Now that I am retired, I find I have more time to quilt. I'd like to quilt for charitable organizations but there are so many out there. I also know there are many I've never heard of.

Besides the Linus project which I know many quilt groups donate to, what is your favorite place to donate your quilts?

I love making quilts for Birthright. One for the baby and one for the mom-to-be.

I donate quilts to our local church at Christmas time for the needy families in our community.

Haven't given them yet, but I have 3 quilts ready for our local shelter for battered women.

I donate to the Downy Quilts for Kids program. I did my first last year and plan to do them annually.

Isn't retirement grand???!!!!

I donate a quilt every year to be raffled for the Relay for Life.

Talk to a hospital near you. They might need quilts for the neo natal unit or children's ward. They will also give you guidelines to use in making the quilts. Also if there is a Ronald McDonald house near you, they can always use quilts. Again check with whatever organization you are thinking of sewing for and see what their guidelines are.:)

Christian Appalachian Project (http://www.christianapp.org/) gives quilts out to the needy. Our sewing ministry makes little dresses that are taken to Brazil and Guatemala and now Haiti by our mission teams. The children there live in homes that are like our chicken coops. With our scraps from the dresses, we make small quilts for CAP and also give some to nursing homes. It is so rewarding.

I’ve made a couple raffle quilts for the Alzheimer’s Association. Money raised from these quilts went towards research to find a cure and also towards education to help those living with Alzheimer’s live with the day to day challenges of Alzheimer’s today, Safe Return Program and toll free 24 hour helpline.

There are so many more non-profits that need our help. Organizations to help children, our food pantry is struggling and animal rescue groups need help.

If you have a veterans hospital near you, check with the person in charge of donations. Our VA volunteers supply not only lap quilts, but other quilts and baby quilts to displaced veterans families. They are always glad to get anything we make.