I have never given a quilt that people didnt appreciate! That includes charity. It does my heart good to see a child wrapped in a blanket or dragging one around with them. It provdies them comfort and love. That goes for all ages. Can't get any better than that. I am tired of having to apologize because I did or didn't. I do what I can where I can.

I doubt that the reciever of the charitable donation questions the motive of the giver. They, likely, appreciate the act Itself. So what if one gives to get rid of what they can no longer use ......the definition of "charity" is giving to help others.

We donate to charities in the hope that it benefits others. And, yes, it is often items no longer of use to the giver.

Sandy

It is all about what is in your heart when you give -not so much as what you give. We all have been blessed with a gift and it is up to you how you use it. So if sewing is your gift, then use it for the good and donating quilts is part of that gift. They all don't have to be with fancy stitching -just warm. Donating a gift of warmth not only warms the body but also the soul.

Story from last night's guild meeting. We gift charity quilts to various groups and places around town. A young child's quilt was made and given to a local charity. The child was fostered. The child was subsequently diagnosed as having a major, life long, possibly termial illness. Somewhere along the line, the child chose the quilt as "his." Every night that child is held in his foster mother's arms, wrapped in his quilt, and goes to sleep.

Does the impetus for making the quilt really matter all that much or is the important thing that child, in those arms, wrapped in that quilt? Think about how we all felt knowing one of us participated.

Choose your answer and then act? No matter what.

Pat

Please don't attempt to twist my words. My words were 'items not good enough for family or friends'.

No one appreciates being thought of as inferior and only deserving of something no one else wants. True charity involves more than just giving. It involves caring about about the ones, to whom you give. True charity is giving help, without taking away dignity. There's nothing wrong with giving items no longer of use to the giver, as long as they can still be used/worn with dignity by the receiver.

Some of my "better/good" things were someone else's castoffs.

Most items in antique/ thrift shops are castoffs. Someone wnted the space or money more than the particular item.

I have donated things that did not turn out quite the way I wanted for a friend. They were clean and serviceable, and I felt OK about the donation.

I look at it as a win win situation, sewing keeps me from going totally insane, so If what I make helps someone else, then we both benefit from it!

Sewnoma, you have just messed with my head but I love your way of thinking and feel your response was right on. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

A lot of people that receive your quilts don't have anything or very little. Sometimes having something beautiful and special can uplift a person as much as a hot meal. You enjoy making the quilts so it is a double blessing, for you and the recipient.