The Giving Gemini name was chosen because I’m a Gemini, and this endeavor is two-sided with both a charitable side and for-profit side.

The charitable side began during the pandemic in the spring of 2020 when the first Giving Bags were made from leftover fabric samples. These simple, unlined zipper pouches were filled with new hotel toiletries collected over the previous years, then donated to Sojourn Shelter & Services in Springfield, IL.

The Giving Bags have grown from simple pouches to much larger lined totes with pockets, handles and zippers. Friends and neighbors have become involved. One enjoys bargain hunting through couponing and has donated full-size items. A mother and daughter filled Giving Bags for the December 2025 donation. A friend donated large cases of Paparazzi jewelry, and the mother of a long-time friend donated Avon products and office supplies. Neighbors have contributed food, toiletries, gloves, scarves, and several tubs of fabric. A former professor of mine contributed cash and hair products for women of color, and additional cash was raised from a spring 2023 yard sale.

The for-profit side began spring 2025 with its first show. Reversible mini totes in fun prints with matching scrunchies were designed and sold along with reversible trick-or-treat bags because, why not?

Two goals are to expand the donations to other shelters, homeless outreach, animal shelters, and more, and to take a percentage of each sale to purchase items for the charitable side.

If you know of a non-profit that would benefit from sewn items and/or other donations, or are interested in contributing in some way, please email thegivinggemini@gmail.com.

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