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6 Ways to Donate Your Handcrafts to Kids in Need Around the World through OCC

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Cheryl from Simply Shoeboxes is guest posting with us today to share how you can make a difference this holiday season with Operation Christmas Child.
Operation Christmas Child

In 1993 Samaritan’s Purse was asked if they could provide shoeboxes* with gifts and necessities to the children of war torn Bosnia.  Across the Southeastern United States they collected 28,000 shoebox gifts.  Since that time Operation Christmas Child (OCC) has grown to have collections not only in the U.S., but also in Canada, the U.K., Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Finland, Spain, New Zealand and Japan.  They have delivered over 146 million shoeboxes in 160 countries.  Each shoebox is packed by an individual, family or group hosting a packing party.

Zambia Shoebox

We sent two shoeboxes in 1993, one from each of my young daughters; and since that first year it has become a yearly event in our family.  We are so hooked on shoebox packing that my daughter, Sarah, and I write a blog dedicated to our journey called Simply Shoeboxes.  We like to include handcrafted items in our boxes which make them more personal.  Since I love crafting and I love kids, it is a perfect match of two passions.  I wanted to share with FaveCrafts readers how you, too, can use your love of crafting to help kids in crisis around the world.

OCC Shoeboxes Delivered by Wagon in Madagascar

OCC collects shoeboxes each year the week before Thanksgiving.  This year’s goal is 9.5 million shoeboxes for the US and 12 million worldwide.  Many boxes arrive at the processing center with few items inside or items that are not allowed and need removed (candy, toothpaste, breakables, war related, liquids).  This leaves gaps in the boxes which volunteers fill with items donated for this purpose. These extra gifts are called “fillers.”  This is where crafters can step in and help fill that need.

There are six ways to donate crafts to the Operation Christmas Child shoebox packing efforts.  The following is based on donations in the US.  If you are in another country check with your country’s guidelines as they may differ in some ways.

Teddy Bear Shoebox for Operation Christmas Child

Six Ways to Donate Your Handcrafts to Kids in Need Around the World thru OCC

  1. Pack a Shoebox

You can pack your own shoebox gift and include your handcrafted items.  Choose an average sized shoebox and include such things as toys, hygiene items, clothes and school supplies (many children around the world can’t go to school because the parents can’t afford school supplies).  Hobby Lobby stores and local churches often have the OCC shoeboxes available for free.  You can find out all the information on the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox website.   Find a local drop off location open during national collection week thru the OCC link above–there are over 5000 nationwide.

  1. Find a Shoebox Packer

If you don’t want to pack a shoebox, find someone who does pack and offer to donate handcrafted items to their packing effort.  Any packer would be thrilled for donations.  We have two ladies from opposite ends of the country who send us items to help us pack more boxes and we greatly appreciate it.  If you don’t know anyone personally who packs, call local churches or stop by our Simply Shoeboxes Facebook page and leave a comment that you are looking for a local person to donate to.  Or if you would like to ship your handcrafted items to someone who packs, we can also help you find someone thru our page.

OCC Packing Party for Kids

  1. Find a Packing Party

Operation Christmas Child shoebox packing parties are held around the country.  Some are for packing a few dozen up to one in PA that packs over 25,000.  This year we are hosting two for the kids at church–one for 100 shoeboxes and the other for 200.  You can imagine the number of items needed for these.  As mentioned above, check with local churches or our Facebook page to find one near you or to ship your items to.

  1. Drop Off at a Collection Center

The week before Thanksgiving each year there are thousands of OCC collection centers at which to drop off your shoeboxes.  They also take boxes of filler items.  Pack your handcrafted items in a box (NOT a shoebox) and mark “fillers” on the outside and drop them off.  You can find a location near you thru this link:  Operation Christmas Child shoebox drop off location (these are only listed during the late fall).

OCC Shoeboxes Stacked to Donate

  1. Drop off at an OCC Processing Center

Each year thousands of volunteers check each shoebox to be sure there are no items on the “do not send” list.  Operation Christmas Child has processing centers open for several weeks after collection week in Baltimore, MD, Charlotte, NC, Boone, NC, Atlanta, GA, Dallas, TX, Minneapolis, MN, Denver, CO and Orange County, CA.  Fillers can be packed in boxes marked “fillers” and dropped off at one of these.  You can contact Operation Christmas Child to find out the location and hours of operation, or call (828) 262-1980.

