We are taking stuff over to Trinity UMC Friday night to set up for the sewathon on Saturday. Then running a sewathon all day at Trinity. Then taking all of that "stuff" to WESLEY UMC (our new sewing center) when we are done. Then making the final move from Highlands to Wesley on Sunday. And we even have an outreach event scheduled on Sunday as well!
We really need "all hands on deck" to make this happen. Email alachuafl@daysforgirls.org or call 352 316 6113 to let me know what you are able to do.
FRIDAY: 5 pm We need 6-10 vehicles to load up supplies at Highlands (1001 NE 16 Ave, GNV) for sewathon, drive them to Trinity (4000 NW 53rd Ave, GNV), unload them, and help set up the Youth Building for the sewathon. Done by 8:00 pm
SATURDAY: 3:30 pm Load up items from the sewathon at Trinity and take to WESLEY UMC (826 NW 23rd Ave, GNV) and unload in the new sewing center. Done by 5:30 pm.
SUNDAY: 11:30 am Load everything left at Highlands to take over to Wesley. We need 6-10 vehicles to do this efficiently. We DO have a trailer for the big items so regular cars are fine. Done by 2 pm.
Saturday's Sewathon!
Hosted by UNITED WOMEN in FAITH at Trinity United Methodist Church
Please sign up for a shift (or two) by contacting Marie at 352 317 6729 or samecmm@aol.com. The google form we were using wasn't working properly so just contact Marie.
The shifts are 9:30-12:30 or 1:00-4:00. If you stay all day, you can eat lunch outside.
5 Rules at DFG Sewing Centers and at the Trinity UMC Sewathon: 1) Wear a face mask 2) Wash your hands when you arrive 3) Wear closed toe shoes 4) Tie back long hair 6) Don't come if sick or exposed to Covid
Outreach Event on Sunday
Planned Parenthood Event at Curia on the Drag
Days for Girls will be tabling at this event which is focused on the relationship between reproductive and climate justice. Even before we made a plan to move on 9/25/22, we knew it would be a challenge to attend this event right after a major sewathon but decided to participate because the person running the event is someone who used to be a Days for Girls intern! We just couldn't say no! Some come on out and meet some of our current interns who will be running the table, giving out free washable menstrual products. What a wonderful way to promote reproductive health while reducing trash!
SUPPORTING THOSE IN UKRAINE!
Deadline to Contribute is October 6, 2022
We have connected with several nonprofits that are helping the people remaining in Ukraine. They are working with 100 orphanages and three hospitals.
We are donating 540 Days for Girls kits for the teens and women who need them. We are also sending quilts, hats, and scarves in all sizes and for all genders. If you would like to donate quilts, hats, or scarves, please get them to Days for Girls before the deadline. The sewing center will be closed to the public 9/23-10/8 BUT someone will be at the new center beginning next week (most of the time) working on unpacking and setting everything up. Contact alachuafl@daysforgirls.org or 352 316 6113 to let us know if you plan to drop off items or need them to be picked up.
Our partner VIRA International is holding an event on October 1 in Alachua to support Ukrainians. Please attend if you can! See below.
Grand Opening - Save the Date 10/9/22
We are bound and determined to have everything set up nicely by Sunday October 9 so we can have a Grand Opening celebration from noon until 4 pm. We plan to offer tours of our new space, opportunities for some hands-on service, and refreshments. Details will follow.
Our new location is at Wesley United Methodist Church. We are renting 2 former Sunday School classrooms increasing our space by about 50%. The address is 826 NW 23rd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32609. The parking lot is on the west side of the church, courtyard, and Fellowship Hall. Our space is just to the east of the Fellowship Hall. We are 3 blocks west of Ward's Grocery store.
Our last day at Highlands is this Friday 9/23. This gives us two weeks to set up. If you want to help with unpacking and setting up, just let us know. Our goal is that there will be a labeled place for everything and everything will be kept in its place. And we will have more sewing and serging stations set up. We anticipate being able to host groups of up to 20 in our own space without having to use the Fellowship Hall. (We can use Wesley's lovely large Hall for sewathons and other events by reservation.)
Here is a picture of Maria speaking to a family at the World's Greatest Baby Shower in Chiefland last Saturday. We distributed to 48 local women - most of them were pregnant or had new babies. This event is offered by Florida Healthy Kids and the Well Florida Council to help support new parents with education and lots of free gifts. Our tables were very popular with recipients telling their friends about what we were offering and encouraging them not to miss out.
For local distributions, a full kit has two shields with eight liners in a carry pouch with instructions. Recipients can help themselves to panties and soap if they like. We also offer "samples" (PODS with one shield and two liners with instructions) and menstrual cups.
If you do the math conservatively - 48 women not buying disposable items for up to 5 years would collectively save about $24,000! And the cost of our supplies to serve those 48 women was only approximately $500. WOW - what an impact our products can make!
The next World's Greatest Baby Shower will be held in Lake City on October 15. Maria and Rosanna are planning to attend. Having bilingual volunteers helps us to reach both English and Spanish speakers.
Thank You!
Our Rent Is Paid! For the Entire Year! Thanks to Suzi Pessin and Linda McGurn and two anonymous donors. What a blessing to be able to do the work of sewing, educating, and distributing without having to worry about fundraising to pay for our sewing center. We really can't thank you enough!!
Want to give a "house-warming" gift to Days for Girls? You can bring items with you to the sewathons or drop them at our new sewing center. We especially need PANTIES, WASHCLOTHS, and SOAPS. If you prefer to shop online, please have items shipped to Days for Girls c/o Michelle Belanger 6022 NW 26 Terrace, Gainesville, FL 32653. Remember the best washcloths are cotton, cheap, and thin (they wash and dry quicker than the fluffy luxury ones).
Hours of Operation
Sewing Center at Highlands will be closing on 9/23/22 1001 NE 16th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32609 East Entrance of Highlands Presbyterian Church Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Sewing Center at Wesley will be opening on 10/9/22 826 NW 23rd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32609 East side of the Church complex Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Melrose Workroom 2738 SE CR 21, Melrose, FL 32666 Faith Presbyterian Church - Across from Circle K Wednesdays, 10 am - 12 noon
THANK YOU EVERYONE for your assistance and support in this wonderful mission. Every Girl, Everywhere. Period. Radha Selvester and Michelle Belanger, Chapter Chairs
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