United Way of the Tri-Valley Area celebrates:
Buttons for Babes volunteer bracelet project reaches milestone, raising more than $25,000 to help children.
Chris Bourassa has a dream. Actually, she has many dreams that keep her up at night making bracelets out of buttons that have been unearthed from dusty attics, clipped off clothes, and found at thrift stores nationwide. Chris dreams that every child should have his or her needs met and no child should go hungry, not have enough clothes to wear, be homeless, or not have access to appropriate medical care. That dream reached a milestone this month raising an astounding $25,000 since Chris linked with the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area in June of 2012, and the project grew as more and more volunteers became involved in making bracelets. An estimated 3,000 bracelets have been made so far and the project is not slowing down. Many of the five dollar bracelet donations have been generously matched by Barclays, a committed partner who not only has matched funds that are raised, but actively allows employees to become involved in the project. Employees sew bracelets, collect buttons, and creatively scrapbook thank you cards that are sent to button donors and others who help. The project has sparked the imagination and involvement of many. The International Emblem Club has become involved extending the project to help Shriners and St. Judes.
The bustling project is coordinated by Trish Wurpel who volunteers 20 hours a week making bracelets, overseeing the quality of each bracelet returned to the United Way for sale, and offering workshops and individualized trainings. Trish can be reached for more information on Mondays and Fridays from 10 – 4 at 207.778.5048 or at pawurpel@yahoo.com. She is joined in her efforts by many others, and, in fact, a Buttons for Babes Advisory Board has recently been formed with policies and procedures approved by the United Way Board of Directors. This Advisory Board includes United Way board member Lillian Lake, of Wilton; Cherylann Jerry of Jay; Martina Eastman of Jay; Gayle Long of Livermore Falls, Trish Wurpel of Starks; Kathy Gregory of Chesterville and a United Way Community Partner representing Community Dental; Shannon Smith of Wilton; and Chris Bourassa of Mercer. United Way staff Lisa Laflin, Nicolasa Navarro, and Eleni Margaronis also participate in the discussions.
The Advisory Board meets monthly to oversee the project’s growth and to make timely funding decisions. Funding is by application. The simple request document can be found on the United Way website at uwtva.org/give or by calling 207.778.5048. Applications for funding – up to $500 once per year, are designed to support unmet needs of children 0 – 18 in Franklin County, Livermore, Livermore Falls, and Starks. Applications were originally accepted from individuals, and case managers working on a client’s behalf because there was a tremendous unmet need for assistance. The project’s success has allowed for an expansion of the guidelines. Now, organizations or a collaborative (such as a youth group working on a specific initiative with a civic organization) may apply to support programs that help children. In addition to supporting requests (by application) 30% of funds raised each month through Buttons for Babes will be allocated to a local homeless shelter.
Funds have been awarded to meet a diverse array of needs including purchase of winter clothing for elementary schools students in the Mt. Blue Regional School District; transportation to visit a child admitted for in-patient psychiatric services; food; and a number of requests have been fulfilled for adaptive equipment for children with special needs. Applications are encouraged! Please help spread the word.
Buttons for Babes has involved more than 400 volunteers and welcomes many more to become involved. The project is thriving due to the support of many volunteers -like those who meet at the Jay Button Bee the second Tuesday of the month at 12:30 at Otis Federal Credit Union, and members of the Farmington Emblem Club #460. Other volunteers have emerged at workplaces including LEAP, Inc. where volunteers have friendly competitions to make bracelets as part of a wellness activity, and Work First where participants clip off buttons from clothes that will not be sold at the organization’s thrift stores.
This article would not be complete without sharing a story or two that demonstrates the power of this project: Shannon Smith, who has been very involved with Buttons for Babes with the Farmington Emblem Club, made a purple bracelet for a mom in honor of her child. Soon after, her child died unbeknownst to Shannon. When she saw the mother months later the heartbroken woman said “this will be with me forever.”
Bracelets are available at the United Way office, 232 Broadway in Farmington; Salon West, West Farmington; Wears and Wares in Farmington, United Methodist Economic Ministry in Salem; Shears to You in the East Side Mall Farmington Falls; seasonally in Phillips, and from many volunteers. Bracelets have found themselves traveling nationally and throughout the world, most recently they have been sent to Taiwan, the Netherlands, Germany, and Ecuador. Politicians have supported the project, including Angus King, Susan Collins, and Governor LePage.
In recognition of her efforts in 2013, Chris Bourassa was awarded the Channel 6 Six Who Care award. A well deserved recognition. Chris is quick to blush when the recognition is mentioned. She is humble and uses every opportunity to energetically deflect the attention she gets away from herself. She calls all those involved in this project her “League of Angels” and proclaims, “2014 should be the year of the child! Every child deserves a chance.”
Best,
Lisa Park Laflin
Executive Director
United Way of the Tri-Valley Area
PO Box 126, 232 Broadway
Farmington, ME 04938
www.uwtva.org, (207) 778-5048
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