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The Many Benefits of Arts and Crafts for Children

Child coloring art with crayons
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Encouraging creativity and self-expression from a young age can provide children with skills that will
serve them throughout their lives. Arts and crafts provide a perfect outlet for developing key abilities
and bringing joy and satisfaction through hands-on activities. There are abundant reasons why
parents and teachers should foster participation in arts and crafts during childhood.

Develops Motor Skills

Arts and crafts help children build dexterity and strength in their hands and fingers—key
components of motor skill development. As young kids manipulate objects like scissors, paint
brushes, glue sticks, crayons, and more, they gain precision in small muscle groups. The motions
involved in cutting, tracing, folding, squeezing, and other craft motions improve hand-eye
coordination too. Over time, engaging in arts and crafts translates to competence with tasks like
writing, dressing, sports, and computer use.

Enhances Creativity

Crafting lets kids flex their imagination and creative thinking skills. They can dream up their
ideas or put new spins on existing concepts. There’s no limit to what they can invent through art
and exploring different mediums gives them a canvas to produce original works. It’s not about rigid
instructions but seeing where their ingenuity takes them. Nurturing inherent innovation from
toddlerhood helps cement cognitive flexibility that aids in problem-solving and adaptability later on.

Teaches Planning and Patience

To bring an arts and craft vision to life requires forethought and dedication. Children learn how to
plan out steps, gather materials, and set up their workspace. Complex projects also necessitate
sticking with tasks even when frustration arises before achieving the desired result. Kids who
regularly engage in arts and crafts cultivate patience and coping mechanisms for pushing through
challenges to fully realize an end goal. These psychological tools pay dividends when applied to
tough situations in and out of school.

Fosters Self-Esteem

When children have the freedom to design projects aligned with their budding interests and
personalities, they gain confidence and pride. Seeing ideas manifest into completed art boosts self-
assurance and validates creative potential. Displaying finished products allows them to receive
praise and positive reactions from others. Young kids who regularly participate in arts and crafts
tend to have higher self-esteem regarding their skills and individuality. Their mentality embraces
that they have distinctive talents rather than comparing themselves to peers.

Promotes Emotional Growth

Self-expression plays a tremendous role in emotional health and regulation from the toddler years
onward. Arts and crafts give children constructive ways to recognize, process, and communicate their feelings.

Emotions like happiness, sadness, frustration, hope, and love can all translate into
colors, shapes, textures, and compositions. Exploring different facets internally helps kids better
relate to themselves and have clarity when conveying experiences. As language and literacy skills
progress, written elements expand means for articulating emotions too through journals, poems,
captions, and stories.

Encourages Out-of-the-Box Thinking

Arts and crafts nurture the ability to move past conventional ideas to stretch possibilities outside the
box. Activities centered on invention steer children to develop novel uses for everyday items
and see ordinary things in extraordinary ways. Building, painting, or crafting without fixed guidelines
compels tapping into unbridled imagination. Divergent thinking widens perspectives, sparking
deeper insight and awakening entrepreneurial problem-solving abilities. Kids carry these mental
skills for generating unconventional concepts into their studies, relationships, career paths, and
unknown future obstacles requiring “light bulb” moments.

Supplies can be found easily online from sites like The Bead Traders and Amazon or local craft stores
like Michael’s and Joann Fabrics. With affordable materials on hand, kids can explore endless arts
and crafts endeavors from beading to painting, leatherwork to candle making, scrapbooking, model
building, and everything in between!

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4 Essentials For A Start-Up To Consider

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It’s been claimed that starting a business is the most difficult thing to undertake. Taking a business from the startup phase to the expansion phase is even more difficult. New difficulties will arise as your firm expands, but careful planning and decisive action will help you overcome these roadblocks and build a prosperous company. In this article, we’ll go over some of the fundamentals for expanding your business. Read on to find out how to advance your company.

Investing In The Right Team 

 To grow, a company must first invest in the proper people. It’s important to build a team with the knowledge and experience to drive the firm forward. Although it may be costly to hire top personnel, it is well worth it in the long run. Having a competent team on hand to guide your company’s expansion is crucial, but so is fostering an environment that rewards and promotes original thought and fresh approaches to problems.

Create A Solid Strategy 

If you’re a startup with big plans for expansion, you need a solid business strategy. Your business plan should detail the aims and objectives of your organisation, as well as the means through which they will be attained. Along with pitch decks and business plans, you’ll need financial estimates to show investors how much money they can make from your firm. You can use this data to improve your chances of being approved for a loan or grant from a financial institution.

Use All The Tools Available

Expanding enterprises can greatly benefit from the use of technology. Many previously labour-intensive tasks can now be automated with the help of current technologies like cloud computing and smartphone apps, freeing up employees for more imaginative work. Moreover, several solutions offer superior support and control over data, letting you glean insights from client behaviour and patterns to guide your future actions.

In addition, think about spending money on marketing automation software or other digital marketing tools; these programmes help simplify processes like content distribution, email campaign management, and customer connection building. Using these methods, you can increase the number of people you market to while spending less time and energy doing so. You should have a look at how to get funding for a startup.

Make Sure You Take Care Of Your Clients 

Providing first-rate support to existing customers is crucial to expanding to new markets. Because if they aren’t pleased with what you provide, your consumers won’t come back, and your business will suffer. To that end, make sure your staff has received adequate training in areas like handling client enquiries and complaints in a timely manner. You could also think about spending money on automated solutions like chatbots and virtual assistants to help you swiftly and efficiently respond to your client’s information needs.

