I feel so humbled and honored to have the extraordinary opportunity to share the milestones of Crayons Matter for 2013. It is because of all of YOUR support and belief in this initiative that these service advances have been possible…I can only imagine what we will accomplish together in 2014!
Crayons Matter Ghana October 2013 Video Montage: https://crayonsmatter.org//youtu.be/GUMcC8c0joI
August 2012: The first backpacks and essential school supplies for Crayons Matter were purchased
December 2012: Lilly Charlotte District assembled backpacks in December for our Lilly Day of Service
March 2, 2013: Crayons Matter Launch Event was held at the Tyler White O’Brien Gallery – $21,242 was raised – extraordinary!
August 19, 2013: Backpacks shipped to Ghana from Greensboro
September 2013: Backpacks arrive in Ghana by container
October 2013: The Crayons Matter Volunteer Team consisting of Martin, Chantal, Julian, Francis, Godwin, Mark/Eric, Julian, and Brad delivered backpacks filled with school supplies and art to the inspirational students at the Sogakofe Primary School and Abor Primary and JHS Schools.
Save the date: Our second annual benefit for Crayons Matter will be held at the Tyler White O’Brien Art Gallery in Greensboro, NC on Saturday, May 10th from 6-9pm.
Crayons Matter will continue to collaborate with our sponsor schools and seek out partnerships with additional schools in Africa and schools locally and globally with the goal of delivering essential school supplies and art to children in need.
We plan to deliver 1,000 plus backpacks to our sponsor schools in Ghana this year and deliver 250 backpacks to our first sponsor school in Costa Rica in April 2014…stay tuned for more information!
I again send my deepest thank you to our CM Volunteer Team in Greensboro and those that traveled to Africa that gave an immense amount of time and energy in such a dear, genuine way. I thank the Greensboro, NC community and those in the Florida, Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia communities, and friends and colleagues throughout the US and globally that have donated time, energy, Art, and gifts of support to make the Crayons Matter mission a reality. Thank you Kaki for an amazing Stella and Dot/Crayons Matter fundraiser in October.
Again, I wish to send a special thank you to the First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro that has chosen Crayons Matter as their partner in the support of our church’s Children’s Outreach Ministry mission of “Children Helping Children.” God continues to provide great blessings as There is no doubt that the vision of Crayons Matter to ensure that “no child should go without a pack of crayons that they can call their own” is becoming reality through God’s miraculous will, grace, and the love of our church community.
Thank you to Lilly for creating the inspiration and “Spark” behind Crayons Matter. After an incredible volunteer at a school in Hohoe, Ghana in 2011 through the Connecting Hearts Abroad Ambassador program, I realized the essential need for schools supplies. I am grateful for every gift of energy, art, and donation from my entire Lilly and OBU family….you guys are the best
The hope of Crayons Matter is that we can all work together to provide the basics of education to children by first inspiring their strong imaginations and supplying them with crayons, paper, backpacks, art, and other essential school supplies. By making a difference through service, we can gain a deeper understanding of the value of passionate giving.
Crayons Matter is fortunate to share our story and journey. This is is just the beginning, and I am so grateful to communities far and wide for your love and enduring support.
xxx Courtenay
https://crayonsmatter.org//youtu.be/GUMcC8c0joI