A Little Help?

They say that some of the best things that have ever come about were through collaboration.  People joining forces to create something amazing, that if conquered alone, would just not have had the same outcome.  We see this proven time and time again in the online world.  Create H.O.P.E Designs is such a collaboration.  The best part is that we can all be a part of it.  Whether you donate your talent, time, or money – this is a great way for the creative online community to support an ongoing effort.

From their about page:

H…Hearts United
O…Orphaned No More
P…Patterns With Purpose
E…Even the Least of These

Create H.O.P.E Designs is an organization that was started in September of 2011 by a group of women with a collective desire to make a difference with their talents. It was obvious what could be done, we all shared something in common, we are designers.  We are a collection of artists selling our patterns to those crafter’s in the world that share our need to beautify our surroundings.  It was with this goal in mind that Create H.O.P.E Designs or Create H.O.P.E was launched.  Our goal is to provide beautiful patterns or tutorials for a very affordable price.  All of the designs are down-loadable PDF files, ensuring that Create H.O.P.E will operate overhead-free.  100% of all funds generated will benefit designated foundations serving orphans and their communities.

Where?
Create H.O.P.E will benefit children from all corners of the world.  Every four months a new collection of patterns or tutorials will be released benefiting a particular foundation working with orphans.  The patterns released for that foundation will always benefit that foundation, ensuring continued support from crafters around the world.

Why?
It is estimated that there are approximately *143 to 210 MILLION orphans worldwide.  The approximate population of the US is 300 million, does that put this issue in perspective?  Everyday 5,760 children become orphans, these children are orphaned for many reasons, poverty, disease, war and government regulations of family size.  Sadly, every 2.2 seconds another orphan “ages out” with no family or home, making them vulnerable to abuse, prostitution, becoming child soldiers, and suicide.  Orphans literally are the most vulnerable part of any society.  In Africa, every 15 seconds a child becomes and orphan because of the AIDS epidemic.  Orphans have no family, voice, or ability to control what life hands to them.  It is our desire to aid those that are trying to make a difference without simply asking for money with nothing in return.  It only takes a little from everyone to make big differences.  We can talk about statistics all day, but the important thing to remember is that EVERY orphan is an innocent child, a living, breathing precious child.

* UNICEF 2011 report

China Little Flower

China Little Flower is the first organization to benefit from the campaign.

“Recognizing the beauty and dignity of each and every individual person, China Little Flower works to build a culture of life by reaching out to those who are rejected, abandoned, deemed as useless, and who have no voice. Whether by direct care, support, or education, we seek to show the value of each human life and build a culture that respects, protects, loves and serves life!”

Where to begin?

• They provide hospice for dying orphans; loving arms, hopeful prayers, happiness and dignity for their short little lives.
• They provide care for orphaned children with special needs.  They do this in a family environment, providing school and teaching life skills to one day enable them to live independently.
• They provide intensive care to babies that have been abandoned with complex medical needs, nursing them to health so that they can join a family of their own.
• Long term care for older disabled orphans with severe mental and physical impairment.  These are children that have no hope of being adopted, or living independently as adults.

In short, they provide love and dignity to the most fragile of orphans.  Beyond that, they help publish literature that promotes a respect for life, aiding women in crisis with unplanned pregnancies, working with children who have lost parents to AIDS, and providing medical care and surgeries to children in poor families. They also work alongside local staff, empowering and educating them with the hopes of spreading their mission throughout China.

They have a blog where you can learn more about what they are doing actively now, but I will warn you…take a box of Kleenex.

Here’s The Best Part!

The best part about Create H.O.P.E is that it is not just a one time campaign, it will continue for as long as it is supported.  The money generated from these patterns today and a year from now will always benefit Little Flower.  They intend to introduce new patterns to the shop ongoing.  In February they will introduce a new organization that will benefit from the patterns donated for it’s cause, and in another four months orphans from another region of the world will benefit, and all of them will continue to get funds from these patterns as long as we support it.  The idea is brilliant!  Here are the patterns available now:

I have already bought and made the Little Lucy Tunic, and I have to say, I am surprised these patterns are only priced at $5.oo.  Definitely something I would expect to pay $12.00 for.

Isn’t it cute?! And so so easy.  I bought a little white top to go under it to carry on to winter.  You know how it feels seeing your little ones in something you made?  Well, when you know it was made from something that benefited the efforts of such an organization as China Little Flower, it feels five times as good.

So Here’s Where I Want Your Help

Head over to the Create H.O.P.E Shop, look through the patterns and buy one, or two or five. These women have donated their time and talents, and they really want to make this a success.  I am sure we are all getting ready for the Holidays, and I think that little A+ Art Portfolio is perfect to cross off a few of the kiddos on my list.  I always have at least one friend having a baby, and the Watered With Love Layette Set will be the perfect thing to make over and over.  That is the other great thing about these patterns, they’re digital!  You can print them when you need to make them, and as your little ones grow you can print the bigger size to make.

Maybe bookmark their shop and then when you are in need of a pattern, you can check Create H.O.P.E first to see if they have what you are looking for.  When you make something from the patterns, share it!  Blog about it, let people know about the cause it supported, and how you were a part of it. That is the only way this campaign will be successful.

Friends, this is a great opportunity to help!  It’s only five dollars for amazing quality. If you are sewing anyways, you might as well get warm and fuzzies from it .  100% of the proceeds (except what paypal takes) goes to the organization that the pattern was intended for!  How often do you see that?

Here’s the scoop – Create H.O.P.E has already sent China Little Flower $250.  They have raised another $100 for them this week, and would like to send them another $250 next week.  We Can Do It!!   We can do better then that!  I know from my stats that at least 8000 of you are going to read this post…today.  I would love for you to help me get that number up.

Don’t sew?  Maybe you know someone who does, make their day and let them know you bought the pattern for a great cause and you thought they might like it.  Also, they plan on having printables available soon for purchase, so be on the lookout!

If you would like to offer up your talent, you can see this page about how to get involved.

It was one thought one night that started all of this.  Then women from all around donated time to make the website, the patterns, and even name it (it was a reader who left a comment).  Now we can all play a part by making their efforts more than worth it.

I wanted to mention that they offered a giveway for me to present on this post, but in the end, I just don’t feel like that is what this is all about.  This is about giving, not winning something for free.  And really when you are supporting a cause like this – you’ve already won.

You get what you give friends, what have you given today?

ps..help spread the word!  They have the cutest button!

Tagged as: children's clothing, girls