In sum, expanding operations is a thrilling yet complex endeavour that need for thoughtful preparation. Businesses have the best chance of succeeding while expanding their operations if they follow the aforementioned procedures and invest in skilled workers, cutting-edge technology, and customer service efforts.

Achieving Your Health and Fitness Goals Before Spring Comes Around: 13 Unmissable Tips

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Becoming healthier and fitter are among the most common New Year’s resolutions in the US and worldwide, with millions of people sharing the same goals. However, keeping up with these goals during the winter months is all but easy! After all, with outside temperatures being so low, it’s a lot easier to cozy up on the sofa and skip the gym again. 

Nonetheless, the warmer days of spring are just around the corner! And, there is no better time to start getting ready for the good season ahead. With the tips below, you can start looking after your fitness and health to achieve your goals before the end of winter. Let’s get started!

Take a Hard Look at Your Current Health Status and Lifestyle

To understand what to do to improve your health and fitness, it is important to take a good, honest look at your current health status and lifestyle. 

Evaluate your daily habits and overall health – anything from regular exercise to nutrition, sleep pattern, and stress levels – so you can identify areas that may require improvement. Consult with your healthcare provider if you need more professional help and get the right advice for improving your current condition.

Keep Up With the Necessary Health Checkups

Take the time to go for necessary health checkups such as your annual physicals, blood tests, and any other visits suggested by your doctor. This is essential in keeping track of changes in your body’s overall well-being and helps you stay ahead of any potential illnesses later on. 

Such routine exams can help diagnose issues quickly if they arise, allowing you proper care before the situation progresses further and complications begin to arise.

Make an Appointment With Your Dentist and Optician

Make an appointment with your Dentist and optician to ensure you’re up-to-date with necessary health checkups. Regular dental cleanings can prevent cavities, while exams by opticians help keep eyesight clear of any conditions that may impact mobility or quality of life. 

An eye exam will also identify risk factors for other illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. On the other hand, a clean and healthy smile can have an extremely positive impact on your mental and physical well-being!

Make Sure You Are Getting Enough Sleep Each Night

Making sure you get enough sleep each night is essential for your overall health. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality, uninterrupted rest to boost your energy levels and reduce stress. Avoid screens at least 30 minutes before bedtime – for example, you can try winding down with some calming music or reading instead.

Additionally, make sure to start building a consistent bedtime routine and try to go to bed at the same time each night. 

Start Incorporating Meditation Into Your Life

If you are looking to reduce stress levels and become more aware of the world around you, take some time each day to meditate and practice mindfulness. 

Focus on connecting with your inner self and calming your thoughts. Develop strategies like deep breathing, body scanning, and progressive muscle relaxation to support your mental health. If your goal is to improve your mental health, stress levels, and reactions to problems and situations, you can use this practice as a sanctuary of peace for yourself!

Invest in the Services of a Personal Trainer

Investing in the services of a personal trainer is an excellent way to become healthier and get back in shape before spring. A professional can help you set attainable goals, create a custom workout program tailored to your needs and provide guidance on proper technique and form that can help prevent injury. 

Create a More Active Daily Routine

Making an effort to create a more active and dynamic lifestyle for yourself is critical to improving your overall health. If you are unsure how to start, consider incorporating regular exercise at least 3 days a week – this could include taking up new sports or activities such as yoga, pilates, or swimming. 

Additionally, if you are looking for effortless ways to boost your step count, you should consider switching to public transport and cycling for your daily commute. 

Take On New Sports, Hobbies, and Activities

Taking on new sports, hobbies, and activities is a great way to boost your overall mental and physical well-being – and, it can also improve your cognitive skills and self-confidence!

Join a local basketball team, start salsa lessons, or try sailing – exploring different pastimes will not only keep your mind away from stress but also helps you create a more active routine.

Rethink Your Diet – And Consult a Nutritionist!

Eating healthy and balanced meals is essential for staying fit and healthy. And, generally, you should focus your diet on highly nutritious, natural, and unprocessed foods, such as vegetables, fruit, legumes, seeds, nuts, and whole grains. 

However, every person has unique needs, goals, and requirements. Because of this, you should not think twice about partnering with a professional nutritionist. A nutritionist can provide you with advice and guidance on how to create a meal plan that fits your dietary needs and goals while providing support throughout your journey toward better health. 

Spend Some Time Each Day Looking After Your Physical Appearance

Ensuring you look and feel your best is a key part of maintaining good health in the long term. Be sure to dedicate some time each day to caring for yourself: go for a run or take up yoga, pamper yourself with beautifying treatments, and make sure to get plenty of sleep! These small changes can boost your self-image and help you regain your confidence. 

Spend More Time Outdoors

According to a study published in Nature magazine, all you need to feel healthier, happier, more satisfied, and more energized is to spend around 120 minutes in nature every week. Although you might not have direct access to the great outdoors, you should consider the benefits of visiting a local park or taking on a sport that encourages you to spend more time outdoors. 

Tackle High Levels of Stress

Stress can be difficult to manage, but lowering your stress levels is key to achieving overall better help, reducing inflammation, and feeling better in your own body. If you are unsure how to tackle high-stress levels, consider taking some time out each day to relax, speaking with supportive friends or family members, and working with a mental health professional

Maintain Your Social Connections and Healthy

When possible, engage in face-to-face or virtual conversations as they’re more meaningful than just sending a text message. Schedule regular phone calls and errands outdoors of the house to foster relationships that strengthen your mental health. And finally, try reaching out to old acquaintances – it’s never too late for rekindling an old friendship!

