P. Kelly Smith
Welcome to Freebie Friday! We were blown away by all of the amazing comments we got from Brandy’s blog yesterday. We love that you, our loyal readers, are just as passionate about what goes into the pages of Paper Crafts magazine as we are! We will definitely take your suggestions to heart when we come together at next week’s Editorial Board meeting. After all, this hobby is all about creative expression, sharing your time and talents and giving back to a community that’s always ready to rally.
Which is why I was thrilled when Paper Crafts designer Becky Olsen asked me and Creating Keepsakes’ Megan Hoeppner to join her last Saturday for a fundraising crop benefitting cystic fibrosis. Becky’s friend Brenda Hurd has a six-year-old son afflicted with this fatal disease, so every year Brenda hosts a crop to raise money towards finding a cure. I’m happy to report she made almost $4000 at this year’s event!
Here's Roxanne (Becky's sister), myself, Megan, Brenda and Becky.
In addition to the goodie bags of product for each guest, Brenda also held hourly drawings and gave away a ton of raffle prizes. As a special treat, Paper Crafts and Creating Keepsakes designer Wendy Sue Anderson was also on hand to teach a fun class featuring a layout she designed. And we each got to take home a kit to recreate this autumn layout!
Here's a cute photo of Wendy Sue and Megan. Isn't Wendy Sue's layout adorable?
I first got into scrapbooking 11 years ago, so it was fun to spend a day in the world of layouts (even though I spent most of my time making a card!). I had a birthday party that night for Paper Crafts’ former art director Stace Hasegawa. I wanted to give her the perfect card to sum up her love of Johnny Depp. So I searched our photo archives for a picture of Johnny that she had Photoshopped long ago. She had added that perfect touch to his already perfect body. Knowing she would appreciate the walk down memory lane, I printed out the picture and made this birthday card:
Who knew Johnny was such a fan of Paper Crafts?
Needless to say, Stace loved her card! And I loved completing a project (even if it was a very small one!). But the real thrill of the day was spending time with crafty friends and knowing that our combined efforts were going towards a very good cause. If you would like to help Brenda reach her crop goal, you can purchase one of Wendy Sue’s layout kits for $10 (includes shipping). Click HERE for more information. All proceeds will go towards cystic fibrosis research.
For today’s giveaway, one random winner will take home one of these very special kits. Leave a comment telling me a foundation/charity/cause that’s near and dear to you. All comments must be received by midnight (MST) on Sunday, Sept. 20.
Happy Friday!
Kelly
P.S. It’s time to announce the winner of Teri Anderson’s Eyelet Hoarder post!
Congrats to Cynthia B (Sept. 16, 4:23 p.m.)!
Cynthia, you’ve won both of Teri’s eyelet cards! I’ll be contacting you shortly to get your mailing address. Thanks to all who left comments!
I’m a scientist who does some work developing anti-cancer drugs, I always think it’s in the drug companies best interest to develop these drugs charitable donations or not. So I always give my money, time and donations to cancer care charities, those that support the patient and family, sometimes right until the very end of their lives and beyond. Here in the UK the two major charities for this are McMillan and Marie Curie, they both do outstanding work both with cancer sufferers and other people right at the ends of their lives.
Kidney Foundation My mom had kidney failure in Nov.08.
jdrfv – juvenille diabetes research foundation
My husband has Type-1 (Juvenile Onset) Diabetes. He’s had the disease since he was 7 years old. Our daughter is now approaching 7, and I can’t imagine how his mom or he, dealt with such a devastating life-change at such an early age. But to this day, and every day, he deals with it – testing blood, monitoring his carb intake, taking insulin through a pump that is attached to his body, basicially 24/7, etc. So for that we support JDRF-Junvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (http://www.jdrf.org/) in support of finding a cure to this chronic disease. Thanks for asking!
what a cool card!
i recently signed up to help charity: water
http://mycharitywater.org/p/campaign?campaign_id=592
riley’s children hospital (indianapolis) is my favorite. when your child is in immediate critical condition, there is no better place! they get all of my support.
My granddaughter, Katie, has Cystic Fibrosis, so anytime I can support that cause I am on it. I have already ordered some of the goodie bags to help. I babysit her and homeschooled her thru preK just to be able to help keep her treatments up. Fortunately, she is healthy, but it takes a lot of work to keep her there. So many children suffer with this very unpredictable disease. Thank you from the nottom of my heart for doing this fundraiser. I rarely see a fundraiser for CF, but it is getting more and more attention!
too funny!
Sandra
First off: That Johnny Depp card was a hoot! LOVE it! lol
My charity is the Smoky Mountain Childerns Home. It’s a place where kids go when their parents are unable to care for them and have been removed from home.
The place where I’m working at has suggested I try and sell my cards at their store and donate part of my earnings to charity. I’m thinking this sounds like a great idea, now I just have to muster the courage up to do it!
I LOVE Make-A-Wish. My sister works for their corporate office, and I can’t imagine a more fulfilling job. I’ve even been able to put together a scrapbook of a wish for a young lady. So amazing!
