Lou's Place

Charity - Lou's Place (Kings Cross, NSW)
Item/s - Knitted or Crocheted Blankets & Gifts
Links - Facebook | Website

Lou’s Place is a daytime refuge for women in the heart of Kings Cross. Our mission is to provide a safe and welcoming place for women, meeting them at their point of need and supporting them in rebuilding their lives.

Many of the women who come to Lou’s Place are in crisis. Approximately 70% are homeless, most experience mental and/or physical health issues, and nearly all are survivors of neglect and abuse – physical, emotional, sexual, and frequently, substance abuse. Lou’s is a drop-in centre where they can find a safe place to begin restoring their security, stability and self respect. We provide safety on many different levels – from isolation and loneliness, hunger and cold, ill health, the dangers of the street or even the dangers within their own homes.

We have received beautiful patchwork knitted rugs before from knitting groups and we have almost run out so we would love to receive some more. We celebrate our clients' birthdays and sometimes our present is the only gift they receive on their birthday so any handmade gift ideas would be gratefully accepted. For more information please visit our Facebook page and website.

Street Swags

Charity - Street Swags

Item/s - Gloves, Scarves, Beanies and Socks

Our objectives are to provide homeless people with “Street Swags” in order to reduce the negative effects, illness and number of deaths  attributed to homelessness in Australia. 

We are currently seeking donations of winter woolies (knitted, crocheted or sewn, beanies, socks, gloves, scarves) to hand out to homeless people when receiving a Street Swag. All donations can be sent to Reply Paid 85789 Brisbane 4001, Queensland. For more information visit our Facebook page and website  

Lighthouse Foundation

Charity - Lighthouse Foundation

Item/s - Knitted, Crocheted or Sewn Baby Clothing, Blankets & Toys 

Over the past 23 years, Lighthouse has supported more than 700 homeless young people to take their rightful place in the community by giving them a home, a sense of family and therapeutic care that is trauma informed, individually-tailored and proven to work. Through their Lighthouse experience, the young people heal, learn again to relate to others and rebuild their lives.

There are eleven Lighthouse homes in Melbourne and regional Victoria where young people are supported by live-in Carers as well as specialist therapeutic services including case management and psychological services. One of these home supports young mums and their bubs. Each Lighthouse Home houses four young people for 6-24 months (depending on their needs) and a Live-In (Primary) Carer. Each home is supported by a volunteer Community Committee which helps with local community fundraising and connects with the local community to help with operational and maintenance costs.

We would be very grateful to receive baby goods, such as blankets, toys, booties or beanies. We have approximately 6 babies in the home per year. We would also be very grateful to receive any gorgeous handmade goodies to be included in a silent auctions at our ongoing fundraising events. These can be address to: Fundraising and Volunteer Coordinator, 13 Adolph Street, Richmond 3121 Victoria. For more information visit our Facebook page or website

Knit One Give One (Kogo)

Charity - Knit One Give One
Item/s - Knitted Blankets, Scarves, Beanies, Clothing and Toys

The seeds of Kogo (Knit One Give One) were planted in July 2004. It was a particularly cold winter in Melbourne and we decided to get friends and family to direct their knitting energy towards making scarves for people who were experiencing homelessness. That year we knitted 180 scarves (with our own wool) which were distributed by the Emerald Hill Mission to those in need.

To date, Kogo has distributed over 160,000 warm winter woollies to the most vulnerable in our community. Our volunteer knitters make a whole range of items – including scarves, beanies, blankets, adult, children and baby clothing plus knitted toys.

The finished items are distributed to people in need such as those who are homeless, refugees, children who are at risk, remote indigenous communities, women in refuges and families who are struggling to make ends meet. This is achieved via a network of over 180 different Public Benevolent Institutions, charities and government agencies who enable Kogo to identify those in need and distribute appropriate items. For more information visit the Facebook page or website below.