How To Help Your Kids Discover Their Passions

Everyone is born with a special skill, interest, or passion. While your little one may be too young to understand or appreciate what they’re good or passionate about, it’s your responsibility as the parent or guardian to help them discover and explore them. This way, your child will be able to channel their energy into activities they’re naturally good at. Why is this so important? Some research has shown that regardless of the interest involved, a child is more likely to do well in academics and other areas of their lives they’re passionate about. 

Encouraging them to work on their passions can positively impact their cognitive skills, which will reflect on their academics. Also, the earlier a child learns to identify their passions and explore what they’re naturally good at, the easier it becomes to carve a career path they would enjoy. So, do you wonder if your kids have any talent or are passionate about something? Here are a few creative ways to help them discover and explore 

Foster their natural talents

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As mentioned earlier, everyone is born with a talent or unique ability. However, you might not be able to tell until your child is a little older. But once you notice your little one is a natural at something, it’s important to help them nurture those innate gifts. Talents need to be supported, improved, and celebrated. Even if your little one shows no passion for their natural talent, you’ll be able to observe how effortlessly they connect to other interests. This can guide them towards their passion. 

While fostering their natural talent, you should also be engaged in activities surrounding their talents. You don’t have to be good at what they do, but find fun ways to show that they can share their talents with you. For example, if your child loves music or enjoys playing instruments, try creating a fun music band with them. Of course, your singing may be terrible and your playing skills embarrassing, but your interest is all they’ll need to feel supported. You can even throw in a couple of music puns as jokes behind the dinner table to put a smile on your child’s face and make them excited to talk about it with you. 

Observe them in their solitude 

The things your child loves to do when they’re alone can be a good indicator of where their passion lies, especially with older kids. This can usually be seen when they are away from distractions such as gaming consoles, their phones, or watching TV. During such times, you may notice your child reading, writing, acting out imaginative scenes, playing a musical instrument, or coming up with a new invention. Therefore, you should consider leaving your child in periodic states of boredom without any of the above distractions and find out what interests they’ll gravitate towards to kill the boredom. Next, consider supporting them in doing activities related to those interests. For example, if you realize your child loves to read comic books or draw comic characters, challenge them to develop and draw a comic character of their own, and explain that character to you. Not only will this help them grow their interest, but you’ll also be helping them to explore something they’re passionate about. 

However, when doing so, it is important to try finding a way to observe your child subtly without appearing to be eavesdropping or spying on them. This would only make them uncomfortable and prevent them from opening up to you.

Avoid putting pressure on your child

As mentioned earlier, the fact that a child is talented at something does not mean they will develop a natural passion for it. So, avoid putting pressure on your kid to be passionate about something they aren’t. Also, do your best not to force your passions onto your child. More often than not, some parents force their kids to live the dreams they failed to live when they were younger. The truth is, doing that to your child would only make them unhappy in the long run.

It is important to allow your child to explore themselves to make their own decisions. You can only offer guidance along the way. Don’t let them feel pressured into doing what makes you happy. By pushing them to do things they have no interest in, you’ll only cause them to take a different path and suffer from the effects of such pressure. 

Celebrate different passions and diversity in your home

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If you have more than one child, you probably know how different each child can be. The last thing you want to do is make every child tow the same line in terms of interest and passion just to follow your footsteps. As indicated in the previous point, you don’t want to put pressure on any child to be or chase something they don’t want. One way you can avoid doing that is by celebrating diversity in your home and supporting different passions. Every child has a different personality. Each personality can and should contribute something different. For example, just because you love sports (and your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents were accomplished sportspeople) does not mean all your children would or should be interested in sports. Rather, enjoy the varying tastes of your children and support each child equally. After all, variety, they say, is the spice of life. 

Encourage a love for sports

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Before you get it twisted, encouraging a love for sports is not the same as pushing your child to become a sports person. Plus, there are several ways a child can build a love for sports without actually playing them. For example, if your child loves to read or write, they may enjoy reading or writing about sports. Or, if your little one loves to take pictures, why not take them to a game to take some pictures? They could develop a passion for photography through this. But why sports? Sports offer numerous opportunities for children to develop their passion at a young age. Additionally, sports have been proven to be great brain food for kids, offering them numerous mental benefits. This can help make it easier for a child to identify things they’re passionate about. 

Engage them to partake in DIY activities 

DIY activities are excellent ways to help children explore their raw talents and creativity. Fun arts and crafts activities like painting, sculpturing, building little projects like Lego architecture, knitting, gardening, and so on can help foster a child’s natural interests. Of course, you cannot expect them to be good at these activities, but DIY projects can help children brew their creative juices and develop their critical thinking capabilities. Another great thing about this is that you spend quality time bonding with your little ones as you help them discover their talent. That will make you a massive influence in their lives. Once you help them identify DIY activities they love, you can find hobbies, clubs, classes, or resources to help them improve and learn more. 

Ask them questions and embrace their ideas

Asking your child for their perspective on different things can give you an idea of what interests them. It also helps the child to develop critical and creative thinking in the process. Encourage them to share their ideas on simple solutions at home, about movies, books, food, and even school work. If you don’t like their ideas, tell them positively or constructively to avoid discouraging them from sharing their ideas in the future. Doing this can help your child find new ways of solving things. The more you bounce ideas off each other, the more you guide your child towards the ideas they’re passionate about. For example, asking your child’s ideas for a new decor theme for your home can help them delve into designing talents they didn’t know they had. Since children have infinite imagination, you never know how embracing their ideas will spark a passion that could define a career for them. 