I lost my mom 4 years ago to breast cancer. I am passionate about supporting Komen for the Cure. My family will be participating in Race for the Cure tomorrow!
I like to support all sorts of Christian missions. The greatest need we ALL have, whether healthy, sick, rich or poor, is the grace of the Savior.
love the card! I have a couple friends that would enjoy that one…lol. For the last 2 years another friend and I have planned a weekend crop in the Fall to raise $$$ for the Komen Foundation. This year it is the first weekend in November. My dear sister is a survivor and several other women in my family have suffered with breast cancer. check us out http://www.2scrappinchicks.com
I am a mother of 4 and my second child was diagnosed with Autism. We always support any charity that donates to this cause. It is the fast growing mental disorder and it is getting bigger than diabetes, cancer put together. With 1 and 160 kids being diagnosed, you would think they would put this on the top to be cured or figured out what causes it.
My grandmother just passed away after a long battle with breast cancer so I’m a supporter of the many different (breast) cancer charities. I also work with children with autism, so that’s another area I support.
I give my money to Komen Foundation I have many relatives who have had breast cancer and I also give to Hospice. They do a wonderful work for family who wish to end their days at home.
I try to support our local humane society as much as I can. I wish I could adopt every dog/cat etc. that I see!
There are so many wonderful charities/organizations out there doing so much for those who need it. One close to my heart is the Special Olympics because my sweet nephew has Down’s Syndrome and we get to see him shine on his special day.
It sounds like a cop-out, but I would have to say the American Cancer Society. I was recently diagnosed with Colitis in January and now I am much more susceptible to colon cancer. Colon cancer was also a contributing factor when my grandpa passed away. I really hope that can find something to help through research!
By the way,
that Johnny Depp card has MADE my day! That’s hilarious. lovelovelove the paper*crafts tattoo! <3
I would have to say that Ronald McDonald House is dear to my heart. We found out that my nephew had cancer at the age of 5 years old and it’s been a tough battle. Staying at RM House was just a lifesaver for our family. Thanks so much for a chance at this sweeeeeet giveaway.
Love all the fabulous eye candy.
Bernie Berlin’s A PLACE TO BARK animal rescue
http://www.aplacetobark.com/ — and all other animal rescue groups in your local area.
In the Tampa Bay area we have a number of airplane pilots who give their own time and plane to ferry animals from high-risk shelters to areas where they stand a better chance for adoption.
My friend and I worked with a local night club who gave tickets for a free drink for every $5 worth of pet supplies you brought to donate. The local shelter srely needed towels and blankets and toys … We supplied the new, huge rubbermaid trash cans at the entrance and they filled up quickly every night. A great success!Y ou can do the same in your neighborhood perhaps in conjunction with a video rental store?
Love Johnny Depp.
Great card.
I think helping out at soup kitchens is very rewarding for all.
My favorite place to give is to Missions to help them do God’s work and also to The Good Shepard Food Pantry which help feed the poor.
Shriners Hopitals have been very important in our lives. My nephew was born 27 years ago with Cerebral Palsey and spent many years getting treatment to help make his life better – and it was all free!! He is now back in college studying to get his degree to teach high school math – what a guy
So proud of him!!!
We’re passionate about breast cancer and all cancer research in our family. My mother is a 2x survivor, as are many of the members of my family, who have been affected by this disease. My father died of cancer 5 years ago…so we support all efforts to stop this disease,no matter how small.
I lost a cat to the pet food contamination that affected so many people. Following that, I rescued two kittens someone tossed out on a busy street at 4 weeks old. For that reason, my cause is Bernie Berlin’s shelter in TN – A Place to Bark. The world does not have a person in it with a bigger heart than this amazing woman. She is absolutely selfless. Claudine Hellmuth, Suzi Blu and I each designed a rubber stamp for her to try to help her with the cost of constructing shelter buildings for kitties on her property. You can see the stamps we designed here: http://www.scrapbookingsuppliesrus.com/?action=product1
Loved the card! I have two charities I devote time and treasure to. American Cancer Society since I lost my Dad to colon cancer and I’m a survivor of breast cancer, and Alzheimer’s Assoc. My Mom was diagnosed in her late 60′s after caring for her aunt who had it. Mom was 9 years in a Alzheimer’s unit before passing. Both diseases affect the victim and the family so I try to support research in both areas. Thanks for asking…I’ve read the comments and it seems we all have our cause which is wonderful!
I have two friends who are currently fighting breast cancer and for the past three years I have organized a large group to participate in the Avon Breast Cancer Walk here in Helsinki. Our walk takes place next month and I received news that one friend has recently had hospice counseling. They agreed that she isn’t ready for it yet, but the outlook is grim. We have to find a cure for this and everything I can do to raise awareness or money, I’ll do it.
