Many crafters like crafting for personal pleasure or business and many crafters also like crafting for a charity or cause. With so many different options out there, where do you start? Well, a great place to start is right in your own neighborhood.

The Hospital
Your local hospital has many different areas where crafting is greatly welcomed. In the labor and delivery ward you could craft gifts for new mothers, new babies, new fathers, and new siblings. Baby booties or baby hats, snuggly blankets, a little memento are usually all welcomed. When I had my third baby, I was given a little pink beaded bracelet with her name on it that was made by the volunteers. It’s precious and I treasure it. On the Pediatrics floor, things like toys, blankets, and activities (think hand made checkerboard) are great ideas. When my son was admitted to the hospital for a month due to a spinal meningitis infection, we received a very sweet braided yarn octopus made from a styrofoam ball, yarn, and some felt accessories. Other places in the hospital are happy to take crafted donations also. Even something as simple as a little hand made heart to carry around is a sweet gift and could really mean a lot to someone recovering from surgery or illness.Talk to your local hospital and see if there is anything that they specifically need. Sometimes the hospitals have items that they routinely give away and are always in need of replenishing, like infant caps.

The Pregnancy Resource Center
Your local pregnancy resource center is also a place that usually loves handmade donations. Baby booties, hats, and blankets, a special necklace for the mom to be, and stuffed animals are all crafty items that would make good donations. Contact your local pregnancy resource center for information on what type of crafted donations they are in need of.

The Battered Women’s Shelter
This is a place that is very near to my heart. A lot of times they will see not only women come in but their children also. Little sparks of handmade love can really help getting through such a hard transition a little easier. A lot of times these women get out with a small suitcase of clothes but otherwise have nothing. Gifts for women like a piece of jewelry or a trinket box are a good start. Gifts for children like a snuggly or stuffed animal, a blanket or a toy are great also. Once again, contact your local battered women’s shelter for more information on what crafts they accept or are in need of.

The Homeless Shelter
Your local homeless shelter is probably in need of blankets right now. If you are a wood worker, chances are they need bedroom items like dressers or even bunk beds. They may also need aprons for the soup kitchen or items for children like toys, socks, and lovies. Contact your local homeless shelter and ask them what they may be in need of.

The Church
Chances are your church has some sort of need for hand crafted items for either local donation or overseas. For instance, my church is continually sewing little layette sets for a hospital in Africa. If your church doesn’t have a specific craft or group, maybe it’s time to start one. With so many needs just locally, it’s great for the church to get involved in helping.

This is really just a sampling of the different needs your community might have for your skills. There are also more individual needs. For example, the family whose house just burned down who would really love a handmade item to show that others care, or the family who just lost a loved one who may like a simple handmade memento. Crafting for a cause can include the whole family too. It is so sweet when you get to tie a fleece blanket with your children while explaining to them the importance of sharing what we have with those in need. In the end, your crafting can be more than just self fulfilling, it can be community impacting.