"Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand." - Emily Kimbrough
I've always learned that charity and helping others is something you just do, you don't brag about it... However, if I don't put out there that these organizations exist and need help, I'm a lonely voice when they could use a chorus. So though it makes me a bit uncomfortable, I'd like to share a few groups that I try to help in my own little way. Thank you for looking.
Beads of Courage
I donate beads to Beads of Courage and also run auctions to help support them financially. I wrote the following a while back, but it still applies, so I'll share it here...
I just started making beads for a wonderful yet sad program called Beads of Courage... It helps kids with cancer chart their progress back towards good health with beads for every treatment. It's incredible what some of these kids have already gone through, and the thousands of beads they have showing it. I know cancer is hell, but somehow I never really conceptualized the extent of it until I saw some of the stories shown here:
http://beadsofcourage.net/stories.htm
Now all I want to do is make beads for the program... Purple hearts are desperately needed for kids who have completed treatment, and other lampworked beads are also used. I sat down at my torch yesterday to make my eBay beadies for this week, figuring I had a whole day to play with, and kept reverting back to Courage beads.
It feels like the Thousand Paper Cranes... Maybe if I make enough, they won't need them... Maybe if I make enough, the kids will get better faster... Maybe, maybe, maybe...
I'm going to need more glass to work on this miracle.
The 2009 HOPE Bracelet Project
The HOPE Bracelet Project, in their own words, "is collecting beads and jewelry making supplies, and then teaching students at the Medhane-Alem School in Yetebon, Ethiopia to create limited edition, beautiful bracelets." I have volunteered to make at least 100 beads to donate to the 2009 project, but they can use other donations as listed in the link above as well. (As soon as I can sign up for 2010, I'll do so also - I already have a bowl started for them.)
Thank you again for your time in looking at this page, I truly appreciate it.
Nikki
