We are well into November, a month that is perfect for making grand gestures of thankfulness, in the past during the month of November I challenge myself to do or make things for others. This always takes on a different shape depending on what is going on in the country or my life. As I was racking my brain, I asked myself, what should I do this year? And a list became clear. Here is a list of charity project ideas that I hope to make. These items are perfect to give to a number of different charities nationwide. For this reason I have included a link to each project, I talk about why they can be useful, and give ideas on where you can take them.

Different regions have different organizations, I fount a really cool website which gives lists of different shelters for those in need. Click here to find organizations in your area. If you want to participate in this challenge, I would love to have you! Share your creations on Instagram with #thegivingchallenge2019.

15 Handmade Charity Project Ideas

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Pillow Cases

• For children who don’t have many things, pillow cases become a way to transport their items in a rush. A pillowcase can be a detail in their life that is bright and cheerful. All People Quilt has a great program built around this called the One Million Pillowcase Challenge. You can donate these to foster homes, women’s shelters, and other children support organizations.

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Dolls

• Dolls are always a great idea! These can really brighten a child’s life and even become a friend to a child in need. For this reason the pattern I am linking to is one that Karly shared on Crazy Little Projects website. These adorable dolls can be taken to some children’s hospitals, foster homes, women’s shelters, and other children support organizations.

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Backpack

• A backpack can be so helpful. They can be ways to transport children’s items and can also be used for school. The tutorial I am linking to is by Spoonflower. These backpacks can be taken to some children’s hospitals, foster homes, women’s shelters, and other children support charities. >>> https://blog.spoonflower.com/2022/02/01/mini-backpack/

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Surgical Cap

• Surgical/Scrub Hat. I didn’t think about his one but as I was talking to a lady at a local hospital, she said that they need them in all different sizes. They can be something fun for the child to focus on, while experiencing a scary procedure. The project I am linking to, is by Project Lady. They can be taken to children’s hospitals. https://theprojectlady.com/tutorial-for-making-pediatric-surgical-caps-service-project/

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Quilt

• My go-to project is a always a quilt. If you are thinking about selling a quilt, there are many charities that have actions to raise money. Here in Tucson AZ, Quilts For a Cause comes to mind. The great thing about this is it can be a tax write off. Organizations use the quilts to raise money for things like cancer research. A way that Quilts for a Cause helps our community is fund cancer screening for those that can’t afford it. Quilts for a Cause.

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Quilt

• This one is my favorite, a Quilt. It is very versatile and so many charities can use them. Hospitals, halfway houses, men’s shelters, women’s shelters, foster homes, Project Linus, Quilts of Valor and many different veteran organizations are just a few ideas. Currently I hear there is a shortage of quilts for teens.

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Baby Blanket

• Receiving blankets are wonderful because when swaddled just right, they provide comfort to the baby. Merissa from Little House Living made a great tutorial on this. They can be taken to some children’s hospitals and Catholic Charities. >>> https://www.littlehouseliving.com/10-minute-simple-baby-receiving-blanket-pattern.html

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Heart Pillow

• This heart pillow is a wonderful idea. They are made especially for those that are recovering from breast surgery because they can help relieve pain. I am linking a pattern by Sachiko from Tea Rose Home. You can take them directly to Oncology doctor’s offices and hospitals.

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Animal items

• I have a feral cat that I have been feeding and worrying about. The other day it came to the house full of cuts and scratches. It was in bad shape. Thinking that it needs some help I went to PAC to get a cat trap. While I was there, I asked them what items would be helpful to them, what do they need? The lady said soft head cones so a tutorial will be coming soon.

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Fabric flowers

• Flower bouquets for nursing home are the perfect way to brighten up a room. They are fabric, so they won’t lose petals and make a mess. Anj created this tutorial for her blog called Snowy Bliss. These can be donated to nursing homes, hospitals, and hospice care.

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Mini Quilts

• Mini quilts can be a fun way to add something to someone’s wall. I created a tutorial on a simple weave called the Plus Three Mini. They can be donated to retirement homes and hospice care.

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Decorative Pillows

• Decorative Pillows are an easy way to brighten up a room. When someone stays in a recovery center for an extended time or lives in a assisted living facility, they might not have the ability to add accents to their space. Most rooms have a bed, so these are perfect. The tutorial is by Mary from Craft Buds. Where to donate, nursing homes, hospitals, and hospice care.

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Wall Hanging

• Wall hangings are a great way to add some interest in a room. I created an EPPed flower wall hanging that would be wonderful for someone recovering in a hospital or someone that lives in one room and needs a little love showered on them. Here is a link to my project. I made mine larger because the ladies in my Quilt Guild helped me make the EPPed flowers and I wanted to use as many as I could.

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Walker Caddy

• How helpful can a walker caddy be to someone that has their hands full just by moving. Melissa from Melly Sews is the creator of this fun and simple tutorial. You can take these caddies to nursing homes, hospitals, and hospice care.

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Bereavement Bags

• Bereavement bags are something that a hospital can give to a grieving family. They fill them with helpful items like tissue, sunglasses, pamphlets and more. I would assume that these should be a little more tranquil and less bright and crazy. These can be taken to hospitals, but I am sure that most organizations will take a bag like this. I am linking to a tutorial from Skip to My Lou.

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Where to Donate

Catholic Charities
Department of Human Services
Dialysis centers
Hospice centers
Lutheran Refugee Services
Missions
Nursing homes
Oncology units
Operation Support for Deployed Military
Pediatric Surgery Centers of local hospitals
Red Cross
Ronald McDonald House
Runaway shelters
Transitional Residences
United Way
Veteran’s clinics/hospitals
Victims of disasters like fires, floods, hurricanes
Youth shelters
YMCA’s and YWCA’s

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Above are some of my favorite charity project ideas that we, as crafters, can make for others this month (and throughout the year). If you have any other ideas, I would love to hear them. Add them in the comments below. Today I am giving away a Jelly Roll Rug pattern, Batting On-A-Roll (to make the rug), and a jelly roll of Boundless Batiks High Tide Precut Fabric from BluPrint. To enter into this giveaway, add a comment to this blog post about what you think would be good to make for others. I will pick a random winner and announce it here on this blog post on November 29 of 2019. Good luck everyone!!

The giveaway is now closed!!! The winner is Janet T. Hooray! Thank you guys for all your ideas! You are wonderful!