Volunteer Opportunities: Charity Work in the Comfort of Your Home
There are many ways to volunteer without leaving your home. You can reap the rewards of giving in the comfort of your own home. There are many benefits to giving to others. It looks good on your resume, and it shows your caring attitude to others. If you have gaps in your resume, you can use your volunteer work as your job during that time. The warm fuzzies you feel inside when you do something great for someone else can make you feel better inside than you believe the recipient feels by receiving your volunteer work.
NEEDLEWORK
There are many organizations that accept blankets, hats, mittens, and much more in order to give to the less fortunate, the disabled, or the sick. If you enjoy doing crafts, you can find a charity that will accept your crafts, and give them to a worthy cause. As you are creating your craft, it is a wonderful feeling to know you are doing it to help someone else. It makes the work so much more rewarding. Listed below are just a few organizations that accept craft items for charitable purposes. If you search the Internet for your particular passion, you can most likely find a charity that would gladly accept it.
Knitting Charities
| CHARITIES |
|---|
Threads of Compassion |
The Handiwork Ministry |
Binky Patrol |
Knit-A-Square |
Project Linus |
Stitches From the Heart |
Threads of Compassion
Threads of Compassion
- Threads of Compassion OKC | Helping Survivors of Sexual Assault
Threads of Compassion is a loosely connected group of survivors of sexual violence who desire to offer comfort and support to recent victims. Since 2010…
Threads of Compassion is a charity that gives handmade scarves to sexual abuse victims who come into local emergency rooms as a symbol of comfort and hope after their traumatic event. Scarves can be knitted and crocheted.
Contact Information (You can mail your completed scarves to the following address):
Threads of Compassion
c/o Memorial Road Church of Christ
2221 E. Memorial Rd.
Edmond, OK 73013
Binky Patrol
- Binky Patrol Comforting Covers for Kids
All-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to making blankets and giving them away to children who are ill, abused, in shelters, hospitals and experiencing any type of trauma. Blankets can be sewn, quilted, crocheted, knitted or tied.
Binky Patrol accepts baby blankets. These blankets are given to children born HIV+, drug-addicted, infected with AIDS or other chronic and terminal illnesses, those who are abused, in foster care, or experiencing trauma of any kind.
Contact Information (Blankets with their logos can be mailed to the following addresses):
Carolyn Berndt, Director
Binky Patrol
32 Marble Sands
Newport Beach, California 92660
Or
BPHQ
Susan Finch, Founder
6490 Southwest Elm Avenue
Beaverton, Oregon 97005
Knit-A-Square
- Knitting for charity?
Knitting for charity - knit or crochet squares to make blankets for abandoned babies, children and AIDS orphans in southern Africa.
Knit-A-Square allows you to knit or crochet an 8” square that will be sewn with other squares by volunteers in order to make blankets which are sent to AIDS orphans of South Africa.
Contact Information (The 8” squares can be sent to the following address):
Knit-A-Square
Private Bag X900
PO Bryanston 2021, South Africa
Project Linus
Project Linus gives sewn, quilted, knitted, or crocheted blankets to seriously ill or traumatized children.
Contact Information (Blanks can be mailed to the following address):
Project Linus National Headquarters
2405 General Electric Road, Suite 4
Bloomington, Illinois 61704-8597
Phone: (309) 585-0686
Baby Patterns to Use When Volunteering
- Knitting For Babies Free Patterns
The anticipation and the arrival of a new baby is an occasion for joy and celebration.
Another Great Charity: Knitting for Knockers!
- Knitting For Knockers A Charity Project
Knitting Charity for Breast Cancer Patients.If you're looking for a knitting charity that's just a little bit different, how about Knitting for Knockers!
Writing Letters for Sick Children
Many times it is difficult to put yourself in a dying child’s shoes. These children are often lonely and would like support. There are many sites that allow you to write letters to ill or dying children. Handwritten letters mean the most to recipients. Here are a few volunteer websites to check out. Also, since this is a very sensitive subject for a careful audience, there are examples below on phrases to include in your letters to children.
Sick Children Charities
| CHARITIES |
|---|
Love Letter Cares |
Hugs and Hope |
Love Letter Cares
- Home Page
Home Page
This charity encourages you to create a card by hand, and include a positive inspirational message to children who are going through difficult times of treatments and surgeries. The only cost you incur is the cost of the office supplies used to make the homemade card. To volunteer, on the website, click on “Volunteers” to download all of the correspondence you will need along with an Application and Commitment Form.
Contact Information:
Love Letters: Random Cards of Kindness, Inc.
321 Montgomery Road #161058
Altamonte Springs, Florida 32716-1058
Hugs and Hope
- Share Your Love With Sick Kids by sending cheery cards
Hugs And Hope for Sick kids - making a difference one smile at a time. Send Happy Mail To make their day at www.hugsandhope.org
This website allows you to send mail to children who are fighting for their lives. The only cost is the office supplies you use to provide the children with mail. The instructions are to (1) Chose one or more children to send mail, cards, or gifts to. (2) Mail the gifts according to the website’s guidelines.
Contact Information:
Lucel-Melody
Sample Phrases for Children
- Tell about yourself. It’s nice for them to hear of life outside of a hospital.
- Talk about funny stories in your life, like what your pet did.
- Make the most out of your blessings, and count them every day.
- All the blessings in the world to you!
- Tell a goofy story about an adventure you went on to be cheerful.
- Jokes and funny poems are great.
- Rocking a smile can make all the difference in your day.
- Sending lost of smiles across the miles.
- Draw them a funny picture.
- Find comfort in the Bible and through your family and friends.
