There are lots of ways to get crafty to do some good – regardless of your skill level!

Here are some DIY projects to make a difference.

 

 

Build a Little Free Library.

Make a place for a neighborhood book exchange! You can build it or repurpose a phone booth, mailbox, vintage bread warmer or other weatherproof container to house books in.

Organization(s):
Little Free Library

Good to know:

• Plans for building (PDF)
• Low-cost repurposing ideas
• 3D printing patterns

 

Crochet/knit a chemo cap.

Help someone with hair loss due to cancer treatment feel more comfortable.

Organization(s):

• Knots of Love
• Hat Box Foundation
• Crochet for Cancer

Good to know:
Before making a cap to donate, check the charity’s guidelines on best yarns and patterns to use. Many of them offer free patterns on their sites!

 

Make a composting unit.

You can reduce trash by composting food waste and turning it into something that’s good for your garden.

Good to know:

• Composting basics
• 4 ways to compost in an apartment kitchen
• DIY indoor compost bin
• Ways to make an outdoor compost pile or indoor bin

 

 

Make a card…

…for a child in the hospital.

Caitlin’s Smiles distributes handmade cards and “bags of smiles” with arts and craft supplies to kids in hospitals. You can make cards, tote bags, or donate art supplies.

Organization(s):
Caitlin’s Smiles

…for a cancer patient.

Make blank cards that will be personalized and sent to people with a cancer diagnosis.

Organization(s):
Card Care Connection

…for a housebound senior citizen.

While there won’t be an official Meals on Wheels campaign like last year’s “Love Letters,” you can contact your local Meals on Wheels program to find out about creating cards.

Organization(s):
Meals on Wheels

…for your congressional representatives.

Postcards may currently be the most effective way to let Congress know what issues matter to you.

Good to know:

• Kids Art Congress has ideas for paint and collage, including using watercolor postcard blanks and kids’ art.
• CollectiveVision gives tips on who, what, and where to write. They also have postcard sets you can order (if you don’t have time to DIY).
• Postcards from the People has free downloadable postcard templates.

 

Make a blanket…

…for animal shelters (knit, crochet, sew, or tie).

You can knit, crochet, sew, or tie blankets for dogs and cats in shelters.

Organization(s):
Comfort for Critters

Good to know:

• 20-inch square is the preferred size.
• They have free patterns and blanket ideas!
• You can drop blankets off at a local animal shelter or ship them to their Illinois headquarters.

 

…for NICU babies.

Knit or crochet neonatal baby blankets.

Organization(s):
Knots of Love

…for veterans.

Organization(s):

• Operation Gratitude gives care packages to veterans, as well as currently deployed U.S. Troops, first responders, and military families. You can make blankets, cards, caps, cool ties, drawstring bags, and/or scarves.
• Quilts of Valor awards patriotic quilts to thank veterans.

 

For pollinators, make…

…a mason bee nesting spot.

Help save the bees! Solitary bees are great pollinators and don’t have painful stings.

Good to know:

• Make a wooden pallet bee house
• Build a small mason bee house
• Drill holes into scrap lumber (National Wildlife Foundation)
• UK tips

 

…a bat house.

Bats not only help pollinate plants, they eat mosquitos and other pests. As forests are cut down, they have fewer safe places to raise their young.

Organization(s):
Bat Conservation International

…a hummingbird feeder.

Hummingbirds need a lot of calories every day! They can fuel up on nectar at feeders or flowers like honeysuckle.

Good to know:

• Make a hummingbird feeder from a glass bottle.
• Make nectar for hummingbirds.
• Tips for filling a wine bottle hummingbird feeder.
• More about hummingbirds and their favorite flowers.

 

Craft for a Fundraiser

If you sell items you’ve made, you can give the proceeds to whichever charity is meaningful to you. Cash is the most versatile donation.

Stamp metal bracelets.

One fundraiser craft idea is hand stamped bracelets. MyIntent (who I received a necklace from) now sells a Maker Kit, so you can make your own custom jewelry. One fundraiser selling hand-stamped bracelets brought in over $4,000 in 3 weeks!

UPDATE: Found a discount code, so I wanted to share! VDAY25 will get you 25% off a MyIntent Maker Kit.

Organization(s):
MyIntent.org

 

What else can we make to make a difference?

 

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PS While some of these projects are U.S.-specific, hopefully, they’ll spark ideas for anywhere you are!