Donating Knit and Crochet Items in Ohio

Do you knit or crochet and want to know where you can donate your items in Ohio? Many people knit and crochet to sell their items or gift them to family and friends. Others do it for the relaxation and donate their finished projects to charitable organizations. I crochet for both reasons, but selling my finished projects allows me to buy more yarn to crochet other things that I can donate here in Ohio.

This article covers what type of organizations in general could benefit from your donations and includes a few suggested patterns, but what if you want to keep your donations within the Buckeye State? Here's a breakdown of several organizations in Ohio that would welcome your hand-crafted gift of knit and crochet items.

Helping the Homeless
Sandy at Bridge and Beyond has a wonderful ministry where she provides hats, scarves, mittens and afghans to the homeless in Central Ohio, as well as those seeking care at free clinics in the greater-Columbus area. Her dedication to this project is fostered by donations from crafters just like you. Wearable knit and crochet items are welcomed all year long, and squares that can be joined to make afghans are accepted a few months out of the year. Click the link above for more information on the basic needs and to see what special projects her group is working on.

The Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry in Cleveland runs a program for at-risk teens and a homeless shelter for men. Their list of needs includes blankets, rugs, washcloths (use dishcloth patterns), and slippers. Click the link to see how your knit and crochet skills can fill some of those needs.

Joseph's Home welcomes afghans that will fit the twin sized beds at the Cleveland facility. Since the residents will be allowed to take them home when they get settled in their new apartments, your gift of a colorful afghan will make a lovely housewarming gift as they start anew.

Click here to find other homeless shelters in Ohio.

Cheer Up the Children
Cincinnati Children's Hospital loves donations of hand-knit and crochet items for the kids at their facility. Please contact Rosemary Lytle for information on what their current needs are.

Give Back to a Veteran
Can you crochet a lap blanket or knit a caddy for a wheelchair or walker? Perhaps you could crochet a blanket to cover the plain white sheets on the impersonal twin sized hospital beds. Most VA hospitals have long-term patients that might benefit from a warm hat or scarf during the winter months, so contact the facility nearest you to inquire as to what their needs may be. Ohio VA Hospitals are located in the following cities:

Chillicothe
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Columbus
Dayton