Ladybird Lend a Hand: One Million Cranes

This month I am focusing on the Japan Disaster, and trying to find small ways to help all of those good people over there. I have come across an amazing project to help Japan called The One Million Cranes projects. Here is the goal of the project:

THE GOAL: Children from 1,000 US schools or groups will make 1,000 origami cranes, and contribute $1.00 for each crane they make. Together,our children will make ONE MILLION CRANES, and send one million dollars to the people of Japan.

I think this is such a great simple project, we can all participate in. This would be a fun thing to do in a church group, school, or even as a family...

Here is the steps to take if you would like to participate!

1) Register your school, group, or business here.
2) Provide origami paper. Any SQUARE paper can be used! Newspapers, classroom papers headed for the recycling bin, or wrapping paper will work.
3) Teach students to fold an origami crane, then ask that those students teach other children.
4) Ask that participants donate$1.00 for the crane they make. Each crane made will mean $1 for Japan.
5) String the finished cranes together (vertical strings of 10 cranes workwell) and hang them in your school, library, fire station, or other public building.
6) Donate all money raised (with the goal of $1,000) to the Red Cross , designated for the relief effort in Japan and given in the name of "One Million Cranes for Japan from [your school or group]."

I thought this was such a fabulous simple project... I am excited to try my hand at origami, I remember it not going so well in Elementary School!

I know I won't get anywhere close to 1,000 dollars, but I have decided I am going to give it a try with my church youth group. Pictures to follow, of our crane making experience!

Ladybird Lend a Hand and WIN a Purse!

"If you can not feed a hundred people, just feed one."
~Mother Teresa

We have absolutely loved blogging the past couple months. I am so thrilled to read all of your sweet comments, and we are absolutely flattered when someone chooses to follow our blog. We love sharing our ideas, and reading about all of your incredible ideas and projects as well. Thank you so much!  However, we want this blog to be more, we would love, even in some small part to help people through this blog.

So we are now starting, Ladybird Lend a Hand. Each month we are going to highlight a charity, and find projects we can all do to help their cause. We do not have a lot of money at our disposal, but we would like to share our talents to in some way do good for others, and let you do the same if you wish

The charity we would like to highlight for March is one really near and dear to my heart. The Hartman's are a family who like mine, own and operate a family farm. They are also trying to adopt a sweet little boy Brady, who has Downs Syndrome. Brady was born in Eastern Europe, and like many children with disabilities their, was placed in an orphanage. It is common for those with disabilities in that region of the world to be transfered from orphanages to full blown mental institutions by the age of six. Brady has already been transferred. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am a special education teacher, I have had the privilege of working with so many choice individuals that have Downs Syndrome... This story really makes breaks my heart, but I am so happy their people like the Hartman's trying to help.

So what we can do to help this family, and bring Brady home? Cathy over at Cap Creations (Awesome site), is heading an awesome fundraiser for this family that we can all take part in. She is asking bloggers, and crafters, just like you and I to donate something you have made or something that is new and unused to put into a grand prize package, that will be raffled off. For more information please go here. This package will then be up for grabs to those that can make a small $5 donation to Brady's and the Hartman's adoption fund. Each $5 donation =1 entry! All of the money from the raffle will then go to help bring Brady home! If you would like to donate something act fast, you have to send your items to Cathy on or before the 28th of February.

We are going to send three Snap purses to the cause! I have had so much fun making these tape measure snap purses, you can see the full tutorial on how to make them here. If you would like to win of these beauties, and a lot of other fabulous goodies, please please give Brady a donation, and get yourself a raffle ticket! Please spread the word about this cause!

To learn more about the Hartman's visit their blog!

XOXO,
Carlee and Alyssa