The Story...
More than 200 bracelets were made and sold to people in 17 different states, as we
reached the goal of $1000 raised for the Newtown Memorial Fund!
We did that ~ together ~ in 3 weeks. Thank you to everyone who bought a bracelet,
spread the word, or paid for bracelets to be sent to people in Newtown. I received orders
from CT, TX, RI, PA, CO, NY, MN, WI, CA, OK, AL, TN, MD, MS, FL, OH, and VA. The largest
response was from the people in Newtown. I received the most heartfelt messages
from some folks in Newtown and I will share some of their words below. They are an amazing
community of beautiful people.
A special thank you to my husband for funding the project & keeping me
company while I made, packaged, and mailed more than 200 bracelets.
The reason a "guy version" was created was because he wanted to wear a bracelet too.
Thanks to Twitter, and the celebrities who surprisingly retweeted my
announcements: Mike Modano, Derrek Holland, Michael Olt, Mike Napoli, Mike
Doocy, Gloria Campos, Gina Miller. That was pretty cool.
For me, this wasn't really about bracelets or raising money. It was about honoring the 20 children who
were murdered; Honoring their memories, their smiles, their laughter, and their loved ones. I thought of the children,
the teachers, the families, and the survivors as I made each bracelet. Many times I was watching a news story
or family interview on TV while making the bracelets. A tragedy of this magnitude affected billions of people all over
the world. But for the families of the victims, the school mates, the community... their pain will last forever. It is
those brave people who need our prayers the most. The response and the money raised, well, that was just a bonus. ~ Leesah
reached the goal of $1000 raised for the Newtown Memorial Fund!
We did that ~ together ~ in 3 weeks. Thank you to everyone who bought a bracelet,
spread the word, or paid for bracelets to be sent to people in Newtown. I received orders
from CT, TX, RI, PA, CO, NY, MN, WI, CA, OK, AL, TN, MD, MS, FL, OH, and VA. The largest
response was from the people in Newtown. I received the most heartfelt messages
from some folks in Newtown and I will share some of their words below. They are an amazing
community of beautiful people.
A special thank you to my husband for funding the project & keeping me
company while I made, packaged, and mailed more than 200 bracelets.
The reason a "guy version" was created was because he wanted to wear a bracelet too.
Thanks to Twitter, and the celebrities who surprisingly retweeted my
announcements: Mike Modano, Derrek Holland, Michael Olt, Mike Napoli, Mike
Doocy, Gloria Campos, Gina Miller. That was pretty cool.
For me, this wasn't really about bracelets or raising money. It was about honoring the 20 children who
were murdered; Honoring their memories, their smiles, their laughter, and their loved ones. I thought of the children,
the teachers, the families, and the survivors as I made each bracelet. Many times I was watching a news story
or family interview on TV while making the bracelets. A tragedy of this magnitude affected billions of people all over
the world. But for the families of the victims, the school mates, the community... their pain will last forever. It is
those brave people who need our prayers the most. The response and the money raised, well, that was just a bonus. ~ Leesah
The original listing on Etsy...
We do not lose heart.
2 Corinthians 4:16
It's just a little bracelet.
But it carries a big meaning: do not lose heart. I created these hemp bracelets
as a way to honor the memories of the 26 beautiful lives taken on 12/14/12; to
unite our grief; and to raise money to help the families and survivors.
"Whatever portion of sadness that we can share with you to ease this
heavy load, we will gladly bear it. Newtown, you are not alone." ~ President
Obama
These bracelets won't change the world. But maybe they can help make a
difference in someone's world. Thank you for your support.
2 Corinthians 4:16
It's just a little bracelet.
But it carries a big meaning: do not lose heart. I created these hemp bracelets
as a way to honor the memories of the 26 beautiful lives taken on 12/14/12; to
unite our grief; and to raise money to help the families and survivors.
"Whatever portion of sadness that we can share with you to ease this
heavy load, we will gladly bear it. Newtown, you are not alone." ~ President
Obama
These bracelets won't change the world. But maybe they can help make a
difference in someone's world. Thank you for your support.
The Fund...
I chose this fund because it was created by Sandy Hook Alumni. Their goal is to raise $26 million for the following purposes:
to create a memorial for the victims, to create academic scholarships in the names of the victims, and to provide long-term help for the families directly affected by the tragedy.
Read their mission, their efforts, and their success stories here... www.newtownmemorialfund.org Thank you NMF for all you are doing to help heal your community and honor the beautiful lives lost on 12/14/12.
to create a memorial for the victims, to create academic scholarships in the names of the victims, and to provide long-term help for the families directly affected by the tragedy.
Read their mission, their efforts, and their success stories here... www.newtownmemorialfund.org Thank you NMF for all you are doing to help heal your community and honor the beautiful lives lost on 12/14/12.
The donation process...
Each bracelet was sold for $5. Purchases were made through my online jewelry store, Wearing Stories, on Etsy. After PayPal and Etsy took a small amount from each purchase, the remainder of the money went directly to the Newtown Memorial Fund. Donations were made directly through their website, and through their donation link on PayPal. Totals were sent in several increments as money was collected in my PayPal account. z
www.newtownmemorialfund.org
www.wearingstories.etsy.com
www.newtownmemorialfund.org
www.wearingstories.etsy.com
The response from Newtown...
"That's so wonderful that you have been able to raise that much! I plan on
wearing your bracelet as a reminder to treat others with kindness in honor of
the victims and their families."
"I will def. tell everyone the bracelets come from you all with love. And CT is
sending it back for sure!!!"