Help them with their homework

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Passions come in various forms through different avenues. Helping your child with homework can help them discover a less traditional passion. For many people chasing a passion means chasing dreams like a successful music career, sports, entrepreneurship, etc. But what if your child has a hidden talent in math, science, or literature? Or what if your child enjoys doing homework projects that allow them to think outside the box and be creative? Helping your child with homework can help you discover some of these potentials. You never know; your little one could have the next best seller sleeping inside of them. Helping them with a creative school project can also lead to your child finding an interest in scientific inventions. So, try showing more interest in your child’s homework beyond simply asking them if they’ve done it. Give them all the help they need. Not only will you be helping improve their academics, but you could also be helping them to discover a passion. 

How to Create a Positive Workplace Culture

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As a business owner, your goal is likely to be driving your company towards success to enjoy increased output and bigger profits. However, making this happen is not always easy and is certainly not something you can do alone. To achieve a high degree of success and maintain it, your business needs to have a team of willing employees to help. Building a productive workforce of experienced staff will help your business achieve success both now and in the longer term. But, to have a team of employees that are as committed to the success of your business as you are, you need to foster a positive culture in the workplace. A positive culture is not something that can be created overnight. It takes time to create a workplace culture that supports a happy and productive team. Read on to learn more about the benefits of a positive workplace culture and how you can make it happen:

The Benefits of a Positive Workplace Culture

Are you thinking that developing a positive workplace culture sounds like a lot of effort and may not matter too much anyway? If so, take a look at the benefits your company can enjoy when you dedicate a little time to improving your workplace culture:

  • Reduced staff turnover
  • Increased employee engagement
  • Fewer sick days
  • Higher levels of productivity
  • Greater collaboration between employees
  • Improved customer service

When these benefits are combined, they put your business on the path to success, which makes fostering a positive workplace culture well worth the effort.

Building a Positive Workplace Culture

Now that you can see the benefits that a positive workplace culture can provide, here are some ways you can start to make it a reality:

Praise and Reward

No one likes to work without recognition for their efforts, so making a concerted effort to praise your staff when they perform well is essential. To create a positive workplace culture, your team needs to feel valued and know that their hard work is acknowledged. The more you praise and reward your employees for their efforts, the more likely they are to feel positive about their job and to want to continue working hard. Praising employees is an essential element of a positive work environment as it boosts morale and demonstrates to staff that they are valued members of the team. This creates a cycle of positivity and appreciation in the workplace that benefits everyone.

Ensuring that managers praise team members is vital, but the need for praise extends beyond management rewarding effort. Ensuring that team members praise each other is also crucial and positively impacts your entire workforce. Using peer to peer recognition tools, your team members will be equipped to show their appreciation to one another, which will enhance their working relationships and the work environment.

Encourage Breaks

Presenteeism is something that may sound positive but can actually have a negative impact on your business. Absenteeism is often seen as the enemy of a successful business and a drain on productivity. But while absenteeism is bad news for companies, the same is equally true of presenteeism. 

Presenteeism often exists in companies with an aggressively competitive culture. When employees feel they will miss out on promotions or other favorable benefits, they may be keen to spend more time at work, even when sick, to ensure they are visible in the office and their presence is noted by management. Skipping breaks and coming in when sick, and staying late are all seen as ways to get noticed ahead of colleagues when it is time for promotions and performance bonuses to be awarded. But, it is essential to note that spending lots of time in the office rarely helps productivity. Often, presenteeism harms productivity and impacts the entire workplace culture, as employees strive to outdo each other by becoming increasingly competitive. 

Pitting employees against each other can impact staff morale, but encouraging team members to leave on time each evening and take regular breaks has the opposite effect. When employees take breaks and maintain a healthy work/life balance, it improves their performance at work and makes the workspace a much happier place to be. Rather than reducing productivity, you should see it increase when presenteeism is discouraged, and breaks are viewed as an aid to productivity rather than an obstacle.

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Communicate Regularly

Open and honest communication is essential in a workplace environment. When there is little communication, employees often distrust what is happening in the organization and feel a sense of insecurity in their role. In contrast, keeping employees informed of what is happening in the company and how it is performing helps them to feel more engaged in the business. Employees are far more likely to take ownership of their role and try to perform it to the best of their abilities if feel that they are being dealt with openly and fairly. 

A positive workplace culture is not something that can be created and then ignored. To maintain a healthy and happy work environment, you need to keep on communicating. Requesting feedback from your team and acting on this will help you to understand your business from your employees’ perspective and gain a picture of how things can be improved. 

Enhance the Workspace

The physical work environment plays a crucial role in your workplace culture, so ensuring that this enhances a positive atmosphere in your office rather than harms it is essential. Providing your team with the equipment needed to perform their jobs well is critical. But, there is even more that you can do beyond this to enhance your workspace. Ensuring that you have plenty of natural light in your offices and a comfortable space for your team to take their breaks will also help nurture a positive workplace culture. Many of the world’s most successful companies go the extra mile to create a positive workspace for their employees. So, why not try it out and see the benefits that your new positive workplace culture brings to your business?

5 Simple Ways to Become a More Generous Person in 2019

Please note, this post is sponsored by Diamond Bloggers. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you.

 

Matt Redhawk

There are very few people who are opposed to the idea of charity. As humans, we are hard-wired to help others and confront needs when we see them. Unfortunately, there are also very few people who are content with the level of generosity in their lives.

