Hearts and Hands for Humanity

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

Many of us wonder how we can help in the face of such monumental need for humanitarian relief and aid. We are given a moment of pause, perhaps thinking that our paltry efforts could never make a real difference. Ultimately, we ask the question, "What can I do to help?" Hearts and Hands for Humanity was created in the hope that regardless of the difficulties, we believe that every effort, no matter how small, can and does make a real difference. Said Mother Theresa, "If you can't feed a million mouths, then feed just one." It is in that frame of mind that we seek to donate, and work to make a difference.

We offer the following guidelines to assist those who would like to know more about what we do, and the primary items we are trying to donate to the LDS Humanitarian Center. These guidelines are used to help volunteers from any organization or charity produce items with the highest demand for needy people throughout the world. The guidelines are designed to help insure the usefulness and durability of the materials.

Ways to Donate - Time, Talent, or Treasure

Financial Donations: Send to Caren Bagley 859 Dutch Court Midway, UT 84049

Contact Person: Tracy Laws 801-772-0368

Donations of Time or Supplies: Every Wednesday throughout the year from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the LDS chapel cultural hall located at 825 East 500 North American Fork.

Donations of Talent: We are always needing people who are willing to share there talents. These may include: sewing, assembly, spreading information about our projects etc. Many of these projects are also approved for Eagle Projects and can fill the 80 hour community service requirement.

Website: Additional information can be found on our website at: www.heartsandhandsforhumanity.org

HUMANITARIAN AID ITEMS

The following guidelines are used to help volunteers produce items needed by Hearts and Hands for Humanity and its affiliated groups for needy people throughout the world. The guidelines help to insure the usefulness and durability of materials. Because we are partnered with the LDS Foundation, we follow the same guidelines provided by the Latter-day Saint Humanitarian Center.

Also note that each of these kits can be completed for Eagle Projects and are already approved.

Hygiene Kit

2 unbreakable combs (no sharp handles)
4 toothbrushes (packaged)
1 tube of toothpaste (6-8 ounces, no pumps)
2 bars of soap (approximately 4-5 ounces)
2 hand towels (see hand towel guidelines below)

Place items in a heavy-duty, one-gallon sealable bag. Remove the air before sealing.

Hand Towels (for Hygiene Kit)

Use new 15-inch by 25-inch hand towels. Please do not use dish towels or washcloths.

Hand towels may also be sewn. To sew towels, use terry cloth to make 15-inch by 25-inch hand towels. Serge or zigzag edges securely to prevent fraying.

Quilts

Sizes: All sizes are approximate; crib: 45" x 60", single: 72" x 90", double 90" x 96"

Use preshrunk, durable fabrics. To tie the quilts, use acrylic yarn, number 10 knit Cro-sheen™, or similar strong thread. Tie with a square knot or international stitch; make ties 3 to 4 inches apart.

Birthing Kit

1 heavy-duty, two-gallon sealable bag
1 plastic sheeting ( 6' x 6' )
1 surgical drape (45'' x 45'' ) or (45'' x 36'' )
2 receiving blankets ( single thickness)
4 cloth diapers
4 diaper safety pins
1 pair booties or baby socks
1 newborn layette gown (not footed sleeper)
1 stockenette cap
2 hand towels
1 wash cloth
2 regular-size bars of soap (Ivory or other non-allergenic brand)
1 fingernail brush
1 toenail clipper (approximate length - 2 3/4'' )
1 ear and ulcer syringe (2.5.oZ)

Newborn Kit

1 double receiving blanket (see receiving blanket guidelines below)
4 cloth diapers (do not include disposable diapers)
4 diaper safety pins
1 pair booties or baby socks
2 regular-size bars of soap (Ivory™ or other non-allergenic brand)
1 newborn layette gown (not footed sleeper - see layette gown guidelines, below)

Place items in a heavy-duty, two-gallon sealable bag. Remove the air before sealing.

Double Receiving Blanket

Fabrics: cotton flannel, or light weight fleece
Size: two pieces of fabric that are each between 36 inches square and 45 inches square.
You may also use a medium weight fleece. It needs to be a single layer, 36"x36" with the edges surged.

To make the blanket:

With right sides facing each other, sew the two pieces of fabric together with a 1/4-inch seam around the edges. Leave a 6-inch opening.
Turn so right side is out.
You may also serge two pieces together, no turning needed.
Baste opening edges and topstitch around the entire blanket for durability.
Sew a 10-inch square in the center to keep the fabric from shifting.
A narrow crocheted edge or piping border is acceptable but not required.

