Friday, December 28, 2012

Children's Books from Jamaica



It is a few days after Christmas, and we're still suffering from "Christmas Hangover". You know what I mean, right? The house is still a cluttered mess while trying to find homes of all the new goodies. Toys are spread out all over the floors, and little bits of wrapping paper still show up from time to time.

My boys got a few books this year, and I thought I'd share two of them with you. I saw them while we were in Jamaica, and loved them.

The first one is called One Love and the other is called Every Little Thing. Both are by Cedella Marley, the daughter of Bob Marley. Both books are based off of Bob Marley songs, and have wonderful illustrations. They are hardback, although you can even get one in boardbook style for the littlest of readers called Three Little Birds. I love being able to have a little piece of Jamaica to read to them each night before bed. While we may not be in Jamaica physically right now, we can be there in spirit.

Check them out on Amazon and tell me what you think.




                 







Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Got Books?



The title says it all, Got Books?

A friend of mine from high school, Shelbi, teaches high school English and Journalism in a lower income school in the Portland, Oregon area. A few years back funding cuts caused the school to lose the librarian. Things have just gone down hill from there. Shelbi has resorted to keeping books in her classroom for her students to read. While most books are returned after the student reads them, some do grow legs and never come back. The students are mostly from lower income homes and don't have huge access to books, so whatever Shelbi can provide is greatly appreciated. She says books like The Hunger Games and Looking for Alaska are always well loved, and she ends up buying new copies of those books every year.

Along with providing access to books, Shelbi teachs Journalism, trying to produce a school newspaper and yearbook. This class has an extremely limited budget, which means no money to provide digital cameras to her students to use. How can one have a yearbook or a newspaper without pictures?

And this is where you come in...

Shelbi is always seeking books for her students to read. These books would have been published in the past 15 years or so, and would be considered mainstream reading. You know, the best sellers list that you see at Barnes and Noble or on Amazon. She's not looking for old cookbooks or How-Tos. They don't have to be aimed at kids or from the Young Adult section. Just in good shape and able to be passed around from kid to kid.

She is also seeking digital cameras, still functional and working. They can be the point and shoot style or something more fancy. They can come with cables, battery chargers, memory cards, cases, or none of that (although it would be helpful.) She can dig around to find the correct cables and such, as long as she has the cameras to connect them to.



Can you help the students who want to read?

If you have books or cameras to send to Shelbi, let me know and I'll get you her school address. Shelbi can provide tax receipts from the school if you'd like one.

Just to give you an idea about how little this costs, I sent a bankers box full of books from Kansas to Oregon and it costs less than $15. Mailing media mail is an inexpensive way to ship books.

Monday, December 10, 2012

One last pair of shoes

On the day we left, as we were putting our last bits into our suitcases for the flights home, I went to go put on the sneakers I'd worn down there, and was planning on wearing home. Once again, just like last March, I had one pair of sneakers, and a need that I knew was great. So, you guessed it, I dug out a pair of flip flops, put them on, and left my sneakers in my room, knowing that a member of house keeping would get them and use them.

I gave the first pair of shoes in March of 2012.

I came back and gave 60 pairs of shoes in November 2012.

I gave pair number 62 on the day we left. Happily. Knowing I'd made someone's day. And I'd do it all over again.

61 pairs of shoes. 120 pairs of new socks. 125 pounds of school supplies including a video projector. Other odds and ends like baby and toddler clothes, books and toys, and a candy sucker I'd forgotten about in purse. This was a good trip. A very good trip indeed.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

School Supplies Delivery Day!

Last Thursday, November 29, we hopped a taxi cab with our hotel nanny, Tamara (who is also who directed us to Servite Primary) and headed into the hills of Jamaica to Brown's Town. Our final destination was Servite Primary School, serving 700+ children in their 19 room school. (Think an average of 37 kids per classroom!)

We arrived a little after 9:30 and watched as the children were setting up their desks outside in the common area between buildings for an assembly. They were there to see us give gifts to the school and then continue their day with a major sports all-school competition.