As most people I know wish they were able to give more. And while there are a number of reasons, often the best solution may be the simplest. So if you are looking for better ways to be more charitable in 2019 here are five ways to get started,

Matt Redhawk

5 Simple Ways to Become a More Generous Person

Consider the benefits of generosity. Generous people report being happier, healthier, and more satisfied with life than those who don’t give regularly. And one of the main reasons for this is that generosity produces an inner sense that we are capable of actively addressing the needs of those around us. Leading to a sense of personal responsibility in making our communities safer, healthier and more unified. While generosity is typically seen as non-self-serving, the personal benefits that can be derived from a life geared toward stewardship can benefit each of us in immeasurable ways. And is indeed one of the most important steps that we can take in getting started leading a more generous life.

Embrace gratitude. One way to ingratiate charity into your year is to adopt a personal attitude of gratitude at home. Which can start as simply as creating a list of what you are most appreciative of in your life which may show you ways that you can afford to give back to others in the reflection of your personal blessings at home? As the most important step you can take to become more generous is to spend more time thinking about what you already possess and less time thinking about what you don’t. Once you start intentionally thinking that way, you may be more apt to share your life with others.

Give first. When you receive your next paycheck, make your first expense an act of giving. Often times, we wait to see how much we have left over before we determine how much we can give. The problem with this formula is that most of the time after we start spending, nothing left over. This is coupled with the idea that the habit of spending all of it is too deeply ingrained in our lives. To counteract that cycle, give first. Every payday, write a check for $10 to your local homeless shelter. You just may be surprised how you won’t even miss it.

Fund a cause based on your passions. There are countless charities and causes that need your support. With many being in-line with your most compelling passions. No matter if your cause of choice is anchored to the environment, poverty, or religion, there is a way for you affordably give back. Spend time thinking of causes you care about and then commit to giving regularly to those charities. Perhaps as an automatic withdraw or contribution from your paycheck each cycle.

Intentionally decide to change your investments. Oh sure, a lot can be said for changing our spending habits. An equal measure can be stated for changing how we invest particularly in how we invest in businesses charity-minded firms that predicate their business plans towards charity. This allows investors to he intentionality that emerges in your life will help you discover the need for generosity. Such as Matt Redhawk whose firm has found success in multiple fields and allowed Parker the opportunity to give back. His priority is to help families to become self-sufficient and to take control of their own destinies.

Which shows that generosity rarely happens by chance. Instead, it is an intentional decision that we make in our lives. But it does not need to be as difficult as many people think. Sometimes, starting with the simple steps is the best step that we can take. So, friends, I’d like to ask you what simple steps have you incorporated into your life to foster generosity? Please leave your thoughts below.

Matt Redhawk

Where to Donate

 

Clothing

Dress for Success
What they do: Provide interview suits, confidence boosts, and career development to low-income women in over 75 cities worldwide
What they need: Women’s business suits and other professional apparel, footwear, and accessories

Career Gear
What they do: Provide underserved job-seeking men with training, career counseling, interviews, and professional clothing
What they need: Men’s suits, dress shirts, ties, shoes, briefcases, and other interview-appropriate clothing

The Women’s Alliance
What they do: Provide professional attire and career skills training to low-income women and their families seeking self-sufficiency
What they need: Women’s business clothing and professional accessories

Sew Much Comfort
What they do: Provide adaptive clothing to wounded service men and women in military hospitals (specially designed to look like normal attire while accommodating their injuries)
What they need: Basketball shorts, boxers, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and PJ bottoms; also twill, flannel, and woven shirting fabric

Clothes4Souls
What they do: Provide clothes to people around the world who are in desperate need
What they need: New or gently-worn clean clothing

Planet Aid
What they do: Provide clothing to people in developing nations, and fund community, health, agricultural, and vocational programs
What they need: Gently-used, unsoiled, functional clothing and shoes

Soles4Souls
What they do: Distribute shoes to people in need in over 125 countries
What they need: All types of new or gently-worn shoes: athletic, running, dress, sandals, pumps, heels, work boots, cleats, dance, and flip flops

Diamonds for Dreams
What they do: Grant wishes for terminal breast cancer patients
What they need: Diamonds, estate jewelry, and other specialty jewelry items

Indigo Rescue
What they do: Assist county animal shelters, and rehabilitate pets and place them in adoptive homes
What they need: Jewelry (for fundraising events)

Animal Guardian Network
What they do: Rescue and place homeless pets with loving families, and assist low-income seniors and financially disadvantaged individuals with their pet care
What they need: Gently-used designer handbags to sell in their ReBag Boutique

Brides Against Breast Cancer
What they do: Advance the awareness of breast cancer, and operate a wish-granting service enabling patients to make special memories with their loved ones
What they need: New and used wedding gowns from 2005 to present

Brides Across America
What they do: Provide wedding gowns to military brides in need
What they need: New or gently-used bridal gowns, not more than three years old

DonateMyDress.org
What they do: Provide special occasion dresses to girls who cannot afford them for prom, sweet 16, quinceañera or formal events
What they need: Prom and special occasion dresses for young women

The Glass Slipper Project
What they do: Collect formal dresses and accessories and provide them, free of charge, to Chicago-area students who are unable to purchase their own prom attire
What they need: New and almost-new prom dresses and accessories

Third Love
What they do: Provide jobs for human trafficking survivors
What they need: Used bras, undergarments, and foundation pieces

 

