Charity Knitting Opportunities in Oregon
On our Facebook page, Angela asked about knitting charities in Oregon. I reproduced this question in a recent Knitting Nuggets Newsletter, and I received a tremendous response! So here I’d like to introduce you to three Oregon charity knitting opportunities: Love-Squared, the Assistance League, and Occupy Medical. I’ll also share an email from a reader named Victoria who offered several suggestions for where charity knitting can be donated.
Love-Squared
You may have already heard of Love-Squared; we featured this Michigan-based charity here. Love-Squared’s founder Leah recently moved to Portland, Oregon, and she plans to build a following there, while others continue the work of Love-Squared in Michigan and Ohio. Love-Squared works to offer warm blankets to homeless children. If you are able to offer either 8 x 8″ squares or fully knitted (or assembled) blankets, Love-Squared would be thrilled to accept them. You can find information about Love-Squared at their website or on their Facebook page.
Assistance League
The Assistance League is a philanthropic Eugene, Oregon organization. It has an astounding number of programs, some of which include providing new clothes and dental care for children in need (Operation School Bell and Children’s Dental Center), music and fellowship with seniors (Caring and Sharing), a library for the homeboound (Operation Bookshelf), teddy bears for people in crisis (Operation Hug a Bear), museum presentations for children ages 5 to 12 (Oregon Heritage), and household supplies for families and veterans in transitional housing (Welcome Basket). Reader Jean informed me that she knits hats for this group; I would definitely suggest contacting this group and finding out if they would accept any other knitted donations. I imagine that children’s clothing, blankets, and possibly even teddy bears would all be gratefully accepted. You can find out more information about the Assistance League at their website.
Occupy Medical
This is another organization that Jean shared with me. She knits hats, scarves, and cowls and gives through the Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene. I took a closer look at Occupy Medical and found that this group started in 2011 as a humble tent, with the aim being to provide medical care to people who couldn’t otherwise afford it. Their assistance has since expanded; some of their services aside from medical treatment and care include mental health treatment, program referrals, haircuts, nutrition assistance, and hygiene supply provisions. Because they provide so many services to low- or no-income individuals, they gratefully accept many kinds of donations. In addition to financial donations, they happily accept many kinds of hygeine and medical supplies, as well as cold-weather knitted items. A wishlist and donation drop-off locations are provided on Occupy Medical’s website here.
Other Opportunities
Here is Victoria’s email: “I coordinate a ministry through our church that we have called ‘Warm Heads and Hands.’ It has been in operation since 2012. We collect hand-knit, crocheted and loomed hats, as well as scarves, gloves, and mittens of all sizes. The recipients are all local and include: Pregnancy Resource Centers in SE Portland and Gresham (Infant’s hats, booties or baby blankets are given to women who choose to carry their baby to term. They also provide layettes to clients once their child is born.) A local grade school – items are made available once a month to local low-income families. SnowCap – a 27-year-old community ministry to folks in the outer east side of the Portland/Gresham metropolitan area. They provide food and clothing assistance to families in need, and say they get a lot of requests for children’s hats. Randall Children’s Hospital – They appreciate anything from premie items to lap blankets for seniors. They receive a plethora of items for girls, so there is always a special need for items in neutral or traditionally boy colors. Contact their volunteer office for further info. Dornbecher Children’s Hospital – hats, from premie to child size, blankets for teen-aged boys. “My local yarn shop also collects items for local charities, featuring various ones on a rotating basis. She might want to check her local yarn shop, contact the volunteer department of her local hospital, a local house of faith (i.e., church or synagogue), or local grade school or community center. Hope this is helpful!” It certainly is helpful! These are all terrific ideas not only for people in Oregon, but for charity knitters all across the United States–maybe even worldwide. So for all of you Oregon knitters looking for places to donate your charity knitting, thanks to Leah, Jean, and Victoria, you have many options!