For several years, my primary volunteer work was accompanying my dog to animal-assisted therapy visits through the local SPCA. He worked at hospitals and senior homes, among other places (like psych wards). I loved it — with his tail-wagging enthusiasm, gentle nature and soft fur, my dog brought smiles to the faces of the sick and the elderly. A typical Golden Retriever, he loved all of the attention he’d get during these visits. It was a win-win. Unfortunately, he is also prone to serious staph infections — some antibiotic-resistant — which eventually made these therapy visits too dangerous.
For the last few years, I’ve been looking for some replacement volunteer work and I haven’t quite found what I’m looking for. I had hopes of including knitting in this work. For example, I put feelers out to a few places (women’s shelters, etc.) to see whether I could teach there but nothing came of it. The other day, I had an idea. I’m considering offering 2-hour private knitting lessons with the “fee” being a $50 (or more) check made out to one of three charitable organizations I would designate. (I’d offer three somewhat divergent choices so students wouldn’t feel that I was imposing my charitable-giving values on them by offering just one. Right now, I’m thinking of this one, this one and this one, all local organizations that I have more than a passing familiarity with.) Depending on my schedule and the student’s, these lessons could be at my house, the student’s house or at a mutually convenient cafe. The lessons could be for beginners or for knitters needing a refresher or help with a particular pattern or technique. My goal would be to do this a few times a month, which over time could add up to a not insignificant amount of funds for these organizations.
I’ve taught knitting to plenty of friends and I have raised a respectable amount of money for my kids’ school by offering lessons like this at the school auction. The way I look at it, I would be proselytizing for the church of knitting and helping my favorite charitable organizations at the same time. Like the animal-assited therapy, it could be another win-win proposition.
So my questions is: what do you think? Do you think this would be well-received by friends (and, hopefully friends of friends)? Do you think I should alter anything about this plan? What do you think is the best way to get the word out? Your input is sought! THANKS!
May 24, 2011 at 6:51 am
I think is a wonderful idea!!
May 24, 2011 at 7:20 am
Thank you — me too! 🙂
May 24, 2011 at 8:59 am
First, the idea of your dog cuddling up to people holding his big fleecy lovie in his mouth is the cutest thing ever.
Second – I love the idea of the knitting lessons. One thing you might want to think about is supplying the needles and yarn for new knitters – and pitching it as you “donating” the needles and yarn (indirectly) as well as your time. Also, I would set up a follow up lesson a week after the first, right off the bat, so that people don’t give up if they get stuck.
Great idea!
May 24, 2011 at 9:50 am
Thanks, Sarah. I can only hope that my students are as enthusiastic and capable as you! 🙂
May 26, 2011 at 5:01 pm
Another idea happening in the Pacific Northwest is that at a hospital, parents of ill children are being taught to knit so that they have something soothing they can occupy their interminable waiting with.
Knit Pick’s blog mentioned it back on May 11th:
http://www.knitpicks.com/cfBlog/post.cfm/my-visit-to-doernbecher
May 26, 2011 at 5:14 pm
I’ve seen programs like that — such a great idea!!!
May 27, 2011 at 3:33 pm
[…] for the feedback on my last post. I am almost certainly going to do this and I just have to formulate it and finalize it in the […]