Quilting for a Cause: Creating Charity Quilts and Giving Back

Quilting for a cause and giving back through charity quilts is a meaningful way to combine your passion for quilting while also making a positive impact in the community. There are various types of places where you can quilt for a cause and contribute to charitable efforts. 

1. Local Community Centers: Many community centers organize quilting groups or sewing circles where individuals come together to create charity quilts. These quilts can be donated to local shelters, hospitals, or organizations serving those in need within the community.
   
   
2. Nonprofit Organizations: Numerous nonprofit organizations focus on specific causes such as homelessness, veterans' support, children's hospitals, or disaster relief. These organizations often accept quilt donations to provide comfort and warmth to those they serve. You may have heard of this organization: Project Linus. These quilts are for children in a need of some kind; be it an illness, trauma or other needs.  You can find out about how to donate a quilt or be a part of this at: https://www.projectlinus.org/about/
   
   
3. Hospitals and Hospices: Quilts can bring comfort and solace to patients in hospitals and hospices. Reach out to local healthcare facilities to inquire about their policies regarding quilt donations. Some hospitals even have volunteer programs specifically for quilting or sewing. Here in the Northwest Kaiser Permanente Hospice is one group that will take quilts.
   
   
4. Animal Shelters: Animal shelters also appreciate quilt donations, especially for bedding or blankets for their furry residents. These quilts provide warmth and comfort to the animals awaiting adoption.
   
   
5. Women's Shelters: Quilts can be donated to women's shelters, providing a sense of security and warmth to those who have experienced domestic violence or homelessness. Contact local women's shelters to find out if they accept quilt donations and any specific requirements they may have.
   
   
6. Foster Care Programs: Quilts can bring a sense of belonging to children in foster care. Consider reaching out to foster care programs or organizations to see if they accept quilt donations for the children they support.
   
   
7. Military Support Organizations: Quilts can be donated to organizations that support military personnel and their families. These quilts can offer comfort to soldiers or veterans, or be given to the families of deployed service members. Many of us have heard of Quilts of Valor, which is an organization that gives quilts to veterans that have served and “been touched by war.”  You can find more information about this cause at their site: https://www.qovf.org/
   
   
8. Online Quilting Communities: There are online platforms and communities dedicated to quilting for a cause. These communities often share information about ongoing charity quilt projects and provide opportunities for quilters to contribute remotely.

Often when you are participating in a local community guild, there will be an opportunity to work on a charity quilts.  I have seen that the guilds in my region have specific charity quilt work times and take many different donations.  This is a great way to give back and to serve your community through your art.