Being teachers time is a limited commodity for us, but we wanted to start something now that we each had a kid with type 1. But what? It couldn't be during the school year, and it needed to be something to help generate awareness, but also fun. This is the uninspiring dialogue that led to the creation of the Stop the Shots Craft Show:
SCENE: Sunday morning in November 2010, sitting in a "Sunday School Class"--really it is Amy and me in the gym of our church talking...shhh
Jaime: We should do something to raise money for JDRF.
Amy: Yes! What?
Jaime: hmm. I don't know. I've always wanted to do a craft show.
Amy: That sounds fun! We could do it during the summer when we have more time. July?
Jaime: Great! Next July we will hold a craft show here at the church.
Amy: Yay!
(high five)
END SCENE
Nail bitter, huh? Really we did talk about it in greater depth and even typed out a letter to send out to potential vendors. After that we talked with people that had experience with such things, like our friend Sharon, who is a Director with Mary Kay, created a Facebook page, and started sending out the letter. The rest, they say, is history.
We are in our third year. We still have a lot to learn, especially when it comes to advertising, but we have met some wonderful vendors. Many have been with us since that first year. We can't wait to introduce you to them when we get closer to the show. And, we have raised funds for JDRF.
The show is a ton of work and effort, but it is nothing to what our kids endure every day. Finger pricks, counting carbs, and injecting insulin are the daily routine. I wish it wasn't our reality, but with every dollar we raise, we are helping researchers take one step closer to stopping the shots.
Share this post and save the date for the 3rd annual Stop the Shots Craft Show, July 13, 2013
For anyone who cannot attend the fair itself, is there an Etsy or other online purchasing option for your creations?
ReplyDeleteHeather, we will be posting information about our vendors as we get closer to the show. I am sure they would appreciate your support. We will also post info about how you can donate to JDRF. The vendors pay a booth fee, which is donated to JDRF, but the vendors retain all profits from the sale of their work. Then we ask for a donation at the door. Thanks for your interest!
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