennessee to Houston Tx, cure for children with diabetes, Breast Cancer awareness groups especially in the Houston TX area, homeless shelters, NICU’s everywhere, charities that my church has helped, my church family who have lost loved ones have received prayer shawls, and I’m helping Bikers for Christ now. The group is trying to spread the gospel of Christ to biker clubs, churches that can’t seem to reach out to the bikers across our country who might not otherwise ever hear the message. What I’m doing is making things to help bikers who have had accidents, or been in an accident who need encouragement while they are out of work. Since my fiancé and I were in a very serious accident in May, I’ve been primarily in bed so I’ve used up a lot if my stash. I followed Chelseys storie on TV and cherished my sons & all of the young men & women who were in our youth group in my church while I was a youth leader. I thank God for how the King family has chosen to celebrate their daughters life.
Yes I have. I have crocheted or knitted baby afghans for Blankets for Linus for years. So rewarding…
when the superbowl came to Indianapolis. They asked for help making scarfs for the volinteers working the events. so I made a couple and I felt proud that I was a part of something that big.
I have made caps for premie babies in the NICU.
I make granny squares for a group that assembles them into afghans for a variety of causes. I also knit and crochet hats for Emily’s Hats For Hope Iniative out of N J. I have not run or helped run a group.
I crocheted hats for distribution by Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elk Rapids, Michigan.
I’ve made scarves for Special Olympics and quilts and afghans for numerous charities.
I actually purchased this kit because of the fact proceeds where going to the Chelsea Light Foundation. That was the main deciding factor in my purchasing it. Also a fan of Stephen West’s patterns. The two things together was a win-win situation for me!
Instead of flowers when a loved one passes, we give a contribution to our local library through our local Community Foundation, which matches our memorial gift dollar for dollar. Our library benefits more, a book is purchased in the name of the one who has passed, and the remaining family is sent a lovely letter with a copy of the name plate that is attached to the book so they can come in and look at the book. And it usually brings us back together with the family once more after the funeral, after some of the grieving has passed, to spend some time together at a less rushed pace. We have found it to be a very nice tradition that we have started.
I participated in a program that crocheted, knitted or sewed blankets, sleepers, hats, etc. for newborn preemies.
I also participated in a program that collected supplies for at risk kids (notebooks, pencils, deodorant, shaving lotion, sport socks, etc.).
I helped with charities (pregnancy center, resale shop,…) before but never in form of crocheting or knitting.
What a beautiful shawl to come out of a terrible situation! It is wonderful the way the family has used their loss to help others.
I have never knit anything for a charity, but mostly knit for gifts. I have always been involved with my church where we look for opportunities to help those in our community.
Yes..I crochet Prayer Shawls for my aunt, who donates them along with other goodies, to hospital patients.
My husband is disabled, and I am the bread winner. I don’t have much extra time to work with a foundation, but I do knit prayer shawls for friends and co-workers that are experiencing health issues (i.e., cancer) or family loss. This is a sad story, but a beautiful shawl.
I am crocheting hats for Knots of Love right now!!
I enjoy crocheting and have made several prayers shawls for our church community!
Yes, I have made several afghans for families in need as well as scarves and hats for the homeless.
I am a yoga teacher. I have volunteered my time working with cardiac and cancer patients.
I’ve volunteered several time with my churches youth group. Together we have created an annual clothes closet where all items are free. We have given out bags of necessities to the homeless, and for over 3 years we take a week out of the summer and help out a member of the community who is unable to do certain “chores” for themselves.
We would pick a needy employee at work each Christmas. I worked in a hospital as a nursing supervisor so I would email all supervisors from each department and ask if they had a struggling employee and when we made our decision we would then ask that supervisor for family info (# and gender of family members and clothes sizes and a special toy or gift the children would like and also interests of the parents). Yes, the employee knew what was happening, but we felt that knowing was a gift in itself for the employee…..and hopefully were able to get a little holiday cheer knowing that their family would be able to have a happy holiday!
I love to crochet baby blankies for our area Children’s Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. I make them in different sizes so they can be given to the smallest preemies up to about a 5 year old. It is nice to know that when they go home they take their blankie with them. My granddaughter still has hers that she was given 10 years ago.
Yes, I have crocheted many, many items for charities such as Warm Up America, Project Linus and one of my favorites, Stitches From The Heart. I have also made afghans and scarves to send to troops and for Samaritan’s purse and other charities. I wish I had more time to devote to just crocheting for charity, but I have an Etsy store and that keeps my fingers very busy. I would love to win this yarn!
Yes,I have been involved with volunteering. Girl Scouts,church,meals on wheels, teaching knitting and crocheting to many,donated many knitted and crocheted items to fund raisers,prayer shawls,I really enjoy teaching others especially the young so the art is never lost.
I have not done work for a foundation but I have donated caps to a local homeless shelter
I once helped out in packing relief goods for distribution to communities affected by a strong typhoon. Now I’ve been volunteering at a hospital for almost a year now. I wish the kit for Chelsea’s shawl could be bought online as I don’t live near any of the shops selling the kit. It’s a beautiful shawl 🙂
I’ve been volunteering with my Playgroup for the last 2-3 years. So worth it for the kids!!! Whata wonderful thing you guys are doing with this!!!!
Hmm is anyone else experjencing problems with the
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