How do you decide where to donate? I would like to do some children quilts but don't know how or where??

If you donate to a hospital ask first where the need is.
I got in a situation where they were given to the nursery and there were a lot of babies to make quilts for. I provided 31 for each born in Dec (one year) I don't give to that cause. However, another hospital uses them in Children's Res Therepy Unit. Less stress in getting them made. I didn't want to give just a few and ignore the rest.
Perhaps find a place that has an ongoing program. Police use them, Project Linus. Nother piece of advice or suggestion is don't try and be too fancy but do simple quilts. You can make more and they are appreciated just as much. Check with a local quilt guild. Most have on going projects.

I have been doing baby quilts for over a year now and donate them to our Children's Hospital. They are so happy to get them and they are so appreciative. Any style or design is accepted. You can also donate them to Project Linus or Shelters. There are many groups that are so happy to receive quilts. It's a wonderful thing to do!

Our local hospital gives out quilts someone in the area coordinates this try contacting a local quilting guild

don't forget Quilts of Valor.

If you want to do quilts for kids don't forget Shriners Hospitals. They care for kids, free of charge. There is also St. Judes that is sponsored by Danny Thomas.

http://www.downy.com/en-US/helping-k...FUPu7QodSC9wIg

Quilts for Kids is a great cause. They will send you a quilt kit. Check it out.

Margaret's Hope Chest is a very worthwhile quilting charity that has several programs where they provide quilts to those in need, especially children. They also have a "birthday" quilt programs where you can make a quilt for a child's birthday. The kids in the program all have at least one parent in prison.

I have sent them many quilts and I will send a few more this week. They take quilts of all shapes, sizes, colors and skill levels.

To read more about them visit their website:

http://www.margaretshopechest.com/index.html

They also have a blog:

http://margaretshopechest.blogspot.com/

and

http://wrappedinhope.blogspot.com/

Children's hospitals, CPS, domestic violence shelters, homes for unwed mother's, Salvation Army, and probably a dozen more places that can use them.

Maybe contact your local agencies and see if they know where the biggest need is in your area? There is a number like 611 or something like that, and they have lists of groups that can use donations.

Then like Holice mentioned, contact them individually to see what sizes are needed. Or for any restrictions...

Some hospitals need smaller isolette covers and preemie quilts, others can use any up to toddler sized.

You may want to also avoid Holiday fabrics, not everyone celebrates the same ones...

Keep them simple and well quilted. If they are going to hospitalized children, loose binding can catch on IV lines and other medical equipment.
They also usually request that you NOT use any kind of invisible thread on them.
Avoid loose, 3D type of appliques too. Everything should be completely stitched down, no loose sides.
Heavy quilting helps them to hold up to hospital washers and dryers.
Fleece may not stay soft from the heat of their dryers either, they tend to singe them and make them rougher feeling.

Even your local dialysis unit would love quilts. Their clients often become chilled during therapy and need warm coverings. Since the same clients come every other day, they could all have their own quilt.

Hospitals, churchs, police departments, fire departments, Newborns in Need organization, Quilts for Kids, Ask around your community I'm sure you will find somewhere to donate quilts.

Many of the organizations alreadt noted are supported through national charities (more visibility). There are two nationwide charities that accept handmade quilts and afghans for kids 0 to 18.
- Project Linus, http://www.projectlinus.org/
- Binky Patrol, http://www.binkypatrol.org/
You can check their web sites for chapters near you (one in Mississppi).

* Visibility gets them major donations, from fabric stores, charity drives, etc.

I've only done Project Linus quilts for 5 or 6 years. I'm a very active member of the local chapter and have donated well over 100, maybe closer to 200 over the last couple years. In addition to quilts, I do crocheted edges on fleece. Have also done a few knitted baby blankets, too. We have a great bunch of ladies in the group and they are sort of my "local quilting board". :lol:

Inner city schools have children, homeless shelters also have children living in them. Is there a shelter for teens?? Locally, there is a shelter that services teens to early 20s that are trying to make it on their own.

Great information you guys. I am on board. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

Pregnancy centers love getting quilts, too! :wink:

I sew for Margaret's Hope Chest also, they just got started for 2011. You can pick the child you would like to quilt for which is nice since they give you a jumping off point, like colors and likes. These kids aren't sick, but they sure do have a rough life.

http://wrappedinhope.blogspot.com

I've also donated to Quilts for Kids.

