A Treasured Jewel, a Gift...

Lancaster Creative Factory hosts Girls on the Run For Create O’Crocs Day

When I imagined Saturday’s Create O’Crocs Day with 100 young women enhancing 100 Crocs’ shoes, I didn’t dare to dream of a day like the one that happened.  It was perfectly amazing! Our estimated number of 180 participants grew to over 200 team young women of Lancaster Girls on the Run (GOTR).  Lancaster Creative Factory (LCF) hosted these energetic artists and their parents along with the help of twenty-one plus volunteers!  Our LCF team worked together with the Executive Board of GOTH, as well as some of the girls themselves, to facilitate a fun filled journey. 

Girls traveled through five stations.

 #1. and #2. Create Your Crocs-painting and decorating,

 #3. Snap Shot Station-photos of girls with finished Crocs

Crocs were then tied together in pairs and draped over a clothesline to dry.

Station #4. Setting the Pace-presented information for our guests. The Faces of the Homeless exhibit provided to us by the Lancaster Coalition to End Homelessness and “The Beginning” mural made available by Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center were focal points in this area.  Tabor Community Services, Waterstreet Ministries, Crocs Park City Center, Lancaster Creative Factory and Girls on the Run provided literature posters and flyers.

Our speaker, Cristina Lickman from Waterstreet, shared her experience working with families and children experiencing homelessness.  Music filled the morning air with Christopher “Wind Eagle” Thompson’s soothing guitar and flutes.  We rocked out in the afternoon Francis Miller’s violin, interactive percussion beats with Tammy Hesson and her friend, Lori.

The fifth Station-The Finish Line gave young artists an opportunity to sign the O’Crocs Window of Awareness structure and write a message to the children experiencing homelessness who will receive a pair of Crocs donated by Lancaster Creative Factory.  Before exiting through Kevin’s studio and showroom, each participant shared their thoughts and experience on a page of the day’s journal.

Kevin Lehman, Lancaster Creative Factory’s Founder, worked with Clint Costanzo, of Fontanini Italian Meats and Sausage. They are masters at making delicious brick oven pizzas for our guests.  Lancaster’s J. Walter Miller Company provided snacks and drinks.

How do I begin to thank all of you who made this day so special for so many?  I hold the memory of that day in my heart as a treasured jewel, a gift.  Your bright enthusiastic faces were glorious, beautiful, and joyful.  I’m deeply grateful to all of you who helped make my “little” dream become reality.

Roberta

Photos from Create O' Crocs Day

Create O' Crocs Day was a great success! Thanks to everyone who contributed in their own special way... The Sole Challenge marches on!

Click here to view photos from Create O' Crocs Day.

100 Girls on the Run

Getting Kevin's studio ready for our 100 Girls.

Tomorrow is the big day! I'm excited... 

Here's the press release we sent off.  Wish us luck!

 

Roberta

100 Women, 100 Shoes and Girls on the Run

LANCASTER, PA; (October 21, 2012) After being selected as a winner by O, The Oprah Magazine and Crocs’  “100 Women 100 Shoes Challenge”, Roberta Little quickly moved forward with her mission to raise awareness about children experiencing homelessness and the transformational power of art.   She initiated a link between Lancaster Creative Factory (LCF), and Girls on the Run  of Lancaster (GOTR), both newly formed 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. The young women of Girls on the Run have been “commissioned” to enhance one hundred pairs of Crocs shoes, as part of their curriculum community impact mission. These Crocs were Little’s prize she intends using to make a difference in her community. 

Lancaster Creative Factory will host the fall GOTR participants for Create O’Crocs Day during a privately held event on Saturday, October 27, 2012.   An estimated 180 members of GOTR will be participating. A gallery featuring Faces of the Homeless provided by the Lancaster Coalition to End Homelessness will be on display along with a mural created by residents of Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center.

Girls on the Run and Lancaster Creative Factory invite you to O'Crocs Window of Awareness, designed by artist, Kevin Lehman, opening at Millersville's Ware Center, 42 N. Prince St., beginning on Lancaster City's First Friday, November 2nd from 5-8 PM.  This exhibits ends Thursday, November 15, following The National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Benefit Concert sponsored by the Lancaster County Coalition to End Homelessness.