Household Items

Goodwill 
What they do: Help people with barriers to employment learn the skills to find competitive employment
What they need: Clothing, electronics, appliances, furniture, and more

Salvation Army
What they do: Provide community programs, homeless services, rehabilitation, disaster relief, and other assistance to those in need
What they need: Clothing, furniture, household goods, sporting equipment, books, electronics, and more

Vietnam Veterans of America
What they do: Help Vietnam-era veterans and their families
What they need: Clothing, baby items, housewares, electronics, small appliances, tools, and just about anything else

Volunteers of America
What they do: Support at-risk youth, the frail elderly, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, people with disabilities, and those recovering from addictions
What they need: Clothing, furniture, toys, and household goods for their thrift stores

Friends of Pine Ridge Reservation
What they do: Provide needed items to the poverty-stricken Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota
What they need: From school, sewing, crafts, sporting, baby, and office supplies, to toiletries, clothing, Christmas gifts, holiday items, bed, bath and kitchen linens, cold weather gear, crayons and more (see website for specific needs)

Operation Give
What they do: Bring hope and solutions to the deprived and disconnected people of the world, in many cases where the US military operates.
What they need: Toys, school supplies, art supplies, sports equipment, and more (Fedex provides FREE shipping from anywhere in the US to their warehouse)

The Help Kenya Project
What they do: Provide Kenya’s students with science and computer skills to break the cycle of poverty
What they need: Used computers, books, clothing, sports equipment, and other supplies

Cause USA
What they do: Send gift packs to wounded military personnel and their families
What they need: Playing cards, handheld electronic games, current magazines, batteries, travel-size toiletries, and more

Forgotten Soldiers Outreach
What they do: Send care packages to deployed soldiers
What they need: Travel-size toiletries, packaged food, flea collars, batteries, tube socks, envelopes, trash bags, and more

 

Children and Expecting Mothers

Project Night Night
What they do: Reduce the trauma of homeless children with Night Night Packages of childhood comforts
What they need: Stuffed animals, blankets, and children’s books

SAFE (Stuffed Animals for Emergencies)
What they do: Collect items to give to children in emotional, traumatic, or stressful situations (like fires, illness, abuse, homelessness, and natural disasters)
What they need: New or gently-used stuffed animals

Hope Village For Children
What they do: Provide a home to children in need
What they need: Any household items or clothing that can be sold; this organization runs a charity thrift shop in Meridian, MS

Loving Hugs
What they do: Send stuffed animals to children living in war zones, refugee camps, orphanages, hospitals, and natural disaster areas
What they need: New or very gently-used stuffed animals

Project Smile
What they do: Provide emergency responders with children’s comfort items, to help ease their pain and fear
What they need: New or gently-used stuffed animals, children’s books, unused coloring books, new crayons

Newborns in Need
What they do: Provide care necessities to local agencies and hospitals serving premature, ill, or impoverished newborns
What they need: Baby clothing, toys, and other items; also fabric, yarn, thread, and other supplies

Touching Little Lives
What they do: Provide necessity items to needy infants in Ohio
What they need: Baby clothing, booties, toys, blankets and other items; also flannel, thread, batting, and yarn

Ronald McDonald House
What they do: Provide a “home-away-from-home” for families so they can stay close by their hospitalized child at little or no cost
What they need: New toys, food, and household products; see website for details

 

Electronics

World Computer Exchange
What they do: Provide used computers and technology to schools, libraries, community centers & universities in developing countries
What they need: Computers, laptops, printers, hard drives, peripherals, software, and more

National Cristina Foundation
What they do: Provide computer technology to people with disabilities or economic disadvantages, to enable them to lead more independent and productive lives
What they need: Desktops, notebooks, printers, peripherals, software, and more

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
What they do: Work to eliminate domestic violence, and empower battered women and children
What they need: Used cell phones

Games for Heroes
What they do: Provide emotional support to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan
What they need: Handheld video game devices like Gameboys, PSPs, and Nintendo DSs

Get-Well Gamers Foundation
What they do: Bring video game systems to children’s hospitals, for entertainment and pain management
What they need: Video games, systems, controllers, and other accessories

Computer Recycling Center
What they do: Place computers in public charity and community programs through Computers & Education™, and recycle unusable items to keep them out of landfills
What they need: Computers, laptops, home electronics

HopeLine from Verizon
What they do: Provide refurbished phones to local domestic violence organizations
What they need: No-longer-used wireless phones, batteries, and accessories in any condition from any wireless service provider

Cell Phones for Soldiers
What they do: Use the money from recycling cell phones to purchase calling cards for troops in need
What they need: Used cell phones

iOS Device Recycling Program
What they do: Bring high technology mobile devices (installed with educational apps) into classrooms
What they need: iPads, iPhones, iPod Touches

Fireside International
What they do: Use mobile devices to advance education in Haiti
What they need: iPods, iPads, iPhones

 

Office and School Supplies

iLoveSchools
What they do: Match America’s school teachers with donations of classroom resources
What they need: A variety of school supplies, materials, and equipment

Swap4Schools
What they do: Match donors’ “haves” with schools’ “wants”
What they need: Books, movies, and other items specifically requested by educators

The GrayMatters Foundation
What they do: Support and empower people impacted by brain tumors through outreach, awareness, and assistance programs
What they need: Stickers, postage stamps, blank or encouragement cards and envelopes

Muscular Dystrophy Association
What they do: Fund worldwide research efforts and nationwide programs to aid those with neuromuscular diseases and their families
What they need: Computers, software, office equipment, furniture, and supplies for use in local offices

Develop Africa
What they do: Provide books, school and teaching supplies, scholarships, and job-related training in Africa
What they need: A wide variety of school and office supplies; see website for details

Pens for Kids
What they do: Send pens to kids in Africa to assist them with getting an education
What they need: New and used pens of every type, color, size, shape, and quantity

 

Books

International Book Project
What they do: Promote education and literacy by sending quality used books overseas
What they need: Textbooks, dictionaries, encyclopedias, vocational books, children’s books, and more

Global Literacy Project
What they do: Foster community-based literacy initiatives throughout the world
What they need: “We are currently most in need of Pre-K to 12th-grade reading books as well as Math and science textbooks.”

