Back 2 School & Crafting

Last week, Kathy & I were in Orlando Florida for the Craft & Hobby Association and while there we participated in a Back 2 School, Back 2 Health event at Amazon Villages Shopping Center.  There were about 4,000 kids there getting ready for school, picking up free backpacks, getting their school physicals and vaccinations.  We set up a fun, craft activity for the kids and their parents.  

The children drew, colored and used markers to create their own "bricks" on a half sheet of paper.  We took these fantastic works of art and built a Craft Wall of Health!  It was fun and inspiring meeting the children and their families.

Shoulder to Shoulder

Our message was simple:  When children come home from school, sit down with them, and draw, paint, color or find another fun craft.  They can unwind and talk about their day.  As adults, we often forget how much goes on in a child's day that they need to process and talk through.  Crafting means people  are sitting shoulder to shoulder, with their hands occupied so that they can open up and connect.

A Big Shout Out

We want to send a huge Thank You to our wonderfully generous friends at Glue Arts, who donated Glue Rings for the event.  We used them to create fun hospital ID bracelets for the kids. This product is so easy to use that even I found it a snap. We also used it to build the Craft Wall of Health.  You simply cut off the amount of tape you need from the roll, press it down on the surface, then peel back the top layer, and viola, a perfectly sticky adhesive!  I also love, love, love their Glue Glider Pro.

Our Craft Wall of Health

I'll keep posting photos all week.  Enjoy!

Comments

[Kathy]

This Back 2 School Back 2 Health event was so empowering. Both Barb and I were so thrilled to be able to touch the lives of so many children and their parents. We had Dads, Moms and Grandparents crafting shoulder to shoulder with their children. You can see the delight in these children---which truly inspires me to give back more often!

Kathy

[Melissa Langer]

oh what an amazing event!
i love seeing all of the beautiful artwork the children created.
your wall provides connection not only for the people participating, but for everyone who sees it.

i cannot wait to see more pictures this week.

thank you for all that you do!