Little stated, “LCF wants this event to be fun and an educational experience.  Youth in crisis can use artistic expression as a tool for powerful communication.”  Little added, “Many of my friends and neighbors have asked how they might help.  I challenge everyone to take action by forming their own plan addressing the issue of homelessness in our community.” This is made quick and easy, inexpensive and fun.  Learn more about the mission of Girls on the Run at www.gotrlancaster.org  and about Roberta Little’s The Sole Challenge by contacting her at thesolechallenge@gmail.com.

art Crocs

100 Women 100 Shoes Challenge Update:

My plan of action is falling into place, I'm so excited!

On October 27^th,  one hundred eighty members of Girls on the Run will decoratively enhance 100 pairs of Crocs.  These young women are doing their community service by helping me achieve my goal of raising awareness with their artictic Crocs.

Come see these “art Crocs” on display at Millersville University’s Ware Center, 42 N. Prince St., Lancaster, during First Friday Gallery Walk on November 2, 2012. This exciting exhibit is being designed and constructed by local artist, Kevin Lehman.   I thought he was a perfect fit for this project, even though he isn’t a she!

Roberta

Raising Awareness

When I think about raising awareness, getting the word out to people, I ask myself what good comes from it?  The good, I think is KNOWLEDGE inspires one to ACT.

Contemplate this:

            •  1,000 students in Lancaster City schools are experiencing homelessness,

           

            •  1,783 students in Lancaster County have experienced homelessness during (2011-12)

            •  Approximately 170 pre-school aged children in our community also are experiencing homelessness

As I meet with homelessness service providers in the city, I asked what children need the most.  The answer:  a “home.”  Housing costs money.  This inspired me to ask you to help.  The Sole Challenge was born.

What do I mean by "create a plan?"

What do I mean by “create a plan”? 

This is the fun part.  Use your imagination and design a plan to earn a dollar.  Keep this simple and easy.  Have fun.   This will be your plan to to raise one dollar and raise awareness about homelessness by taking action.

Let me give you some examples.

My grandson, Cade is charging a penny per push on his swing set.  He is raising money and passing the idea on to other friends.  They will combine their “earnings” and contribute them toward their charity of choice. 

So, how does The Sole Challenge work?  Each person earns a buck and gives a buck!

•Make a decision to do something; remember, keep it simple.

•Design a plan of action-for example:  Caity’s Rake for a Buck Day, gather your friends together or spread the word using social media.  Ask all of them to work in their neighborhoods raking for one hour to earn $1.00!

All these dollars will add up and you can make a difference!

Your Sole Goal

Hang on!  What is The Sole Challenge?
I'm Roberta Little. I entered a contest and WON!!  For some unknown reason, I felt the need to write 500 words or less about how I might use 100 pairs of Crocs (the shoes) to make a difference in my community.  Oh, I forgot to tell you.  This contest is sponsored by O, The Oprah Magazine and Crocs.

If you watched the YouTube video of our first post, you understand my plan to raise awareness about children experiencing homelessness and the transformational power of art.  There were so many of you interested in helping, I am thrilled and amazed.  I am busy working on my plan, but I thought you might have fun creating your own.  The Sole Challenge is for you to initiate, design, and document.

There are more then 1,783 homeless students in the Lancaster area.


Let’s show Oprah and the world Lancaster cares!

I can’t do it alone.  I’m asking you to “Step up,” and join

 The Sole Challenge! 

It’s simple and easy.
•Your sole goal:  earn $1.00, donate $1.00
•Your stretch:  connect with friends, family, fellow students, clubs, teachers, neighborhoods, church groups (a single $1.00 grows to $100.00 or more!)
•Your warm up:  create a plan
•Your start:  November 9, 2012
•Your sprint to the finish:  November 17, 2012
Document your efforts with photos, videos, and words. Send me your story and it may appear on the O website, www.omagonline.com/crocs

The Sole Challenge is designed to coincide with National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.  You are in charge.  Adopt a shelter or service provider to help children experiencing homelessness.*
On your mark.......Get set..........Gooooooooooo!!!!!!

Contact information:
thesolechallenge@gmail.com
www.thesolechallenge.blogspot.com

*more information about shelters and providers to follow

What is "The Sole Challenge", anyway?

Thank you to Lancaster Online for initially bringing attention to our cause!