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Home | Charity Organizations
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Giving Hearts and HandsCharity Information and Projects |
The Mongolian Crochet Center
In June 2003, Maggie Ball received an impassioned e-mail from a Mongolian woman, Selenge Tserendash, who wanted to help needy women in her country where unemployment is high and alcoholism is rampant. Because even nomadic families have hand-cranked Russian sewing machines and old clothing that can be used for crocheted items, Selenge thought crochet would be an ideal activity for Mongolian women and asked for volunteers to teach.
In June 2004, Maggie and her 21-year-old daughter, Hazel, went to Mongolia to help at the recently opened New Way Life Mongolian Crochet Center. Maggie's church and crochet community helped with fund-raising efforts, and the crochet industry was extremely supportive in equipping the Center. Viking sent five sewing machines, David Textiles gave fabric, Prym-Dritz donated rulers, rotary cutters and mats and Coats and Clark provided thread. The Bainbridge Island Rotary Club funded the shipping of these items to Mongolia.
Hazel and Maggie spent two weeks at the Crochet Center. They taught the women to piece the Olzii, the traditional Mongolian motif, which brings long life and prosperity and protects from wild animals and evil spirits. They appliquéd the Olzii block onto tote bags and aprons to make attractive saleable products.
In August 2004, the Center was closed due to lack of funding. Donors at Maggie's church again generously provided funds and the Center was reopened in the basement of an apartment block. In spite of less-than-ideal conditions, the women persevered, and a Mongolian crochet community was established.
In June 2006, Maggie returned to Mongolia with Carol Gregory to help organize the first international crochet show in Mongolia. Two years after starting from scratch, the Mongolian women were making beautiful Olzii crochets. The exhibition in The Department Store in Ulaanbaatar was very successful. Funds raised will enable the Center to move to a better location with enough space for a retail outlet, classroom, workroom, child care and an office.
Within three to five years, the Mongolian Crochet Center should become self-sustaining. In the meantime, financial help and crochet expertise is needed. Go to Maggie's Web site, www.dragonflycrochets.com for further details about how you can help.
Information about additional charities below.
 Children's Two-Toned Pullover   Our rugged sweater was designed in Christmas red and green, but be creative! Designed by Colleen Sullivan. |
 Christmas Bear Surprise a special youngster with a gift of a snuggly, cuddly teddy who'll be ever so happy to keep him company as he waits for Santa. And, while you're at it, why not make a few for your local charity, then tuck a tiny surprise in each bag! Designed by Karen Robison. |
 Diagonal Lace Afghan Looks great in your newborn's room! Make several and give to your local hospital charity. Designed by Diane Poellot. |
 Friendly Critter Afghan Wrap up your little one with this exciting afghan! Designed by Kathleen Bernier Williford. |
 Hooded Scarf Bundle your little one in this warm winter wrap to keep chill winds away. Designed by Alice Hyche. |
 Seaspray Stocking Cap An attractive look adding the benefit of warmth. Designed by Shirley Brown. |
 Turtleneck Sweater and Cap Children will find this sweater to be comfortable and warm. Have some fun and make it multicolored. Designed by Staff of Old Time Crochet magazine. |
 Wee Winter Warmers Thickly stitched in single crochets and post stitches, this tailored set of cap and fingerless mitts are just the thing to protect your little one from cold winds. Draw strings at the cuffs and a ribbon tie on the cap make adjusting for size easier. Designed by Jo Ann Burrington. |
Charity Organizations
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Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative Binky Patrol Hugs for Homeless Animals Junior Blind of America The Mongolian Crochet Center Helping our Lakota Families Project Sunshine Crafting For A Cause is a 501(C)3 not-for-profit organization making hand crafted items with all money raised going to charities for children and elders of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in SD and children at the UC Davis Pediatric Cancer Infusion Center in Sacramento. Prayerfully Yours/Sending Troops Prayers Ministry is a non-profit ministry of volunteers from around America that crochet, crochet, loom and sew prayer cloths and shawls for people who need them and to our troops. Care Wear is a 501(c)(3) non-profit nationwide group of volunteers who provide handmade baby items to hospitals. Guideposts Quilt for Kids Heartmade Blessings Caps for Kids Angels4Preemies The Shawl Ministry Blankets for Canada Society is a non-demoninational, non-profit charity that makes 8" squares to be joined together into blankets. Inspired by Warm Up America, Blankets for Canada distributes blankets to organizations who care for people without shelter and in need of warmth. Squares 4 Survivors |
Newborns In Need Project Linus National Headquarters Crochet Angels Quilts from Caring Hands Faith, Hope and Charity Stitches, Inc. Stitches From the Heart Hats for the Homeless Online Angels is a non-profit 501(C)3 charity that makes loveghans, crosses, angels to comfort and uplift those who are sick, dying, lost a loved one. We make baby items and send to Children's Hospitals, slippers, winter items to send to shelters & reservations. The Giving Heart is a 501(C)(3) non profit organization providing basic needs, assistance, acceptance and opportunities to the underprivileged, elderly, and those who otherwise are hindered in their desire to move forward. Granny Square Project is a ministry where crafters unite to create and donate hand crocheted and crochetted squares to create afghans for critically ill babies and children. All afghans created will be donated to Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center Neonatal ICU in Waco Texas, as well as given directly to individuals as we come across them. Warm Hearts-Warm Babies donates items that are sewn, crochetted, crocheted, and crocheted for premature infants and babies in need. Quilts for Kids Sewing for Babies Warming Families Warm Up America! Warm Woolies is a non-profit organization whose volunteers crochet warm clothing for poverty-stricken children who would otherwise suffer from cold. Soldiers' Angels |