We’re looking to hear from you, our local makers, what causes you would like to support with your craft talents.
Since 2018, Thomastown Library’s Textiles & Craft Maker Space has hosted Craft for a Cause sessions in partnership with Wildlife Rescue Victoria. Over 1000 joey, koala and wombat pouches were made and nearly double in bat wraps. These items helped our local animals within Nillumbik and Whittlesea areas and after the 2020 Bushfires, were sent to Gippsland, South Australia and Jirrahlinga Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary in Barwon Heads, Victoria.
With the reopening our Maker Space, Craft for a Cause has had a makeover and we have gained a new community partnership to the program, Thomastown Neighbourhood House. Thomastown Neighbourhood House support the Textiles & Craft Makerspace through their contribution of sewing equipment and enthusiasm for local makers. Our new revamped program, MAKE-A-Difference will highlight a charity each term whereby makers can use their skills to help others. Join us for a working bee session once a term and continue making with our weekly Maker Morning sessions.
For the months of July and August, we are wanting to hear from you, our maker community, what charities and causes you want to support. At Thomastown Library, you can vote (with buttons) on our top 10 charities or let our staff know of another charity that you think might suit our program better.
The charities that we looking to future partner with include:
Knitted Knockers https://www.knittedknockers.org/
Knitted Knockers are special handmade breast prosthesis for women who have undergone mastectomies or other procedures to the breast.
Knit-One-Give-One https://www.kogo.org.au/
The need for warm winter woollies is greater than ever. 2019 was Knit-One-Give-One (KOGO)’s biggest year ever with distributing over 112,000 donated items to vulnerable people experiencing hardship in our Australian community.
Epping RSPCA animal beds https://www.snugglesproject.org/
We can’t forget our furry friends in need. Help make cat & dog beds from soft fabrics for Epping RSPCA animal shelter.
Very Snuggly Quilts & Quilts of Love https://www.victorianquilters.org/community/very-snuggly-quilts-quilts-of-love/
For many years quilts have been donated to a number of organisations to bring comfort to children and their families. For the past four years Victorian Quilters Inc have concentrated on delivering quilts to children with a chronic life-threatening illness who are patients at the Royal Children’s Hospital, through the Victorian Quilters Very Snuggly Quilt Auxiliary.
1000 Hearts Project https://www.1000hearts.com.au/
The 1000 Hearts Project is based around small pocket hearts which are handmade from wool felt and stitched with love and good intentions. These hearts are then offered to people as a symbol of compassion, care and kindness. First initiated in Tasmania, it’s now a global movement.
Miracle Babies https://www.miraclebabies.org.au/content/knitting-sewing/gjxlh4
Our knitting and sewing supports bereaved parents and parents with babies who are in neonatal intensive care units or special care nurseries.
Capes 4 Kids https://capes4kidsaustralia.com.au/
In 2014, a local Canberra Mum to two wonderful children started this charity. Like many families she had both her children in hospital for different reasons. Capes 4 kids Australia Inc. is the first program of its kind in Australia, gifting superpowered capes to our little superheros.
Made4Aid https://made4aid.org/
Made4aid is a registered UK non-profit organisation, raising money for aid and relief work, through the generosity of creative people around the world.
Anyone can donate handmade art and craft items or supplies, to be sold online to raise money for aid. Money raised is donated Médecins sans Frontières / Doctors without Borders to support their work.
#ScarfsUp https://www.cwplus.org.uk/scarfup/
With winter fast approaching it is time to #ScarfUp and keep the chill out! #ScarfsUp is a UK project that have commissioned a group of nine renowned artists who are turning their hand to scarf design this winter in order to protect some of our most vulnerable patients. YPRL will donate the scarfs made to local charities in honour of the program.
Animal Rescue Craft Guild https://craftguild.org.au/
The Animal Rescue Cooperative Craft Guild (ARCCG) was founded to support the work of the cooperative. We are a global army of innovative creators that work together to make custom supportive products for animals in need. Through this we save lives, improve care, reduce the burden on rescuers, and bring awareness to their global plight.
Written by Tegan from Thomastown Library