Donating your hobby

~Creative ways to give to national and local charities

Like every good hobby, my crafting sometimes gets out of hand. I pick up a new challenge and go crazy with it for a while.

When I was in elementary school, I bought a potholder-making kit and went to town protecting my loved ones from scalding pans. Eventually everyone from my mom to my mailman had a Vanessa Cook original. I still had the urge to weave potholders -- and I still had tons of supplies left.

Those extra supplies piled up with extra supplies from other hobby pastimes and I eventually wound up with a room full of abandoned talents.

When I got into high school, I wanted room for CDs and books and clothes and new hobbies. But I couldn't bring myself to throw any of the leftover supplies away.

That's when I decided that I had to pick up all those old favorites and get them out of my house.

My solution: donation. I still get the joy and satisfaction out of completing the project, but I don't have to find a special home for the end product.

Donation has since become an initial drive to new projects. The nursing home needs lap throws? I'll learn to knit. The Humane Society needs dog blankets? Quilting it is.

To help you out of your oversupplied rut or give you more opportunities to share your favorite creations, here are a few organizations looking for your talent:

• National Care Wear is a nationwide group of volunteers who knit, crochet or sew clothes to donate to infants and parents at hospitals nationwide. The organization, which operates out of Maryland, offers patterns and suggestions for new volunteers, as well as information about donating your creations. More information can be found at www.carewear.org.
• If you have a passion for animals, help homeless pets by participating in the Snuggles Project. Sponsored by Hugs for Homeless Animals, the program provides blankets to animal shelters to help warm their cold cages while they wait for a new family. You can check www.snugglesproject.org for more ideas on how to make a blanket and where you can send your finished projects.
• Celebrating its 10th year, the Guideposts Knit for Kids program has donated more than 300,000 sweaters to needy children all over the world. The international organization provides patterns for knitters and crocheters to utilize in creating their own sweaters to warm a child in need. More information about the program can be found at www.dailyguideposts.com/help/sweater.asp.
• Afghans for Afghans is a project that provides blankets, hats, mittens and socks to refugees in Afghanistan. They are currently taking donations for an April shipment, so it's a good place to get started. For more donation information, check out www.afghansforafghans.org.

Don't forget your time can be a charitable commodity. Check with local organizations like Boys & Girls Club or the public library to see if you can spend an afternoon teaching folks about your favorite hobby. You can also check with your elementary and high schools to see if they need volunteers to work during the day or after school.

These are just a few ideas. Search the Internet and keep your eyes and ears open around town to see where your specific interests might be put to good use.

Make a New Year's resolution to help others and de-clutter -- a goal that can be spread across the whole world.

~Vanessa Cook is a former copy editor for the Southeast Missourian who dabbles in decorating.

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Some other ideas:

• Sneakers: Think your shoes are too worn down to donate? Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe program dismantles old shoes to be recycled into materials for playgrounds and soccer fields across the country. Check out www.nikebiz.com for more information.
• Airline miles: Donate airline miles to the Red Cross to help fly volunteers to disaster areas. Instructions can be found at www.redcross.org/donate/donatemiles.html.
• Luggage and backpacks: Suitcases For Kids hopes to supply every foster child in the United States with a piece of luggage in which to carry their belongings. Check for a drop-off spot at www.suitcasesforkids.org.
• General household items: By dropping your excess stuff off at the local Salvation Army donation box, you can help the organization raise money from their thrift store to help families in need.
• Eyeglasses and sunglasses: United for Sight collects glasses to distribute to those in need in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Go to their Web site, www.uniteforsight.org, to find out where to send your old specs.