Darien Book Aid
What they do: Send books in response to specific requests from Peace Corps volunteers, libraries and schools all over the world
What they need: A variety of new and gently-used books. Please call before shipping, to make sure your donations fit their needs

Books for Africa
What they do: Help create a culture of literacy by shipping books to libraries and classrooms in Africa
What they need: A wide variety of new and gently-used books, generally 15 years old or newer; details on the website

The Bridge of Books Foundation
What they do: Provide books to children in low-income families, particularly through foster family agencies, homeless shelters, underfunded schools, and neighborhood centers
What they need: New and used children’s books, from preschool through high school

Books Through Bars
What they do: Send quality reading and educational material to prisoners, thereby promoting successful community re-integration
What they need: A variety of new and gently-used books; details on the website. Please email prior to shipping.

Little Free Library
What they do: Allow community members to build or donate books to small free public libraries
What they need: A variety of gently-used books; details on the website. 

Books for Soldiers
What they do: Facilitate the direct donation of books to soldiers serving overseas
What they need: Books and magazines (as well as CDs, DVDs, and video games) requested by soldiers

BookEnds.org
What they do: Place books in inner-city schools, youth centers, homeless shelters, family literacy centers, after-school enrichment programs, children’s group homes, and juvenile detention facilities
What they need: Quality, gently-used children’s books appropriate for infants to 18 years of age

Better World Books
What they do: Sell books to help fund literacy programs worldwide
What they need: A wide variety of books; see website for details

 

DVD’s, Language Media, and CDs

Kidflicks.org
What they do: Create movie libraries for children’s hospitals and pediatric wards across the US
What they need: DVDs

DVDs4Vets
What they do: Provide DVDs to VA facilities for veterans in rehabilitation
What they need: DVDs and portable DVD players

DiscsForDogs.org
What they do: Sell used DVDs and CDs, and donate the proceeds to the SPCA
What they need: DVDs and CDs

Musicians On Call
What they do: Provide hospitals with complete CD libraries and players for patient use
What they need: New or gently-used CDs and new, unused personal CD players

 

Arts and Crafts

The CUREchief Foundation
What they do: Bring hope to cancer patients, and people with other conditions that cause hair loss
What they need: Cotton, flannel, or polar fleece fabric

Care Wear
What they do: Provide handmade baby items to premature infants in neonatal intensive care units
What they need: Yarn, flannel, broadcloth, and other fabrics suitable for children’s toys, apparel, and blankets/quilts

A Little Something
What they do: Help refugee women in Denver, CO become self-sufficient through crafting
What they need: Leftover or unwanted beads or jewelry-making supplies, weaving fiber, knitting needles, and natural fiber yarn

Beads of Courage
What they do: Provide arts-in-medicine for children with serious illnesses
What they need: All types of beads, of any color and shape

The Mending Hearts Project
What they do: Assist low-income families, teen and single mothers, and mothers with premature infants in neonatal intensive care units
What they need: “Donations of all handcrafted items, yarn, and sewing supplies are graciously accepted.”

Afghans Etc for Charity
What they do: Brighten the lives of children with cancer and other medical issues
What they need: Crochet and knitting supplies, and handcrafted items

Binky Patrol
What they do: Distribute homemade blankets (sewn, knitted, crocheted, or quilted) to children in need
What they need: Fabric, yarn, batting, and finished blankets

The Knitting Connection
What they do: Distribute supplies to volunteers to make hats, mittens, scarves, sweaters, afghans, baby booties, layette sets, and Christmas stockings for needy children
What they need: Yarn, knitting needles, knitting books, and finished knitted/crocheted items

Many Arms Reach You
What they do: Collect and donate knitted, quilted, or crocheted blankets to disadvantaged mothers and their children
What they need: Yarn

The Mother Bear Project
What they do: Provide hand-knit and crocheted bears to children with HIV/AIDS in emerging nations
What they need: Yarn, knitting needles, PolyFil, postage stamps, packing tape

Knots of Love
What they do: Provide crocheted and knitted caps for chemo patients and others facing life-threatening illnesses and injuries
What they need: Yarn

Made 4 Aid
What they do: Sell handmade items on Etsy to raise funds for Doctors Without Borders
What they need: A variety of handmade items, as well as arts and crafts materials

Inklude Studio
What they do: Provide a creative environment for adult artists with autism and other developmental challenges
What they need: A variety of fabric, art supplies, photography and computer equipment

ArtBridge Houston
What they do: Provide an arts program for children in homeless shelters
What they need: Art supplies including paper, colored pencils, watercolor paints, paintbrushes, stencils, markers, etc.