We have a guest post on our blog by an OCC regional director if you would like to see what happens in A Day at the OCC Processing Center.

  1. Mail to Charlotte Offices Year Round

A seamstress asked on the Operation Christmas Child Facebook page what she could do to help.  They told her she could donate handcrafted items anytime of the year by mailing them to:

Operation Christmas Child
Attn:  Seth Brewer
7100 Forest Point Blvd.
Charlotte, NC   28217

Operation Christmas Child also accepts fillers from local businesses and large manufacturers.  You can read more about OCC’s request for Gift-in-Kind on their website:  Operation Christmas Child Gift-in-Kind Opportunities.

Fat Quarter Library Bag Winnie the Pooh

Guidelines for Craft Donations as Fillers for OCC Shoeboxes

Operation Christmas Child divides the shoeboxes into six groups:  2 to 4 year old girls, 2 to 4 year old boys, 5 to 9 year old girls, 5 to 9 year old boys, 10 to 14 year old girls, and 10 to 14 year old boys.  Any item appropriate for a child in any of these groups can be donated.  Including but not limited to:

  • Clothing (no camouflage fabrics)
  • Dolls
  • Stuffies
  • Games
  • Tote Bags
  • Small Blankets
  • Hats, Scarves & Mittens
  • Aprons

Grandma Sally’s Bitty Blanket

I have shared tutorials for many of these on our blog here:  Crafting for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes Index.  Some of my favorites are:

Some of the crafts on FaveCrafts that would be perfect for shoeboxes are:

And these from AllFreeSewing would also be great:

Fiji OCC Shoebox Distribution

Remember it needs to be small enough to fit in an average sized shoebox with other gifts.  I advise people to use the size of a quart mayonnaise jar as a guide.  If the item when folded, rolled or ready for packing is not much larger than that it should fit fine.

Crafters have the opportunity to craft what they choose and to craft as much as they would like.  There are groups who knit hundreds of sweaters yearly, a retired gentleman who makes hundreds of wooden cars, a 100 year old gal who sews dresses and thousands of crafters across the globe crafting all kinds handcrafts for shoeboxes.  It is also a great opportunity to gets kids crafting for kids.

Shoebox Crafting Communities

So if you love crafting and are looking for an outlet for your crafts that can make a difference in the life a child, look into donating thru Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.  And if you like communities, here are some Facebook pages for OCC shoebox packers and crafters:

Carpenter Mission Zambia Shoebox Distribution 2016

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Distributions

OCC works with local churches and other agencies within the receiving countries to distribute the shoeboxes.  If you would like to learn more about the distributions or see more images, we have three guest posts on our blog from ladies who have been involved in distributions.  You can find them here:  Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Distribution Stories.

Thank you to Jennifer Carpenter for this image of the Zambia OCC shoebox distribution and the smiling girl at the top.  All other shoebox distribution images courtesy of Operation Christmas Child.

Questions about Operation Christmas Child

If you have any questions I would be happy to answer them; and if I don’t know the answer, I’ll do my best to find it.  You can reach me at thesimplyblogs @ gmail[dot]com.

Samaritan Purse Gift Catalog

Samaritan’s Purse

Samaritan’s Purse is much larger than Operation Christmas Child.  They are an international relief agency that helps after natural disasters here in the US and around the globe.  They also have dozens of other relief efforts helping children, women, families and communities with medical, farming, schooling, clean water and much more.  Check out their Christmas Catalog for a quick overview of the types of things they do.

Life Saver Snowman Set

Share Your Craft Images

And finally, if you craft items to donate thru Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes I’d love to see them.  Stop by our Simply Shoeboxes Facebook page and post them.

*Please note:  Operation Christmas Child and packers around the world write shoe boxes as one word:  shoeboxes.   For consistency, this article includes that spelling.

Newborns In Need Charity Drive: Thank You + Winner!

