Speaking of donating to good causes, why not turn the plastic bags from all that holiday shopping into something great?
Crochet for a Cause, a regular program at the Main Library and at the Jones Creek Regional Branch, turns plastic bags into sleeping mats for the homeless. Each 3′ x 6′ mat is made of plarn, a “plastic yarn” made of recycled grocery bags. It takes about 500 bags to make enough plarn for one mat. The preparation takes about eight hours, and crocheting a bag takes about six to eight hours. When they’re finished, the mats are donated to Capital Area Alliance for the Homeless.
It’s a really great program, and there’s a way you can help! The group is running out of plastic bags and needs supplies. Bring in your plastic bags to the circulation desk of any of the branches and they’ll get to the crocheters soon.
If you’re a teen and need service hours, this is a great way to get some, too! We need volunteers to make the plarn. Come to the Main Library’s Teen Room on the second Wednesday of every month from 3:00-5:00 to help out.
Check out Pride-Chaneyville’s Crafting for a Cause program for another way to give back this season!