 The school's main entrance

Seeing the children get ready for the assembly


We emptied the taxi of supplies and headed up to the front part of the school to be introduced to everyone and present them with all our gifts to them.

 Unpacking some of the goodies we brought for them

So many smiling faces, all excited to see us

 Doing "Twinkle Fingers" as a sign of excitement

 
More kiddos

Mrs. Crawford, the Principle, had the children sing some great songs. She then introduced Tamara, and thanked her for  helping us pick Servite as the school we would help on this trip. Next she introduced us as Americans who'd come a long way just to see them and give gifts to the school.
Mrs. Crawford introducing Tamara

Mrs. Crawford introducing us to the crowd of kids

Sharing with the kids what we'd brought; books for their library, crayons and colored pencils, pens and pencils, wall decorations for their classrooms, scissors and glue, and notebooks.

 Saving the best for last - giving Mrs. Crawford the surprise video projector she'd asked for, but I'd told her would be impossible due to cost. It was donated to the school and we were thrilled to deliver it.


After we presented the goodies, Mrs. Crawford called up the head boy and girl from the school to receive everything on behalf of the students. The head girl then thanked us so very nicely.

 Trevor with the head girl

Melissa with the head boy

Trevor and Melissa with some of the younger students 

The head girl thanking us for coming and bringing so much for them




A few days later Tamara came into the hotel carrying a bag that she handed to me. Inside was this lovely thank you card, and two gifts. Mrs. Crawford had picked out a set of Jamaican drink coasters and a bottle opener as thank you gifts.
The front of the card.
Her lovely message to us.



You're welcome, Servite Primary School. You are so, so welcome.





Shoe Delivery!

On Wednesday, November 28 we handed out 60 pairs of shoes. All 5 of the suitcases had been packed and were holding shoes, socks, and school supplies. We'd packed the shoes and then filled in the cracks around them with socks and supplies, so we had to unpack all the cases, sort the contents, and get it all ready to hand out. Our friends on staff there helped as well, but it took a little while to get it all organized. The shoes were tagged with sex and size, so that helped some. Once everything was sorted, we started handing out shoes and socks.

48 women, and 12 men received shoes and two new pairs of socks. 

In singles and pairs, women would come into our room to look at the shoes, try on a pair, and leave happily with their goodies. It started out with the house keeping/nanny staff, and then when my husband Trevor saw a cook walking around with poor shoes on, we invited the kitchen staff to come get shoes. The men's shoes and socks were loaded up and taken to the men on the maintenance crews who couldn't break away from their work to pick shoes out, but were still in need.

We saw so many smiles and received little thanks here and there throughout the rest of our stay. It was wonderful to be able to help so many people and make such a huge difference in their daily lives. 

 Janice showing off her new shoes
 Shoes in action - she'd had them for about 20 minutes
Shoes in action!

Loraine, with my son Ollie, after receiving shoes

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

We Are Home!

We are home after a long day of traveling yesterday. I think we pulled into the driveway around 11:45pm and didn't get everyone settled till after 12:30. So.darn.tired.

I'm hoping to get a post up in the next day or so sharing pictures and stories of the trip, and show you just how thankful people were.

I haven't been home a full day yet, and I'm already working in my head when we can go next, how much we can bring, and what school should we help out. On travel day I thought I was crazy, trying to take 5 extra, HEAVY suitcases with us, but I tell you what, 700+ singing, smiling, cheering, excited kids erased all that. In an instant. When we left I'm not sure who had bigger smiles, us or the school kids.

So once again, I offer you my thanks. For so much. For believing in this and me and believe that the need was there. We didn't fill it completely, but we sure let people in Jamaica know that we know of their need and care enough to try and fix it.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Delivery Day!!

Today is the day we will be delivering all the supplies to Servite Primary in Brown's Town. So excited!! Will post pictures later.

