Hello again...as many of you may remember Last year I was involved in a Abused & at Risk Children's camp held in Helensburgh in April 2007, the camp, Southern Cross Kids Camp had 35 sadly neglected, often abused and at risk children. My job was to help the children's Buddies create memory books that focused on their holiday week. As I explained last year (See below) these books are incredible memory anchors for these sad little children, most count down the days until the next years camp, for many of these children the photos we take and scrap at camp are sometimes their only childhood pictures.
Last year with the incredible generosity of many scrappers we were able to create the best ever memory books, the kids were delighted....See their response here....It was an enormous task and a huge ask of the 30 odd buddies who were definitely out of their comfort zone when confronted with a table full of scrapbooking supplies, we were all exhausted, but thrilled with the results and kids reactions ........this year our task is even greater, with the demands of so many abused children, the co-ordinators have decided to run two camps this year, back to back, with 40 odd children at each weeks camp...thats an amazing 80 books with 20 pages each..Sooo.. I hoped that perhaps as the amazingly compassionate and caring community that Scrappers have formed, we could all contribute to these needy little children by scrapping at home or getting together at one or two Friday Crops and creating the simplest, most basic 6" x 6" (Photo size is 5" x 3.5") background LO's for the buddies to add the kids pictures too, embellish and present to their children at the end of the week. The buddies have very limited time to spend on their books as they are with the children 24/7....being such an amazingly important emotional anchor, your assistance would help to ensure each and every child has a memory book worthy of their memories.
If you can see it in your heart to help individually or organize your scrapping friends to assist, we would all be incredibly grateful and you would be an integral part in the Miracle of Southern Cross Kids Camp......you really would make a difference. Simply post a comment here if your keen for more info or
email me direct. Honestly these pages NEED to be simple and will take a competent scrapper no more than an hour or two to create 10 odd. I am praying for a miracle here, if I can get a reasonable number of scrappers to commit to this project and do their bit we will relieve the burden on the buddies and ensure the children are again rewarded with amazing memory books.......
With much gratefulness and huge hugs
Jules
(See Below excerpt from blog last year)
Hi all,
I have been invited to participate in a camp, called Southern Cross Kids Camp that runs for 5 days in late April. My hubbys niece and her husband, Dave and Tammy Tolman are the directors of SCK Wollongong. Thes amps are for abused, at risk and neglected children. They aim to give these wee mites some respite once a year, a time to make them feel like they are important, worthwhile and cared for. These kids count down the days to the next camp and the belief is that if the children experience a solid period of support then those happy carefree days will be anchored in their mind and as they grow up their self-esteem and belief in humanity will not be lost. They spend their entire week one on one with the same buddy, which builds trust and allows them to experience a dependable source of support.
Basicly my job will be to help the buddies create a special memory book for these kids, during the day a photographer will wander about capturing as many pictures as possible, at night we will scrap them! The whole scheme is funded by private donations and supported by some local Churches, the kids and their foster fanilies dont pay a cent so if you can help me to make the books this year something they will truly treasure for life, please get involved by considering doing several very basic pages for the kids albums, anything will be greatly appreciated and allow us to create amazing keepsakes for these children.
I will leave you with the Starfish Story, taken directly from the Southern Cross Site
A cliff-top jogger in Australia stopped to look down at the seashore below him.
He saw a young boy bending, straightening, throwing, bending, straightening and throwing, working his way along the sand.
The man started down the cliff path onto the beach and saw the reason for the boy's actions.
Littering the sand were hundreds of stranded starfish, beached by the receding tide. He watched the boy for a while before moving closer. "Hey son," he said.
"I can see what you're doing, but really, with more starfish being washed ashore all the time, what difference do you think it will make?"
The boy stopped and looked down at the starfish in his hand. "I don't know mister" he replied. "All I know is that it makes a difference to this one."
And he threw the starfish into the sea.
At Southern Cross Kids' Camps we endeavour to make a difference in the heart of a child, one child at a time through unconditional acceptance, understanding and compassion. Won't you join in the rescue operation of our "starfish" - hurting, abused and neglected kids in Australia?
If you can help, please post a comment here or email me at juliest35@optusnet.com.au
Your generosity will have far reaching effects and be greatly appreciated
Jules :)
Hey Jules, of course you can count on me. I'll spread the word! When do you need them by?
Posted by: Marieke | February 13, 2008 at 05:08 AM
Jule. I would love to help...is it too late to bring them up at the end of March
Posted by: Susan | February 13, 2008 at 07:51 AM
Hi Julie,
I'd love to know some more info on the scrapbooks you require for the kids.
