Shoes for Haiti

The victims of the Haitian earthquake need so much, but here is one more way to help.  

 50 000 shoes is working to raise money to provide 50,000 shoes in 50 days.  $5 =2 pairs!  You can donate at their website, or if you need a new pair yourself, check out Recessionista. They have partnered with Soles for Souls and 50,000 shoes, and for each shoe they sell (all discounted, by the way) they will send a pair to Haiti, along with 20% of sales for their non shoe items. 

Craft Hope For Haiti

Here is an amazing way for crafters and shoppers alike to support Haitian relief efforts with their own talents and skills.

Crafthope.com is an awesome site that helps people in need all over the globe by turning handcrafted items into dollars and supplies for those who need them most.  Immediately after learning of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, an etsy shop was set up where crafters can donate handmade items, and 100% of the proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders to help those suffering in Haiti. 

If you've got some Valentines shopping to do, your money could not be spent in a better way than by picking out something unique from the shop.  Or pick out something for yourself with that holiday money that's been burning a hole in your pocket.

If you'd like to donate a craft, check out the post here to learn how to do so - I'm definitely planning on doing it! 

Small Purse, Big Fun

Big purses are great! What's not to love about cramming everything you need for the next 24 hours into one massive satchel? But what to do with those little ones you have kicking around? Donate them!

I found out about The Small Purse Project via Craftypod. Check out those links for more details, but basically, students at a high school in Illinois aren't allowed to carry backpacks, for security reasons. Unfortunately, the school has had a lot of negative media attention there too. The girls are allowed to carry small purses (no bigger than 8 1/2x11 inches - the size of a piece of paper), in order to tote around their lady necessities.

How can you help these girls out? Donate any new or gently used small purses! Or even better, craft up a new one for them - there are a TON of awesome free patterns collected at DIY Bag Lover! The pics here are linked to some of my favorite patterns too. What a great way to make something cool and help out some ladies in need at the same time. Info on specs and where to send them is here.

When you send them, the girls will set up a sale so that they can pick up cute school worth purses for only $5, with the money going to help the school too. Wins all around!

I've already found a few in my collection that were just taking up space, but that a high school girl might dig! I'm sure you do too. Feel good, and free up some space in your place!

Creating for the Greater Good

If you are a crafter and want to use your skills to help out some kids in need, Project Night Night is a great organization that can use your help! Make a baby blanket for a homeless child this fall for their Baby Blanket Drive.
If you're not into crafting, you can also donate store bought blankets, books, and stuffed animals. This is a great national organization that helps kids who need it - and you can help too! DO IT!