2019 We CAN - Noteworthy Service in 2019 Our year in Review

"Some believe that is is only 

Great Power that can hold evil in check.  

But that is not what I've found.

I found it is the Small Things.

Every Day Deeds

By Ordinary Folk

That Keeps the Darkness at Bay."

~ Gandalf, Lord of the Rings, J.R.R.Tolkien

January 2019

1. Collected: onesies and socks for baby kits for Lifting Hands International Projects
2. Projects
1. Tied a Quilt for American Fork Hospital

   

   Carol and Barbara tying fleece edges

2. Made Fleece Blankets for Utah County Welcome Baby Home Visit program for At Risk Babies. 
3. Assembled pediatric grab/activity bags for American Fork Hopsital
4. Assembled Baby Kits for Lifting Hands International (refugees)

February 2019

1. Collected items for Venezuela (gently used clothing and shoes; shampoo, deodorant, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrusehs, sanitary pads, etc
2. Project

   

   Carolyn, Ardis, KD, Barbara and Carol making Valentines

   
   
   
1. We made homemade Valentines for local assisted living centers

March 2019

1. Collected items for move-in kits for homeless (bathroom kits, kitchen kits and cleaning kits
2. Projects
   
   
   

   

   CArol, Sharon, Barbara, KD, Carolyn, Vicky and Ardis sewing T-shirt dresses

   
1. We made 16 T-shirt dresses for an orphanage in Africa
2. Turned in 50 knitted and crocheted scarves for Remember Nhu (escapees from sexual slavery).

April 2019

1. Collected food for childrens' nutrition packs for the Provo Community Action Services, the Utah County Food Bank

   

   Ardis, Maureen, Carolyn and Barbara getting kit assembly ready to go

2. Projects
1. Assembled 40 nutrition packs
   
   

   

   Carolyn with the  Lady Bug Patterns

2. Made 40 lady bug craft kits for Primary Children's hospital. 

May 2019

1. Collected items for hygiene kits for opphanage in Juarez, Mexico which included washcloths, toothbrushes, toothpste, comb, soap.  We completed 124 kits.
   
2. Projects
1. Assembled hybiene kits for Mexican orphanage
2. Decorated 100 envelopes for Magic Yarn Project.  They make Disney and super hero wigs for pediatric cancer patients.
3. Worked on alphabet/number books for AF Humanitarian Center (Launfal).



Ardis, Maureen and Heidi working on envelopes  for the Magic Yarn Project.






4. Learned how to make plarn (plastic yarn) for crocheted sleeping mats for homeless Bags to Beds project.  

JUNE 2019

1. Collected items for birthday kits for Provo Community Action Center & Food Bank.
2. Projects:
1. Assembled birthday kits for the Provo Community Action Center & Food Bank.which includes a cake mix, birthday card, birthday banner, candles and a small toy

   

   Kathy and Paula putting together birthday kits

2. Tied a quilt for the AF Humanitarian Center (Launfal)
   
3. Worked on Alphabet/Number books for AF Humanitarian Center (Launfal)
4. Made plarn for sleeping mats for homeless.Bags to Beds

July 2019

1. Collected summer clothes for Christmas Box Resource Room in Provo for foster children.

   

   Heidi, Carolyn, Ardis Barbara and KD working on gift items for the Festival of Trees Boutique

2. Projects:
1. Made neighbor gifts to donate to the Festival of Trees Gift Boutique
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Started ornaments for our tree for the Festival of Trees.

AUGUST 2019

1. Collected school supplies for school kits for Provo Community Action Center & Food Bank.

   

   Barbara, Vila and Sue collating School Kits

   
   
   
   
   

   

   Vicky, Heidi, Barbara and Ardis - shape toys

2. Projects:
1. Assembled 20 school kits for the Provo Community Action Center & Food Bank.
2. Made shape toys for the AF Humanitarian Center (Launfal) Center.

September 2019

1. Collected 48 onesies for the Utah County Welcome Baby Home Visit program for At Risk Babies. 
   
2. Projects
1. Cut plarn strips for the Heber Valley Correctional Facility inmates to make plarn and crochet sleeping mats for homeless.

   

   Barbara, Vicky and Sandy - plarning away

   
   

   

   Barbara's crocheted plarn sleeping mat

2. Barbara had completed a crocheted sleeping mat - finished and ready to turn in.
3. We worked on ornaments for the  Festival of Trees .

October 2019

1. Collected gently used shoes for Soles 4 Souls - shoes for 127 countries around the world.
   
2. Projects

1. Decorated 24 journals for Hearts Knit Together.  These journals go in kits for women in shelters around Utah

November 2019

1. Collected food for the Little Free Pantry in Payson
2. Projects

1. We made neighbor gifts to donate to the Festival of Trees Boutique for Primary Childrens' Hospital.
2. Finished ornaments for our Festival of Tree tree.
   
3. Practiced Decorating our Tree so we could see how it was going to look and make any last minutes changes or additions.

December 2019

This is the meeting where we go up to the Mt America Center to decorate our tree for the  Festival of Trees.

