We’re all familiar with the concept of working from home, but have you thought about the benefits of volunteering from home? There are plenty of reasons why volunteering can sometimes be difficult despite your best intentions. Life is busy. You’re working long hours. You don’t have easy access to volunteer activities in your community. We get it, which is why we created this blog, Make a Difference From Home. Volunteering from home is super fun and a great way to gather family and friends together to make the world a better place.
Are you a student looking for a project that allows you to earn community service hours while volunteering from home? Look no further! Make a Difference From Home, presented by Small Acts Big Change, will happily certify your volunteer hours for school, youth organizations, and more! Read on, the details are below.
There are so many ways to give back from the comfort of your own home. Anyone can crochet a scarf with this simple and basic pattern- it’s easy! Underprivileged and at-risk children, seniors in need, people living on the streets and homeless, plus plenty of other people in need will be thrilled with the gift of a scarf you make and donate. Volunteer your time, crochet a simple scarf, and make a difference!
SUPPLIES:
- 100 – 200 yards of a worsted-weight yarn in a color that you find pleasing. More yarn creates a longer scarf.
- A crochet hook that is appropriate for the yarn you have chosen. Please check the label on the skein of yard, which will likely recommend a hook size. Still not sure which size hook to choose? We recommend size I.
- Scissors
- A plastic crochet needle that will allow you to finish off the end of the scarf.
PURCHASE OUR DIY CROCHET-A-SCARF VOLUNTEER KIT:
Did you know that Small Acts Big Change offers an all-inclusive scarf crochet kit in our Kindness Market shop? Make things easy to get started on your project by purchasing the kit from our non-profit Etsy shop by clicking here.
TIPS:
- We often get asked what the difference is between crocheting and knitting. The main difference between crocheting and knitting is that crocheting completes a stitch one at a time whereas knitting keeps many stitches open at once.
- Your scarf can be as long or as short as you prefer. We’ve found that scarves measuring approximately 4 feet in length work well.
HOW TO:
Crochet Pattern for a Simple Scarf
If you are new to crocheting, making a simple scarf is a great way to learn. This scarf is a great beginner’s project and can be made with a few simple and easy techniques that soon will have you crocheting like a professional. With this pattern by Scarf Bombardier’s Suzanne Volpe, you only need to know how to do two simple stitches, the chain stitch and the single crochet.
Step 3: Creating Row 2
DONATING YOUR SCARF:
The scarves you donate do not have to follow the above pattern or even have to be homemade. Any warm scarf makes a huge difference to people in need.
Donate Locally in Your Area:
There are quite a few options for getting your scarf into the hands of someone in need in your local community.
- People living on the streets in your area would likely love your scarf to help them stay warm this winter. Reach out to the volunteer director at a local homeless shelter for help getting your scarf into the hands of someone in need.
- Senior daycare centers would also love to pass your handmade scarf to seniors in need. Contact an elder daycare center in your area for more information.
- Representatives from your area Ronald McDonald House, local food banks, schools, hospitals, community centers, nursing homes, etc. can help place your scarf with someone who needs it.
Donate Via Mail:
- Earn volunteer community service hours by donating your scarf to Small Acts Big Change, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, will happily pass your scarf to people in need. To donate, please send your scarf to: Share Your Warmth, Small Acts Big Change, PO Box 1374, La Canada, CA 91012. follow the steps to earn credit for your service hours. Please see below.
- Scarf Bombardiers: Each year, Scarf Bombardiers leave free scarves tied to fences, benches, poles, trees, and other cool places so that the people who need them can find and take them. If you would like to donate your scarf to a great cause, please send it to: Scarf Bombardiers, 322 Mail Blvd. Box 185, Monroeville, PA 15146.
EARN VOLUNTEER HOURS FOR SCHOOL:
Small Acts Big Change can certify your student’s volunteer hours. Effective July 10, 2023, each handmade scarf measuring a minimum of 4 feet long and 4 1/2 inches wide = 5 hours of volunteer service hour credit. If you are an expert crocheter and it takes you less than 5 hours to crochet a scarf, please submit your actual volunteer crochet hours. The maximum volunteer time awarded per scarf is 5 hours. Please contact us at [email protected] to learn more.
SHARE:
We’d love to see a picture of your “Crochet for a Cause” scarf . Please feel free to share pictures at https://www.facebook.com/smallactsbigchangeus.
JOIN US:
If you would like to learn about more DIY volunteer from home projects like these, please subscribe to this page, Make a Difference From Home.
This blog is hosted by Small Acts Big Change, a nonprofit organization helping people volunteer to change the world through kindness and service.
GROUP OPPORTUNITIES:
Would you like to bring this project or another from Make a Difference From Home to a group you are involved with while still practicing social distancing? Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, schools, businesses or other groups, please contact Carolyn at [email protected] for more information.
THANK YOU:
Thank you for helping spread happiness, kindness, and warmth throughout the world. <3
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