The response to the Safelight project idea has just been incredible, so get ready for a long and picture heavy post. Thank you so much to everyone that has participated, with cards and donations for the gift bags.  I have begun assembling the bags, and want to show you were we are at this point.  A few days after the first post, I purchased the tote bags, removing the labels and opening them up all over the office floor.

Taking what funds I had at the end of that week, I went to the stores and found lots of things to begin filling the bags. I got pretty hairbrushes with flower handles, hand lotion, facial peel off masks, perfumes, shower gels, scrubbies, and gel eye coolers.

I found hair treatments, and neutral color eye shadows too.

I also did several hypoallergenic bags for those with perfume and fragrance sensitivities. At the thrift store (unbelievably!) there were some full size, brand new, Avon products for just $1 each – I bought them all!

Then, like handing out trick-or-treat goodies, I began filling the bags with goodies.

I want to publicly thank the donors, each and every 1/2 bag, whole bag and multiple bags sponsored made a difference. I won’t tell you who the two gold star donors are, but they donated $50 each to get this project well underway. With the mail from Friday, promises of checks yet to be received, and a couple of donations from the mis-post, the financial goal has been exceeded for the project!!  If any additional funds come in next week, I’ll put them to making up additional bags for future residents.

Amy O. —  Mary Jo L.  — Nancy B.  — Norece E.  —  Susan D. — Mary Z.

Sharon S.  —  Kathryn W.  —  Jodi M.  —  Mary C.  — Deborah M  —  Denise F.

Mary Jean C. — Susan G.  —  Jennifer G.  —  Christine S.  —  Erika N.   —  Susan C.

Linda S.  —  Carol L.   —-  Teresa M. —   Sherry T.  —  Jeanne C.  —  Donna S.

Nancy J.  —  Beth L.  —  Sarah K.  —  Elizabeth S.  —  Ruth C.   —  Melanie T.

Karen T. —  Judy D.  —  Lesley G.  —  Janice H.  —  Lisa (unknown)

Mildred P.  —  Jennie R.

I have responded personally to every donation I have received. If you see your name above, but you didn’t get an email from me, check your spam folder. If you made a donation, and you have not received an acknowledgement from me, and you don’t see your name above, I didn’t get it.  Sometimes the long email address doesn’t get transcribed exactly right, and you know how computers can be.  Let me know in an email or a comment if this is the case, and we’ll try to resolve it.

I have to tell you all a quick story that just shows how wonderful people can be. While I was checking out at the Dollar store with over 100 items, a lady came up to stand behind me in line.  I apologized to her for holding her up as the checker had already begun before she got in line.  The checker was curious as to why I was buying multiples of so many things.  I told the checker about the project as she was ringing up the sale. When she told me the total, I felt a tap on my shoulder. The total stranger behind me was holding out a $20 bill, and said “I want to help you with that.” I was absolutely blown away. All she would tell me was that her first name was Lisa. So, Lisa, even though you may never see this, I am so grateful for your kindness.

My friend Sam brought over boxes of items to add to the bags, toothbrushes and combs, nail files and razors, deodorant and soaps.  Each bag got two or three of each of these items, and there are still some left over that I’ll take with me to the shelter.  They can use some of these items for the kids, and the rest can be stored for future needs.

The creativity in the cards coming in is just awesome. The first package from Lenora arrived just days after the Safelight Project post, and contained 16 unique cards with such creativity!

Inside, Lenora put several different sentiments, all very inspiring! I really like how she signed her cards – ” A Friend You Haven’t Met!”

Then, she used a great stamp for the outside of the envelopes and decorated those with stickers too.

Gorgeous cards, here are a few more of her designs.

I was inspired by her cards, and went to the stamping workbench to create a few more for the project. Remember my sunshine box from my friend Val? These daisies came from that box, and I hope they will bring that sunshine to the women. I stamped a bluebird of happiness on textured cardstock, and a Happiness Always greeting. The trim on the bottom is washi tape.

I found the perfect sentiment stamp in the box of goodies given to me by reader Katie. Thanks again, Katie!  I signed the cards “Someone Who Cares.”

On the back, this stamp was cute, and left my name off.

I decorated the envelopes too.

Then I stamped this design for another purpose, and made a second one for the Safelight bags.  Inside it has my sentiment from the first post on the project.

Karen T. sent in products for the bags, some Mary Kay lip and eye crayons along with some makeup items. Thanks so much, Karen, these will add a lovely touch to some of the bags. I put them in the bags with the hypoallergenic items as those had fewer items per bag. I was able to find sensitive skin unscented shower gel and lotions, but no makeup items, and of course, no perfume. It really helped to balance out the bags so the scent free ones were just as fun as the rest.

Danice made these lovely cards, using the sentiment from my post inside. Thank you, Danice, for blogging about the project as well! She sent an email that she is sending six more cards that should arrive next week too!

Then, a dozen cards arrived from Carol L, beautifully done.

Each and every one has a unique, handwritten message inside. Truly stunning, and once again I was just blown away.

Jennie’s cards arrived on Friday, how lovely!

I love what she did inside too.

The cards are truly the most important piece of this project and without your help, I’d be gluing my own fingers together by now. The inspirational messages will help these women so much, to feel better, to believe in themselves, and to have hope for the future. If you are counting, you’ll notice that we made the goal of 35 cards, but will be using a few more for the extra bags that can be done from the extra donations received.  Any additional cards received will be given to the shelter for future needs.  Here is one of the bag assortments after week one of shopping.  The roll of tissue contains a nail polish, wrapped to keep it from breaking in the bag.

At the second trip to the stores, I found a pedicure set and got more nail polish so every bag has these items.

Several of you have asked about sewing projects, and I do have a couple of things in mind. More cards will be appreciated for holidays coming in a few months. I will look around when I deliver the bags and see what may be needed or appreciated, and we can do another project later in the year.

The drawings for the prizes will be in early August, with the winners notified by email. One question I got privately, but want to answer publicly is regarding the gift card prize. The MasterCard Gift Card prize is not being funded by donations, it is coming out of a points program I have on my personal credit card. So, all your donations, every penny, will go to the gift bags. I’ll draw a couple of days past the postmark date of August 1 so everyone has a chance. You get one entry for each card sent, and one entry for every $5 donation.

Stampin’ Up has provided this wonderful prize for someone making cards for the project.  Visit Stampin’ UP to find a demonstrator near you.  This company has the BEST stamping supplies!

So, that is where the project stands at this time.  It is almost complete!  I am still going to wait until August 1 to draw the prizes as I know of at least a couple of things still coming.  I’ll bring you another update when the delivery is made in early August.  Thank you all for your wonderful support of this project!

What do you think of our progress?  Update – Click HERE to see the completion and delivery of the bags.