So many quilters donate their gorgeous handi-work. If you give yours away, i wondered what your favorite "donation" place is?? Mine is the local children's hospital. I am going to try to expand on it and make some for the nursing homes in my area.

I'm really excited b/c today I found out where a group meets for Project Linus.
Can't wait to get involved!!!!!!!! :D

I have donated to the pediatrics ward at our local hospital. Both blankets and stuffed dolls.
I donate fleece blankets to a place called "Love Inc" (Love in the name of Christ) which helps people in need. I also give fleece blankets to the local cancer treatment center. I got this idea from a friend who went thru chemo and said he was always cold.
I also make fleece hat/scarf sets to donate to the local charity that helps the needy with food, clothing and such.
I donated placemats to the Senior Center to use for "meals on Wheels".
I use my scraps to fill bags I make out of fabric - when bag is full, I sew up the end and donate these to the animal shelter for beds for the animals.
There is nothing like the good feeling I get when I give... :)

That is great...i wish there was a group like that near me.

Prayer quilts for my church, Downy for Kids cancer quilts - Downy provides the cut out fabric and back. You do the batting, binding and return mail. A local nursing home. I want to do a Quilts of Valor or a Wounded Warrior quilt soon. So much need, so little time - so why am I on the computer?

Our quilt guild donates to the local pregancy care center. They tell us the women can't believe anyone would make such beautiful quilts for them and their baby. Just knowing someone cares really helps them.

My daughter is the activities director at our local nursing home. I make and donate lap quilts to the residents. They must be able to last through washings at very high temperatures as dictated by the State Department of Health. I love to see them in use when I visit, and the residents really enjoy them, because they always seem to be cold.

Susi,
Where are you in OHio? I run a Project Linus group.

I do the American Hero quilts that get sent to Afghanastan for all of the injured military personnel being sent to hospitals in Germany. I started doing this to honor my dad who past away on Christmas Eve last year.

Thanks,
Sherryl
Candlequilter

our local EMT's and fire stations and police departments all appreciate quilt donations too. they give them to people who have had house fires, kids in accidents, whom ever they think needs it at the time. sometimes it really is special :thumbup:
i also give to the library, swim school, ...close to anyone around looking for fundraising opportunities or having a need.
of course along with the project linus quilts, quilts of valour, the medical care facility, the womens resource center...the list goes on and on...lots of organizations out there that will either raffle a quilt off for $$ or give it to someone in need

Both guilds I belong to donate quilts to
Child Protective Services. If a child must
go to a foster home they get a quilt to take
with them.

I make lap quilts for our local VA hospital. They don't belong to the hospital, but are given to the vets. The need is a constant one...+

I have made some to donate to our local No kill cat shelter to raffel off, at their dinners. Thats it so far, but I would LOVE to do more....now that the kids are older, I should have more FUN time!

One guild I belong to gives to Habitat for Humanity and people in the community who have fires, a pregnancy center, Toys for Tots. They have over 200 members. They do about 300 quilts a year.
The other guild gives to the domestic violence safe house. A smaller group of predominately working women. They do about 100 quilts a year.
I have given to the Veterans Nursing Home here.

I donate to an elementary school. They have used them to raise money for the school in the past. The last things I donated were placed in the library for the children to snuggle with when they were in there reading. I also donate to a national service dog organization to raise funds for dogs that are provided at absolutely no charge to those in need of them.

There is a program in Ohio called "Kids in Camp". It's a wonderful place to donate. The camp is for troubled kids and each one gets their own quilt.

You can go to www.projectlinus.org, click on your state and see what chapters are in your area that you can volunteer and help. You might even want to start you own chapter. I know that we make a difference in our community. We had a goal of 600 blankets and took in 2.938 this year. The partnership with Disney brought in 2,000 in five weeks. We also make weighted blankets for children with special needs and autism spectrum disorder. I am very proud of the ladies and gentleman who volunteer and provide for our area of Southwest Missouri. Our chapter motto is: We make a difference one stitch at a time.

One of the local churches has the food pantry for this area, so I take my small quilts there, they are always happy to get them. :)

Start one!

Just curious, what are "weighted blankets"? I have a special needs child and know lots of parents of and kids w/autism and special needs and have never heard of this.
TIA,
Chris

Weighted blankets are simple to make. You can go to projectlinus.org, click 'patterns', scroll down to a pattern called 'lili's hugs'. Everyone has their own way of making the blankets. I take 2-1 yard pieces of fabrics, sew them on the short sides, making a tube. Take velcro and stitch on each side of the tube. Allow a total of 2.5 yards for velcro. Fold in half lengthwise and press, then stitch across from side to side. Fold in half width size and press. Make 2 tube markings on each side of line, makes a total of 6 tubes. Stitch the tubes. You have a total of 12, 6 on each side of the blanket. Take old sheets, towels, bath blankets, roll them and then stuff them into the tubes. The velcro will seal them in. I can email you a copy of directions if you want to pm me. I have made over 400 the past 3 years.

I have the concept of making them now, but could you please explain what benefits these provide. I know it sounds like a stupid question but I am not catching on.

Children who are autistic can't stand to be held. The weight of the blanket makes them feel swaddled and secure. Most of these children cannot get a full night's sleep which in turn means their parents or caregivers cannot get a full night's sleep. The weight of the blanket gives them the comfort of being held and many times this helps the child get a good night's rest which means that everyone gets a good night's rest. In turn, the child is rested and can be more receptive to learning and retaining what is taught.

I donate to local convalescent facilities and to our church, the Vietnam Veterans chapter and motorcycle groups to raise funds for local programs.