Christmas Charities 4: Warming Hearts Project

Allow me to introduce Bonnie Gano. Bonnie is an office assistant and a resident of Bradenton, FL. She is also a wife, mother of 3 and grandmother of 8 who loves being active in her grandchildren's lives. Last November she started an organization called Warming Hearts Project, which gives blankets to foster children and seniors in her community.

I asked her how she got started:

Have you ever asked God "What can I do to help?" I did and He answered.

A friend asked if I would like to help in a local outreach. They were collecting food, used goods etc. and handing it out each month. Christmas was coming and they were collecting toys for the children. Toys are expensive and with the economy the way it is, I thought it might be difficult for me to find a way to help. That is when God said "I gave you a talent, use it!" I love to crochet and what better gift than a cozy warm blanket to cover a needy child with LOVE.

So it started, one blanket then two and the need became greater than I expected. I needed help and the Lord provided me with people one by one. Some wanted to crochet, some sew, some gave financially. All help was welcome.

The blankets have become very important to mission to me I know there is a great need to spread Love and Comfort to others. I have observed this when giving the blankets out and the love and security it brings to those receiving them.

With the help of diligent crocheters, Bonnie has given out over 200 blankets since last November, and her ministry is growing. Last Christmas she gave out 40 blankets to foster kids and seniors, and this year she plans to give out about 135. She teaches a crochet class twice a month in her home to teach people how to make the edging for the blankets. Her future plans include retiring in order to have more time for her ministry.

She said that when the foster kids receive a blanket, it's a tangible reminder that someone cares. It acts as something that is "theirs," that goes with them everywhere even when their lives are unstable and changing. She thinks that kids need something physical to hang onto, and they love the soft fleece the blankets are made of.

Here is an example of some Warming Hearts fleece blankets with crochet edging:

Warming Hearts is always looking for 2 things:

1. People to make blankets. You can contact her through her website if you're interested. Don't worry about your skill level; the blankets are intentionally easy and require minimal crocheting and no sewing. They're very quick!
2. Funds to buy supplies, including fleece, yarn, crochet hooks and rotary hole punchers for the edging. Blankets are made in 3 sizes: Big kid (1 1/2 yds fleece), little kid (1 yd fleece), and baby crib/senior lap blanket (1/2 yd fleece). Fleece usually runs about $9.99/yd, plus the cost of yarn.

If you would like to help in any way (or if you would like blankets), you can email Bonnie Gano at warminghearts91@verizon.net.

Christmas Charities 3: Catholic Charities of Central Florida

Looking for last-minute opportunities to give to charity before Christmas? Catholic Charities is a great organization that does a lot of good in many communities throughout the United States. Many of the things they do are very much in line with BAANK's areas of concern.Your donation would be put to very good use!

Here's what they say:

"There is still time to share your blessings during this season of giving. Catholic Charities of Central Florida offers unique opportunities to provide basic needs to struggling families."

You can give toward any of the following areas:

1. Food - Feeding the Hungry
2. Shelter - Keeping Children Home at Christmas
3. Clothing - One Warm Coat
4. Donations

Catholic Charities also provides counseling, parenting classes, immigration services, and countless other things that help people in need.

In addition to the things we try to do to combat child abuse and neglect, part of BAANK's initiative is to raise awareness of the things other organizations are doing so that we as a team of believers, charities, child welfare workers and child advocates can do the most amount of good in the world.

Visit this website to find out how you can give and bless someone else this Christmas.

Christmas Charities 2: The Spring of Tampa Bay

Although this is not a 12th District-based organization, The Spring is a great organization to give to this Christmas.

The Spring is a Tampa-based organization that sets up safe houses for victimized women and their children. According to its website, it is the DCF-certified Domestic Violence Center for Hillsborough County. Its mission is "to prevent domestic violence, protect victims and promote change in lives, families, and communities."

Their website outlines some unwrapped gift ideas for the families they help:

 

Help make the holidays bright for the families we serve with your gift!

Gift Suggestions:

Target gift cards (of any amount), Sports balls
Wal-Mart gift cards (of any amount), Infant toys
Non-violent toys, Teen gifts
Dolls of all cultures - No stuffed animals, please!

Find more information on their website.

Or, if you want to give unwrapped toys locally, you can always drop them off at any location that participates in Toys for Tots, including Publix and some churches and schools.

Christmas Charities: Be A Foster Angel Sponsor

With Thanksgiving upon us and November coming to a close soon, it's time to start looking for Christmas charities to give to. There are scores of worthy organizations that help needy children at Christmas. Through the Angel Sponsor program, you can donate unwrapped toys to the 12th District's most vulnerable children who may not otherwise have toys under the tree.

Dear Community Member,

You may have been an Angel Sponsor in the past and if so, you are probably aware of the Sarasota Family YMCA's many contributions to improve the lives of children and families in need. One of our biggest programs is the Safe Children Coalition. Monthly, the Safe Children Coalition serves close to 1,300 children in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto Counties who have been abused or neglected.

Every holiday season we rely upon the generosity of members of our communities to help us make the holiday season special for these vulnerable children. You or members of your organization can help by becoming a Foster Angel Sponsor. This is a great opportunity to make a real difference one child at a time. Our children would be especially thankful!

Please follow this link to our sponsor letter.

Sincerely,

The Angels Team

The Foster Angels Team
The Sarasota Y / Safe Children Coalition

What a great thought, that a needy child will excitedly open your gift at Christmas and ask who it's from: "Your Angel Sponsor!" Isn't that a way to feel loved! Please consider sponsoring a child this Christmas by donating toys through the Angel Sponsor program. We'll check in and post about other charities you can donate to as well.