Knitting or crocheting a little something for yourself is wonderful, but giving your handicrafts to others can be even more rewarding. Whether it’s a chemo cap or a baby blanket, donating your knit or crocheted project is a great way to give back to the community and share your talents with someone who will always cherish your gift. Lion Brand is proud to feature an organization that is giving back with the help of yarn.

Angels for Hope is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sending a message of hope and caring to those who need it, by crocheting and sending angels, butterflies, and smiley faces free of charge. Based in Pennsylvania, the organization has grown to over 600 contributors in 49 states and 4 countries. The Angels have sent out over 150,000 angels, 50,000 butterflies, and 6,000 smiley faces so far.

Volunteers all over America and the world crochet these touching items and send them to people, most of whom they don’t know. Angels for Hope provides volunteers with its copyrighted patterns, solely for usage with the organization. The volunteers then provide their own materials, postage, labor (and good thoughts) to send these symbols of hope out to people all over the world.

In addition to donating to projects such as Ronald McDonald House Charities and the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Angels for Hope sends butterflies to individuals who have reached their 100th birthday, through their 100th Birthday Butterfly Club. They also have a project called the Fallen Soldier Program, trying to reach out to the families of those who died serving America.

To volunteer or to request an angel for you or someone you know, please contact Angels for Hope directly.

You can also reach out to community, national, and international organizations through our Charity Connection locator.