How to Help the Homeless With Our Home Projects
by
DesertRose
2 Materials
$5
8 Hours
Easy
Several years ago a homeless person froze to death huddled next to a dumpster. It broke my heart. We can't do everything to help these poor folks, but we all can do something in our own little towns. I chose to make them some practical gifts. Maybe you have a better way to help them. Our town does have a mission home for folks.
With the holidays coming, let's not forget our needy neighbors living on the streets. Let's be Scrooge at the END of the movie, when he learned the joy of doing for others. We can all contribute something, even if it is a little of our time. Please keep in mind, not all homeless people are substance abusers or drunks. There are many veterans and others forced to lose their homes, and but for the grace of God there go I.
One of my hobbies is making loom knitted hats. It does not require counting or skill of any kind, just time. When our children were small we encouraged them to work on hats for gifts every time they watched television. This accomplished two goals: they watched less tv and they did have hats to give to the needy plus they learned a skill.
This hat was a request from a girl who suffered seizures and was raised by her single mom. She loved it and called it her cat in a hat winter cap. If we are sitting with our family and visiting or watching a movie, we can work on looms! It really takes no concentration.
Whether we make beanie type winter hats, or medium length or extra long ones, people are blessed by the gift. These are much warmer than anything you can buy in a department store. Even some of the looms were hand made with plywood and golf tees. You can buy loom kits at some Walmarts or order them online. This is a large loom. This is just the end of a skein of yarn left over from another project. A fifth grade class made 2 beanie hats each during their free time in school to send to an orphanage in Tibet where it is so cold much of the year.
This hat went to a disabled teen who loved it because it came almost to his waist. This was made on a loom purchased at Walmart. The hooks came with the looms. This is a medium sized loom. This is single layered so it used the equivalent of 1 skein of yard (3 partial skeins). Tassels are not difficult to add on top. The girls seem to especially like tassels.
Let's not forget cold feet and hands! Slipper socks are very warm and made from the smallest size loom. They use the least amount of yarn. Mittens are also made in similar fashion with this sized loom only without the heel added.
This will be a warm blanket when it is finished. It will be from many partial skeins to add stripes at various sections. It makes a blanket 48 inches wide. Notice the loom is hand made and so is the hook made from a sanded 1 x 1 with a bent hook on the nail.
Some people choose to use old quilts or discarded comforters that are still in good condition. They may be out dated for a new bedroom. We sew old ties on them to allow the homeless to roll them and tie them shut for their convenience.
These are just some ideas to get us all thinking how much we have to share with others less fortunate during these holiday seasons, especially with winter coming in much of the USA.
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5 of 12 comments
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You are a wonderful person. Here in Wisconsin, I crochet hats as well as several of my friends. We do it every year. I do like your idea also so I will definitely check out Wal-mart fo Have a great dayr the loom thanks.
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You are a kind person with great ideas! Here's just a little reminder that yarn is often available at thrift shops at incredibly low prices & an inexpensive tarp tucked in with the "sleeping bags" can provide protection from the damp ground &/or rain. My daughter & I have had a tradition for years - buy inexpensive folding umbrellas at discount stores or garage sales year round to throw in you trunk, then on rainy days hand out to the homeless &/or others who look like they need them. Keep up the inspiration please!
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LInda, what a fabulous idea to help the needy! Thank you for sharing your idea of the tarps and umbrellas. How great is that to have an extra umbrella in the trunk to hand out when needed! I love this idea, thank you for sharing your ideas. We can't do all we want for needy, but we all can do something and you are doing yours! Thank you for caring and being a good neighbor.
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