CHA hosted a three-hour kids craft fair for 150 children at the General Robert E. Wood Boys & Girls Club of Chicago. In recognition of the event, the mayor proclaimed July 16 "Kids Craft Day in Chicago."

 

CHA volunteers* including Beth Mauro (Scrapbook Retailer executive editor) and me were on hand to help the kids create. I'm not sure who had more fun—the volunteers or the kids! We helped them decorate craft foam visors, doorknob hangers and bookmarks, as well as scrapbook bulletin boards.

 

I love working with kids (two of my previous jobs were working on children's magazines). Some start out a little timid, while others jump right in, but they all find their creativity stride and really just go with it. Love watching that process.

And, I had two favorite experiences that will stay with me a while.

One was of an older boy who was very solemn—I never saw him smile—but he seemed intent and very fatherly, almost, to the younger boys. He stood around and watched, but didn't participate. It was like he didn't want to get in the way of their fun. I handed him a set of foam sports stickers and told him to take them with him. He didn't say anything, but held on to them, and a little later, I saw him decorating a visor. I doubt that it was for him, as he just seemed to be a generous soul who thinks of others before himself.

My other favorite memory of the day was helping a little girl, who was probably about 7. I asked her if she was having fun, and she said, sweetly and simply, that it was the best day of her life. I told her I was really glad to be there on the best day of her life, and she said, "Thank you. You have a best day, too." Wow.

Angela, the BGCC program director, said that the club hasn't had any craft supplies because they don't have money for them. Thanks to the craft industry's generous spirit, these kids now have more than $40,000 worth of craft items to keep them creating and growing long after Kids Craft Day. I had a best day.

   
*CHA participants Terri O, Duncan Enterprises, Jo-Ann Fabric and
Craft Stores, FloraCraft, Arte Latin-Oh!, Creative Hands, Scrapbook Retailer
magazine, Memory Makers magazine, EK Success, Ellison, Pack-o-Fun Magazine,
Leisure Arts, SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L, and research partner Phoenix
Multicultural, have all donated product, time and effort to make this event
special for the children of the Boys & Girls Club of Chicago. Additionally
more than 40 companies donated more than $40,000 in craft products and
supplies to insure that the BGCC has a complete year's worth of crafting
supplies and projects.

Best,

Beth