FUNDRAISING FOR OUR CHAPTER

RAFFLE QUILT!

Last week our first-ever raffle quilt was completed and ready to greet the world!  The blocks were foundation pieced by volunteers in our chapter.  It's a color-drenched double-bed sized string quilt, made with leftover cotton fabric from our bags and shields.

The purpose of this project is to raise money to support and enable our kit-making mission.  The materials in each Days for Girls kit we give cost about $10 with our focus on watching the sales for the best prices.

We need you, the folks who already know about Days for Girls, to take a stab at selling tickets.  I  will take it to places where I've been asked to speak about Days for Girls, and hope you know of some good places too.   I've put together packets of 30 and 60 tickets with a photo of the quilt for you to take, to offer tickets to your family, friends and coworkers.  I suspect many of them already know about Days for Girls from you, and are likely to want to help. Or you might like to buy some for gifts.  Lions, Rotary, and other service clubs, quilt shops and shows, etc. are other possibilities--I hope you all will help in this effort.  Sometimes it's as simple as putting the photo, tickets and information on the staff room table.  On the evening of Friday, the 13th of October, we plan to be in front of Our Sewing Room during the Springfield Art walk.  Please let me know if you can help sell tickets that evening.

Tickets are $1. each, or 6 for $5.  We are planning to draw the winning ticket on Menstrual Hygiene Day (the one with the significant date), May 28th (5 days in a period, 28 in a cycle).  MHD  is an annual awareness day, originated in Germany, that aims to break taboos and raise awareness about the importance of good menstrual hygiene management  for women and adolescent girls worldwide.

#CountHERin

Yesterday Days for Girls International announced the 2017 fundraising campaign.  They've stated their goal of reaching one million girls by the end of this year, and this campaign reflects that.  To donate to our chapter, you just go here. Your donation will stay with our Eugene/Springfield group.

This video introduces the CountHERin campaign.

You can donate in honor of or in memory of somebody, and can add a comment to your donation.  You can also be listed as anonymous if you'd like.

If you'd like to make a donation in this campaign, please do so by the end of 2017.  You'll immediately receive a printable receipt for tax purposes.  Every $10 donated provides a kit that will keep another girl in school!

So, unexpectedly, September 2017 has brought not one but two different ways to support our efforts financially.  If you buy raffle tickets, you have a chance to win a great quilt.  If you make an online donation on the CountHERin site, you'll get a receipt if you'd like to list your donation on your tax form.  **And then, there's always the wonderful old-fashioned cash or check that you can hand or send to me (Checks should be made out to Days for Girls).**

Of course, our money goes even further, thanks to all the generous donations of underwear, washcloths, fabric, Ziplocs, etc.  If you're interested in in-kind donations, please ask for our wishlist for specific needs (You can do that at the end of this blog).

RAPID GROWTH

Days for Girls only formed in October of 2008, but the rate  of growth continues to skyrocket.  As of last week, Days for Girls kits have been provided to 802,527 women and girls in 114 nations, thanks in part to a 25% increase in 2016 alone!  The goal is to have distributed one million by the end of 2017.

I find that to be amazing.  I've been gratified at the number of dedicated continuing and new volunteers for our Eugene/Springfield Chapter.  A wonderful benefit of being part of this group is the great people, so generous of their time, who gather at our workdays--we do have a good time and accomplish so much!

FEEDBACK

I'm often asked if we hear from the recipients, and the answer is yes.    The head of a chapter in Connecticut just returned to Kenya last weekend, and shared this feedback: 

I have interviewed over forty women in the Il Ngwesi community. They report the DFG education has changed their lives. Now men and women have the tools to talk to each other. Before they did not have a common language. They report the kits are in fine condition, are easy to wash with no stains including the light colored liners, they are good for the earth, save them money, are comfortable and they always have them available. Yes they use the plastic bag to wash. They are very grateful to Days for Girls!

And this, Kenyan girls comparing life before and with DFG kits: 

Today I met with 5 girls from the Chumvi Primary School grade 8 who I interviewed 6 months ago. Stella, Grace, Angela, Priscilla, and Miriam. 

They have had their kits over one year. I also interviewed 3 girls from Chumvi Secondary School ages 16-17 Jacqueline, Mary, and Sophia. These girls have had there kits for over three years and I know them. All kits are in fine condition and have their components. The younger girls had their kits. The older girls confirmed the condition. 


I loved hearing them talk together. They agree and say, the school pads are very thin and they don't have enough. When at home they use cloth and rags to tie their pads and leak a lot. Since the DFG pads none have missed School. They say they are colorful, save money, easy to wash and care for, cause no pollution, and they never leak in class.

OUR NEXT WORKDAY

Please join us if you can at Our Sewing Room on the first Saturday in October.  Drop in any time after 10:30--and we're there until 4:30 or 5:00.  If you sew or serge, please bring your machine and basic sewing supplies.  Street parking is 2 hours, but the bank lot across the street is available to us on Saturdays.