WE ARE NOT OVARYACTING

WE ARE NOT OVARYACTING?

I stole that phrase from an amazing program  I watched last week.  Please set aside some time to watch it.  You'll be glad you did.  It's Episode 4 of the National Geographic Global Citizen program--Keeping Girls in School.

I am so grateful that Days for Girls isn't the only group working to eliminate period poverty and help ensure that females worldwide don't continue to have menstrual barriers to continuing their education.  It's such a HUGE worldwide problem it will take many minds, businesses, and hands in addition to much effort and money to solve.  Thank you for being part of solving this global issue.

Watching the National Geographic program makes me want to run back to my supplies and wash, dry, cut, sew and serge more kit components!  (While watching the program, I actually paused it and went to put more fabric in the washer!)

I've had a couple of people tell me recently about trips they're planning in a few months, trips where they could tote a suitcase full of supplies to a contact in another land.  We always appreciate our kits/components getting a free ride.  That helps us reach more girls and women, and change more lives.

IT'S OCTOBER, AND THAT MEANS . . . 

At this time of year, Days for Girls supporters and volunteers have special dates to celebrate:  

October 5 is our monthly workday at Our Sewing Room.  We'll be there 10-4.  Parking is free in the bank lot across the street and in the lots north and south of the library.  Nearby on-street parking is limited to 2 hours.

October 11 is International Day of the Girl.  This day was designated by the United Nations in 2012: 

“Empowerment of and investment in girls are key in breaking the cycle of discrimination and violence and in promoting and protecting the full and effective enjoyment of their human rights.”

October 19 is the first National Period Day.  It calls attention to period poverty and period inequities in our country.  Did you know that menstrual supplies are taxed in many states?  The most amazing example of screwed up priorities that I've read is the fact that in California, there's a sales tax on tampons and pads, but not on chocolate! 

There are rallies planned throughout the country.  If you can make it to Portland, you might want to join in the events there.

November 1.  Last time I checked, November 1st isn't in October.  BUT, it is Days for Girls 11th birthday!  I'll bring a cake to our workday on November 2nd.

With all these dates to celebrate, please consider a donation to our chapter.  We receive 100% of check and cash donations.  If you prefer to use a credit card, we'll get about 95% of it.  You can do that here.  With all three methods of donation, we can provide you with an official receipt.

Some supplies are only available, or most reasonable when ordered through our headquarters or a wholesale source, so that's where cash donations go.  We receive no financial support from Days for Girls International.

Of course, in kind donations are always welcome, and receipts are available for those too.  I've recently updated our wish list, and listed supplies in current order of need.  This is from the back of our handout:  If you'd like a paper copy of the list, there are copies at Our Sewing Room--or ask me if they're out of them.

DAYS FOR GIRLS

  Eugene/Springfield Chapter

Donations Wish List 

In order of current need.

Fabric restrictions:  Medium/dark to dark colors, in busy stain-hiding designs, such as florals. Because of cultural considerations, we need to avoid prints depicting weapons, people/animals, insects (butterflies are OK), patriotic, camouflage, food, religion, words, or holidays.  Avoid solids.  No metallics/glittery.  

Cotton  underpants, girls sizes 10, 12, 14 & 16, and women’s sizes 5, 6 and 7, as colorful as possible (for hiding stains). The styles we use are bikini (preferred by most of the girls), briefs, and hipsters.  Please no boy shorts or thong styles.  Fabric restrictions apply here too (except that solids are great). Do not wash the undies. 

PUL fabric in colorful prints or solids (no faces or juvenile prints).  Babyville is one brand.

Polyester serger thread—good quality, medium/darker colors.

Polyester thread in medium and dark colors (Gutermann is a good brand).  

Quality cotton flannel (see fabric restrictions above).  If you have time to wash, dry and press it, that’s greatly appreciated.  Better quality is more absorbent, better for our kits.  We are phasing away from the thinner Snuggle and Snuggle Plus flannel carried at JoAnn's.

Rotary cutter blades, 45mm or 60mm

Quality cotton fabric, the prettier the better. (see fabric restrictions above).  

Cotton washcloths, in darker colors.  No Costco 18-packs—they are too poorly made.