In the past two weeks, a lot has happened with the Safelight project. When I left off last time, I had just received a shipment from Dollar Tree, and was beginning to put things together.
The first thing to do at that time was to unpack all the boxes and sort into piles or baskets.
I opened up the boxes of soaps, and decided they needed to be put into some kind of bag to contain the glitter and keep the soap from rubbing off on the other items in the bag. I also needed a lot more products to complete the 60 bags planned as some things didn’t ship in cases that added up to 60. Some came in cases of 36 or 48, so I needed to get one or two dozen more at the store.
I had already cleaned out the nearest store of extras, and still needed more. So, while I waited for their next truck to come, I got to work on filling the case sets. I began with putting two cards in the cosmetic case with the nail sets, and tissue in the tissue cases.
Then I set out sunglasses in order to coordinate the color to the case set.
When I was happy with the colors, I filled the sunglasses cases.
All 60 were done, waiting for the rest of the items.
A few days later, I could get to both local stores and gather the rest of what was needed.
I found some small envelopes, and put each bar of soap inside one.
I set out the rest of the items with what I already had.
Don’t you love those body loofahs? They are big and colorful!
The other end of the table is now stuffed as well.
I start filling bags, feeling like I am trick-or-treating. The blue handle bags were first, and I pulled blue case sets as I went along. I also picked out blue handles on the hairbrushes, and blue loofahs.
Glitter tissue is added to the top, making the bag more like a gift.
The red handle bags were next, again pulling red case sets and picking hairbrushes to coordinate. Loofah colors were chosen by the colors in the case sets.
It didn’t take long to finish filling 18 red 12 blue bags.
Now that I had 30 done, I could spread out the remaining filled case sets, and add brushes and loofahs to color coordinate, moving things around until every set looked good.
I continued filling the black handle bags until all were done. Sixty ready to deliver.
Each bag has 10 full size products, with some minor differences. Some got retinol facial wipes, and some got aloe vera. A few got a different hair treatment, but all were essentially the same. Every bag has two inspirational cards.
I made an appointment with the director to deliver them this past week. We filled the car to the brim.
As always, they were thrilled to get them and the residents are always touched to receive them. They met me with two carts to carry the 60 bags inside. From the left, Christine Gilmore -Shelter Manager, Dana Depradel – Program Director, Student Intern Alison, me, Lauren Wilke – Executive Director. Lauren says the bags make new arrivals feel like someone cares.
Lauren also said that the number of new arrivals has been increasing since they have opened a shelter for animals to be brought with those fleeing an abusive situation. I let her know that we could probably do another spa bag delivery sometime in October. Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way to this project!! Without you it wouldn’t be possible.
From My Carolina Home 
WOW! Such a great job you do with this. So pleased for the recipients – a lovely bag curated by Carole.
Carole, this is fabulous! I know the ladies feel cared for when they receive the bags!
Carole
what a wonderful blessing you are to the shelter and allowing so many of us to participate!
sallie
It couldn’t be done without the support of readers like you!
You do an amazing thing for those women – bravo! I love how you coordinate all the colors of the case sets and the bags and the items that go in them. You must be a quilter! 🙂
Carole, this beyond wonderful. I appreciate not only what you do in general in coordinating and creating for this but the care you take in putting the bags together and organizing the color coordination and all. It speaks to such thoughtfulness and I know that takes a lot of time to make each one individual and “fit together” so well. Thank you for this.
This is a huge task, and you put a lot of time, thought and effort into each bag. The fact that you color coordinated everything is so thoughtful and shows the recipient such care and love. Thank you for your kindness and selfless giving, you are an inspiration.
Jenna
Love that you coordinated all the items in the sets. Makes it even more special. I’m sure the recipients feel the love and caring that comes with each bag. Such a huge undertaking this is, thanks for letting us be a small part of it.
Dear Lauren,
We may be anonymous & we may be from far away, but we do care about your clients.
Sincerely, Your Safelight Friends
Wow! What a wonderful project. I can only imagine that a woman fleeing from abuse is amazed to be welcomed to such.
What a process. I wish I lived closer as I’d be happy to come help you sort, bag and deliver these bags. They sure look lovely and I’m confident everyone who receives such a bag will appreciate it. Thank you for coordinating this year after year.
To arrive and find the goodies must be a huge feeling that people do care, strangers who make such a difference to a drastic situation. Carole, you and those who support you get a huge thank you
Carole, you do such a gre
Hi Bonnie, Thank you so much. Your comment was cut off, but I think I understand what you are trying to say.
This is beyond wonderful. Thank you, Carole!
May blessings rain down on you for your continued love and care for these women.
You do good work!
This is a treasure to the community 💗
Those bags look so nice! Good job on collecting, filling and delivering them.
I am ALWAYS gob smacked at the amount, the sheer number of bags that you have. You have done such a wonderful job of this. AND THEN I STOPPED DEAD in my tracks. “…….opened a shelter for animals ” ME the animal lover of all times, never even thought about what it would mean to leave an precious pet behind or given to an animal shelter with an uncertain future. I fostered a brother/sister Husky duo last year for 4 months when the owner left them tied to a light pole and the police bring them to us, all private home “fosters”. Thansk you so much for this post especially.
For some, being able to take a beloved pet makes the difference in whether the victim feels able to flee the violence. Some fear the violence will transfer to the animal. Some feel the pet is their only support, and cannot leave it behind. Now I am thinking of what we might do for the animals, but I cannot take on more right now.
Hi So will you still need more sunglass cases, tissue cases, etc. for the Oct. bags?
Yes, I need 30 more for October. Thank you for helping!