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nin-donations-finalThe Newborns in Need Charity Drive has officially come to an end, and to say it was successful would be an understatement. Just look at all the donations we received! We cannot wait to deliver these donations to Newborns in Need so that infants can begin to enjoy your generous gifts. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who contributed. Whether you sent one item or 20, every single donation will give a newborn a more comfortable entrance into the world. A hearty thank you to Red Heart, who generously gifted the amazing Anne Geddes prize pack to one very lucky winner. Scroll down to see who that lucky lady is!

In our amazing collection of donations, we received diapers, sleepers, cozy blankets, warm hats, adorable booties, and fun bottles, just to name a few. These items will help a family in need immensely, making life a little bit easier for them. Your kindness is something to admire, so thank you for contributing your time, effort, and talent to this fantastic foundation.

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And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for. The randomly chosen winner of the Red Heart Yarn Anne Geddes prize pack is….

Ann Custer

Thank you again to everyone who contributed. Your generosity will make a newborn feel welcome and help a family remember the good in the world. If you would like to continue donating, please send your items directly to Newborns in Need. You can also check out our Children in Need charity section for more opportunities to craft for those in need.

Thank you!

Jaclyn

Editor, AllFreeKidsCrafts.com

Have you ever crafted for charity?

There’s Still Time! Newborns In Need Charity Drive + Giveaway

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newborns-in-need-drive-squareOn August 19th, 2013, AllFreeKidsCrafts revealed exciting news: we are running a Newborns in Need Charity Drive with Red Heart Yarn. Luckily, there is still time to participate in this heart-warming event. All you need to do to participate is donate one of the approved items, and you’ll automatically be entered to win the Red Heart Yarn Anne Geddes Prize Pack.

I hope you’re holding on to your hats because I’m about to show you what this incredible prize pack includes:

 

  • newborns-in-need-drive-prize1 ball of each color of Anne Geddes Yarn
  • 1 set of Size 8 tipping points needles
  • 1 bamboo crochet hook
  • 1 red heart thread cutter pendant
  • 1 Crochet Today Magazine
  • 1 Knitting Made Easy book
  • 1 Crochet Made Easy book
  • 1 RH Tote Bag

Whether you’re crafting or purchasing items for newborns, please make sure to follow these specifications:

  • All crafted and purchased items must feel soft and be washable.
  • If handmade and needs to be washed, it must be washed in fragrant-free baby detergent and, quickly after drying, sealed in a plastic bag.
  • If crocheting, do not use a pattern that produces large holes.
  • No ties are permitted on anything, including clothes and bibs.
  • Do not use yellow, gray, or dark colors. Please use baby pastels- pink, white, blue, light green, and lavender.
  • The items must come from a smoke-free household.
  • Note: Newborns in Need is not currently asking for hats of any kind.
  • Optional Free Sewing Patterns
  • Optional Free Crochet Patterns
  • Optional Free Knit Patterns
  • Optional Purchased Items

We have a wonderful collection of donations so far; add yours to the bunch!

nin-donated-items

To donate your hats just send them to the address provided:

Prime Publishing
AllFreeKidsCrafts Newborns In Need Charity Drive
3400 Dundee Rd #220
Northbrook, IL 60062

If you are kind enough to participate then please read the specifications (or see above) for the donations. This charity drive goes until September 16, 2013. September 16 is the LAST DAY to donate, so we will allow one week for you to ship them to us after that date.  Grab your materials, and let’s get charitable!

Are you donating crafted or purchased goods?

 

Newborn Charity Drive + Win Red Heart Yarn Prize Package

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newborns-in-need-drive-images AllFreeKidsCrafts is extremely excited to announce our Newborns in Need Charity Drive. We have partnered with your favorite yarn brand, Red Heart, to make sure that precious newborns don’t go without. Newborns in Need is a charity that donates care necessities to ill, impoverished, or premature newborns.

Craft for a cause with our Newborns in Need Charity Drive. This drive, which will run from August 19th until September 16th, calls for crafted and/or purchased items that will help newborns stay comfortable.