Firemen use tham and foster children can use them.

Firemen use tham and foster children can use them.

we send ours to Tulane childrens hospital and Childrens hospital in New Orleans.

Firemen use them and foster children can use them.

we send ours to Tulane childrens hospital and Childrens hospital in New Orleans.

I chose Quilts for Kids. Check out this link - it gives a list of some of the many organizations they send quilts to.
http://www.quiltsforkids.org/documen...vised11810.pdf

I found an organization that helps homeless people who are HIV Positive or have AIDS. They go to a shelter-of-sorts, called Transitional Housing. I am sure most cities have such a group. Caracole helps them find new housing and income and when they leave the shelter, they take their new quilt with them. Quilts are very welcome!

June

I went to my local children's aid society....5 years ago, turns out when children come into care and go to a Foster Family, sometimes, they literally have nothing to call their own...as to this day , we have now contributed 467 to children who have nothing, but now have one thing to call their own. Their names are prnted on the label!
"This quilt was made with love, especially for
___________________________________."
Did I mention I started a group?? LOL

I donate to Project Linus - mostly because they give to many different places. Our guild also does many different places. Both take all sizes of quilts - kids from birth to 18 are all sizes.

our local battered womens shelter is good. If they dont need them right now, they will later and they take them all. 1 or 2 at a time or a whole bunch. These ladies bring their kids with them.

our fire departments and the police department give quilts to kids that are taken from their parents due to domestic
calls etc.

I gave a bunch of quilts to a friend of mine that is a Nun and works with the poor, she was tickled to get them.

I give quilts away to people locally that lose their home due to a fire, tornado or here in south Mississippi huricanes.

Between projects I make blankets for the Linus Project. A local fabric store provides the kits containing all the precut fabric for free. I have to buy the batting at 40% off.
http://www.projectlinus.org/about.html

In AZ we have Arizonia Blankets 4 Kids. A great place to donate to.

Check to see if you have a Project Linus chapter in your area, they will gladly take your donations and distribute them to the most needy of areas. We donate to hospitals, child advocacy centers, adoption agencies, pregnancy care centers, homeless shelters, city, county and state law enforcement agencies, fire departments, volunteer fire departments, clinics, as you can tell the list is endless.

I am a member of www.projectlinus.org in NC. Our chapter will furnish the fabric, backing and batting to anyone who will make the quilt. We also have quilt days in which we get together and cut, piece and layer quilts for those who just want to tie-tack and bind.

What a wonderful thing to do. I liked all of the suggestions given to you and wanted to add one we have here where I live. Our firemen and police officers like to keep stuffed animals and quilts in their cars. They will give them to burn out victims for comfort and the police use a lot of these quilts and stuffed animals in domestic situations as well as giving quilts and animals to children involved in car accidnets where there are severe injuries where children may have to be separated from their parents. They all say it makes their jobs easier because they can give comfort and something children can keep at the same time.

Believe me, your kindness and paying it forward will always bring blessings back your way.

The Painted Turtle, which is a camp for kids with debilitating, though not necessasarily life threatening ilnesses can always use twin size quilts. Every camper, including siblings who visit during family weekends takes home a quilt.
www.paintedturtle.org

Just saw your post....try... quilting for kids.com
I ordered a kit....very cool...check it out

Binky Patrol and Project Linus, which every is in your area. Binky started on the west coast and Project Linus started on the east coast. They do "comforting covers for kids in crisis", ie Hospitals, Foster Care, Police Departments (for kids they run into), Homeless Shelters, missions

do you mean quiltsforkids.org?

Yes...sorry :))

lol...no problem...I do it all the time myself:)

I have been making quilts for the "american hero" organization. These are given to the injured soldiers and each and everyone admitted to the hospital is given a quilt.

This is a wonderful organization that gives back to the soldiers fighting for us.

I have a "Good Neighbor House" near me that supports families that are out of their homes, working and trying to get their feet on the ground. I have donated a good deal of clothing and books to them. Quilts are next - along with knitted scarves. The other thought is to contact your area department of human services and donate to women's shelters. Those children and moms always need some extra love.