Donated Clothing

  Our goal is to donate brand new items that are colorful and functional.  We believe a homeless person's spirits are lifted, if only a bit, when they receive something new, especially when they are accustomed to receiving clothing that is used, dingy, and perhaps a bit tattered.  When life throws a person a curve ball, and they find themselves homeless, even little boosts can make a difference. From the feedback we have received, we know that out donated clothing does indeed result in smiles.

    We currently sew hats, mittens, and neck warmers.  Did you know that many homeless people freeze to death each winter and many thousands suffer from hypothermia, simply because they did not have adequate clothing?  A huge amount of heat can be lost from an unprotected head or neck.  By providing hats and neck warmers to these folks, we can help them retain essential body heat which will help get them through a harsh winter's night.  The homeless also have to deal with very cold hands, even frostbite, because their hands were not covered.  A simple pair of mittens is most effective in eliminating this discomfort.  We firmly believe that these items can mean the difference between life and death to many homeless people.  

We sew these items from fleece fabric.  It is ideally suited for the purpose.  Here's why:

• It is very warm
• It comes in a wide assortment of colors and patterns.  Just looking at these pieces will generate a smile.
• It is affordable.  We purchase it in bulk at the best possible prices.  We can make 6 pieces from a single yard of fabric, so a little goes a long way.
• It is easy to work with.  The sewing goes quickly, which means we can create many pieces in a short time.
• It is easy to care for.  Wash and dry it in any way available, and it holds up great.

We are currently making and donating clothing to the following shelters:

• St. Elizabeth Shelter, Santa Fe, NM
• Albuquerque Rescue Mission, Albuquerque, NM
• Joy Junction, Albuquerque, NM
• Taos Men's Shelter, Taos, NM

We donated 
936 pieces last season.

A Native American grandfather talking to his young grandson tells the boy he has two wolves inside of him struggling with each other. The first is the wolf of peace, love and kindness. The other wolf is fear, greed and hatred. "Which wolf will win, grandfather?" asks the young boy. "Whichever one I feed," is the reply.  (Native American Proverb)

"You cannot make a person warm by drawing a coat," adapted from a Chinese proverb