Yahoo!!!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Leaving on a Jet Plane


Folks, the time has come and we are off!

If this post is live, it means we've left for our trip and are well on our way to delivering the shoes and school supplies we've been collecting all summer long. We will have dragged the 5 extra large (50 pounds a piece!) suitcases with us.

Delivery day at Servite Primary will be Thursday, November 29. Mrs. Crawford and the children can look for us to be coming. I hope they love all the school supplies, books, and other goodies we will be bringing. I'm excited to give this gift from all of us to them!

Thank you for making this happen. Thank you for taking the time to donate something. Thank you for making the difference in the lives of those receiving these gifts. Thank you for giving back in such an easy way. Thank you for supporting me to make this happen. Thank you.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Giving Tuesday


Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, (#GivingTuesday) also known as Generous Tuesday. What is that you say? It is a national day of giving on November 27, 2012, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, called #GivingTuesday, will be the first of its kind. Coinciding with the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday will harness the power of social media to create a national moment around the holidays dedicated to giving, similar to how Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become days that are synonymous with holiday shopping. (as mentioned on www.nonprofitpathways.org)

I'd like to take this day to formally highlight Kansas City Rescue Mission. I know you've seen my posts about this organization lately, but I'd really like you to get to know it, its needs, and just how you can help.


I was first introduced to this organization just about a month ago. A friend told me she had volunteered there, and liked it. I was looking for a shelter that could use some cake mix and cereal I'd purchased at Target after Halloween, and this was the outlet I needed. After making another donation just last week I decided to be apart of a blog hop today, and hopefully give KCRM a boost.

In 2011, KCRM served 1,471 individual people, giving them shelter for the night, a meal, or support. They served 86,855 meals. That my friends, is a lot of food. It takes an small army of volunteers (think 2,027 people giving 13,258 hours of their time) to produce the meals needed to feed those hungry people. One way you and your family could help out this season (or all year round) is to give your time. It doesn't cost you anything. You get the feel-good feeling of helping out those in need. You can share with your children the importance of giving.

Another way you could help out is by donating items to the shelter. Right now they are in desperate need of men's white socks, underwear, coats, and jeans. They need foods like meat, sugar, breakfast cereals and meat, and canned goods. Over-the-counter medicines (without alcohol) are also needed. Toiletries like deodorant, shave gel and razors, combs, and soap. Don't feel like you have to have a car full of stuff in order to make a difference. It all does. Perhaps you'd like to have a shelter drive in your neighborhood. Pick out one or two items, keep the focus small, and ask your neighbors to drop the items off at your house. Then take them down.

Maybe you'd like to give in another way. Consider a baked goods drive. While the shelter does receive donations from local grocery store bakeries, we all know nothing beats homemade treats. Get together with your neighbors, moms group, office workers, running club, scout troop, or church. Pick a day that you want to collect the baked goods and have everyone bring them. Plan on driving to KCRM that afternoon or the next day with a car full of goodies. This is an easy outreach. You can make it fun by having your kids help you bake, and explain to them just who you're baking for. It's a win-win. You get quality time with your kids and the shelter gets some tasty treats that provide a little ray of hope.

I hope you consider getting involved with Kansas City Rescue Mission, or another shelter of your choosing. If we all took the time to do just one of these easy ideas, this shelter, or any shelter, would be filled with love and hope, encouragement for a brighter tomorrow.

Please help make #GivingTuesday 2012 a success.
Get involved.
Make a difference.




To learn about other Kansas City charities and how you can make the season brighter for others, visit these great blogs:


Everyday Truth --- Bear Hugs

it's me, debcb! --- Safehome

Back to Allen --- The Children's Place

Whatcha Makin Now --- Wayside Waifs

Soleful Suitcases --- KC Rescue Mission

Wayward Dogs --- Midwest Adopt-a-Bull

Sarah Scoop --- Toys for Tots

Laughing Cat Creations --- Turning Point

Blogchickabowow --- Jewish Family Services

Healthnut Foodie --- Veronica's Voice

Raising the Barrs --- Hillcrest Transitional Housing

KC Edventures --- Salvation Army; Children's Mercy

The Happy Family Movement --- Rose Brooks Women's Center



Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Thanksgiving Love to Kansas City Rescue Mission

Thanks to my neighbors and friends who answered my pleas for homemade baked goods, the men at Kansas City Rescue Mission will have some tasty pies, quick breads, and muffins tomorrow to munch on; a little pre-Thanksgiving treat.