Layette Gown

Size: newborn to 6 months
Fabrics: cotton or knit
No zippers, buttons, or strings

Children's New Clothing

Suggested items: boys' and girls' clothing, including pants, shorts, skirts, shirts, blouses, pajamas, dresses, and underclothing.

Note: Girls in many countries wear only dresses. Simple, colorful dresses are easy to sew. Boy's pants and shirts are welcome.

Fabrics: durable and washable. Heavy polyester is excellent for boys' pants and girls' jumpers.

Use simple patterns. Double-stitch crotch seams, armhole seams, pockets, and buttonholes. Zig-zag or serge all edges.

First-Aid Items

The Humanitarian Center accepts donations of any of the following first-aid items in their original packaging:

Ace bandages
Adhesive bandages, 1 inch wide
Adhesive tape, 1 inch wide
Arm splints
Cotton balls, sterile and non-sterile
Tongue depressors
Cotton swabs, sterile and non-sterile
Gauze pads, all sizes
Gauze rolls, all sizes
Paper tape, 1 inch wide
Material for making casts

Other Needed Items

Infant undershirts
Knitted and crocheted sweaters
Flat crib sheets 42" x 72"
Children's pajamas (knit, flannel or cotton)
Toys

School Kit

3 pencils (unsharpened)
1 pencil sharpener
1 pair of blunt-nosed scissors (metal blades)
Glued or spiral bound notebooks or letter size legal pads, all with lined sheets. Include enough notebooks/pads to total approximately 450 sheets. Sheet sizes 8 1/2" x 11", 8" x 10 1/2", 8 1/2" x 11 3/4" are acceptable.
1 durable cloth bag made of heavy fabric, (See cloth bag guidelines below)

Place items inside the cloth bag.

Cloth Bag (for School Kit)

Cut two pieces of fabric for bag 14"x 18", Cut 2 handles 26"x 3.5"
Serge or zigzag all edges of both pieces of bag fabric.
With right sides of handle fabric together, stitch lengthwise ¼" seam entire length. Turn fabric right sides out and press flat with seam in center back of handle. Top stitch ¼" from each edge entire length of handle.
Put right sides of bag fabric together. Starting at the top of the side seam, make ¼" seam (side seam = 18" length), sew around three sides of bag (2 long sides, 1 short side). Make sure to backstitch.
Turn top hem down 1". Press top.
Turn bag so right sides are out.
Measure 3.5" from each side seam. Place the finished handle at the 3.5" mark. Pin or secure handle in place. Repeat with the other end of the handle on the same side of the bag.
Repeat on the other side of the bag.
After handles are secure, stitch hem of bag, including handles around entire hem.
Reinforce stitching on handles.
Place a 3" strip of Velcro on inside of bag between handles straps.

Sew in place.

Crocheted or Knitted Tropical Sore Bandages (Bandages for those with Leprosy)

Size: approximately 3 inches wide and 4 feet long

Material specifications: number 10 knit Cro-sheen™, 100% mercerized cotton in white or cream; do not use dyed yarn.

Knit or crochet the bandages to the recommended size. Roll the completed bandages and secure with a large safety pin. Place each one in a small sealable bag and seal.

Knitted bandages

Use size 2 knitting needles; use size 3 if you knit tightly.
Cast on 24 to 28 stitches so the bandage measures close to three inches across. Use the knit stitch on all rows to give the bandage the needed stretch.
Continue knitting until bandage is desired length and bind off. Secure the thread end by slipping thread through the last stitch, tying a double knot and weaving the end back through the stitches.

When using a knitting machine, use a double-knit stitch because single-knit bandages will curl.

Crocheted bandages

Use size D or No. 3 (3.25mm) crochet hook.
Chain enough stitches to measure 3 inches across. Single-crochet into each chain. Chain one and turn.
Continue to single-crochet to end, chain one and turn.
Finish by pulling the thread throught the last loop and securing with a double knot. Weave the end back through the stitches.

Guidelines for Sewn, Crocheted and Knitted Items

Keep items simple and practical.
Use durable, washable fabric.
Sew clothing closures very securely.
Catch-stitch or safety-pin together each finished pair of mittens, slippers, booties, and all other items that belong together.
Do not use buttons for eyes on knitted or crocheted toys.
If Velcro™ is used cut into round or oval pieces.