It is so fun to go to the post office these days, and find packages of case sets and cards rolling in to get us going on this year’s project. I am, as always, blown away by your creativity and generosity, as many of the handcrafted items have also contained monetary donations. Below are the cards received from Lenora S, along with case sets from Joan S and Melanie T.
Lenora’s cards are so amazing, and the insides are just as spectacular.
Gorgeous photography are on the cards received from artist and photographer Jeanie C, who blogs at Marmalade Gypsy.
Cards arrived from Cathy W and case sets came from Kristy S.
Cathy’s cards are truly amazing, with embroidered motifs and sentiments on cardstock, and made into beautiful cards with inspirational messages inside.
Case sets from Kathie L, and Jan R came next.
Betty D in Malvern, PA, my email to you came back as undeliverable to the Verizon email. I just wanted to tell you thank you!
Meanwhile, the Dollar Tree order arrived. One item wasn’t sent and one item had only half of the order. They were out of the diamond clear nail hardener. So, I stopped by the store to pick up 24 clear nail polishes.
Then, it was time to lay out some case sets and start matching up sunglasses. My staging area is a large cardboard mat placed on my longarm rails.
I put the sunglasses inside their cases, and set nail polish and two cards on top of each group.
The cards and nail polish were put inside the cosmetic cases, then I set out the pedicure kits and hairbrushes, trying to coordinate the colors a bit.
At this point I realized that I had forgotten the tissues. So, while I was out the next day, I stopped by and got those. When I could fill the tissue cases, I was ready to stuff bags.
I set the other items out on the table, so I could pick up the items and place them in a bag. Then I went to the staging area and picked up a filled case set to add to the bags.
It didn’t take long to fill 24 bags.
More case sets and cards arrived, and I knew that I was very close to being able to do another dozen bags. So, one more trip to Dollar Tree to pick up a dozen of the items that shipped in cases of 24.
When I was done, I had 36 spa bags ready to deliver.
Delivery was made on February 1. It was a happy group that met to hand over the spa bags. From left, Diana DeWitt (fellow guild member and Safelight contributor), Kaitlin Smith (Case Manager), Diane Bentley (Safelight), Dana Despradel (Program Director), me, and Susan Huter (Associate Director). They told us that many of the residents put the cards on their mirrors so they can see the inspirational messages every day. I have to say I was almost in tears as we left.
Here is what was in this delivery of spa bags. The bags had 9 full size items including body lotion, retinol face cream, pedicure kit, facial cleansing wipes, clear nail polish, hairbrush, glitter body scrubber, sunglasses and a bar of handmade goat’s milk lavender soap. They also contained the handmade case sets and two inspirational cards in a nice canvas bag with glitter tissue in the top.
And it goes on. In the mail, I have received several additional checks, even though we had met our financial goal. These came with wonderful notes saying that even though more donations weren’t needed, to use the money to benefit the shelter in some way. We have an additional $700, bringing the total amount raised to $2500! The extra will go to a few special extras for the current residents of the shelter, and additional spa bags. I’m working on Valentine gifts for them now, and will show you that project next week.
What do you think of our progress so far?
From My Carolina Home 
This is an amazing outpouring of support for an organization that strives to be a blessing to those in need. We all need each other. Thank you Carole for spearheading this project and to all who have helped with your beautiful handiwork.
You’ve brightened a lot of days!
Carole, I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to join you to deliver the spa bags. It was obvious from the staff comments that these bags certainly make a difference to someone. It puts a smile on their face and, more than likely, a tear in their eye, to know that someone cares and is cheering them on as they work to put their life together. It’s wonderful that so many people are donating to this project.
What an amazing outpouring of care & hope for those who just need a little boost !
Wonderful project ….
The contents for the Safelight bags are wonderful. The case sets are all so lovely and the cards…….I am speechless. The women who have donated have such big hearts. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this worthy endeavor.
Wonderful donations from women to women, lifting each other up during a difficult time. Love this project. Thank you for spearheading it each year.
Love seeing all those bags being delivered!
Wonderful that you get so much support..
Carole, I am so happy to participate in this project but your energy and time is truly inspiring. Safelight is lucky to have you as one of their supporters.
I am amazed, Carole, and honored to be part of this project in a very small way. The bags are wonderful and I’m sure they make for a wonderful morale boost to the women residents. I especially appreciate the beautiful handmade items because I know they are from the heart and how much time they take. Bravo to you!
Glad it is all going so well, and you’re helping so many women. We know they appreciate everything you’re doing. I’ll get my donation in the mail this week!
Carole, this is a beautiful response and a great outpouring of love! The bags are amazing and I know they will bless the recipients!
Thank you for sharing all these details about putting the bags together and dropping them off, makes me feel even more included 🙂 You’re doing such great work, I’m so glad to be a small part.
Absolutely amazing!! I’m sure the gift bags brightened the day for a LOT of women. Excellent job, everyone!!
Tears, of joy and thankfulness that there are so many wonderful people out there, and sad that there is a need for these. Do you still need more? Thanks for all you do.
Thank you for sharing these updates with us. Such a wonderful project for us to support. Thank you for all of your work and efforts to keep it going.
This is such a kind project for deserving ladies.
You do such a wonderful job and take such care to put together a gift bag that is beautiful. I can just imagine the joy of the recipients. Thanks, and I’m glad to participate.
What a fabulous outpouring of love! You have done so well – so impressed with all the generosity.