One of the reasons I love this project is because it gives me the opportunity to come in contact with other organizations benefiting the Down syndrome community.
This site is a place for people touched by Down syndrome to start their own blogs for free, to network, share, brag, pictures, etc.
I am a member, but have not had a chance to be very active on the site. However, they have one heck of a community going there and I encourage you to check it out!
Little LC Boom Boom recently had the traveling afghan in her grasp and got to take it to some of her favorite spots. She also got to share it with her buddy, Alayna!
They were absolutely tickled to have it with them and loved reading about its adventures so far in the accompanying journal.
If, by chance, I left out anyone (in terms of orders OR bids) let me know IMMEDIATELY and I will fix it!) I don't THINK I did, but I'm not the most organized woman in the world! In all, we've raised $132.00 for Melissa!
If anyone has any suggestions for another online fund raiser, let me know!
Otherwise, I am still looking for donations for Melissa (which can be made in the sidebar) as well as sponsors and silent auction items for the big fund raiser in mid-December in Appleton, Wisconsin!
Please feel free to contact me with any suggestions, donations or questions!! thet21travelingafghanproject@gmail.com
I was contacted by Patti, who was doing a fundraiser for her daughter Marissa called Marissa's Marchers. I happily agreed to provide an afghan for the event and here it is!
Ironically, while Marissa and her family reside in North Carolina, the afghan was won by a family in my own home state!
When their community rallied around them for a silent auction fundraiser, I was contacted by Amy and asked to make an afghan. Knowing Amy as someone who is constantly doing for others, I immediately agreed!
I am told this afghan has found a home with a family who has a special place in their hearts for little Miss Mayson and I am glad I could help them out with the donation!
Here is the Flege Family Silent Auction Afghan!
You can read all about the amazing Flege Family on their blog, The Flege Farm!
I was recently contacted by Andrea Roberts, the Executive Director of Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry and asked if I would be interested in becoming a Christmas Warrior for one of the children on the Angel Tree.
After a brief pause, I asked for information on the project and agreed to take on an angel after reading the information on the Angel Tree.
This event is a way to help raise money for children with Down syndrome residing in foreign countries who are waiting to be found by their forever families. The Christmas Warrior rallies the troops to pray and fund raise for the child they are assigned. I thought it would be great if we as a Traveling Afghan Community, took on the task of helping one of the many kids needing a home and a family to call their own.
Meet Melissa.
She was born in 2006 and, as you can see, wasn't real happy about having her picture taken. This also makes it difficult to find her a family. It is often a challenge for people to see past a "bad day" and choose to bring a child into their family with so little to "go on". Having a bad picture is the number one reason children are passed over for others with a great profile pic. Please consider Miss Melissa, and give her a REASON to smile!
Melissa has Down syndrome, but also some mild Cerebral Palsy (CP) from slow prenatal development.
Melissa is the T21 Traveling Afghan Angel and it's our job to help her get adopted. Yes, that means you.
One of my very favorite places in the Fox Valley is Harmony Cafe. I contacted the program director there and on December 16, we will be having a fund raiser to help raise money for Reece's Rainbow and Melissa.
This is a chance to educate the community about Down syndrome. This is a chance to let people know about Reece's Rainbow. This is a chance to find Melissa a family, or at least raise some money to help a family bring her home...home is where every child belongs.
This is what I need.
Sponsors: they will get their company name/logo on the posters that Harmony will print and display around the community
Silent auction items
Knit or Crochet Afghans: we would like to have as many as possible on display to sell, all proceeds from the sale of which will go directly to Reece's Rainbow
Posting in Down syndrome related newsletters, websites, etc.
Networking: who do you know who would be willing to donate to the event, be it time, money, or auction donations?
Attendees: if you're in the area, please SHOW UP. There will be a suggested five dollar donation at the door. (Note: suggested, not mandatory.)
SPREAD THE WORD: education makes the biggest impression with as much involvement as possible
Let's show the community what Down syndrome is. Let's educate the masses and get some monetary support for these kiddos. More importantly, let's reach those families who don't know what Down syndrome is; those who don't know there are children waiting and desperately need moms, dads, and HOMES.
Here are the basics:
Who: The T21 Traveling Afghan Angel, Melissa; and Reece's Rainbow
What: A fund raiser to help Reece's Rainbow and Melissa, a way to bring the community together, pool our resources and help a child find a home. There will be a presentation, question and answer session, food, live entertainment and a silent auction, as well as other items available for sale.
When: December 16, 2009 6pm to 8pm
Where:Harmony Cafe: 233 E. College Avenue
Appleton, Wisconsin 54911
How: Any way we can, with as many voices as we can...
Throughout the next two months, I will come up with some ways to help raise money for Melissa (in addition to the fundraiser in December). Money donated to her will go towards the cost of her adoption expenses and get her one step closer to finding her forever family.