Once the drive is complete, all of the donated items will be given to Newborns in Need. Before that exciting donation, one winner will randomly be chosen to win the incredible Red Heart Anne Geddes Yarn prize pack. Every single item that you donate will count as one entry, so be sure to include a slip with your name and email address with your donated items.

newborns-in-need-drive-prize

One lucky winner will get:
1 ball of each color of Anne Geddes Yarn
1 set of Size 8 tipping points needles
1 bamboo crochet hook
1 red heart thread cutter pendant
1 Crochet Today Magazine
1 Knitting Made Easy book
1 Crochet Made Easy book
1 RH Tote Bag

 

Enter to win this amazing yarn prize package, compliments of Red Heart, by donating a purchased or crafted item! Simply send us your donation, and we will take care of the rest!

When making/purchasing your newborn necessities please follow these specifications:

  • All crafted and purchased items must feel soft and be washable. If handmade and needs to be washed, it must be washed in fragrant-free baby detergent and, quickly after drying, sealed in a plastic bag.
  • If crocheting, do not use a pattern that produces large holes.
  • No ties are permitted on anything, including clothes and bibs.
  • Do not use yellow, gray, or dark colors. Please use baby pastels- pink, white, blue, light green, and lavender.
  • The items must come from a smoke-free household.

Options to Craft

An Easy Way to Help: Cut fleece in the proper size (from 30 to 36″ square), and then use a skip blade around the border, producing tiny holes. Then, crochet a border of your choice around it.

Other Choices:

Options to Purchase

  • Flannel or Fleece Receiving blankets
  • Sleepers
  • Baby wash- unscented
  • Pacifiers
  • Bottles
  • Outfits for the newborn- sleepers
  • Diaper bags or tote bags

For a full list of items to craft or purchase, rules, and more, visit our Newborns in Need Charity Drive page.

Please ship your donated items to:

Prime Publishing
AllFreeKidsCrafts Newborns In Need Drive
3400 Dundee Rd #220
Northbrook, IL 60062

Please help spread the word about this amazing opportunity to donate items to newborns in need.

Will you be donating?

If so, leave a comment below and tell us about it!

DIY Jewelry Drive: Results and Winner Announcement!

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We all know the age old adage, “It is greater to give than to receive,” but the past two months you’ve all proved it to be true with your generous donations to our DIY jewelry drive! We here at AllFreeJewelryMaking.com have been collecting charitable handmade jewelry donations on behalf of the Women’s Shelter Jewelry Project from readers, fans, and anyone who wished to get involved, and we’ve been blown away by your astounding generosity (as well as your impressive jewelry making skills and creativity!).

We collected hundreds of donated accessories from readers across the country that will now be sent to the Women’s Shelter Jewelry Project to be distributed among various women’s shelters. The pieces you have all so kindly contributed will be going to women in need who have often arrived at these shelters with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. Your handmade jewelry will be a bit of light in a time of darkness and will help them in beginning to build a better future for themselves.

We can’t thank you all enough for helping us to help these women! Having never run a charity drive like this before, we weren’t sure what to expect and didn’t know if we’d receive  more than a few donated pieces. However, we are happy to report that we have received hundreds of gorgeous handmade pieces of jewelry to send to the Women’s Shelter Jewelry Project thanks to your generosity. We couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you, and we are incredibly grateful.

We gave you a look at some of the handmade pieces we had received last month in this update blog post. Now let’s take a look at all of the beautiful pieces we have received since then!

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Pretty fabulous, huh? We certainly think so! OK, and now the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the winner announcement! Part of the deal was that each person who donated at least one piece to the DIY jewelry drive would be entered for a chance to win an ImpressArt Metal Stamping Kit, complete with all the tools and supplies needed to get started making stamped jewelry and other crafts. From all the people who sent in a donation, we have selected one winner at random, and the winner is…

Susan B. from Lockport, NY!

Congratulations, Susan! You are the lucky winner of the ImpressArt Metal Stamping Kit. We will be contacting you regarding your prize. Thank you for your beautiful donation!

And thanks again to all who participated. We know the Women’s Shelter Jewelry Project will be so thrilled to receive all these donations for their cause. And remember, our jewelry drive may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still get involved! Find out where you can donate locally and keep giving back whenever you can.

