Everyone loves angels.  They are a powerful symbol of reaching out, not only from our hearts, but in the sense of delivering a message of hope from a power much higher than any of us possess.  “Angels of Hope,” an organization that delivers crocheted angels to people in need, have found the joy in creating and sending angels, and hope, to people who may have lost hope.

When I visited the “Angels of Hope,” Web site today, I was impressed by how much it had grown over the past few years.  It started with just a few people wanting to reach out - to let someone else know that they cared and wanted to send some hope.  Now it is hundreds of people all over the United States, working together, creating little crocheted angels and sending them to people to let them know hope is still there.  It is a message that says, “Never give up.”

“Angels of Hope,” is organized in a way that makes donation easy.  Join the organization if you would like to make angels for others.  The organization is divided into groups by state and a few other countries besides the U.S.  You can also give financially to help the crocheters.  I like their feature of providing a page that gives a tribute to a loved one for a $30 donation.  Additionally, they are a 501(c)3 and donations are tax deductible.

Materials to make the angels (butterflies and smilie faces are also part of this project) are supplied by the crafter and are sent to names submitted on the Web site.  It is easy to request an angel (or butterfly or smilie face) through their Web site form.  They do request that the reason for the request be stated, not to pry, but to be certain these are legitimate requests.

“Crochet!” Magazine said, “Angels for Hope Organization sends out free of charge crocheted angels, butterflies and smiley faces all over the world to anyone severely injured, chronically ill or to someone who simply needs hope. All are sent with a small note to the receiver carrying a special verse, and, if you want them to know, who it was requested by.” 

Hope may be the best thing that a friend or family member in need could receive.  Anyone suffering with a serious disease or life situation often feels the lack of hope in their life.  A little angel, made with love and concern, can deliver the message quite nicely!

Angels for Hope

Never think one person can’t make a difference.  When Mary Marie Robinson considered the tragedy in Rwanda, and the attempts to rebuild after the tsunami hit, she despaired of a way to truly help in a meaningful way.  “As I knit, I couldn’t stop thinking about the great sadness and tragedy of these people and how, in some small way, I might be able to help.”

And help she has.  The scarves that Robinson has knitted, have raised $20,000 in direct relief funds for the people of Rwanda.  She has made a difference through the craft, in this case knitting, she loves the most. 

It is true that Mary Marie Robinson cannot fix an entire nation all at once.  But it is even more true that she can make a difference in more lives than she ever thought possible.  And it is also true, that if each of us could find a place in our lives to do one thing, to help one person or aid one situation, before any of us realized it, no one would ever be in need again.

Thanks Mary Marie!  You have truly proven that one person CAN make all the difference in the world.  

Ribbons For Rwanda

Lion Brand Yarns Coverage of “Ribbons for Rwanda”

Reaching out to others through a craft doesn’t just mean to other people.  There are many animals that need our care and support as well.  It isn’t uncommon to find people who believe their calling in giving to others, involves animals. 

Working exclusively to help homeless pets, The Snuggles Project reaches out to our future family pets.  Dogs and cats who are waiting in no-kill shelters certainly are better off than their counterparts in kill shelters, but it can be a long wait.  And no one wants to sleep on a cold kennel floor.

The Snuggles Project is an organization I have been involved with for some time.  I fully support their cause and think that those who are attracted to animal “charities” will find a place to channel their crafting skills.  This project needs knitters, crocheters, sewers and quilters. 

Their needs are simple; they need fabric (woven, knitted, crocheted, etc) mats for these future pets to sleep on.  This chart gives the sizes that Snuggles is in need of on a continuing basis.

14″ x 14″ - Kittens, small cats and small animals
24″ x 24″ - Larger cats and small to medium dogs
36″ x 36″ - Medium to large dogs

There is a wonderful advantage to the crafter who is involved in this project.  It is a way to try new techniques in various crafts; for instance, a knitter who wants to try an entrelac stitch, but not on a garment or with terribly expensive yarn, can practice on a mat for Snuggles by using an inexpensive yarn bought at a discount or variety store.  Would-be quilters can practice on these mats and hone their skills.  A new sewing machine can be broken in.  And sewers have it very easy - if you are a seamstress, buy some extra fabric with each project, and use the leftovers to make the mats.

Anytime we reach out, we benefit ourselves, but this is one of the charities that shows benefits to crafter and recepient both.  Join The Snuggles Project; for a minimum of $10 a year, you receive membership, belong to the online community and have your own blog to document your work with Snuggles.  And, it’s a 501(c)3 so your membership is tax-deductible.

The Snuggles Project

Crafting is often associated with knitting or crochet, sewing or other “soft” projects.  But there are many kinds of crafts and just about every craft has an outlet for reaching out to others.

Bottles of Hope was an idea conceived by Diane Gregoire, during a particularly hard time of her life.  She was receiving chemotherapy for cancer and noticed all of the little bottles that were thrown out during a typical chemotherapy treatment.  She had an idea and she followed her imagination; Bottles of Hope was born.

Bottles of Hope is a Web site that contains everything (with the exception of supplies, of course) to get you started.  It has a gallery of photographs of bottles, instructions on how to make the bottles, contact information for various organizations that distribute the bottles, and links to sites that can help you improve your crafting skills.

There are also premade pages for printing so quotes, and other comments about the Bottles of Hope can be inserted into the bottle for the recepient.  Pick up your supplies and unleash your imagination, and you have everything you need to participate in Bottles of Hope.

There is also a forum for discussion among the people involved in this project.  It seems to be busy and full of people eager to be involved in a project that is close to their own hearts.

Bottles of Hope

Bottles of Hope Forum