They will also have 15 loaves of Hostess bread, and 20 packages of Hostess cookies. Thank you Hostess for having a fire sale on your Bakery Outlet stores, and allowing the prices to be unbeatable. I feel blessed to be able to buy these items and give to those in need.

Do you want to be part of a large baked good drive I'll be hosting mid-December? While making your holiday goodies, why not make an extra batch and set it aside for the men at Kansas City Rescue Mission. I'll post more details as the time gets closer, but please plan on helping. A loaf of banana bread to us is small, but it is a huge ray of hope to those in desperate need.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Guadalupe Centers

I had to take my car in to be repaired today, and while waiting in the lobby, I was watching the tv. They had it tuned into Fox 4, a local station running a bit on The Guadalupe Centers, a local charity in town focused on the needs of Latino families. The Center was looking for people or families in the KC metro area willing to adopt a person or family in need for the holiday season. The adopting family would get information on the family in need, do the shopping, and help make the needy family have a great holiday season. Or, you could just donate money and The Center would do the shopping for you.

I think this sounds like a great cause to be involved with. You can find information about the center here at http://www.guadalupecenters.org/ or 816-415-1015.




Or, if you are not in the Kansas City area and still want to be involved, consider looking at taking a tag from the Giving Tree in your local mall or church. My gym even has a giving tree. Those gifts really to make a difference to the people on the receiving end. Share with us how you are getting involved this holiday season.

Friday, November 16, 2012

30 Days of Thanks!

It is Friday, the weekend before Thanksgiving, and we are all starting to rush around with the busyness of the season. Our minds are on what we are cooking or eating this coming week, what gifts are on sale that we need to buy, wrap, and give. We are in go-go-go mode and there is no stopping till after the New Year starts.

However, now is the time we should also stop, take a moment, and count our blessings. Realize what we are thankful for, and be happy for the joys in our life. I've tried to take this to heart this year, and have been doing a 30 Days of Thanks challenge on Facebook. I've posted something each day I'm thankful for. Some days it is the little things like the DVD player in my car to keep my boys entertained while we are out doing a full day of errands. Another day was my feet, and how they can carry me on a long run to complete a race. There have also been several days were I've been thankful for the healthcare and doctors that have been taking such great care of my dad as he battles his illnesses.

Whatever your reasons to be thankful this year, be sure and keep them in mind. Share your reasons with your friends and family - let them know you are thankful for them and all they do to and for you. I have yet to meet someone who doesn't like to be told you are thankful for them.

I know that in just over a week, there will be a lot of thankful children at Servite Primary school who will be receiving lots of books and school supplies. And about 65 adults in the Runaway Bay area who will be receiving shoes and socks that you donated. While they might not say "thank you" to you in person, have no doubts they will be thankful as well.

Comment here and share what you're thankful for, or how you are celebrating the season.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Beds, Sheets, or Bedding to Spare?

In my quest to highlight some worthy causes, and yet make things easy to follow through with, I've decided to share with you an organization I found just recently. The organization is called Sleepyhead Beds, and they do great work here in Kansas City.


The process is simple. You have an unwanted or unneeded bed. Could be the whole thing with frame, mattress, and box springs. Could just be a mattress or box springs. You don't know how to get rid of it since Goodwill or other places won't take it, yet you don't want to waste it by throwing it away. So, you get in touch with Sleepyhead Beds, and they clean it and get it into the home of needy children all across the metro.

