FAQ - Shane's Hearts of Hope

Submit a Photo of your loved one

What kind of hearts are you looking for?We are looking for hearts of all types, as long as they are homemade and with love, we are happy to accept them. The only thing we ask is that you don't use dark colors like browns/blacks... we want to keep the theme upbeat and happy. Some of our volunteers use wood, foam, quilting and some use yarn to make crocheted or knitted hearts, there is a pattern to make yarn wrap hearts, if you are unable to crochet or knit, there is a pattern that has been provided which allows you to 'wrap' yarn around a cardboard (can use things like diaper boxes to cut out of). The link is located here: http://www.uber-craft.com/home/2012/2/9/yarn-wrapped-heart-valentines.html

What is your email and mailing address?

Shane's Hearts for Hope
c/o Janeane Gorski
149 Forest Hills Acres
Hazle Township, PA 18201

info@ShanesHeartsofHope.com

What is the purpose of this project?

~We would like to help bring awareness to the issues of suicide.
~We are hoping to get people talking about these issues.
~We would like to show people that their life is worth living and that every life matters.
~We want to help end the stigma that is often associated with suicide.

I can't knit or crochet, how else can I help?

Well, first, we have a solution if you really want to make the hearts, You don't have to knit or crochet the hearts. We actually make some of our hearts by wrapping yarn around heart-shaped thin cardboard. For example from a cereal box. Here is the simple pattern. Please be sure to leave an 8 inch tail at the top so a tag can be attached to it. http://www.uber-craft.com/home/2012/2/9/yarn-wrapped-heart-valentines.html

We also accept any handcrafted heart of any medium. Sewn, foam, wood, whatever you can dream up. The idea is to send hope with a heart attached, therefore, as long as the hearts meets the required size 2-3 inches... anything will work. Please remember to leave a hole punch to attach a ribbon for hanging.

How many hearts are you going to need?

Hundreds of thousands! We want this project to continue on forever. I will be working on the file to make the tags that will be affixed to each heart, as soon as it is done, it will be available on this site. You can distribute your own hearts or you can send them to me. I intend to hand them out to everyone I know and ask them to leave in locations all around. If you prefer you can make your own and leave your own. I eventually want to make the hearts available to anyone and everyone that contacts me.

How big should the hearts be?

We are looking for a heart that is approximately 2" to 3" in size. Pretty much the size of the palm of your hand. When making the hearts, please remember to leave approximately a 6" strand of string to create the loop/tag holder.

Do the hearts need to be any specific color?

Nope, whatever colors you like is perfect. We should have alot of different colors in order that that attract attention. If your favorite color is blue.... make a million blue ones. If your favorite color is multi-colored... go for it. Ask all your crafty friends to give you their scrap yarn, it doesn't take much to make one of these cute little hearts.

What if I am not crafty and I just cannot figure out how to make the hearts?

That is fine, if you have yarn to donate, let me know. We can work out a way for me to get the yarn from you to donate to a crafter (myself or someone else) and we will do the crafting. Yarn donations are always welcome.

Are you accepting hearts of any other type?

Absolutely! We also accept any handcrafted heart of any medium. Sewn, foam, wood, whatever you can dream up. The idea is to send hope with a heart attached, therefore, as long as the hearts meets the required size 2-3 inches... anything will work. Please remember to leave a hole punch to attach a ribbon for hanging.

Will there be a charge for the hearts?

No the hearts will be made from the love of our volunteers. I will never resell the hearts, they are a message that should be given away for free. If you would like to have some hearts shipped to you, all we ask is that you cover the postage by sending a self addressed postage paid envelope. I will have the cost and instructions for that soon.

How much do the hearts cost?

The hearts are free but we ask that you please send us a self-addressed stamped envelope with $3.00 postage attached so that we can afford to continue sending free hearts to people. (USA residents only please) [Price is subject to change with USPS postage increases]

I am local, can I pick up hearts from you or drop off my donation?

Definitely, contact me directly to arrange a date and time and we will make sure someone is available. You can email me at info@ShanesHeartsofHope.com

Would I be able to pick the colors of the hearts if I choose to have them sent to me?

We will do the best we can to choose the colors of your choice. Please remember though that the hearts come in as donations and we have a limited supply. At the end of the day, we need to send from the supply we currently have.

I am just not crafty, is there any other way that I can help?

Certainly, donations of supplies such as colorful cardstock, crayola thin markers, glue sticks, plain white printer paper, hot glue sticks, yarn, paints (acrylic works best), 1/8" wide ribbon for loops, 8 1/2" x 12" #2 Bubble envelopes , stamps, are all items that we often use to create our tags and are welcome and appreciated donations. We also plan to have some HEART CREATION PARTIES in the very near future, so if you have or scissors and small glue guns to build up our supply out that would be helpful. Alot of our supplies I purchase at Michaels ONLY when I have a 30%-50% coupon which helps keep our costs down. I have linked some of the items to give examples of what we are using, after some trial and error I have found these items work best.

Are you accepting donations of hearts?

Absolutely, we rely on the donation of hearts in order to keep offering the hearts for free. We need as many as you can send. We also accept donations of card stock and printer ink. Please contact us directly if you would like to make any of these donations. info@ShanesHeartsofHope.com

I would prefer to make a monetary donation, can I do that?

In order to continue the project and allow access to everyone we are opting to NOT accept monetary donations at this time. However, you can donate yarn, cardstock to make the tags or you can make a monetary donation to HELP STOP THE SILENCE - Suicide Prevention in memory of your loved one or Shane. Click on the link to make a donation to Help Stop the Silence.

I have never made a crochet heart but I am willing to learn?