Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Sock Monkeys for Charity

Everyone who knows me knows that I'm a fan of sock monkeys. "Fan" may be understating it, I think. I've made 19 sock monkeys, 3 sock dogs, and 1 sock flamingo - most of them have been gifts. Friends and family have been requesting these special goofy souls since I started making them. Making them is fairly simple, though time consuming.

However, if you have the sewing knack or even just the desire and access to a sewing machine, now's your chance to make a monkey to help others. There are two opportunities:

Fresh Art in New York, NY
This organization provides "expanded artistic, personal development, and entrepreneurial opportunities" to New York area adults with special needs. They're kind of like the Special Olympics, only they should be called the Special Artists. To raise funds to support their initiatives, Fresh Art sells sock monkeys online made by interested individuals and some of the artists they help.

Similar to knitting circles, they have "sock monkey circles" (well, they don't call them that, but I do) every Monday evening in NY. If you would like to make one to be sold but don't live in "The City," you can simply follow these instructions and mail it to Fresh Art at 548 Broadway, 3rd floor, New York, NY10012


Softies for Mirabel in Australia
This local craft shop owner in Melbourne, Australia has organized an online "softies" auction, all proceeds of which will go to the Mirabel Foundation. The foundation works to help kids who have been negatively impacted by their caretakers' substance abuse issues, a worthy cause for sure. The deadline for sending homemade "softies" (or stuffed animals as we know them) for the auction has passed, but the group is still collecting animals to be given to kids at Christmas.

If you have a sock animal or some other creature you'd like to donate, mail it to Meet Me at Mikes, 63 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, 3065, Victoria, Australia.

If my sewing area weren't otherwise occupied right now, I might craft one of these monkeys today.. but there's always next week. Crafting for a cause never goes out of style!

Related Posts: Quilting for a Cause; Wine Tasting July 24; Helping a little old lady; Mullets for Charity; Hearts and Crafts
In the photo above, I'm on the left, my previous rooommate Christina is on the right, and her 'goodbye monkey' wearing a tutu is in the middle. They both now live in Iowa... or Missouri. Or somewhere in the Midwest.


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