[mamapr80]

My friends and I donate to the Little Hats Big Hearts group as well as Children's National Medical Center in Washington DC. The link has sub-hyperlinks for each state. This group specifies red hats, but they will take any and all donations for the NICU, Newborn and Pediatric wards.
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Affiliate/Little-Hats-Big-Hearts_UCM_470829_SubHomePage.jsp

 

[PrairieGal]

I volunteer weekly at a warehouse that sends quilts and other supplies to third world countries. None of the group's literature asks for the small baby hats but we get them quite often anyway. The overseas charities have never asked for such hats so they are not sent. We have had no success trying to send them to local hospitals as they say they have what they need or suppliers already. If you want to send these items to any place, ASK them first before sending to ensure they can be used. Our warehouse often gets hats that would barely fit a child's doll never mind a baby, even a preemie. For overseas charities there is much greater need for simply made size 6 mths. and up baby

sweaters or cardigans that open in the front, bright colours rather then pastels. Just saying.

 

[barbdpayne]

Check with your local yarn shops to see if they are promoting any charitable knitting. In our area, there is a Click for Babies program in which we knit purple baby hats that are given to new parents to remind them that babies sometimes cry till they are purple and not to shake them to make them stop. If you wish to do any charitable knitting, contact the hospital or organization first to determine the guidelines. They might need certain colors, or fibers, or sizes.

 

[ggmomliz]

Later this week I will officially set up this challenge on the board. Right now I have someone waiting in the car (no internet at home, must take laptop to library). I did a tiny bit of web searching and found this site http://www.givingartfully.com/campaigns/precious-precious-project/ that is complete with patterns for those who don't mind sending items. They do mention that most hospitals with a NICU appreciate the caps and that for the tiny ones who do not make it sometimes the little cap is the only thing the parents have that their baby actually wore.

 

[margie1992]

Yes. It is always best to check with the recipient to see what is really need. For example, I learned of a need for mats and blankets for animals in shelters. I check with our local shelter. It didn't want knitted or crocheted items as the animals nails got caught in the fabric and even with acrylic, didn't hold up to repeated washings. They wanted fleece blankets. Kept that in the back of my mind and stumbled across a whole pile of fleece at a yard sale for $1!! Got it and am still making blankets from it -- about one every other month or so.

 

[blawler]

what a terrible experience. A few years ago I joined with a group of knitters in Boise Idaho and we knit almost 1,000 wool helmet liners for the soldiers fighting over seas. I thought that was a wonderful idea. Kind of my way to say thanks.

Do you know where he helmet liners were sent? I have about a dozen 100% wool hats knit in dark colors that I would donate if I knew where to send them. Aloha... Bev

 

[Pearls Girls]

Last year I knit 50+ hats for kids with Cancer. I put out a challenge to acquaintances; I would make one for everyone that was donated. One lady knit 30 some hats. I told her it was time for me to quit as I couldn't keep up with her. She continued to knit hats and I turn them in for her.
I took 50+, in 2 batches, that I made, to a young lady (12 years old) in my church and neighborhood, for her to choose and take the rest to the Kids Cancer Center when she went for treatments. Her mom loved that her daughter was able to have something to give. Most towns have homeless whether you see them or not. Some of my friends knit for homeless. There are needs but like suggested you need to do research to find out what and when.

 

[margie1992]

I send knitted items to two different yahoo groups. Both are in the US. As with anything, there are some rules, regulations and requests. But, I have found the requests to be very reasonable and the groups very reliable. [email protected] takes hats in the winter and cool ties in the summer to send to our troops overseas. [email protected] takes almost any knitted or crocheted item (and lots of other things,too.) for those on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Just nothing with owls as there is a cultural problem with owls. The other thing is to check with local churches or senior centers. Many have ongoing projects. There are local groups, too. If you are interested in Colorado groups, please PM me.

 

[Auntsarah]

After an entire career working with individuals with developmental disabilities I set up a fund as part of a regional nonprofit Foundation for Appalachian Ohio. The fund "Supporting Families " assists financially disadvantaged families and families that have a child with a disability. One part of this project is to supply baby items to young families. I can assure that every item that is donated goes to a needy family. If anyone would like to participate I would love your help. Please send me a message.

 

[KateLyn11]

Make it 50 of any small item and I am in. I am currently knitting hats for school age kids that the local school nurse will disperse. I'll go back to premie/baby hats eventually but right now I have committed my time to this group. Someone mentioned stitches from the Heart, they have a pattern for different size newborn/ premie hats. That is the pattern I use, it was in a purchased book, "The Knitter's Gift". The book was published 14 years ago so I don't know if the contact information is still correct but it lists a toll free number, (866)472-6903 and an email [email protected]

 

[Metrogal]

This is the very best site there is for charity knitting, hats all sizes, etc. All things Children

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/

 

[crafty old broad]

I sent the helmit liners to a lady in Boise. it has been about 5 years ago. since I sent them I have not heard from her again. the liners were very specific. she emailed me the pattern and I had to use a particular brand of wool. sorry I couldn't be of more help. maybe contacting your local v.a. or a recruiter would help. they may be able to put you in contact with someone that knows more than I do.

 

[Cathie bargenda]

Could we do it just as a charity of our choice challenge? We all have our favorites to help. I'd be in for that. I do knitting for homeless, hats, scarves rtc.

 

[RevDi]

My husband and I started a homeless bag project which our church adopted. One of the items we included was hats because here on the north coast it gets chilly and damp. One of our church members donated lots of lovely crocheted caps, and they were very welcome. Much nicer than purchased caps, and each one was made with love. Go for it!