Children’s Healing Art Project
What they do: Create art classes for children in Portland’s children’s hospitals
What they need: A variety of art supplies; see website for the current wishlist needs

 

Sports

Sports Gift
What they do: Provide sports programs and equipment to impoverished and disadvantaged children throughout the world
What they need: A wide variety of sports equipment; see website for details

One World Running
What they do: Provide running shoes to those in need in the US and throughout the world
What they need: New and near-new running shoes

Bikes for the World
What they do: Donate bicycles to developing countries, so that individuals can get to work or school, or provide health and education services to low-income rural people
What they need: Any serviceable adult or children’s bicycles, as well as bike parts, tools, and accessories

Bicycles for Humanity
What they do: Send bicycles to developing countries, to empower disadvantaged people through improved access to food and water, employment, healthcare, education and social opportunities
What they need: Bicycles, as well as bike parts, tools, clothing, helmets, tires, and tubes

Opportunity Through Baseball
What they do: Provide baseball equipment to impoverished children in the Dominican Republic and around the world
What they need: Baseballs, gloves, mitts, bats, helmets, and more

PeacePassers
What they do: Distribute soccer supplies to communities in need, to empower youth and maximize hope
What they need: Soccer gear like balls, shoes, jerseys, shorts, and socks

 

Musical Instruments

Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation
What they do: Keep the music alive in our schools and communities by donating musical instruments to under-funded music programs
What they need: Gently-used band and orchestral instruments

Marching Mountains
What they do: Supply public school band programs in distressed counties in Appalachia with donated new and used musical instruments
What they need: Musical instruments in good working condition (mainly for marching and concert bands)

Operation Happy Note
What they do: Send musical instruments to deployed service men and women throughout the world
What they need: New or gently-used guitars, violins, mandolins, banjos, keyboards, horns of any kind, harmonicas, and even bagpipes

Education Through Music
What they do: Promote the integration of music into the curricula of disadvantaged schools in order to enhance students’ academic performance and general development
What they need: A variety of musical instruments; see website for details

 

Eyewear

Unite for Sight
What they do: Support eye care for patients living in extreme poverty in developing countries
What they need: New reading glasses, distance glasses, and sunglasses

One Sight
What they do: Provide free vision care and eyewear to people in need around the world (in some countries, a pair of eyewear costs more than a month’s salary)
What they need: 2 million pairs of gently-used eyewear

New Eyes for the Needy
What they do: Send eyeglasses to medical missions and international charitable organizations for distribution to the poor in developing nations
What they need: Eyeglasses, reading glasses, sunglasses, hearing aids

 

Vehicles

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Cars for Kids’ Sake
What they do: Provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better
What they need: All types of vehicles, including cars, trucks, SUVs, motorhomes, boats, airplanes, farm equipment, and construction equipment

Habitat for Humanity Cars for Homes
What they do: Build and rehabilitate houses for families in need
What they need: Cars, trucks, boats, RVs, motorcycles, and construction equipment

American Diabetes Association
What they do: Strive to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes
What they need: Cars, trucks, trailers, boats, and RVs

National Kidney Foundation Kidney Cars
What they do: Fund public health and professional education, vital patient and community services, organ donation programs and medical research to prevent kidney disease
What they need: Cars, vans, trucks, and boats

National Foundation for Cancer Research
What they do: Support cancer research and public education relating to prevention, earlier diagnosis, better treatments and ultimately, a cure for cancer.
What they need: Cars, trucks, boats, and SUVs

Purple Heart
What they do: Provide a variety of programs for wounded and disabled veterans and their families
What they need: Cars, trucks, RVs, and boats

 

Miscellaneous

National Furniture Bank
What they do: Provide beds, tables, chairs, and other crucial home furnishings to over 100,000 people in need each year
What they need: Beds, dressers, nightstands, tables, chairs, sofas, lamps, and more

Project C.U.R.E.
What they do: Donate medical supplies and equipment to hospitals and clinics around the world
What they need: New and used medical equipment and supplies, including crutches, wheelchairs, and beds

UNICEF
What they do: Provide humanitarian relief to children around the globe
What they need: Foreign coins and notes

Chemo Angels
What they do: Brighten the lives of those undergoing IV chemo treatment
What they need: Retailer gift cards, valid or expired (can still be used in CA)

TESSA
What they do: Provide safety and counseling to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in El Paso and Teller counties
What they need: Grocery and retailer gift cards and used cell phones

Make-A-Wish Foundation
What they do: Grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions
What they need: Retailer gift cards and gift certificates

St. Jude’s Ranch
What they do: Serve all abused, abandoned, and neglected children and families in a safe, homelike environment
What they need: Used greeting cards

Overseas Coupon Program
What they do: Facilitate the sending of coupons to overseas military personnel and their families
What they need: Manufacturer’s coupons, valid and expired (up to 2 months)

 

General Recycling and Downcycling

Teracycle
What they do: Facilitate the sending of hard to recycle goods to companies and foundations needing your recyclable items
What they need: Various recycled goods; see website for more details; free program

Freecycle
What they do: Facilitate local posting of free goods and bartering opportunities
What they need: See site for more details; free program

Buy Nothing Project
What they do: Facilitate local posting of free goods and bartering opportunities
What they need: See site for more details; free program

Pots & Pans Outlet
What they do: Information provided on recycling metal pots and pans; treated and non-treated products
What they need: See site for more details; free program

Recycle Bank
What they do: Search engine and database for all North American recycling programs & point earning online games for kids
What they need: See site for more details; free program

Earth 911
What they do: Search engine and database for all North American recycling programs
What they need: See site for more details; free program

Recycle Now
What they do: Database for all North American hard-to-recycle item programs
What they need: See site for more details; free program