The Safelight Project with chances for you to win!

Recently I had a very nice conversation via email with a lady named Laresa about our local women’s shelter and crisis intervention services.  Safelight incorporates many services for domestic violence victims and sexual assault victims providing counseling, case management, court advocacy, support groups and job training under one umbrella organization.  One of their services, a shelter for women escaping domestic violence has undergone some changes in the past year.  I had a few small items I could donate to the women at the shelter, but the more I thought about this, the more I came to realize how meaningless my little gesture would be.  So, I have hatched a plan.  Here is where you come in, dear reader, I cannot do what I have in mind by myself.  I need your help.  There are two ways for you to help plus you’ll have an opportunity to win some great prizes by helping me to provide gift bags like these to 35 residents.

First, I’d like to invite my stamping and card making readers to make some cards of encouragement and support for these ladies. Something that says “you are worth it”. Cards that are heartening and supportive. Make several in the same design, or use different designs, it is up to you.

The only request is to keep them uplifting in tone, and not to use a religious theme as there are many different religions represented in the residents, and we won’t know who is getting what.  Inside the card you can hand write, stamp, or use your computer to make an uplifting message.  You could copy a poem, make up your own sentiment, or say something like this on the inside (feel free to copy this if you like) –

“As you go through this time of change,
know that you are important and valued.
You deserve to be happy and safe.
Good luck with your future plans.”

Sign the card as you like – either “A friend who cares” or something similar, your first name or whatever you are comfortable signing.  Mail your completed cards to me with an envelope for each one addressed only as “For You”.  At least 35 cards are needed for now, and any additional will be saved for future residents, as (unfortunately) there are new residents regularly.  You can look to the designs on this post for inspiration, and for even more inspiration, see the blogs of two stamping friends who have graciously agreed to show designs and ideas for this event.

Heather’s blog, Heather’s Creative Blessings has some wonderful ideas, and is posting today for this event. She does beautiful cards of encouragement every month.   Her ideas are just so perfect for this purpose, check out her post today –“You Are Worth It”.  You can click on the card above and the ones below for her individual posts on these uplifting messages.

  

Then check out Heidi’s blog for her post today for the Safelight project – My Little Stamping Blog. Heidi has so many wonderful ideas, and is also helping to spread the word for this charity event. Here is one of her cards, One Sip At A Time, click on the picture to see her post on this inspirational card.

If you are not a stamper, you can still be a part of this project.  I need 70 sponsors to fund the cost of one-half of one bag and all the goodies inside.  That will be $5 per bag, with each bag having 2 sponsors.  This will purchase a reusable tote bag plus 8-9 full size items for inside such as nice hand lotion, mud mask, hair treatment, nail polish, a book or a puzzle, bath gel, new hairbrush, makeup, lip gloss and similar items as available.  See the picture at the top of the post for an idea of what they will look like.  Think of as a day spa in a tote, something to pamper these brave women who have taken an important step to independence, while giving them a bit of encouragement.

For every bag sponsored and card sent in, you will be entered into drawings for some wonderful prizes!!

First up, for everyone sending handmade cards in the USA, you’ll get one entry per card for this spectacular set of cardmaking supplies from Stampin UP!  Thanks so much to Rachel at the Stampin’ Up corporate office for providing this fantastic prize!   Click on the link to find a Stampin UP! demonstrator near you.  The Soft Sayings Card Kit contains –
* Folded card sizes: 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ (10.8 cm x 14 cm), 3-1/2″ x 5″ (8.9 cm x 12.7 cm), 3″ x 3″ (7.2 cm x 7.2 cm)
* Includes set of 15 photopolymer stamps, clear stamp block, 20 printed card bases and coordinating printed envelopes, giftable kraft box, die-cut accents, Stampin’ Spot, Baker’s Twine, washi tape, Stampin’ Dimensionals
* Makes 20 cards–2 each of 10 designs–using the included Soft Sayings Stamp Set

All those sponsoring a half-bag, and international card making participants will be entered into a drawing for a $50 MasterCard gift card  so you can spend it anywhere, provided by From My Carolina Home.  Sponsor a whole bag and get two entries!  So everyone has a chance to win!

The deadline for entering via sponsorship or card making is August 1st. 

At that point, I’ll do the drawings, complete the bags and deliver them.

You can sponsor in two different ways, if you use Paypal, you can send your donation to my email {frommycarolinahome (at) gmail dot com} using the send money to a friend option.  If you are not a Paypal user, you can mail a check made out to me to my address.  Sponsor half a bag at $5, or a whole bag at $10, any help is appreciated.

Address to send cards or donations –
Safelight Project
c/o Carole Carter
PO Box 524
Mountain Home, NC 28758

Can you help with this project for Safelight to encourage women who are changing their lives?