Watching a documentary about the lack of women's rights around the world, Audra Peifer felt moved to act. In 2012, she started Binding Love, a ministry that sells handmade scarves with proceeds benefiting Christian-based homes for girls in Thailand. Now you can help support the ministry at a Binding Love workshop in Columbia.

The workshop will be held on Saturday, Jan. 13, beginning at 1 p.m. at Kindred Collections, 452 Locust St., Columbia. Participants will have the opportunity to design their own scarf at the "make and take" event, with 50% of the cost for each scarf donated to the girls' homes.

"I will provide the fabrics and participants will select the pieces they want to make into their scarf," explained Dory Impink, Lancaster coordinator of Binding Love. "One of our designers, Karen Graver, will assist them in how to lay out the scarf. Then, we will have a seamstress on hand, Marsheila Richter, to sew the scarf." Any scarves not completed before the workshop wraps up at 4 p.m. will be sewn off-site, and the participant may pick up the completed scarf at Kindred Collections.

Each scarf is made from upcycled clothing purchased at thrift stores or donated by individuals and organizations. "So much clothing is wasted in our country, but this gives those shirts, skirts and sweaters new life and an opportunity to make a difference," Peifer said. The fabric is cut into patterns by volunteers, who also create the scarves. The finished products are sold in local shops and online to benefit Eden House and House of Refuge in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Both homes provide sanctuary for at-risk girls ages 5 to 17, offering a safe place to live, education, food, Bible teaching and more.

Over the years, Binding Love has sent more than $40,000 to the homes, supporting hundreds of girls. "None of our volunteers receive any payment for their services, even me as the founder," Peifer explained. "This has always been and always will be about making a difference and bringing hope to the girls in Thailand."

At the Columbia workshop, Impink hopes participants will take away an understanding of Binding Love's mission along with a one-of-a-kind scarf.

"It's a great opportunity to put together fabric that meets your style and see it come together in a unique accessory that only you will have," she said.

She added that the organization is always looking for new opportunities to sell the scarves on a consignment basis, with the product currently available at Kindred Collections, Lancaster Sweet Shoppe in downtown Lancaster, Divine Consign in Manheim and New Holland Coffee Co. "Also, we accept donations of clothing that can be cut into strips to be used in the making of scarves," Impink said. "Sports scarves sell very well, and we always take donations of clothing with any sports team's logo on them, high school, college or professional."

For more information on Binding Love or to register for the workshop, visit http://www.bindinglove.org.