There are so many ways to give back to our communities. There are endless volunteer opportunities. There are always organizations that need monetary aide. These are wonderful ways to give back to your communities that in so many ways give to you. However, some of us just need to be a bit more creative.

Crocheters love to crochet day and night. After awhile all of our family and friends are over run with our beautiful creations. What is one to do???? There are many creative ways to crochet for charity.

Many hospitals will take crochet preemie and infant hats and blankets. Crochet toys for children in pediatrics. Lapghans are a great gift for any age for a patient in the hospital. Call your local hospital to find out their needs and regulations. It would definitely be a worthwhile pursuit.

Local homeless shelters or abused spouse facilities are also always in need of items. Slippers and mittens for men, women, teens, children and babies are a great way to start. Scarves, blankets, sweaters are a wonderful gift to give for someone starting over. Gifts to keep warm or bring comfort are a perfect way to spend your crochet time.

There are also many great on line charities to send items to and they make sure the items get to the correct organization or recipient.

Newborns in Need is an organization that accepts hats, blankets, baby clothing, and toys for newborns of low-income families.

Project Linus is an organization that donates handmade new blankets to children that are in need.

Warm Up America is a wonderful organization that donates afghans to many different groups of people in need, homeless, children, hospitals, victims of natural disasters and more.

Red Scarf Foundation accepts donations of scarves; limit five per person or organization, preferably in red. They add these scarves to Valentine Care Packages to Orphan Foundation of America students.

Knots of Love is an organization that makes caps for a local hospital in California.

Thankfully we have a great hobby that brings so much joy, think about how you can give a piece of that joy back to your community. There are so many opportunities that it can keep you busy all by themselves. However, we all have other projects that we are working on. Perhaps for every project you complete for a friend, family or yourself, create a charity item. Slippers, mittens, scarves, washcloths, etc., something to let others know you are thinking about them. It means a lot to someone that is going through so much to be touched with kindness and caring.