Lending A Helping Hand

I'm very excited about two of my current projects. They are groups of women that I've organized to create "patch-work" knit and crochet blankets for some local charities and shelters.

My first group is at work. A small handful of ladies gather every to every other Friday in the conference room during our lunch break to crochet and get a few helpful pointers from me. Eventually we'll move on to knitting as well and they'll all get to learn an art while contributing to their community. The goal is to create enough squares (8") to create at least one twin sized blanket for a local Women and Children shelter.

My Second group is at church. Through e-mail I've recruited the skills of several ladies to also make several squares, both knit & crochet (8"). These will be forming baby blankets and prayer shawls/lap blankets for mothers and babies at a local crisis pregnancy center called Alternatives Women's Center.

Both charities have been extremely excited by my phone calls asking if they are in need of blankets, especially when they find out that they will be hand made. It's really rewarding to be involved in the community in a selfless manner. Especially as the holidays are fast approaching.

Is volunteer work for you? Maybe you should ask yourself that. What are your talents? Whether they be professional, amateur or hobby there is a use for them. Even if its a few minutes of your time, consider giving it back to the community and charities around you that need it most.