My email is: lamontlivinghomes@ozemail.com.au
Posted by: Nikala O'Brien | February 13, 2008 at 08:28 AM
Hey Jules!...I'd be happy to help out again this year....when do you need the LO's by???
Posted by: Julie Takacs | February 13, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Count me in Julie - I had actually put aside a pile of product for you because Janine had mentioned your scrapbooks previously, so I'm all ready. I will make as many as I can and will speak to the others at my lss to see if they can help. When do you need them by and where can I drop it off to? My email is heyhoewarren@aapt.net.au Cheers, Lisa.
Posted by: LisaW | February 13, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Hi Julie,
Ill help out too! :-) Sending an email thru to you now
KarenR
Posted by: kazruss | February 13, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Julie - when do you need them buy (found you through janine's blog)
would LOVE to help out
Posted by: ~kathryn~ | February 13, 2008 at 06:32 PM
Love to help out. Have sent you an email. :)
Posted by: Cass | February 13, 2008 at 11:27 PM
Hi Julie,
I got a link to your blog, from Marieke.
I'd love to help! When you need these pages by? Also is there a particular theme I should make?
Posted by: Lizee | February 14, 2008 at 03:18 AM
I would love to help Julie! I live in western Qld, so I'll get some done and then contact you for an address to post them to.
Posted by: Wendy Gaskin | February 15, 2008 at 01:14 PM
What a fantastic idea - love it!!! I read about this on Nic Howard's blog and followed the links and here I am signing up! Will send you an email now to find out where I can send my pages.
Cheers, P.
Posted by: Petrina | February 17, 2008 at 07:25 PM
I read about this project on Kathie Link's blog this morning and think it's a fantastic idea. I am more than happy to help and have emailed you showing my support. Thanks for advertising this. I love helping a worthy cause and simple scrapping is something I can manage. Have a great day.
Posted by: Susan McGuire | February 18, 2008 at 11:05 AM
HI Julie,
What a wonderful idea!!I'd love to take part!! Shall email you.
Posted by: Kerry | February 20, 2008 at 09:19 AM
hi Julie. count me in. please send me an email for the full details.
proud_momah@yahoo.com
Posted by: Khei de Dios | February 20, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Hi Jules, Yes I would be happy to make several basic scrapbook pages. Please tell me when they are need and where to mail them.
Thanks.
Marian
Posted by: marian | February 20, 2008 at 07:44 PM
Hi
Kathryn posted your link on our Forum - would love to help out. Please send me where we need to send them and by when.
Alita
Posted by: Alita | February 20, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Would love to help and happy to post a request on our blog and send all the pages together, please let me know details of when you will need them...
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle Rogers | February 21, 2008 at 07:36 PM
It would be a privelege to be involved with this project. Scraps of card, pieces of paper, left over embellishments seem such trivial things in the face of the deprivation these children have exeperienced but if these things help lighten the load and foster hope for their future I'm in!
Please let me know what I can do, when you need the pages and where I can send them.
Amanda
Posted by: Amanda | February 22, 2008 at 09:08 AM
Hi there,
I would love to help.
Let me know how to get some pages to you.
Amy
amy.bland@southernhealth.org.au
Posted by: Amy B | February 25, 2008 at 04:10 PM
I'd love to help too! Please let me know where you would like the pages mailed. kritters@sbcglobal.net
Posted by: kristi | February 27, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Hey - this is a great idea. I am on a deadline to complete a wedding anniversary album in 2 weeks, but if you give me the deadline and postal address I'll see what I can do....
Posted by: Fiona | March 01, 2008 at 09:20 PM
very happy to help you with this great cause....
can create about 40 pages and I can send a bundle of stock too if that helps - just let me know what will assist and make it easy for you. Happy to put a notice on the forum too.
Posted by: Julie Marshall | March 02, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Hi Julie,
I'm interested in what you are doing for SCKC. I'm wondering if it would be ok to list this on my Forum and ask my Members for assistance?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Take Care,
Shelley.
www.scrapbooking4less.com.au
Check out our Forum!
Posted by: Shelley | March 03, 2008 at 07:46 AM
Hi Julie, please send me the address whre to send the LO's for Southern Cross. I'm ready to send them off. Thanks
Marian
Posted by: marian | March 03, 2008 at 12:46 PM
I would love to help you out with this project could you please email me with your po box and any other info?
What a wonderful thing you are doing!! :)
Thanks kelly xox
Posted by: kelly | March 05, 2008 at 11:56 AM