If you donate any jewelry to a local shelter and want to share your story, you make a new project you’re particularly proud of, or you just want to chat, be sure to stop by our AllFreeJewelryMaking Facebook page and leave a comment! You can also talk to us on Twitter or Google+; we’d love to hear from you! And if you don’t already, feel free to subscribe to our eNewsletter to receive new jewelry projects as well as find out the details on all our upcoming events, giveaways, and promotions.

What are some ways you like to give back?

 

Update: A Look at Our DIY Jewelry Drive Donations So Far!

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Bead for those in need!

All month long, we here at AllFreeJewelryMaking have been asking our readers (and anyone else who wants to get involved) to use their gift of creativity to give back. We have been collecting handmade jewelry donations on behalf of The Women’s Shelter Jewelry Project to help bring a glimmer of hope to the lives of underprivileged women residing in domestic violence shelters and various other shelters. And we’re not done yet!

We are still collecting handmade jewelry donations until March 28th, 2013, at which time we will send all the donated pieces to The Women’s Shelter Jewelry Project to be distributed among various women’s shelters. So far, we have been blown away by the generosity of our amazing readers! We have received a number of packages already, ranging in size from a few pieces to dozens of donated DIY accessories! We cannot thank those of you enough who have already sent in your handmade pieces. We appreciate your generosity, and we know the women who receive your beautiful handmade jewelry will too.

We thought it would be nice to give a little update on the progress of the DIY jewelry drive and let everyone have a look at some of the stunning pieces we’ve received so far. These will certainly bring a bit of light to the lives of these women!

A big thanks to Hattie of SC, Pina of NJ, Adeline of IL, Susan of NY, Joni of SC, L. of KY, Katherine of ID, Susan of MI, Sharon of TX, Janis of SC, Ruthe of NJ, Tracey of MN, and Wendy of RI (whose donations are pictured here in respective order) for their lovely donations! You have each earned your chance to win an ImpressArt Metal Stamping Kit!

Do you want a chance to win an ImpressArt Metal Stamping Kit too? Then send in your handmade jewelry donation by March 28, 2013! All who donate a minimum of one piece of handmade jewelry to the charity drive will be given one entry in the ImpressArt Metal Stamping Kit giveaway; the winner is to be chosen at random. Find additional details and contest rules here.

All donations can be sent to the following address:

Prime Publishing
Women’s Shelter Jewelry Project
3400 Dundee Rd. #220
Northbrook, IL 60062

Please check out this blog post to find additional details, guidelines, and other important information.

Making jewelry brings joy to your own life; use it to bring joy to the lives of others as well by creating for a good cause! We can’t wait to see what you make!

Will you be donating a piece to the DIY jewelry drive?

 

Beading for Charity! Donate to Our DIY Jewelry Drive

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So you love to spend your time beading, but you’re already up to your elbows in bracelets, and all your family and friends are drowning in the DIY jewelry you’ve gifted them over the years? Use your creativity for a good cause by beading for charity! During the months of February and March, 2013, AllFreeJewelryMaking will be collecting finished DIY jewelry creations from beaders like you who want to use their gift to give back. Help us to help others by donating your hand-crafted jewelry creations!

 

By contributing your finished pieces to our jewelry drive, you’ll be helping bring a bit of joy to the lives of women in need. We will be sending all the DIY jewelry we collect to The Women’s Shelter Jewelry Project, a program sponsored by the Seattle Metals Guild that has been donating to those who need it most for almost 15 years now. The Women’s Shelter Jewelry Project collects old jewelry that is not being worn and then sorts, cleans, and fixes the jewelry to make wearable new pieces for underprivileged women. They then distribute these upcycled pieces to various women’s shelters, such as the Catherine Booth House, a Salvation Army domestic violence shelter, where they are given to women in need. For these women, who often arrive to the shelters with nothing more than the clothes on their backs, the jewelry provides a much needed glimmer of hope.

As jewelry artists and crafters, we know how special a piece of jewelry can make a woman feel. Imagine the satisfaction of knowing your handmade piece was given to one of these less fortunate woman on her birthday, on Christmas, or to be worn to a crucial job interview. Your hand-crafted jewelry can make a difference in someone’s life!

