...if you can stand it....

I have not made any, my charity is of the $$ variety.

But all the posts on charity quilts got me thinking about the first ones I ever heard of, about 15-20 years ago.
The local guild (I am not a member) was making quilts to send to Albania, I think it was, for kids who were dying of AIDS because hypodermic needles were being re-used in the hospitals.

My first thought was, why aren't they making a raffle quilt to raise money so the hospitals can buy NEW needles (or they can send needles overseas) and prevent more kids from getting sick?

Am I bad for thinking that? and is sending a quilt to someone always the most appropriate solution for a problem?

Not always. But most of the time it is better than throwing cash at a situation. My church has missions in other countries and most of the time they say to send items like cloths shoes and blankets because of the corruption and politics in these other countries. Most of the time the money is diverge or stolen from the people who really need it.

Sometimes money is better. Learned this when Katrina hit. My son and nephew headed down south to help out at one of the centers and we loaded them up with new socks, underwear, etc. When they got there, the people at the center were like thanks but the immediate need is money. Turns out they had tons of clothing but no one who had time to go through it all and sort it for usability.

i understand every word your saying and yes many times its better to give money then a quilt or other various items.

you, as the person giving the charity, must look at each situation and determine if the person receiving needs items (quilts, clothing, etc) or do they need cash.

people who have lost their home and everything in it might not need a quilt when they don't even have a bed to sleep in and in this case money might be the best answer.

yet some one in hospice care might need a quilt and other items to let them know that during the holidays the surrounding community hasn't forgotten about them and still consider them a vital part of the community.

I think the Quilts for Kids and Quilts for Soldiers are great, but I have to confess my head wants to explode when I see film of soldiers in the Army hospitals with the same kind of injuries soldiers were getting during the Civil War - limbs missing etc. I want to go to DC and knock some politicians heads together and say "Haven't we learned anything in the last 150 years? Isn't there a better way than sacrificing our young people?"

ptquilts: since you can't go and knock the politician's head, did you write him or her a letter instead. You notice I didn't say send an email.

Some people can give money. Other people can give time. If you are of the variety that can give both, that's wonderful.

The Professional Machine Quilters Chatboard took up a collection for the tornado that went through Missouri. Each subscriber on the chatboard was asked to give $5 (instead of donation quilts). I couldn't believe it that I got a personalized thank you note for my $5 donation.

Sometimes it is better to give money, but you'll have to decide what's best for you personally based on what you are able to give and what the need is.

As others said above, it depends on the needs. Our guild (Arkansas Quilters Guild) had someone from a local abuse shelter come to one of our meetings and asked for time to address our guild to state their needs. They didn't want money, they wanted quilts to give to those coming out of abusive home situations. They offer services to victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and child abuse. So we've been happily fulfilling their request. :) One way we do that is by offering "Take and Make" block kits, which are baggies that contain 2.5" strips for making simple 9-patch blocks. The quilters make the blocks and return them and we then package those with fabrics to make the complete quilt top. Quilters take a top kit and make it and return it and we then let that go out to whoever wants to quilt it. So no one person has to make the entire quilt, it really is a group effort. So far this year (we started this back in April) we've delivered about two dozen quilts to them and they are so appreciative. Below is a pic of the organization director with the quilts delivered last month.

Anyway, I would urge those interested to find out the needs of the organization and then work to help meet that need, whether it's with cash, time, or actual quilts.

Thank you for your thoughts. I'm on your side. Seems the only time I can cry is when I see our people who have been injured over there. God bless them all.

I agree, I think you need to look at the individual situation and decide from there whether cash or a quilt is the answer. God blesses and thanks you for whichever you do though!