Did you know that domestic violence is a growing social problem?  Margaret Bayston, CEO/Executive Director of Laura’s House, says:  “The statistics are staggering.  1 in every 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime, an estimated 1.3 million women each year.”  Given the low rate of economic growth and the high rate of unemployment, abuse continues to increase.     

        Handmade Especially for You addresses this problem by knitting and crocheting comfort scarves which they then distribute to shelters for abused women. Most who receive our scarves have never before received a personal gift, especially one so beautifully made. The directors of the 43 shelters through which we distribute our scarves tell us that the women who receive them are amazed that anyone has thought to give them anything.  They are thrilled with our lovingly crafted scarves.  Receiving them helps break the cycle of low self-esteem which allows these fragile women to accept abuse in the first place.  Brandy, one of our scarf makers, explained:  “I’ve been where these girls are and sometimes all you need is to know that one person cares.”  It is amazing what one scarf can do. 

        We never have enough comfort scarves to meet the demand.  In 2011 we distributed 15,000 scarves to 43 shelters (all the shelters in Southern California except San Bernardino County), and that barely makes a dent compared to the need.
  
        Handmade Especially for You needs your donation.  The cost for making comfort scarves is low.  All Handmade’s participants are volunteers.  We have no employees.  We pay no salaries.  All the yarn we use has been donated by yarn companies or by individuals.  We have ongoing daily expenses such as paper, toner, boxes, packing tape, etc. but SHIPPING is our biggest expense.  It takes almost $500 each month to send kits to volunteers and scarves to our shelters.  This will increase in November and December when we provide the shelters with 5,000 scarves in time for their holiday parties.

        Handmade Especially for You is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit charity, so any donation you make will be tax-deductible.  We provide appropriate receipts for all donations.  100% of your donation goes to helping abused women.       

 
        Please support our project.  Contribute $10, $25, $50, or even more.  Donations can be made through PayPal or by check (address below).