The AllFreeJewelryMaking DIY jewelry drive will run from February 7, 2013, to March 28, 2013. Please send your donated pieces to the address below any time during those dates; be sure to provide your e-mail address along with your donation so that we can get in touch with you if you are our randomly selected winner. Also, please keep in mind we are looking for finished pieces of quality – something these women would be proud to wear.

Please ship your finished jewelry creations to:

Prime Publishing
Women’s Shelter Jewelry Project
3400 Dundee Rd. #220
Northbrook, IL 60062

But wait…

What You Can Win:

All those who donate a handmade piece to the jewelry drive will be entered for a chance to receive an ImpressArt Metal Stamping Kit! Gifted by ImpressArt, the Metal Stamping Kit includes everything you need to get started creating your own gorgeous metal stamped jewelry and other stamped craft creations.

Learn more about the ImpressArt Metal Stamping Kit here.

Important Rules/Guidelines:

  • Only participants located in the U.S. and/or Canada are eligible to win the prize. Participants from other countries may donate but will not be eligible to win the prize.
  • One entry per participant, not per donation. Donating multiple pieces does not secure multiple entries.
  • All eligible donations must be handmade. Store-bought donations will not earn an entry in the prize drawing.
  • Donations must be in by March 28, 2013, to be eligible for an entry in the prize drawing.

So start sending in those pieces! We can’t wait to see what you create!

Need some inspiration to get started? Try one of these jewelry projects (or check out any of the ideas on AllFreeJewelryMaking.com)!

 

Have you ever used your craft to give back?

How to Craft for Charity

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The holiday season is the perfect time to make and donate your projects. From hats to scarves, cards to scrapbooks, there are tons of crafting organizations looking for supplies, donations, and gifts for those less fortunate.

You may not know it, but FaveCrafts has a collection of craft charities on our site that you can read about. Our list of charities continues to grow, and we’re always looking for new charities to add to the list…so be sure to check back every so often for new information on craft donations.

Recently, FaveCrafts ran a charity drive with Operation Write Home. It was hugely successful and readers of all ages and skill levels got together and created well over 400 cards for the troops! A HUGE thank you to everyone who helped us achieve our goal!

If you’re looking for some charities or organizations that need your help, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered a list of crafty charities that would be happy to have your donations.

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Project Linus

With chapters in all 50 states, Project Linus continues to grow more each and every day. Dedicated to insuring that kids of all ages have the warmth and comfort of a blanket, Project Linus works with crocheters and knitters all over the US to collect handmade blankets for kids. Blankets are collected locally and distributed to children in hospitals, shelters, social service agencies, or anywhere that a child might be in need of a big hug.

This Pastel Ripple Baby Blanket would be a great one to donate to Project Linus this year. Made with Simply Soft yarn by Caron, this blanket would be perfect for cuddling and sleeping.

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Heartmade Blessings

Heartmade Blessings is a world-wide group of volunteers dedicated to providing hand-crafted items to those people suffering a loss, tragedy, or going through a rough time that need to be reminded of the simple fact that people care.

Heartmade Blessings accepts afghans and “Bearghans“, and even provides patterns if you’re looking for something to make.

This Beginner Granny Afghan would be a great way to show your appreciation for those who are less fortunate. You could make the whole afghan, or crochet a few squares and send those in.

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Bags 4 Darfur

Bags, skirts, jeans, curtains, quilts, tea towels, kitchen aprons, flour sacks, couches, belts, neckties, bedspreads, and table cloths are being casually slung over shoulders from across the prairies, over the mountains, and over oceans and being sent to people in Darfur. This project began as a casual conversation and has quickly blossomed into a charity organization that provides housewares, clothing, and comfort to thousands of people overseas.

Sewists and crafters can make all kinds of projects for Bags 4 Darfur. These Fashion Shower Curtains would be great to donate. They’re easy to make and ship, and will be much appreciated by anyone lucky enough to receive them!

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You can find a full list of all the charities we support at FaveCrafts.com. More and more are being added every month, so check back soon to see what’s new!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Send Greetings to the Troops with FaveCrafts Charity Drive

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FaveCrafts has some big news!  We’ve teamed up with We R Memory Makers to sponsor a charity drive to benefit Operation Write Home.