 We donated a music themed tree, complete with tree skirt, Silent Night framed print and stand, Christmas music C.D's, antique bronze music stand with Christmas sheet music, and a Christams songbook with 100 Christmas Carols.  Our tree was called "Carols of Christmas." We also donated eight different kinds of neighbor gifts (266 total items to the Festival of Trees Gift Shop.

Vicky, Sharon, Carolyn, KD, Sandy, Ardis

"Well done is better than well said."

~ Benjamin Franklin

There is Magic in the Air . . . Magic Everywhere December 2019 Festival of Trees

"Christmas, my child, is love in action.  Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas." 

~ Dale Evans

Monday, December 2nd, we drove up to the Mt America Expo Center in Sandy, Utah to decorate our tree for the Festival of Trees 2019

 It was a beautiful day for the set-up for the Festival of Trees.  The weather was perfect for the drive up and no wind, which is beneficial for everyone carting in loads of boxes, trees, ornaments, lights, tools and all the set-up gear.

Carolyn waiting to check in

First, we have to check in to get our packet and block assignment - we were in E-516.  Actual tree registration was done many months ago in order to get a spot at the Festival.

When you walk into the festival, there is a buzz in the air, creative energy flows freely from all the artistic, loving, thoughtful people there setting up trees, gingerbread houses, quilts, centerpieces and those setting up the Gift Boutique, food and entertainment areas.  It is just exciting to walk through those doors and feel that pulse of enthusiasm and energy.

Sharon, Carolyn and KD wrapping the ribbon

The trees all have to be stabilized with re-bar and have a sturdy stand. Every decoration has to be wired onto the tree.  The trees are placed over a large plastic tree bag, so on Saturday evening at the close of the festival, the Festival Board, family and friends, can wrap those trees and decorations up in the bags, and tie them securely.  They box up all the decor around the tree and deliver hundreds of trees through the night and the following day to those people and businesses that have purchased the trees during the auction that occurs the day after set-up.. 

Ardis is manning the tools - scissors and wire cutters

KD and Victoria

There is a wonderful camaraderie during the set-up day.  People chatting with the people next to them, borrowing a forgotten needed tool, giving recommendations and ideas of how to improve the set-up and display, information on where to get the best deals . . . 

Sharon, KD, Carolyn, Victoria and Ardis

Ardis and KD add some finishing touches around the tree

 Sandy made the tree skirt - it's actually reversible, with a white musical fabric on the back side, but I didn't get a photo of the other side before placement. 

 It's
Our finished tree!  We are so excited and now are keeping our fingers crossed that someone will love it too and bid on it tomorrow night.

Vicky, Sharon, Carolyn, KD, Sandy and Ardis

This is absolutely the best way to start the Christmas Season.  The Festival of Trees runs from December 4-7th at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy Utah.  All the money goes to Primary Childrens' Hospital to help children in need get the healthcare, surgery, or therapy they need to get well.  It is such a worthy cause.  I hope you will go and see all of the beautiful trees, gingerbread houses, centerpieces, quilts that were made for the Festival of Trees.  And make sure you stop by the Gift Boutique as well and pick up some fun neighbor gifts! 

Just a quick report ~ our lovely Christmas Carol tree sold Tuesday at auction and we are so excited and grateful!  We also made 266 craft items for the Festival Boutique and we are hoping each of those will be purchased as well.  This wonderful event raises millions of dollars that will help children from around the world.  We are so grateful to have a small part in The Festival of Trees.  Thank you to all of you who work so hard throughout the year to make this gift possible!

Gratitude Makes Us Joyful - November 2019

It's not joy that makes us grateful,

It is gratitude that makes us joyful. 

 Our November We CAN (Care And Nurture) meeting was held November 4th at Carolyn's home.  We collected food for the Liltle Free Food Pantry in Payson, made the last ornaments for the tree, put together some gift candles for the Gift Boutique at the Festival of Trees, did a dry-run decorating our tree and had a lovely luncheon.

We collected items for the Little Free Food Pantry in Payson

We worked on ornaments for the tree and made gifts for the Gift Shoppe Boutique

Carolyn, Ardis, Barbara and Carol

Maureen and Sharon

 Box of candles ready to go to the Festival Gift Shoppe.

 We have made gifts to sell at the Festival of Trees Gift Boutique throughout the year.  These candles were the last bunch of gift items.

Sharon, Carol, Carolyn and Maureen working on Christmas Ornaments

 Some of the lovely ornaments being readied for the tree

Maureen, Barbara, Carol, Carolyn, Ardis and Sandy - a last inspection and discussion

A lovely brass antique music stand

   Our last meeting before we go to the Festival of Trees . . . so we put everything together to see what we still need

Our pre-view of the tree

Barbara, Carolyn, Ardis

We had a lovely luncheon after our service projects and decorating the tree.  Our next meeting will be the set-up day for the Festival of Trees on December 2nd.

Gratitude can transform common days into

Thanksgivings, 

Turn routine jobs into joy,

And change ordinary opportunities 

into Blessings.

~ William Arthur Ward