Each year "FOOD for Lane County" has an 'Empty Bowl Sale' to raise money for their cause, which is to help feed those who are hungry. 'Local Clay' (of which I used to belong) makes and donates most of the bowls for the sale. About 4 years ago(after back problems forced me to change lifestyles) I joined an art quilt group and realized that it would be possible to make fabric bowls to donate for their sale. I organized a group that we call 'Sew Many Empty Bowls' and once a year, for the last 3 years, we get together and make fabric bowls. This has added to the total income from the sale and this year a small group will make a quilt that will be auctioned off at their annual auction. This has been very rewarding for many of us that are able to help.
http://www.foodforlanecounty.org helps gather and coordinate food distributions with other groups in the county. It is my understanding that Lane County, OR has the highest percentage of hungry people in our country.
Carolyn, thankful that I can help.

A charity I've done work for is found at a web site, www.http://marinecomfortquilts.us/. They provide quilts to families of all branches of armed services that have lost a loved one in Operation Iraqi Freedom. I got involved because one of my husband's cousins was a career Marine, and also a quilter. It seems to be a very worthwhile cause. I brought the project to a retreat I'm involved in as a service project, and we got 3 kits from this group, finishing 3 quilts to donate that weekend. You can also participate by making blocks - your design, but to their dimensions, of course.

For the last five years I have made a quilt for the Alheizmer Auction we have at work.

My guild does what we call "PMS" each month at our meetings, which stands for "Please Make Some." A member brings in a block pattern and distributes the directions to all members. Those who choose to participate make one or more blocks and return them the next month. Those who are eligible (by virtue of having finished the most recent PMS blocks that they had won, if any) have their name entered into a drawing once for each block. One name is drawn, and that member wins all the blocks contributed. I have chosen to donate most of the items I have made from PMS blocks I have won to various charities. These have included the Friends of the Fine Arts group in the school district where my DD teaches and directs drama, a fund raiser for my DH's fellow teacher who was severely injured in a car accident, and a group of high schoolers in a neighboring community who were raising money for a mission trip through their church (one of their moms is a member of my guild, and she had brought in the pattern.) Like Ann, I prefer to donate locally wherever possible.

I primarily donate quilts (and other things) to small charities where I know the people running them or the recipients of the services. Having worked in some large charities in my career, I have seen first hand the things that are done to make it look like the money or other items go to the persons that are supposed to receive them and really end up in the pockets of the managers. Call me a cynic but if I chose to give something as valuable as one of my quilts (the materials to make it and the time and love I put into them have great value to me) I chose to give it where I see the results first hand. (Or at the very least know the people who do see the results). Last year I made a number of blankets for a program that provided cleft palate and lip surgery for children in Peru. I had gotten to know one of the nurses going on this medical mission through TQS and was happy to make them for her to take. I also make things for the fund raiser at our granddaughter's school, the charity sponsored by a group in our seniors park for needy people in our community and for various fundraisers for people who have been in accidents or have illnesses and do not have insurance.

I understand why you support the charities you do and am thankful I have not had that experience.

I would like to hear from other quilters about the charities or quilt donations, not only the places but how they chose them. I donate to two causes, both very near and dear to my heart. The first is the Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia. My granddaughter had surgery in Philadelphia and her parents stayed at the Ronald McDonald House. Each child who stays there is given a hand made blanket. For anyone who is not familiar with RMH they can be found on the web. I decided that when I could start to give back I would replace the blanket Lucy was given. I have now donated over 100 blankets, knitted, fleece knotted, quilted and crocheted. In addition, 5 other relatives are now making blankets.

My other favorite is Reach for Recovery tote bags. These bags are made and given to the American Cancer Society who in turn gives them to women recently diagnosed with breast cancer. The bag contains a small pillow to be used during chemo and information from the Cancer Society. My sister and I started helping a few hours each sewing session our local shop held. Ginny passed away August 2007 from breast cancer and I've made this my other crusade.

I would love to hear from others, what you do and perhaps you could share where you donate. If you have any questions about the Ronald McDonald blankets or the Reach for Recovery bags please contact me.