The Auction for Africa is in Full Swing

These are the faces of the little ones that will be moving into the Orphanage that Kim's Mom is building.  These are the faces of the little ones who will benefit from the amazing auction going on right now until Wednesday.  These are the little ones who will know love like no other - the love of people from far away who care so deeply for them. 

I hope you've had a chance to head over to Kim's website @ http://kimberlytaylorimages.com/ and check in on the auction.  There's still plenty of time to jump in there and put a bid in.  And some fabulous pieces, I have to say! 

But there's one more thing . . . for the remainder of the week, until Friday, I will be donating 25% of all sales to the little children in this orphanage.  I know it's not a lot, but a little goes a long way in helping get this wonderful home built for these little children. 

I don't think that I've ever shared this, but my Mom's father, William Dwyer was an orphan.  He, a brother and a little sister were dropped off on the steps of a Catholic Orphanage in Queens, NY.  They had nothing but the clothes on their back.  They were given shelter by the nuns, clothed and fed until they were ready to conquer the world on their own.  They called this Orphanage home for many years - they had all the things every child should never go without; shelter, food, and LOVE. 

So I hope I can spread a little bit of LOVE for these children.  In a way it's a thank you to the nuns for taking such good care of my Grandpa.  Sadly, I never met him.  He passed away when my Mom was a little girl herself.  But I'll never forget the kindness that was given him by the nuns in the orphanage.  I'd love to bless Barb too.  For she is what LOVE is all about.

Thank you again for reading this. 

Auction for Africa

Hello family and friends.  Today is a special day.  I want to tell you about my friend, Kimberly (shown above).  I've known Kim about 4 years now.  I met her through my business - she was actually here for my Girlfriend's Garden Party - that was really the beginning of our friendship.  Why am I writing tonight?  Well, tomorrow is a special day too!  You see, Kim and her beautiful and selfless Mother, Barb are going to be traveling to Africa to begin the setting up of a new orphanage in Uganda, and to bless these beautiful children with things no child should ever have to go without.  Kim is a gifted photographer and cook - so she's made it her mission to go to Uganda with armfuls of things to set up a kitchen for these precious little ones.  If you're like me, you want to know how to help.  Well, that's what this post is about.  But first . . . here's a photo of Kim and her Mom, Barb.  I have never met Barb, but I know what a kind and compassionate woman she is.  She is the epitomy of a Saint.  Some would allow these children to go on living each day like they have, but Barb is hell bent on making their lives a little brighter.

So again, what can we do???

Here's a bit of information directly from Kim . . .

"Hello friends,


My trip to Uganda is in just over a month and we have been working to collect the things that we will be bringing with us to the children. We are allowed three large suitcases each, with the option to pay for two more. I’m sure we could fill all ten between the two of us with supplies that simply aren’t available there- things that will be so valuable in a place where these things are desperately needed. And while we don’t want to make this home completely westernized, we do want it to be a “home” for these children- the first real home most of them have ever had. We want them to each have a place of their own and I am excited to put together a little “welcome home” parcel for each of them.

When we arrive we will be assessing the house and seeing what it is that needs to be purchased in Kampala before we bring in the children. There is a kitchen that needs to be supplied, basic items for housing and feeding the children, as well as food itself. This is the project I have challenged myself to raise the money for. The more we raise together- the more I can provide for these kids- especially food.

I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to welcoming them with my mom; to capturing their first days in a place that they can feel safe and happy and can play like children.

While it has taken me a lot longer than I had anticipated to pull all of this together, I am excited to tell you that I have finally organized all of the beautiful donations that my incredibly generous friends have offered so that we can raise money to purchase all that we need for the children. As I want to make every dollar count, I have opted to run the entire process through my website rather than using an online auction source, seeing as they would cost a few hundred dollars- dollars that could be put to much better use elsewhere!

The Details:

The Auction for Africa will go live on MONDAY June 17th at 8 am PST and run until WEDNESDAY June 19th at 6 pm PST. My plan is to have a separate post for each item, and then biding will be done in the comment section. The auction will run for three days so that everyone will have an opportunity to bid on the items they want. Once the auction closes, I will contact the winning bidders and they will have 48 hours to deposit the bid into my paypal account. If after 48 hours they aren’t able to do so, the second place bidder will be contacted. Once the bid has been paid the item will be shipped- most of which by the person who donated the item. Have I mentioned how generous my friends are?

So here is what I am asking of you. Not only do I hope that you will bid on the items, but I would be SO GRATEFUL if you would share it – shout it from the rooftops, facebook it, twitter it, blog it- MULTIPLE TIMES if you can! Look, I know I have asked a lot of you in the last year. I know that you have been kind, and giving and so incredibly supportive. If I wasn’t so darn passionate about this, I wouldn’t have the nerve to ask this of you, but I am. I want those kids to move in to this house and know that they are loved and that they don’t have to struggle to survive any longer. I want them to feel safe and secure and be able to be children. Every child deserves that, don’t you think?"

How am I involved in this you ask?  Well, I have donated an item for the auction.  It's truly a special piece from my line - probably my most popular item to date.  The Notre Dame Necklace - I think it's perfect as it symbolizes faith and love.  The Lord's Prayer is inside the sliding locket. 

You'll have a chance to bid on this beautiful necklace - it's the very last one. Make it yours by helping these darling children.  Thank you in advance and thanks for taking the time to read this post. 

PETITE FEMME

Over the moon excited today to tell you that I've launched my line of children's jewelry over on my website.  I have to say, it's so dang cute.  I hope you'll take a moment to head over and let me know what piece is your favorite. 

PETITE FEMME - jewels for the petite mademoiselle! And there are a few that can be made for us too, like the Momma Robin Bracelet. As with all my lines, they GROW. So continue to check back for new items each week.


http://tippystockton.com/category_32/Petite-Femme--jewels-for-the-petite-mademoiselle.htm

how is this possible . . .

30 years ago today . . . it was a gorgeous Saturday in Anaheim, California.  A large group of people  gathered at a beautiful church, St. Anthony Claret Catholic Church.  They were there to witness the marriage of two young people.  That's what doesn't seem possible.  30 years ago!  I was 22, he was 25, and here we are growing older and wiser together.  I wish life would slow down a bit, but I can't wait for the next 30 years.