- If the child is not terminal, a get well soon message is suitable.
- Believe in yourself.
- God bless you!
- Have faith in God.
- My faith keeps my spirits up and helps me.
- You are awesome.
- Think of your blessings!
- Wishing a princess a magical week!
- Remember when you are looking at the sun, I am too, so we can see each other.
- Sending you a heart full of love and compassion.
- You are surrounded with love.
- You are absolutely fantastic inside and out!
- Sending you a big hug!
- You are a shining star! Smile!
- List the positives in life
- Hope you have an excellent week.
- Let your gorgeous smile shine.
- Make them smile.
- Try not to bring up their illness or that you feel sorry for them. They do not want to be reminded of their situation when they have to deal with it every day.
Writing to Soldiers Stationed Overseas
These are just a handful of websites out there that allow you to show your appreciation to our military members. Many soldiers stationed overseas do not have friends and family that send them mail. Most of these sites focus on these soldiers to ensure that they get mail like their fellow soldiers. Handwritten letters mean the most and show you took the time to write out your words of appreciation. There are some sample phrases you can use in your letters to the soldiers to show your gratitude for what they are doing for us.
Writing Soldiers Charities
| CHARITIES |
|---|
Homefront Hugs USA |
Tell Them Thanks |
Operation: Care and Comfort |
Give 2 The Troops |
Homefront Hugs USA
Homefront Hugs USA allows you to adopt a soldier for six months. These soldiers are deployed overseas, and they need the support of the United States. The website does not want our heroes to be forgotten. There is a form to fill out on the website. You may also take a photo of yourself, and email it to them.
Contact Information:
Homefront Hugs
1850 Brookfield Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103
Operation: Care and Comfort
- Operation: Care and Comfort
Operation: Care and Comfort provides support to troops, Veterans, and their families. Since 2003, OCC has mailed monthly care packages to adopted military units in conflict regions. At home, we provide support through our award winning programs.
Operation: Care and Comfort support our troops who are serving in times of war by writing them letters or by mailing them care packages. They want you to open your heart and carry on the American tradition of care by donating your time, talent, and treasure to honor those currently serving our country. You can send handwritten cards and letters of encouragement to the troops.
Contact Information (Items can be sent to one of these addresses):
Operation: Care and Comfort
2392 Walden Square
San Jose, California 95124
Or
American Red Cross
2731 North First Street
San Jose, California 95134
Give 2 The Troops
- Give2TheTroops - Supporting Deployed U.S. Troops With Care Packages
Nonprofit organization sends care packages to deployed US troops
Give 2 The Troops wants to show troops how much we care about them and how much we support and appreciate the sacrifices they are making for us, our families, and our future.
Contact Information (Donate cards and letters to the following address):
Rocky Hill: Give2TheTroops, Inc.
1275 Cromwell Avenue
Shunpike Business Center, Building E-5
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Andi Grant, President (860) 578-0039
Other Addresses to Mail Soldiers Overseas Letters:
HeroBox
PO BOX 3061
Peachtree, Georgia 30269
Letters From Home Program
Chris Jovenitti, Director
6631 Ridgeway/Johnsonburg Road
PO BOX 125
Johnsonburg, PA 15845
With Love From Home
PO BOX 444
Mora, MN 55051
Keystone Soldiers
PO BOX 152
Fleetwood, PA 19522
(610) 698-2122
Sample Phrases for Soldiers
- I would like to express my appreciation for what you are doing.
- I really appreciate what you are doing for our country.
- I know it must be hard being away from home; just try to remember the positives and all the good you are doing for others.
- I’m sure it isn’t easy, but thank you for doing your job!
- Hang in there and know that we support our troops and are glad you are fighting for our freedom.
- Wishing you the best and thankful for your work!
- We really appreciate your efforts overseas.
- Stay strong, and keep your spirits up.
- We are thankful for your work!
- God bless you for your hard work!
- Be all that you can be, and do your best.
- You are very much appreciated.
- I can’t imagine how hard it must be.
- I admire your ability!
- Thank you for all the hard work you are doing for our country and freedom.
- Stay Strong!
- Scripture to Quote: Proverbs 27:17
- Scripture to Quote: Eccles. 4:10-12
- Scripture to Quote: Isaiah 41:10
- Scripture to Quote: Phil. 4:6
- Scripture to Quote: Proverbs 12:25
- Scripture to Quote: Col. 3:23
- Scripture to Quote: Proverbs 3:5-6
- Scripture to Quote: Psalms 128:1
- Scripture to Quote: 2 Corinthians 5:7
- Scripture to Quote: 2 Corinthians 7:6
- Scripture to Quote: Isaiah 40:31
- Scripture to Quote: Isaiah 7:9
- Scripture to Quote: Psalms 27:14
- Scripture to Quote: Proverbs 24:10
- Scripture to Quote: Psalms 86:11
It is important to have a hobby you adore. Try volunteering. Start in the convenience of your own home by writing to soldiers overseas, by writing to sick or dying children, or by giving away crafts you create to charities. If you do not have time to write letters or do crafts, you can always donate money to a worthy cause and still get those warm fuzzies. Also, if you just chose to write letters, you can always type them up, and print and mail them when you have time. This saves you the time of handwriting out letters. It is especially rewarding to do one of your favorite hobbies, such as needlecraft, knowing that you are doing it to help another human being. Try volunteering; see if you find it as rewarding as I have found it to be.
Comments
Michele Kelsey (author) from Edmond, Oklahoma on June 03, 2013:
Thank you! Volunteering is one of my passions.
Faythe Payne from USA on June 03, 2013:
Beautiful well put together hub..voting up and sharing, pinning etc