I was born with clubbed feet and my parents were told I’d never walk… then Shriner’s Hospital fixed my feet. I worked at Shriner’s one summer while in nursing school. I LOVE Shriner’s Hospital. ms.cheryl
the card is too great! Our family supports the National Multiple Sclerosis Society b/c I was diagnosed with it some years ago. We help out at the walk each year and I think it helps the kids feel like they are doing something to help out. We also shop for the local food pantry–they are needing things even more so now.
I think every little bit helps!
A cause that is really near and dear to me and so many is The National Fibromyalgia Association-NFA-www.fmaware.org. I like so many am afflicted with this horrible monster of a chronic pain disorder/disease and the NFA works hard to get awareness out there to doctors, patients and people who are supporting a family member with this condition. We, who have this condition, are confronted daily with people that just don’t “get it” and say “well you look fine”, eventhough on the inside our bodies feel like they have been crushed by a mack truck! Every joint, every bit of soft tissue and muscle aches with pain for no reason at all, making so many of us dependent on pain medications just to be able to walk. There are still so many doctors out there that think this condition is not real and “all in our heads”, well it’s not and research has proven that again and again. When we have really bad “flares” and need help at a local hospital with pain, we are often treated as “drug addicts” or “drug seekers” and left to cope on our own with the pain. It’s an invisible illness that attacks us on the inside every hour of every day. Yes, we have come a long way in with research, but we still do not know the cause of why our bodies attack itselves and make life unbearable at times. I’m hoping and praying for more research and an answer for why I have this condition, so my kids won’t have to suffer like I did.
both cancer research and supporting the military are dear causes to me. my family, including my dad, have a history of cancer and my husband serves our country in the Army. i strive to support either cause wherever i can.
Wow…that’s such an awesome event and I LOVE the JD card. So rockin’!
The event that is nearest to my heart right now is one I am featuring on my own blog. I am trying to raise money to help Priscilla…the blog coordinator for a challenge blog. She is battling cancer and has lost her job and insurance. You can read more about it on my blog: http://nikkistamps.blogspot.com/2009/09/today-is-day-my-big-announcement-big.html
Trying to raise money to help with all her medical bills is something that would mean the world to me!
Relay for Life is an event I participat in yearly. And on top of that anything that helps with cancer awareness, research and support!
I have too. The Shriners because if not for them I wouldn’t be here. They paid for my mom’s open heart surgery when she was 11.
and the American Cancer Society because my dad passed away due to cancer.
I want a copy of that Johnny Depp photo – just fabulous. My charity is Canadian Cancer Society which includes breast cancer of course. Main reason for choosing this one is the impact that Terry Fox had on me with is determination to try and run across Canada with one leg. As a teenager this had a large impact on me living in British Columbia at the time of his death.
There are so many worthy causes out there. One of my favorites is Make a Wish Foundation. I just love the idea of kids who are sick getting to do that one thing that they’ve always dreamed of!
Hello, My charity is the Canadian Cancer Society, as my Aunt has breast cancer, and I hope that there is a cure right around the corner.
The charity dear to my heart is the Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society.
There are many…here are a few: Make a wish, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Autism charities, Parkinsons Charity and the Humane Society.
My local church because they help local people – especially in these troubling economic times – and people in foreign countries with food and clothes.
the ms walk as my step dad died from ms and it really broke my moms heart that her dear friend in life lost his life to such a crippling diseases.
Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Cammy Lee Foundation and Alex’s Lemonade. My friend worked at all 3 place & I’ve seen all the great work they do at each organization!
I support Operation Smile. Their network of volunteers work worldwide to repair childhood facial deformities including cleft lips and cleft palates. Some friends and I hosted a crop for operation smile a few months ago and raised enough money for 3 surgeries. We plan to make it a yearly event.
http://www.operationsmile.org/
My favorite charity is the Ronald McDonald House. I try to go once per month. I prepare a project for the residents to stamp/make. I love it! It gives them a break from the normal house and hospital routine and I enjoy seeing all the happy faces in a not so happy situation!
One charity I support a lot with my craft is the Alzheimer’s Association. My grandmother passed away last year..she had alzheimer’s disease…a very sad disease to watch someone you love succumb to. Last year I illustrated a stamp set (Gina K Designs) and donated my proceeds to the Alzheimer’s Association…I have another set coming out in two weeks! Also, I organized a massive card drive for the caregivers of Alzheimers patients…over 900 cards were sent out brightening the day of those who spend their lives caring for others.
I LOVE benefit crops! There’s no better way to support a charity than to have fun while doing so. My friends and I all go to a great benifit crop in MO every year. They do an amazing job and we all have a lot of fun.
Retinoblastoma International. My daughter was born with retinoblastoma and my husband had it when he was a baby. I am very supportive of the research to try and help prevent this form of cancer.
At this time…….Leukemia
~Shari R.
My husband and I have adopted a child in India through COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL. We love being a part of his life and helping support him as he grows up in an impoverished country. Savannah O’Gwynn
Like many others I am involved with any cancer research. I lost my son to testicular cancer 5 years ago. My BFF is a breast cancer survivor. I also like to help out with the Shriners Hospital in my state. They are almost wonderful for children with all problems.
Your card is great!!!