VOLUNTEER: KNIT OR CROCHET BABY BLANKETS

​We are in constant need of donated baby blankets.

Blankets donated in 2020:  1,661
Blankets needed in 2020:  At least 1,700

Donated blankets are gifted at a grieving mother's bedside at our partnering hospitals.

​Why volunteer for Rachel's Gift?

 
​​♥ ​Give the gift of compassion.
Knitting and crocheting volunteers play a vital role in bringing compassion and support to bereaved moms and families. Blankets donated to Rachel’s Gift are gifted directly at the bedsides of grieving mothers. Your handmade blankets will forever be treasured keepsakes to parents whose children were in their arms for only a matter of moments.


​♥ It’s convenient.
Volunteer on your own schedule from the comfort of your own home. Just knit or crochet your blankets as you are able, fill up a box, and ship them to us when you’re ready. If you live locally to Rachel's Gift headquarters, we have drop off hours - see below. We never turn down a shipment of blankets because we’re in constant need. Each year, our list of partner hospitals grows and so does our need for blanket donations.


​♥ You decide the frequency.
There is no minimum requirement on the number of blankets you donate or the frequency of your donations. Each blanket you donate will provide comfort to a grieving family and will be forever cherished.


​♥ We love our volunteers!
We appreciate that you are willing to offer your time and talent to support the Rachel’s Gift mission. Without your dedication and generosity, Rachel’s Gift would not be successful.
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​Knit or crochet baby blanket guidelines
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​♥ Quality Standards
We have specific quality standards for blankets we accept and gift to our partner hospitals. We cannot accept blankets exposed to cigarette smoke or blankets that have pet hair on them. Our goal is to provide blankets of the highest quality to grieving families at their time of loss. We ask that volunteers use the specific yarn types and colors mentioned below as they are most preferred by hospitals, grieving families, and bereavement photographers. We cannot use blankets made of bright colors, dark colors, beige, black, red, orange, or solid yellow. ​All donated blankets are inspected before distribution to hospitals.


​♥ Sizes
Blankets must fit inside our keepsake boxes to be used. The best size is approximately 21in. x 21in. If you’re having trouble sizing down a beloved pattern, no larger than 25in. x 25in.


​♥ Patterns
You choose the pattern, we don’t have a preference. The final size and color are most important. If you need ideas, search The Crochet Crowd’s YouTube channel for detailed instructional videos. Their instructions for different stitches will say multiples of 3 or 4 depending on the pattern. Crochet loose and use 60 in your chain. If you end up with a blanket that’s too small, add a border.


​♥ Yarn Types
Baby yarn is preferred for both its softness and weight of about 3.5oz to 5oz. Blankets made of yarns with a weight of 7oz. or more are often too bulky to fold into our keepsake boxes.


​♥ Yarn Colors
We ask that you donate gender specific blankets, so always consider blue or pink the base color. Keep all colors pastel, please!


for Baby Girl
Consider pastel pink your base color. Use pink only or mix in / add a trim of complementary shades of lavender, mint, yellow, or white. Some ideas: pink with white trim; white with pink trim; pink with yellow trim; mix pink/lavender/white; mix pink/mint/white. Use yellow sparingly.


for Baby Boy
Consider pastel blue your base color. Use blue only or mix in / add a trim of complementary shades of pale green, yellow, or white. Some ideas: blue with white trim; white with blue trim; blue with yellow trim; mix blue/green/white; mix blue/green/yellow/white. Use yellow sparingly.


Gender Neutral
Always include both pink and blue. Mix in complementary shades of pale green, yellow, or white. A mix of blue/pink/white is beautiful. Stay away from off-white/beige to replace white.
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How to donate your blankets
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​♥ By Mail
Mail your completed blankets to Rachel's Gift in Georgia for inspection and distribution to our partner hospitals. Include your name, mailing address, and email address in the box. After we process each blanket donation you send, you will receive correspondence from us containing feedback, if needed.

​Rachel's Gift
922 Highway 81 East PMB 153
McDonough, GA 30252 

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​♥ ​In Person
Do you live near Rachel's Gift headquarters? You're welcome to drop off your blankets Tuesday-Friday, 8am-3pm ET:

​Rachel's Gift
76 Sloan Street
McDonough, GA 30253 
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Follow our Facebook community Handmade by Rachel's Gift to share your creations, find inspiration and free patterns, swap ideas, ask questions, and connect with other Rachel's Gift volunteers!

HANDMADE BY RACHEL'S GIFT ON FACEBOOK