Or perhaps, like me, you cleaned out your linen closet and discovered you had *way* more sheet sets that you could ever need or hope to use. So, you wash them and bundle them up so the sets match, you label them with the size, and then donate them. Sleepyhead Beds gets them onto the beds they deliver of kids that would otherwise be sleeping on floors.

The process is simple, the need is great, and the results are quick. I dropped my sheet sets off with Monica, and she later told me via email that all my sheets were onto beds in needy homes within a week. Amazing. They didn't sit around in a warehouse waiting to be sorted and cataloged. They were just put into use. I'm thrilled to be able to be of assistance to an organization that does so much good in our area, and does it quickly.

If you have a bed, mattress, box springs, sheets, blankets, or new pillows, please consider making a donation to Sleepyhead Beds. They are always in need of beds. Or if you have a truck and some time, consider taking a few hours to deliver and set up beds. You won't get a bigger thanks that the one you'll get from the person who will finally have a bed to call their own.

You can contact Sleepyhead Beds via their website www.sleepyheadbeds.org. They have a donate form you can fill out, or a link to paypal for a direct cash donation.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Shelter Donations

Hey friends and followers,

I know I've been radio-silent for a little bit, but I don't want you to think I'm going to let this blog die. So, keep coming back!

While our trip has been rescheduled for just after Thanksgiving, and our suitcases are still packed and ready to go, I've been busy cooking up other ways to give back in my head, and I'd like to share one of them with you today. I think after our trip is done, and I've updated everyone on how things went, I'd like to use this blog as a platform to introduce you to, or highlight ways, in which we as a collective, can give to those in need in small, easy and affordable ways.

So, let me start with this one.

A few days ago I was at Target do to my normal grocery shopping and walked past the Halloween aisle, with all its 90% off glory. I didn't really find anything that interested me, but there was an entire shelf of Halloween themed cake mixes. Normally priced at $1.69 (ish), they were included in the 90% off sale, making them 12 cents. That's right, I said 12 cents. Humm, I thought. With all the food donation barrels out around town, I could pick up a few and drop them in. Someone would eat this for 12 cents. So, I picked up 44 of them, put them in my cart, and kept on walking. I did take a picture and post my find on Facebook, hoping someone else would do the same thing I was.

I little walking later I ran into an end cape with Halloween cereal, normally $2.66 per box, marked down to $1.66. However, being as it was Halloween themed, I picked up a box, found a price scanner, and learned it was really only $0.26 per box. And, bonus time folks, it was a General Mills cereal, and I had coupons for those.


On my first trip through the register, I was able to purchase 44 cake mixes and 24 boxes of cereal for 6.52 + tax after coupons. After taking those out to my car, I decided I couldn't let the rest sit on the shelves and went back for them all. Grand take was 70 boxes of cake mix and 53 boxes of cereal.

I asked for ideas as to where to take the items, and my friend Kelly from my local M.O.M.S. Club suggested Kansas City Rescue Mission. www.kcrm.org They were in desperate need of food, and would really be able to use what I had. I called them up, and yes in fact, they would be so excited to have this donation. I told them my husband would drop it off the next morning on his way to work, and we were set.  I decided to do a little more reading about them on their website, and learned they are a men's shelter downtown serving the needs of those down there who need a bed and a meal for the night, but also offer more long term help and solutions. I added some basic toiletries like shave gel, body wash, lotion, and a brand new diabetes testing kit my husband had received at a health fair to the donation pile, and we were set.

The next day Paul from the shelter called to once again thank us for our donation. The shelter is grateful for the donation. I'm happy to have helped fill a need, and even more excited that I was able to stretch my dollar and make it work for those really in need.

Please consider looking around your Target for the super cheap food stuffs and donating them to a shelter in your area. You certainly don't have to buy them all, but even just a few cake mixes, cereal boxes, or other items are an affordable donation anyone can do. Just drop them in one of the many food donation barrels blanketed across your city, and make a difference. Be sure to comment here with what you're doing to help out.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Trip is Back On!

