{Give-A-Little-Love} Back To School Event

Back in May I had decided to do a giveaway a little differently than previously done ones. I wanted to give back. I wanted to give a child in need a party in a box…. little did I know that this letter would land in my inbox and change all my plans (but in a blessed way) Here is a piece from the letter I received..

“I know a small shelter that has homeless children and their moms who would love to have a party like this. I want to give my daughter the world and every positive experience I can, but at the same time I want to nominate them instead. She may not ever have an elaborate party like the one offered, but she will never go without at least a cake. I don’t know what those other kids have had to do without. Visitation Houseis a great place because they help single mothers get educated so they can make a better life for themselves and their children. It is really life changing for them. I hope you will consider them for the party.”

I contacted the shelter and Sister Cindy seemed a little sceptical at first… I mean… who just GIVES  a party to complete strangers? Yeah, I guess I’m a little out there but I believe we should all give back at one point in time in our lives. Just so we can keep our feet on solid ground.

I looked up and did some research on the Visitation House and they are such a blessing for women and their children!

Their mission is fulfilled by the Visitation House two-year transitional housing and education program which provides the opportunity and the means for homeless single mothers and their children to achieve self-sufficiency and independence through its focus on education as foundational to ending the cycles of poverty and homelessness.

In the beginning I had Janet from {Sweet Temptations}, Sara Dandy from {Dandy Delights}, Rosa Ahrens from {Crafts By Rosa}, Lynlee Beckett of {Lynlee’s Petite Cakes}, Maria Davis from {Love & Sugar Kisses} and Jessica Roe of {Let’s Get This Party Started}. Little did any of us know that this list would seriously grow!

Planning an event for that many children is no little cost and I have to say that I have met some pretty amazing people along this journey. Some donated money and some donated their products and ALL did it without a blink of an eye for a group of children they will never meet. We all understand that when we change one child’s view of the world we changes hundred’s more down the line.

I didn’t do this for the fame nor the recognition. I did this because I wanted the children and parents to know that complete strangers do care and are out there to help. We understand that life is not always glorious, that we have struggles with not only providing the basics for our children but struggles with getting them the extras that we cannot always afford. Lord knows I’ve been in this boat. My husband and I were not always fortunate to have the bills paid and there were times we wondered how we would afford diapers and baby food. I fortunately had family to help me and I sold anything I had to make ends meet. I’d do it again in a heart beat. There were times though that I wished to give more to my children, that they didn’t ask to have so little. Without my husband by my side I’m not sure we would be were we are today. It’s a hard, long road, but it doesn’t have to be lonely. I want these children and others down the line to understand that people can care for them even if they don’t know them. I may not have been able to do much but I at least was able to give them a really big birthday party and it wouldn’t have happened with out the help of all the wonderful people who contributed! With all the donations added up we had collected over $750 for the children’s gifts. I don’t think there are words to express the gratitude. The smiles and looks on the children’s faces when they saw the gifts was so overwhelming. It’s not easy for me to be emotional in public but I couldn’t help it this day…

 There were a few bumps in the road but that is to be expected when you are trying to put together something like this. I knew that I could not do this alone.. My photographer friend Sandra from Sandra Bludau Photography offered her assistance in taking photos that day and even got her sister and nieces joined in to help. The sister’s all joined in as well with the set up. Without them I don’t think I would have been able to bring it all together! I hope you enjoy the photos and remember that this is a non profit organization and they only survive on donations from the public. I know that come next year I will try and do this again if I can!

For more history you can view information here.

 

The beautiful Visitation House which opened in 1985

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you again to everyone who made this happen. Who thought I was crazy but helped anyways. To the folks who dealt with the non stop postings of asking for this or for that for the day…. please know that there are no words that can express my gratitude in allowing me the ability to create this blessed day for these children.

“Oh Lord, give us more charity, more self-denial, more likeness to you. Teach us to sacrifice our comforts to others and our likings for the sake of doing good.  Make us kindly in thought, gentle in word, generous in deed. Teach us that it is better to give than to receive, better to forget ourselves than to put ourselves forward, better to minister than to be ministered unto. And to You, the God of love, be all glory and praise, now and forever” -Henry Alford

{Wonderfully Generous Sponsors}

{SWEETS}

Fondant Topped Chocolate Covered Oreos & Fondant Cupcake Toppers- {Love & Sugar Kisses}

Chocolate Covered Oreos- {Sweet Temptations}

Fondant Cupcake Toppers- {Lynlee’s Petite Cakes}

Mini Cookies- {Artfully Delicious}

Cookies- {Dandy Delights}

Bus Cake Pops- {Sweetened By Shelly}

Star Cake Pops- {Cake Ball Love}

Apple Cake Pops- {Inspired Occasions}

Apple Macaroons- {Creative Juice}

 

{FAVORS}

Candy Tubes & Berry Baskets- {Cute Kids Food Box}

Brick Boxes & Centerpieces- {Let’s Get This Party Started}

Notebook Favor Bags, Red & Lime Tissue Flowers- {Petite Party Studio}

Paper Straws- {Painting Paris Pink}

Bus & Apple Favor Boxes- {Crafts By Rosa}

Red Vending Capsules- {The Purple Pug}

Chalkboard Placemats- {Faith’s Cookies}

{CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES}

Chunky School Colored Necklaces- {Nixie Nax}

Chunky Necklaces- {K Chic Designs}

Children’s Custom Shirts- {La Belle Parties}

Bottle Cap  Hairbows-  {DBLD Creations}

 

{BACKPACKS}

{Monkey See Boutique}

{Suzies Sweet Stuff}

{Paper & Polkadots}

{Sewing A Seed}

{Erin Grace Events}