In all honesty, the ultimate joy would be to someone in our community who is ready, willing and able to commit to Melissa and become her mom and dad. I want people to know about Reece's Rainbow. I want people to be aware of these kids and what they face if they are not adopted. I want to raise money to help Reece's Rainbow continue to facilitate helping these children find their forever families.
PLEASE email me with any assistance you can give regarding the fundraiser at Harmony Cafe or any suggestions you may have for helping us raise as much money as we can for this little one and all the little ones who need a mom and dad to call their own.
The greatest gift you can give a child is love.....
Read more...
Thanks to everyone who bought a "ticket" for an item! Thank you for all the donations and items given, which made the raffle possible! I am able to send over FIVE HUNDRED dollars to the family, in order to help them out during Mike/Stacy's recovery!
All because of YOU!!!
I cannot thank each of you enough and....oh, all right! I will get right to it!
I've been asked to keep up the button for general donations, so here it is.
Tomorrow I will contact all the winners for their mailing addresses to send on to the donaters!
Roadmap To Holland by Jennifer Graf Groneberg: This is the exact book the author took with her on all her travels across the US, the one that has a little piece of sage pressed between her favorite passage for good luck!
She will also include a personal phone call, or personalized help with a writing sample, or writing advice/coaching, or a personal letter from the author and her family (the winning bidder's choice.)
ITEM NUMBER SIX WINNER: Janice Tobin Book: Family Feasts for $75 A Week! A Penny-wise Mom Shares Her Recipe For Cutting Hundreds from Your Monthly Food Bill Donated by Author, Mary Ostyn, who also sent a copy for The Flege Family!
ITEM NUMBER SEVEN WINNER: Lourie Schuenke Handmade Brick Patchwork Quilted Pillow by MuMuDesign
(Click on her website to see her wonderful talent!!)
ITEM NUMBER NINE WINNER: Talley Images Book: Grace for the Race: Meditations for Busy Moms by author: Dena Dyer
Busy mothers need encouragement, community, and, sometimes, a counselor on speed dial! Dena Dyer — herself a busy young mom — uses real-life stories, scripture, and gentle humor to soothe the souls of frazzled females. By being honest and vulnerable about the ways God has shown Himself to her as she's struggled with motherhood, Dena hopes to help moms realize that they're not alone—and they're not crazy! She says, "I surely don’t have it all together (in fact, I usually can't even find it all), but I do have a Coach who holds me together. And I long to come alongside you as a fellow runner, not an expert, to cheer you on in your daily race."
ITEM NUMBER FIFTEEN WINNER: The T21 Traveling Afghan Project A handmade set: A blue, crib sized afghan (very soft!) and a camoflauge sweater (sized at 2T, made with basic yarn)
ITEM NUMBER SIXTEEN WINNER: CJ Field A handmade set: a blue scalloped edge sweater (size 6-9 month, made with pure cotton yarn) and a multi-colored receiving blanket and matching hat for a newborn (made with basic yarn)
ITEM NUMBER SEVENTEEN WINNER: Courtney McDermott Plastic Bag Holder
You can choose one of the holders from the picture below OR one will be custom made for you in your choice of colors! These are a GREAT way to hide away the empty bags you want to keep on hand, but out of site...with style!!
Donated by Anne Arnold
ITEM NUMBER EIGHTEEN WINNER: Heidi Crook Pick a Name and A Color!
My daughter has one of these on her walls and I honestly believe it has helped her in learning to recognize her name a GREAT deal!!
Donated by Anne Arnold
ITEM NUMBER NINETEEN WINNER: Marshal Savage TuTu and matching Hair bow!
This is a six to eighteen month size TuTu (LC's Mom will make one larger if the winner is interested) and a matching hair bow, like the one in the following picture of the adorable LC!
ITEM NUMBER TWENTY-FIVE WINNERS: Bruce Pocock and Cornish Adoption Journey TWO gift certificates from Specs For Us for a free pair of frames! Any size, any color! These are THE frames for individuals with Down syndrome!
The winner will get a certificate for a pair of free frames to take to any Specs For Us provider in their area!!
Once one winner has been chosen for these two items, their name will be removed from the raffle and another winner will be chosen.
Donated by Maria Dellapina
Again, thank you all for making this fund raiser such a success!!! You are all amazing and truly what being a part of the Down syndrome community is all about!!
Read more...
This fund has been created through The T21 Traveling Afghan Project in order to provide afghans for children with Down syndrome who are ill or facing other challenges.
This money goes towards purchasing yarn and covering the shipping costs of the afghan. You may make a donation towards a specific child or donate to the fund in general.
When you donate, the child will be sent a card with your name on it and you will be informed as to which child your donation provided an afghan to.
If you are interesting in donating to An Afghan Of Their Own Fund, please contact me at chandosjoy@gmail.com
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