Maybe I've found a way to share, as so many do in quilting. I have my grandmother's Singer she bought in 1920 and a Singer Touch & Sew, so I don't need another machine. But I couldn't resist a Singer 5808c at a garage sale, just to see if I could get it to work. I could afford $10. Got it oiled and working. I'm going to give it to Good Will. Perhaps someone needs an inexpensive machine just to get started in quilting. Anyone have ideas on this way to share in quilting/sewing? Great people here. Gary

What a good thing to do. It amazes me what wonderful people are on this board.

Lynn :-)

I share with the Boys and girls club in my town. They would have loved a machine but they came over to my house to make quilts and blankets for Project Linus. We did about 25 of them in 9 months, and they still want to do it this year too.

So nice of you!

At the rate our Goodwill is charging for things now, I think you might be better off giving it to Salvation Army or some place that gives things away rather than charging an arm and a leg. Our local Goodwill often charges more for a used item than you would pay for the same item new at Walmart. I think they're going into retail as opposed to trying to actually help people.

What about giving it to a women's shelter? Maybe there is someone who could help them make or alter clothing.

I haven't taken the machine to the Good Will yet. Good ideas jeaninmaine and gramto4. I like the women's shelter idea or something like that. Will ck that out. I'd like to be sure it might be of good use to someone. Gary

Nice of you.

What a wonderful idea and so many wonderful suggestions already stated. Bless you for your kindness!

I agree the prizes in those stores have gone to the roof. Giving it away to a womens shelter would be better.

Gary, what a wonderful thing to do, I love the idea of a women's shelter rather than goodwill, seems more "pay it forward" to me.

Bless your heart, Gary!

You might try a Freecycle site. (I had one today looking for a sewing machine in Elmhurst.)

You need to be aware there are lot of people who shop goodwill for items then resell. I visit our local goodwill often. While there early one morning, was surprised to see how many people were there. Turns out, these were people looking for items to resell. Same things happen with Freecycle. This is unfortunate. I don't know what the answer is to be sure the machine goes to someone in real need.

Maybe check with local quilt guilds/sewing groups and see if they know of anyone in need of a machine :D:D:D

I have had past experiences with Goodwill. Not good. Supervisors and staff personnel go through all donations and pick them for themselves and a lot never get to the sales floor. A lot of the stores the handicapped workers are treated bad by the bosses. I avoid giving to them and give to DAV or organizations that really appreciate the donations.

Gosh, I could think of lots of ways to donate the machine to good causes. Project Linus gets donations of machines and women's shelters, senior centers , a lot of good ideas on here.

Wonderful idea! Ditto!!

That is a pretty awesome thing to do Gary...another thought is to donate it to a local Church. They usually know what members might benefit from a machine...ones who sew and ones who may be disadvantaged.

We have a Habitat for Humanity Store near me And they love donations like this. They sell all the stuff and all the money they make goes right into building housing. Try an on line search for one near you if this would be of interest.
peace

The stores are called Habitat Re store

Thanks for all the comments on what to do with the machine I picked up at the garage sale. It's not fancy, but it works. I especially appreciate the comments on Good Will. I never thought of the things mentioned. I will not be giving it to Good Will. But it is kind of discouraging to me. I'm a retired United Methodist clergy and I always heard Good Will was started by the Methodist Church in 1916. But, things change, and I'm glad you all alerted me. And, thanks for the nice comments. But it's just a small thing I can do. Maybe some can come up with other things to do for good in the context of the quilting hobby. Gary

I know a lady who spent some time in prison. She said people would donate fabric and machines and she learned to quilt while there.

Thanks UBE Quilting. I have a retired minister friend who is very involved in Habitat for Humanity. I'll ck with him. Gary

If you advertise it on a freecycle in your area you could meet the person you give it to
Judy

That's a great idea Teddybear Lady. I worked in a women's prison Work Release program years ago, and one of the women had no money and was able to make her cloths on an old Singer. They were very nice. And she showed others how to sew. All these suggestions are so good. May I be bold and suggest that others may have old machines that aren't "collectibles" and may want to share them. Again, you all are very good people. Gary

I would look for a new home for your machine where you know it will be used.
My daughter's Montessori school has one in the classroom.
Shelters, resident homes,etc.
It would be a shame to wind up in someone's collection.

You quilters are right about some resaleing. I work at a thrift shop and there is an antique dealer lives two blocks anyway,comes in 5 times a day just to see if we put something of value on the shelves. Resales on e-bay.

What a generous heart you have! I like the women's shelter too.
In other countries donated machines can pull a family out of poverty because the woman (usually) can then have a stay at home (or village) income. They can send their children to school and have enough to eat year long. I believe there is an organization in Wisconsin somewhere that collects and sends machines out in groups to these women who receive training and get help in finding work. Its another possibility.
Can you even imagine that a $5-20 machine and someone's kindness could change a whole families world????
These are the miracles that happen everyday when we believe a stranger is also a neighbor.
Bless your heart for such kindness, and good luck in your decision.

Very seldom do I go into a Goodwill store here any more because of what they charge. Now our Salvation Army seems to be going the same way. Cotton shirts for $10-15.00. Sometimes you can find things at a reasonable price but it's getting harder. BrendaK

I look for fabric in our Goodwill. Clothes are cheaper at Walmart.

I am the weekend manager of a group home for mentally disabled adults and we have a sewing group on Sat nights. The ladies aren't much good (just like me) but with supervision and "hand over Hand" assistance we turn out some okay stuff. They especially enjoy my old embroidery machine. If it isn't tied down, it's embroidered at the House. They've made table runners(quilted), totes, aprons and embroidered lots of their tops. Maybe someday we'll do a real quilt together....Perhaps you could give some thought to your local group homes. It would be lovely for you to meet the residents also. They love outsider stimulus and we, the staff welcome everyone interested in jour homes.

Gary, what a nice thing to be doing...giving to someone not only a piece of equipment but the joy of quilting. God bless you.

A woman's shelter is an excellent idea. I'm sure there is always clothes that needs to be mended.

It is better to give than to receive. We are blessed in so many ways.

I recently donated two machines and about 200 yards of fabric to my local high school for their drama and sewing department. With the school cutbacks over the years they were thrilled!

After a disaster I gave one machine I had to a woman that had been flooded out of her home. I also gave one to a Church group taking a container over seas to a mission. Get creative there are ways to share quietly. I also have several that I use for children (be careful some of those kids can be awfully hard on machines!) The homes find you I have found.

I like the idea of gifting but to someplace that won't resale.IMO Goodwill and Salvation Army charge too much. Try church groups that may know of someone who could use the machine or sewing/quilting guilds.

You are a very kind person. Who ever gets it, Im sure they will enjoy it.

You may want to check Craigslist. Several deserving people in our area who can't afford a machine have requested one from time to time.

Such a nice thing for you to do.