"My boss grew up in Newtown and lived there for 18 years her family still lives
there and she was there for Christmas. She sent me lots of heartbreaking photos
of the memorial sites around town so I feel a personal connection to Newtown
watching her mourn for her town. I'm been looking for ways to support the
families and town and your bracelets are a perfect way to do that."
"Everyone I have spoken to today in CT and have ordered a bracelet through me
today has asked me to personally thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
"Good morning, since I feel like I already know you I wanted to share with you
what I saw today. I attended Ana M. Green's wake today. It was about 5 streets
away from my home. Her casket was pulled by a glass carriage that was pulled by
two white horses. It was just like Cinderella. ... This little girl was so
beautiful. The church was finding it hard to park all the cars. Hundreds of
people came, but the saddest part was across the street was tons of media
snapping away for a glimpse of the casket. I am writing this still crying. Thank
you again and also thank your friends for all you kindness."
"After Ana's wake they closed down roads from Bloomfield (the wake was at First
Cathedral, Bloomfield CT) through Windsor and had the horse drawn carriage take
her casket to the funeral home. I am sure pictures will be posted later today. I
don't think I have cried so much as I did today. The church had a movie size
screen showing beautiful pictures of her through out the service. A
total of 5,000 people came and went from 10-2 today. How amazing that
people are coming together to show support."
"Many thanks again for your kindness! CT does have you in our hearts!"
"I'm sending you a link to a news video. You'll see the family escorted by police...
also in the line is buses, Those buses held the other
families of the victims of Newtown. Many of them attended all the funerals as
respect and buses for them were donated as transportation for them, that's why
they are escorted by the police dept.
"Thank you so much! I have so many people who
LOVE your bracelets:) and want one!! I'm definitely spreading the word! Also, I got my
first order today...I LOVE them! I'm wearing two actually! You
are just great. Enjoy your Christmas tomorrow! snow and sleet are coming
to CT tonight (yippee)"
"My hairdresser and actually this lady that works at a near by Walgreens
asked about your bracelets! So I may have to place another order!!!"
"My daughter and I love them, I think I love the packaging and personal
note even more. I appreciate what you are
doing and the care that you put into this project, right down to the
shipping."
"I love the bracelets, they are so cute plus have a great meaning and cause
behind them!!"
"Hi there! These went /so/ fast when I gave them to my friends and family in
town! Is it possible to get five more?"
"Thank you so, so much! These are amazing and have been such wonderful treasures
to the people I have given them to! =)"
"I received my order on Monday and was able to ring in the new year wearing both
of the beautiful bracelets you made; I love them and will always cherish them.
Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for your kind words, your
contribution to the NMF, for mailing it so quickly, and for the extra PEACE
bracelet."
wearing your bracelet as a reminder to treat others with kindness in honor of
the victims and their families."
"I will def. tell everyone the bracelets come from you all with love. And CT is
sending it back for sure!!!"
"My boss grew up in Newtown and lived there for 18 years her family still lives
there and she was there for Christmas. She sent me lots of heartbreaking photos
of the memorial sites around town so I feel a personal connection to Newtown
watching her mourn for her town. I'm been looking for ways to support the
families and town and your bracelets are a perfect way to do that."
"Everyone I have spoken to today in CT and have ordered a bracelet through me
today has asked me to personally thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
"Good morning, since I feel like I already know you I wanted to share with you
what I saw today. I attended Ana M. Green's wake today. It was about 5 streets
away from my home. Her casket was pulled by a glass carriage that was pulled by
two white horses. It was just like Cinderella. ... This little girl was so
beautiful. The church was finding it hard to park all the cars. Hundreds of
people came, but the saddest part was across the street was tons of media
snapping away for a glimpse of the casket. I am writing this still crying. Thank
you again and also thank your friends for all you kindness."
"After Ana's wake they closed down roads from Bloomfield (the wake was at First
Cathedral, Bloomfield CT) through Windsor and had the horse drawn carriage take
her casket to the funeral home. I am sure pictures will be posted later today. I
don't think I have cried so much as I did today. The church had a movie size
screen showing beautiful pictures of her through out the service. A
total of 5,000 people came and went from 10-2 today. How amazing that
people are coming together to show support."
"Many thanks again for your kindness! CT does have you in our hearts!"
"I'm sending you a link to a news video. You'll see the family escorted by police...
also in the line is buses, Those buses held the other
families of the victims of Newtown. Many of them attended all the funerals as
respect and buses for them were donated as transportation for them, that's why
they are escorted by the police dept.
"Thank you so much! I have so many people who
LOVE your bracelets:) and want one!! I'm definitely spreading the word! Also, I got my
first order today...I LOVE them! I'm wearing two actually! You
are just great. Enjoy your Christmas tomorrow! snow and sleet are coming
to CT tonight (yippee)"
"My hairdresser and actually this lady that works at a near by Walgreens
asked about your bracelets! So I may have to place another order!!!"
"My daughter and I love them, I think I love the packaging and personal
note even more. I appreciate what you are
doing and the care that you put into this project, right down to the
shipping."
"I love the bracelets, they are so cute plus have a great meaning and cause
behind them!!"
"Hi there! These went /so/ fast when I gave them to my friends and family in
town! Is it possible to get five more?"
"Thank you so, so much! These are amazing and have been such wonderful treasures
to the people I have given them to! =)"
"I received my order on Monday and was able to ring in the new year wearing both
of the beautiful bracelets you made; I love them and will always cherish them.
Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for your kind words, your
contribution to the NMF, for mailing it so quickly, and for the extra PEACE
bracelet."
For all questions, please contact Leesah at www.wearingstories.etsy.com