As we approach the holiday season, it’s important to remember those who are spending the next coming months overseas.  Operation Write Home works with thousands of crafters across America and around the world serve our deployed heroes by providing cards to write home on.  Since it’s inception, Operation Write Home has provided more than 1.7 million handmade greeting cards to troops overseas…and we’re aiming to help them reach 2 million!

FaveCrafts has teamed up with our friends at We R Memory Makers to host an Operation Write Home charity drive.  This card drive will run from October 8th through November 5th.  Once you have completed your card (or group of cards!), simply mail them to the address below.  We will then gather all the cards and send them off to Washington, where they will be distributed to service men and women and sent to families all over the world.

But wait…

What Can You Win

To thank you for sending in your beautiful handmade cards, we’re awarding some awesome prizes to three lucky winners! Every card is an entry, so the person who sends in the most cards will win a We R Memory Keepers prize, worth $60.00! Three other winners will be chosen at random to receive a prize as well…so the more you send in, the greater your chances of winning this awesome prize bundle!

Our Grand Prize Winner will Win BOTH of these Awesome Paper Packs:

We also have some great prizes for our second and third place winners, as well!

 

When making your cards, PLEASE keep in mind these important guidelines!  If cards don’t meet these requirements, they will not be able to be a part of our Operation Write Home charity drive:

  • Card Themes:  Remember who’s sending these: adults. No cards to Daddy, no “wish you were here,” or party invitations; no explicit images or sentiments.  We ask that you stick to the following themes:  Happy Birthday, Love You, Thank You, Missing You, Thinking of You, or blank cards.  
  • No glitter. It’s a safety hazard for our heroes, so no cards with any glitter that will flake off the card are accepted.
  • A2 sized cards only. 4.25″ x 5.5″ – half a sheet of cardstock – and must be accompanied by an envelope.
  • Line cards made with dark cardstock. If a pencil won’t show up, add a liner.
  •  Any quantity is ok. One, a bunch, or a box full; however we need quality, not quantity.
  • SOME lumpiness is okay. Our heroes don’t have to pay for lettermail, but that doesn’t mean we can go wild with layers and embellishments. Save the big vintage buttons and thick 3D embellishments for AnyHero mail that doesn’t have to go through the postal system!
  • DO NOT handwrite sentiments. Neither outside or inside the cards.  All cards must be in English.
  • Use quality supplies. Computer paper, foamies, ittybitty stickers, and gluesticks don’t hold up to the rigors of the battlefront. It’s ok to make fewer cards with better supplies – every card counts!
  • Absolutely no storebought. Neither complete cards, NOR cards repurposing parts of them. It endangers our trademark.

Click here to see the full list of requirements.

Please ship your completed cards to:

Prime Publishing
Operation Write Home Charity Drive
3400 Dundee Rd. #220
Northbrook, IL  60062

 

Still have questions?  Visit Operation Write Home for more information, rules, and creative ideas!

Please help spread the word about this amazing opportunity to give those overseas a way to transport love appreciation to their family and friends all over the world.

Live Coverage from CHA by Charity Wings!

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Do you love winning prizes? More importantly, do you love giving to charity? Then you need to tune into the live coverage by Charity Wings! Charity Wings has graciously set up a live feed right from their booth so you can see all the action from their point of view. How exciting is that? All you need is a raffle ticket and an  internet connection. All proceeds go to support A Place to Bark, a no kill foster and adoption rescue dedicated to the welfare of animals.

Find all the details on how to buy a ticket and join the coverage on their site. 

 

Who is Charity Wings, you ask? If you’ve never heard of them, they are a volunteer run organization that serves as a resource for crafters and artists that want to fundraise for their favorite causes. Their mission is to raise money and awareness for noble causes through unique creativity based events and online fundraisers, like this one.

So what are you waiting for? Check out all the fun at CHA and give for a good cause, it’s a win-win.

Check out full details below:

Live Event Info

Live Event Coverage

Prize Details and Show Floor Coverage

Charity Wings on Facebook

 

Crochet

Jewelry

Knitting

Paper

Sewing

Thrifty