Crafting For A Cause - Reusable Feminine Pads For Africa

I am SOOO excited to introduce our Crafting for a Cause project for AUGUST!

Carlee(Ladybird Ln.), and I are teaming up with the fabulous Kristy from Hopeful Threads to bring you an AMAZING project.

Kristy's fun little blog is all about service! EACH month that you can help out with... She is also constantly giving fun prizes away! In fact you can win a beautiful FAT QUARTER BUNDLE, just by adding the {cute} Back to School From HERE to THERE button on your blog! More information HERE!

<a href="http://www.ladybirdln.com/p/ladybird-lend-hand.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Back to School" src="http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n514/LadybirdLN/button.jpg" /></a>

This month we are doing a project where you can help kids in your community with school supplies HERE. Or/and you can help girls in different countries with feminine care items in other countries so they have the opportunity to participate in school all of the time.

HERE

I'm sure many of you are getting in the mode for all the back to school preparations. The shopping lists of notebooks, pencils, crayons and backpacks are endless....as are the aisles of these goodies at the local chain stores! For the "here" part of our project, we want to encourage you to purchase a little extra of these supplies to donate to others.

Please consider donating to a specific child in need or your own child's classroom. If you pause for a second, I'm sure you can instantly think of how this simple gesture could be a huge help! You can ask the teachers what supplies she might need for the class as well. School Supplies are CHEAPEST right before school. As a teacher I can attest that their are many kids, probably in your own school that can not afford the list of school supplies, or for whatever reason does not have a family that is willing to do so. In my years of teachers there were always those few parents who would go the extra mile, buy extra supplies, or even give money when needed.

If for some reason you don't want to donate locally their are other options. I want to introduce you to "Kids In Need Foundation".

Their mission is to ensure that every child is prepared to learn and succeed by providing free school supplies nationally to students most in need. They have some terrific programs going on right now. You can either donate school supplies, or money, they can buy school supplies far cheaper than you can find in stores.

THERE

Now, for the "THERE" part of our project....and the sewing part! :)
I wanted to offer you the opportunity to consider a "back to school" item many probably never think about.

I feel SO BLESSED to live in a land where I have received a free quality education. I was stunned to find out that in many parts of the world, girls are unable to attend school during their menstrual cycle due to lack of regular feminine products, can you imagine?

So, although you might not think of feminine pads as a back to school item, they are NEEDED in parts of the world. The option of disposable products just isn't realistic or available for many, so these girls are often found trying to use whatever possible. I have heard of girls using trash, or mud, or missing out on school entirely.

That's where our plan of sewing this unusual "Back To School" necessity comes in!

This obviously isn't a new need, but one that will always be present. I recently read of the efforts of the Girls Only Project being hosted by blogger Lara at The Farmer's Wife Tells All. She is gathering supplies for 25 young ladies living in an orphanage in Uganda. She has had a great response, and if you are looking for a free online pattern for cloth pads or a place to send the ones you make, I encourage you to check out her project.

Additionally, here is a list of other places to find free cloth pad patterns/tutorials:

Reusable Menstrual Products

Tiny Birds

Jan Andrea

Sew Your Own Diapers

Days for Girls International Feminine Hygiene Program

As for where to donate the finished pads, here are a few suggestions:
Girls Only Project (mentioned above)

DonatePads.org (offers an extensive list of recipients!)

Annabelle's Wish

Who knew there was all this need, and resources. If you know of a local church or organization traveling for a mission trip, this is an easy to carry, light-weight donation that would be meaningful to women of all ages. Kristy from Hopeful Threads will be sending the pads she makes to a missionary she is connected with in Cambodia.

PLEASE HELP US REACH OUR GOAL OF MAKING 250 CLOTH PADS!

We hope you will join us in giving back this way! We have a goal of 250 cloth pads!
Sounds big, but with a little participation from a lot of folks, I know we can do it! And just think of all the sweet young ladies lives that will be touched! Whether you make 3 or 30, every. single. one. matters!

Since we appreciate every bit of participation, we have put together some very nice prizes for those who help spread the word and sew along! :)

The first prize for helping us out with this cause will be given at HOPEFUL THREADS the first of the month from the fabulous... Fat Quarter Shop....and let me tell you...OH BOY!!! You are gonna want in on this!!! For information about the giveaway go HERE!

We are going to have a LINKY PARTY at the end of the month, where you can share what you have made, and be entered to win a BACK TO SCHOOL craft party package... WHOOP WHOOP!!

So, please take a moment to add this button to the sidebar of your blog for the month of August.

<a href="http://www.ladybirdln.com/p/ladybird-lend-hand.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Back to School" src="http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n514/LadybirdLN/button.jpg" /></a>

Share about the project on facebook, twitter or with local friends who love sewing and helping others. The more the merrier and the greater impact we can have!

Now, let's see what other causes, charities and ways to help are out there. Link up whatever it is! Visit the links and decide to help out at least one cause this month!!!