Creative Escape Weekend Fundraising

My Autumn Creative Escape Weekend has come to an end, but what a weekend it was! There was so much energy in our craft room. You couldn't help but have fun and be inspired by the 48 crafters in attendance. It was wonderful to share the weekend with old friends and to make new friends too. The laughter, creativity, friendship, and fun all made for great memories. 

Hosting Creative Escape Weekends has provided me with the opportunity to do lots of fundraising for various causes and charities. This tradition of giving always fills my heart with joy. The generosity, love, and compassion we crafters have for others is such a blessing. We have raised thousands of dollars for various charities through many events.

Charge for Connor is the non-profit organization we chose to give to this weekend. I met Nikki Logsdon when she and her mother joined my Stamp Club about 3 years ago. Little did I know that these new customers would make such an impact on me. Nikki and her husband Josh had just been through every parents' worst nightmare. They had recently lost their first and only child, Connor. Connor was a special little guy born with Charge Syndrome. Nikki and Josh along with their families are now working to help other families of children with Charge Syndrome. I have so much admiration for them seeing how they have turned their tragedy and their loss into an opportunity to support and serve others. They started Charge for Connor, a non-profit organization in honor of their son. They work closely with Cincinnati Children's Hospital and national groups to assist families with their needs as well as education and research about Charge Syndrome. They have been able to sponsor many families attending national conferences on Charge Syndrome.

My Creative Escape Weekend charity raffles are simple, no frills, no fuss events. Guests donate a wide range of items, big and small: gift certificates, craft items, holiday decorations, and so much more. We often hear "We like twenties!" called out as our tickets sellers make their rounds. In the evening, we do a last call for tickets which typically generates lots of last minute sales as everyone goes through their purses, wallets, and pockets eager to give a little bit more. There is so much excitement as raffle winners are called, but the highlight of the evening always comes after the winners have been called and collect their prizes, and the total of the money collected is announced. This weekend, we raised $1840 for Charge for Connor. I'd say that's something to be quite proud of. I continue to be in awe of the generosity of my customers and crafting friends. I think we all are grateful for the opportunity to help others and make the world a little better. Our fundraising efforts prove that with many people working together and giving what they can, whether it be their time, money, or talent, we can do great things. 

So the next time you have the opportunity to give to a charity or to help another, I hope you do so with pride and joy in your heart knowing that you are making a difference.

Nikki Logsdon sharing about the Charge for Connor non-profit organization started in memory of her son.

Want to participate in my Creative Escape Weekends? Contact me, and I'll add you to the contact list. Have a charity, group, or organization you'd like to raise funds for, contact me for ideas I have to help you do that.