I'm involved with a wonderful group of ladies that makes quilts for foster children. Sometimes, these kids have nothing to take with them to their foster home so we try to make sure every kid has a quilt of their own. I also heard something recently about a "suitcase" for foster children. Maybe you could make quilted bags and put stuff like tooth paste and tooth brush, brush and comb, etc., stuff we take for granted, in it. If anyone in your group travels much the little hotel samples of shampoo etc. would work too.

Susan

I have a friend who makes back packs. The style is aparantly very popular with kids now. They are not difficult. The Sports Stores have the type. They look like small pillow cases with cords for hanging on the back. Draw string in top for closing. If you are interested I will send you more info when I get the instructions.
I have also made "BurPads" for the hospital.

How about doing neck cool-ties for the troops. These are invaluable for keeping heat stroke at bay.

Simple teddy bears (or other 2-sided toy shapes for kids); heart-shaped pillows or sweet sachets for senior citizens; soft fleece hats for chemo patients....I have a friend who made an oversize bib with velcro closing for her great uncle in a nursing home. He wrote back and said he needed several more for his friends because they all wanted one.

last year I made fleece hat/scarf sets for charity. Easy to make so goes quickly and I felt good about giving.
This year I am making flannel blankets for the local hosp pediatric ward.
It truly is "more blessed to give than receive" :)

I would love to have a pattern of that

I recently organized a sew-in where we made Christmas stockings, coasters and naplins for the residents of one of the lower income assisted living. A couple of teen aged girls are goiong to wear Santa hats and deliver the Stockings (with toiletries included) napkins and coasters to each resident.

I am interested in both your ideas.

Very interested in the neck coolers. How do you make them. Thank you .