Good news everyone! Our trip is rescheduled, and we are booked to go just after Thanksgiving. The suitcases are still packed and waiting to go, so we are going to take them about 6 weeks later than we'd planned, but that's okay. With the hurricane this past week, our trip would have been miserable. I found out that our return flights were canceled as all the airports were closed, and we would have been trying to find a way home - think sitting in an airport for hours on end with a 4 and 1 year old. Umm, no thanks.
My dad is doing better. Not 100%, but well on the way to recovery. I'm glad we were not in Jamaica for all that.  Thank you for all your kind words and good thoughts about him.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Trip Delay

I'm sad to report that our trip to Jamaica has been put on hold for now. My parents were going to travel with us, and my dad will not be able to make the trip. He has been in the hospital and while many things like stroke and brain hemorrhage have been ruled out, his doctors are now thinking he has meningitis. I can't tell you how bummed I am about the trip, and not being able to go at this time. However, we are still planning to go this fall, just now maybe over Thanksgiving. I will keep you all updated.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Packed!

We are all packed!

Okay, when I say we, I mean Soleful Suitcases. Those 5! (yes, FIVE!) suitcases are packed and ready to go. We fit each and every pair of shoes, socks, and last little school supplies into those bags. Oh yeah, and tons and tons of love. I know, that really does sound cheese-ish, but I mean it. This project was created out of love, and it has been the love and kindness of so many people that has propelled it. I could not have come close to all the donations without you. So thank you.

And thanks to my husband, for putting up with my 'crazy idea' and allowing me to follow through, with support. He is the one that will be schlepping those bags once we are in Jamaica, and will do the major heavy lifting (literally). He gets a gold star and huge pat on the back.

PS - I haven't started packing anything for us to wear. I guess I should get on that.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Painting and Packing

Last Sunday afternoon I spray painted the suitcases. While some of you may already know this isn't a brilliant idea, I will go ahead and reinforce that. Its not. But it got the job done - I will be able to find the cases that are mine while getting checked bags in Jamaica. 

 Getting the cases prepped and ready for paint






After the painting and letting them dry, we packed up two cases. These are ready to fly!

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Thank you Scrapbook Page

Thank you Scrapbook Page! Today's make n take event was a great success! I had such a great time chatting with those who came to make the card, support the project, or both. I'm so thankful you gave me the chance to have an event at the store. Your kindness and friendship over the years have been so wonderful. You always have a smile for my kids (even when they are shy or fussy), a kind word for me, and a fun place for the girlfriends to get together and share life's events. Your store is such an important 'mommy time' place for so many women - thank you for that!

www.thescrapbookpageonline.com

Be sure and check them out, and tell them how much they mean to you.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Event at The Scrapbook Page

I'm excited to remind you (if you've already heard it) or share with you (in case you didn't already know) that I will be at The Scrapbook Page in Shawnee, KS this Saturday (10/6/12) from 2-4pm doing a make 'n take (think craft project). All the pieces will be cut, and glue will be provided. You just have to show up and have a good time. The cost is $2 and all of the money will be going to Soleful Suitcases. This will go towards the remaining baggage fees and any last minute items that will need to be purchased. I'm so thankful for The Scrapbook Page and the generosity they are extending to me by hosting and providing all the materials for this. Please join me in saying Thank You to them by showing up and supporting this event.


This was the email sent to all customers today from The Scrapbook Page promoting the event this weekend, and here was the text that went with it.

SOLEFUL SUITCASES
is here this Saturday!
Giving shoes and love to those in need, one suitcase full at a time. 

 Do you ever feel that you could have done more?  Soleful Suitcases accepts donations of shoes and school supplies to aid the less fortunate in Jamaica.
Help Melissa, Trevor and their Soleful Suitcases help others by joining us for a fun, inspiring Suitcase Card Make 'n Take where all proceeds go to help others less fortunate.  This Saturday's Make n Take is only $2.

