Vests for Visionaries takes old uniforms and transforms them into weighted vests for children. If you are interested in donating to the cause or your family is in need of a weighted vest, please message the admin of the page. We are located locally in Columbia, SC, but do have the ability to invoice for shipping if you are out of state. Types of donations accepted:
OLD UNIFORMS of all kinds (does
not have to be military style uniform, just something made of a thicker sturdier fabric). Also cargo pants/shorts, used dress shirts, or any type of left over fabric, just not Tshirt. THREAD: Yes it takes thread to sew, so if you have some laying around you wont be using lets put it to good use!! BUTTONS, PATCHES, SELF SEPARATING ZIPPERS, and other related sewing items
MONEY OR GIFTCARDS: For different supplies of course :) Any type of monetary overage would be donated to an Autism charity. Box 223
Elgin, SC 29045
SHIPPING: If you are out of state, Vest for Visionaries does offer flatrate shipping. We ship primarily in the United States. One vest is $7, more than one vest is $13.25. If you are international, please contact the page in regards to the shipping price. We invoice through paypal giving you the option to pay shipping with credit/debit or with paypal. Your invoice will only be good for 14 days and your vest order will not be made until your shipping has been paid. After 14 days the invoice will be cancelled and you will have to get back on the vest list if you are still in need of a vest. I do not weight the vests personally. When I started this I had full intention to do that if I could, but I have come to realize with each child differing in size and weight, it would be impossible to do this. I let the parents and therapists do this to choose the best weight suited for the child. Items that can be used to weight down the vests could be virtually anything. I prefer pennies or even rolls of pennies, but I have seen people mention rice, washers, and sand as other means to make the weight. Just make sure the item used is equal in ALL pockets. Here is some more information regarding weighted items and their use. Deep pressure, weighted vests and blankets can be highly beneficial to some children with autism, sensory integration disorder, ADHD and other neurological disorders. Based on the sensory integration technique, the added weight or pressure provides the special needs child with unconscious information from their muscles and joints. As a result, they may better integrate sensory information, calm, become more organized and improve their ability to concentrate, learn or eat. Generally, children who are easily distracted, hyperactive and lacking in concentration respond positively to the proprioceptive input. Our deep pressure clothing and weighted vests are great for helping in school and other daily environments.
