Knitting Charities in Illinois Part II
There are so many knitting charities in Illinois, especially Chicago; I hereby propose we change the name from ‘The Windy City’ to ‘The Caring City’. As you can see from Knitting For Charity Illinois Part I, I needed two articles to cover them — and there are still even more! If you are looking for knitting charity projects, you have a wide variety to choose from — just take a look and get started!
Provident Hospital of Cook County HIV/AIDS Program
The Provident Hospital is a full-service hospital dedicated to helping patients with HIV/AIDS. They pride themselves in treating patients with respect, compassion and dignity. Along with the comprehensive health care, social services, emotional and spiritual services, they would like to be able to offer their patients warm clothing. Most of the patients who go to Provident Hospital are homeless with little or no income. Mary L. Gains, the Administrative Director would greatly appreciate your help in caring, and showing love and compassion to these patients. The hospital appreciates any donations of hats, gloves, scarves, and socks you would like to hand-knit. Send donations to: Provident Hospital of Cook County c/o Mary Gaines 500 E 51st Street Room 7014-E Chicago, IL 60615 (312) 572-2724
MISS Foundation of Illinois
Losing a child is heartbreaking. Angela Farley and her group of volunteers understand this and are dedicated to helping families suffering from the loss of a child. The mission of the MISS Foundation is to support families who have lost a child and provide them with support, comfort, and burial clothing. Angela states, ‘Parents truly need these items. They cannot go to the store and buy a burial outfit for a one-pound baby let alone be in the baby department at this time of horrendous tragedy in their life.’ Angela doesn’t want any family to walk the journey of grief alone. You can help her and these families by knitting burial outfits to help these grieving families. For more information, contact Angela at 815-695-9412.
Project Hope
Would you like to help fill a clothes closet and offer hope at the same time? By knitting for charity for this group, you can do just that. Project Hope operates a long-term treatment program for drug-abusing pregnant and post-partum women and their children. Project Hope aims to ensure better birth outcomes and improve the quality of life for participating women and their children. You can help by supply hand-knit items for their clothes closet. Any knitted items for women, infants, and children up to age 5 are greatly appreciated, so you have free reins here. Knit your favorite items using your favorite patterns and just go wild! If you have questions, call 773-542-8286. The mailing address is: Project Hope 3047 West Cermak Chicago, IL 60623
Operation Brotherhood
Do you have a heart for the elderly? If you do, here’s your chance to help some well-deserving senior citizens. Operation Brotherhood is an organization that serves senior citizens and disabled people that live on low, fixed incomes. Most of the elderly are from Chicago’s west side and are in need of help. These seniors can use caps, scarves, mittens, afghans, slippers, and sweaters. Knit and donate items year round so they have the items for warmth during Chicago’s cold, winter months and to distribute for the holidays. Helen R. Cooper operates the program and you can contact her at 312-522-0433. The mailing address for Operation Brotherhood is: Operation Brotherhood 3745 W. Ogden Ave. Chicago, IL 60623-2427
Marillac House
Located in Chicago’s impoverished west side, Marillac House is operated by the Daughters of Charity. The sisters of the charity serve in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac who founded Daughters of Charity, the largest community of religious women in the world. The Marillac House in Chicago currently cares for more than 1,110 people every day. These people are children, families, the elderly, the homeless, and the poor. The sisters are requesting any help you can give them by supplying warm clothing for these people in need. They can use caps, scarves, mittens, afghans, and baby sets but will quickly tell you they will be happy to accept anything you would like to donate. Contact Sister Yvonne, Executive Director, at 773-722-7440. The mailing address is: Marillac House 212 S. Francisco Chicago, IL 60612 If you’ve ever considered charity knitting, now’s your chance. If you live in Illinois, join one of these knitting charities and begin helping those in need. If you don’t live in Illinois, any of these knitting charities will still be happy to accept your donations through mail.