So as I was puttering about my workshop this weekend and listening to MLK tributes and pre-inaugural events I began to think about what can I do to help folks out. Since I like to do woodworking I was wondering if anyone has heard of any charitable organizations in the SF Bay Area that could use some basic stuff - little kitchen stools for people who can’t reach the top shelves, simple benches, that sort of thing. I’m not a fine carpenter (yet!) and due to some shoulder injuries I can’t do any heavy lifting right now (so working with Habitat For Humanity swinging a hammer isn’t practical, for example). Just thinking it would be nice to be able to turn spare stock into something that someone or some organization can use, in my spare time.
I don’t have any useful info for you but thought it worth mentioning that your heart’s in the right place.
See if there is a battered women’s shelter around or orphanage. Usually they work on a shoestring budget and having someone that can maybe, fix a drawer, hang a shelf, etc, might be handy.
You could also try Meals On Wheels, they spend time in the peoples homes and may know someone in need.
If you could fashion a wheelchair ramp, I’m sure you are needed.
BTW, thank you for participating in a better America.
You seem like a good fit to help out Habitat for Humanity.
I wish you lived in New Jersey or near Saugerties or Beacon NY. I know of three groups that work on wooden sail boats that are used to educate about the environment. You might find a similar group in your area.
That was my thought, too, but he mentioned why it wasn’t practical in the OP.
If nothing else, you could always sell your work at craft shows and the like and donate the proceeds to the charity of your choice. But be warned that craft shows can be a tough crowd.
Yeah, what would be ideal would be if someone said “We could really use a couple of X” where X is something I can whip up in my spare time - boxes or footstools or simple shelves for example (not a hand-carved mahogany mantle or a set of kitchen cabinets).
Although I could see if H4H could use something like a bunch of tool totes, that would be something utilitarian that I could make simply that would take a beating and would get put to good use.
And thanks for the encouragement everyone! I’m not contemplating doing anything earth-shaking but I figure “ounces add up to pounds” so a bunch of people doing some little things can make a big difference.
I’ll bet that Habitat for Humanity can find something for you to do that won’t aggravate your shoulder injury. So I wouldn’t give up on them yet. Go talk to them.
I’m not in SF, so I can’t help with specifics. But where I am, I know of a women’s shelter that is always looking for help outfitting apartments for the women and kids that they help. I bet stepstools and shelves would fit right in.
You could also look into things like rocking horses, wooden cars, wagons, etc for kids.
My first thought was handyman-type work for low-income/elderly people. Fix a drawer, put up a shelf, install a handrail, that sort of thing.
I agree–you could wield the chop saw for wheelchair ramp slats, or caulk and do other weatherization for agencies in your area that do that kind of work.
Or, if you have a salvage/resale agency in your town, they could sell your products and the money would benefit their operation, which may have other social services attached.
This place does non-profit salvage which seems to benefit their education programs, and recycles. If their wood is cheap, maybe make items out of the salvaged wood and give it back to them to sell.