Crafting for charity usually brings to mind the skills and talents of knitting, crocheting, and sewing. But any craft can be employed for helping others. And if you have no talent (well, first of all you are wrong because we all have some talent - you just need to find it!), or don’t feel your skills are ready yet, there is an organization that needs you and your friends to paint murals for sick kids.

Paint-A-Mural is an organization that assists communities so that people can come together and turn a bleak hospital wall (or any number of other walls), into something to delight the eye of a child.

One side benefit, is that when these people come together for the Paint-A-Mural events, bonds are created, thus strengthening the community itself. It is a wonderful project for a company to present to its employees, and it would give some nice press coverage for the donating company.

There are various “packages” that can be used by groups. More than one mural is an option if the group is large. There are seven designs to choose from and it will be sectioned off for the number of people that are participating.

Paint-A-Mural does reserve the right to approve of the location of the mural, but the list of possible recepients is quite large. They are also looking for people to help with putting together murals for terminally ill children.

Check out Paint-A-Mural. It could be the perfect crafting experience for you as you donate your time for others. Its fun, easy, and can brighten the day for many, many people.

Paint-A-Mural

Everyone knows “Guideposts Magazine.”  It is a magazine that can be found in offices, homes, and churches.  It delivers messages of positive thinking and hope to its readers.  “Guideposts” has enjoyed a large readership and unprecedented popularity for over six decades.

Did you know that “Guideposts” has other projects as well?  One that impressed me is called, “Knits for Kids.”  They have been involved in providing sweaters for kids worldwide for over 10 years!  And these sweaters?  They are knit or crocheted by their wonderful readers.

The Web site has several pages devoted to this project.  They explain what and how they do this project.  They have distribution maps and answers to any questions you might have.  But best of all, they have the patterns.

There are four patterns:  The basic T-Design sweater for beginners, the 10th Anniversary edition pattern, the crochet pattern (in 2 styles) and an advanced aran knitting pattern for those knitters who enjoy more challenging knitting.  It is nice to see such a variety of patterns and they are good patterns!  I checked them out myself.

Consider putting your talents to work for “Guideposts,” if you haven’t chosen a charity to knit or crochet for yet.  This is a real world-changing project and they are doing a great job.  I’ve already downloaded my patterns - that aran one I can’t resist and I love the idea of it going to a child who really needs it.

Knits for Kids at Guideposts

If you knit, crochet, or sew, and have a heart for high-risk babies and their parents, Care Wear is a charity for you. Care Wear is one of the oldest charity organizations providing handcrafted items for premature and high-risk babies having operated for 15 years.

At this time, they serve as an information source advising volunteers to contact local hospitals on donation of blankets, preemie gowns, teddy bears and other downsized items. Joining is free; they have no dues, no rules and only ask for your help.

Patterns are provided free of charge on the Web site and suggestions are given freely. This is a wonderful chance for the crafter to use creativity, holiday ideas, leftover yarns and fabrics, and experiment. It certainly will be appreciated by the recipient and the crafter will experience the satisfaction that only giving can bring.

Care Wear

I couldn’t help but feel some curiosity at the name of this organization.  Binky Patrol?  I was intrigued.  I stopped by and found a vital organization that allows crafters a great deal of latitude in creativity and helps a lot of babies, kids, and teens. 

What is a Binky?  The front page asks that question and so did I.  It is a blanket that is sewn, quilted, knitted or crocheted and is at least three feet square.  Occasionally they have need for two by two blankets (premie binkies) but the rule of thumb is three by three and up to a twin bed size.  These binkies (or blankets) are given to children and teens who are in crisis.

Binky Patrol has made over 75,000 blankets and has over 5,000 members.  They have an annual “bink-a-thon” which is a marathon in blanket making within a community - the goal is to make as many blankets as possible and raise the awareness in communities about Binky Patrol and the kids who need these blankets. 

One of the best things I found out about Binky Patrol was that it could easily become a family project.  They need more than blanket makers!  They need people to do clerical work, deliver blankets, provide resources and get various companies involved.  This could be something that a family would work on one night a week to increase “quality family time.”  Teaching our children to reach out to others in their need, is more important than teaching them the skill to make the blanket.  The Binky Patrol is the perfect organization to become involved in for a family looking for an activity - the feeling of helping another is like no other.

Binky Patrol needs chapters in various states.  If you feel called to this kind of charity, get in touch with them.  They offer a great many ways to help and with the lack of restriction on what patterns are used, they afford the crafter ways to improve skills and experiment with various materials.

Visit Binky Patrol and see if they are a good fit for you.  They are a great fit for the people in our communities!

Binky Patrol