Portable Projects and Partying with Purpose

You know I like to party with a purpose.

There’s something about gathering a group of people, flexing friend power, and spending an evening doing something for others.

Recently, someone asked me about party ideas for smaller communities that aren’t filled with agencies and opportunities.

“What about the little towns? The faraway communities? The places that don’t have others-centered organizations within driving distance?”

My answer? Portable projects.

Portable projects are projects which are completed locally, and then sent off to fill a national or international need. Portable projects have gained popularity in recent years because they appeal to moms who work full time, ministries looking to become involved in new ways, senior citizens who struggle to get out, and average families hoping to become a part of something bigger.

Need some ideas to get your project on? Try one of these.

Craft Hope. Craft Hope could be one of my favorite organizations that offer portable projects. Craft Hope is a perfect example of what a little bit of crafting know how and a whole lot of social media can do for a cause. Past projects include sending rags for an oil spill clean-up, creating pillowcase dresses, sewing sock monkeys, and piecing together bracelets for orphans. Craft Hope gets so much traffic, the site recently crashed. A new site is in the works, but for current project info check them out through their Facebook page.

Free the Girls. Instead of planning another girls' night out, plan a Free the Girls gathering. Free the Girls is an organization that works to end human trafficking by collecting used bras. Yep, you can box up those old bras, send them away, and be a participant in the fight against sexual slavery.

Color a Smile. Color a Smile sends hand colored pictures to people in nursing homes who need extra encouragement or a boost. Color a Smile has pre-made coloring sheets which can be downloaded through their website. 

Project Linus. Do you remember the blanket toting, character Linus from the Peanuts cartoon? Just like Linus’ blanket gave him comfort, Project Linus seeks to provide comfort for babies in need of a little love. Patterns and pictures available on the site.

Sole Hope. Sole Hope strives to bring closed-toed shoes to the people of Africa. However, Sole Hope does not want to send shoes in a buy them and box them up sort of way. Nope. Sole Hope wants you to participate in the creating of shoes. Materials needed to create shoes include: jeans, safety pins, fabric, pinking shears, fabric scissors and milk jugs. I know you will want to complete this project because you probably wonder what milk jugs have to do with anything.

  

Soldiers Angels. Support service members by participating in one of the many (I stopped counting at twenty-four) projects available to show service members love. This site includes ideas that will interest everyone including Patriot Pillowcases, Letter Writing, Ladies of Liberty, and Angel Bakers.

Oh, and you don't need an organization to focus on those in need. Here's two more ways to show some hometown love. 

Hold a Love Blitz. Because one of the most powerful ways to impact someone is by showing up. Sure you can leave a box on a doorstep, but what if forty people showed up at your front door? Powerful stuff. 

Birthdays in a box. Gather friends, go on a giant field trip (who doesn't love field trips?), and buy supplies needed to celebrate a child's birthday. Then challenge yourself to find a local organization or church who can give your boxes away. Fantabulous project to help involve kids.

Question for you (because you are so smart): Do you know of any organizations that offer portable projects? Have you ever participated in a party with a purpose? Tell, tell, tell.

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