Do you love to quilt but you really don’t need one more quilt in your living space?? You are not alone! So many quilters are in the exact same boat. So, what’s a gal or a guy to do? Donate the quilts! There are wonderful organizations out there that could really use your homemade quilts. Here are the Top 5 Places to Donate Quilts!
1. Quilts of Valor
This organization awards quilts to veterans. According to their website, qovf.org, A Quilt of Valor® (QOV) is a quality, handmade quilt that is machine or hand quilted. It is awarded to a Service Member or Veteran who has been touched by war. The Quilt says unequivocally, “Thank you for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation.” To use the term Quilt of Valor, Quilts of Valor or QOV, the quilt must be a specific size, must have a label with required information, it must be awarded (it is not a gift) and it must be recorded. The Foundation began in 2003 and has been serving veterans ever since. Most quilts they award are red, white, and blue patriotic quilts. To learn how you can donate or get involved with a local chapter, visit their website at qovf.org.
2. Quilts Beyond Border
According to their website, Quilts Beyond Borders is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which reaches out to underserved children, mainly orphans, across the world to provide a handmade quilt and spread love and hope. The organization began in 2007 with a goal to send homemade quilts to children of the world who had lost one or both parents. In the beginning, they focused on Ethiopia and within five years, they had delivered over 1,000 quilts to orphans. Since then, they have provided quilts and the comfort and love associated with them to at least 25 other countries. Their current priorities are Syrian refugees and the Navajo Nation. They continue to provide quilts to poor and underprivileged people throughout the world. Priority is given to orphans. For more information on how you can donate, please visit their website. Click here.
3. The Giving Quilt
According to their website, The Giving Quilt is a public, non-profit, charitable organization that promotes the creation and presentation of quilts that provide comfort to children and adults, and works to increase public awareness with a biennial public quilt exhibit and presentation ceremony. Organized in 2008 as a single quilt guild’s inspiration to provide quilts to wounded soldiers, it has grown into an organization that has provided hundreds of quilts to various non-profit agencies such as the Neonatal Unit at the Women’s Hospital in Baton Rouge; Child Advocacy Services (CASA), which serves a 10 parish area; Quilts For Kids; Our Lady of the Lake Hospital’s Children’s Unit; Brave Heart, which serves children who are wards of the state; veterans and military service members through several organizations including Quilts of Valor; and St Jude’s in Memphis, Tn., to name a few. The Giving Quilt invites all quilters to participate by donating quilts, either through participation at Giving Quilt sponsored sew days or through the biennial quilt show. Quilters and non-quilters are encouraged to join and participate through donations and assisting at the show. For more information on how to donate, please visit their website, thegivingquiltinc.wordpress.com.
4. Local Homeless Shelters or Women’s Shelters
Local Homeless or Women’s Shelters – A wonderful place to donate quilts is to your local homeless or women’s and children’s shelters. These facilities are in continuous need of homemade quilts. Most of the time, quilts are sent along with those that leave the shelter. Therefore, they are always in need of new bedding. Consider calling a local shelter near your home to discuss how you can help.
Purchase it here.
5. Local Nursing Homes
Local nursing homes – Nursing homes are always in need of quilts and bedding, as well. So many of the residents are always cold and what better way to warm them up physically and mentally, than with a quilt? Not only do most nursing homes accept bed size quilts, they also welcome wheelchair size quilts (small rectangular lap quilts). Reach out to your local nursing homes to discuss their needs and to donate your next quilt!
It’s perfect to donate to nursing homes!
“Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” and “The fruit of love is service, which is compassion in action” are two wonderful quotes by Mother Teresa. May you be inspired to donate a quilt or two to a great cause of your choice.
Leave a Reply