Friday, August 28, 2015

The time to craft has come!

 
Summer is almost over, and that means it is time to start our next projects!  As most of you have figured out, we love to end the year with a BANG!!!  That means, two projects at the same time!
Participate in one or the other, or BOTH!

Project 17:  "Sparks of Hope"

Our first project is for an organization located in Portland, Oregon...yes, we are headed north to help this very special group of children.  Here is a little about them:

*Established in 2011, Sparks of Hope is a 501c3 all-volunteer nonprofit organization that offers direct healing services to children and teens who have been impacted by abuse; assisting child survivors by walking alongside them in their healing journey to find their courage and their voice.  Based in Portland, Oregon, Sparks of Hope offers services statewide.  The plan for the future is to expand nationwide. Sparks of Hope's number one priority is to meet the needs of our most vulnerable youth in whatever capacity we can. Sparks of Hope believes that every child deserves to go to a safe, supportive, and fun camp.

It is through Sparks of Hope's Healing Youth Camps that these children can move from brokenness into wholeness, which encourages healing. It is a lifetime journey of healing for many abuse survivors.  Sparks of Hope Healing Youth Camps are centered on assisting the child/teen survivor to heal and reclaim their childhood, their power, and their voice.*

Upon arrival, each camper is given a Welcome Package that includes: New sleeping bag, pillow, pillow case, toiletries, flashlight and camp shirt or sweatshirt.

SO, our project will be making pillowcases for these campers.

HERE and HERE are fabulous tutorials...make it fun!  These camps are for both boys and girls, so find some colorful and fun fabrics to make them with. Help bring a "spark of hope" to these kids with a fun and fabulous new pillowcase.

DEADLINE:  November 1st

(This will give us time to ship them so they have them in time for their next camp, the first week in December.)

~~~

Project 18:  "Winter Warmth"

Our second project is one that we love to do every year...hats and scarves!  Since a lot of you love this project and continue to create beautiful things even in the summer, we are making it a fall tradition! 

This year they will go to Loaves & Fishes, located in Sacramento, CA. Here is a little about them:

**Without passing judgment, and in a spirit of love and hospitality, Loaves and Fishes feeds the hungry and shelters the homeless.  We provide an oasis of welcome, safety, and cleanliness for homeless men, women and children seeking survival services.

Founded in 1983, we are governed by a board of directors selected from Loaves & Fishes and from the community-at-large -- people who have demonstrated compassion and concern about the needs of the homeless and the indigent poor.

We recognize the dignity and the spiritual destiny of each person, and hope by our attitude of hospitality and love, to nourish not only the physical needs of those to come to Loaves & Fishes, but also their spiritual need for love, acceptance, respects and friendship.

We serve each person with the belief that "as often as you did it for one of my least brothers and sisters, you did it for me." (Matthew 25:40)**

Knit, crochet, sew and no-sew!  Any or all kinds are just what we are looking for...men, women and children's are all needed.  Get creative, have fun!
 
DEADLINE:  December 1st
 
Let us know when you are finished with your projects and we will make arrangements to collect them.  You all ROCK!
 
~~ Robyne ~~
 
* Sparks of Hope website
** Loaves & Fishes Facebook page