Stop by between 2-4pm, create this cute card and drop off your donations as Melissa will be accepting athletic shoes, school supplies and monitary contributions.




They even placed an 'ad' for this event in their quarterly newsletter which was mailed out a few weeks back. If you'd like to visit The Scrapbook Page, you can find them on the web at www.thescrapbookpageonline.com or visit them in person 13205 Shawnee Mission Pkwy
Shawnee, KS  66216 or maybe you want to call them 913-383-1552.

I look forward to seeing all of you there!

Lots of exciting news to report!

I've got a lot of news to share, so sit back, relax, and take it all in!

On Saturday, 9/29/12, Jimmi Lossing of KC Express donated a suitcase. It is huge with working wheels and a handle. Yahoo! Thank you Jimmi. This is the 3rd suitcase to be donated.

On Tuesday, 10/2/12 Tracey Weatherly donated 3 more pairs of shoes! Thank you!

On Wednesday, 10/3/12 Haley Washatka donated some school supplies. Thank you!

My friend Heather came over to help me get the templates for the suitcases ready for painting this coming weekend. Thank you!

Deidre from KC Express has agreed to help us get all these suitcases to the airport and through the checked baggage area. This is a huge stress relief. I was not sure how we were going to fit 4-5 extra suitcases, along with our own luggage and kids, into our van, get them into and checked at the airport, and still make the plane in time. Our plane leaves at 6:30 AM, so Deidre is agreeing to drive to the airport and be there around 4:30 AM. That's AM people, before the sun comes up. Thank you for this!


And if all that isn't enough, we passed 800 hits to this fine blog back on 9/30/12. Yahoo!




Thursday, September 27, 2012

Jackie the Sock Fairy

Thank you Jackie, who once again came to the rescue when I called for socks. Her donation enable me to purchase 26 pairs of men's socks. You will forever and always be known as The Sock Fairy! Thank you so much!


Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Cupcake Love!

Thank you 3 Girls Cupcakes! While it took a little while to connect, my husband Trevor made it to the mobile truck today and picked up the donation from them. And while there, he also picked up a few cupcakes to bring home. (Thanks for the extra one, Yum!)



I'm excited to dig into these, and not share with the boys!




Be sure to check them out when you see them out and about around town, or check them out on the web. at http://www.3girlscupcakes.com/

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Wanted: A Suitcase or Two

I'm still in need of a few suitcases. I'm hoping to get them with wheels and handles that work. They need to be big enough to hold 50 pounds, or roughly 15 pairs of shoes and then some school supplies goodies. They are making a one-way trip to Jamaica as I will not be bringing them back. Please let me know if you have one to donate. If I don't get them by the first week of October, I will be shopping at Goodwill to get them.

Can you help with this need?


Monday, September 24, 2012

A Sock Fairy?

I know we've all heard of the Tooth Fairy, but has anyone else heard of The Sock Fairy? No? Well, now you have. Her name is Jackie, and she is a fan of Soleful Suitcases. Last time I said we had a need for women's socks, Jackie came through with a donation large enough to purchase a huge amount of women's socks.
So last night when I tallied up all the shoes and socks collected, and found we were 28 pairs short, and asked if anyone could help, who came to the rescue? That's right, Jackie, our new Sock Fairy.

Thank you Jackie for believing in this project, the end goal, and helping to reach it. There are going to be some mighty happy people wearing new socks in a few weeks, and they'll have you to thank. Perhaps this is your new calling...


Sunday, September 23, 2012

Current Shoe Counts

Since the tagging of shoes has officially started, I had to pair up all the shoes and sort into men's or women's.  Current shoe count breaks down to this:

Men's shoes : 12 pairs
Men's socks:  none
Needed: 24 pairs


Women's shoes: 42 pairs
Women's socks: 80 socks
Needed: 4 pairs


Can you help out with a sock donation? We still need a total of 28 pairs.

Thank you to all who have donated your shoes, socks, or money to purchase socks. Without you, this project would not be happening!