Sunshine for our Sunshine state

At the moment I'm by myself at home and have had time to reflect on the devastation in Queensland. I think a bit of sunshine from our hearts needs to be sent to that part of our sunny country.
A couple of years ago, you may remember, I was running Rainbow Comfort Packs for the Children effected by the Victorian Bush fires. It was close to home, so became automatic for me to do it.
My questions to you all are:
1. Do you feel you want to help in some way, but don't know how or have the funds?
2. If you remember the Rainbow Comfort Packs, do you think you'd like to contribute to this idea again?

A refresher or to briefly enlighten those who don't know what I'm talking about when I mention Rainbow Comfort Packs, read about them here, when we were doing them for the Vic. Bush fires.
If this begins again, there will be more control as to what goes into the packs and better co-ordination with what we need etc.

Anyway, please leave your thoughts, ideas and links to auctions etc that are raising funds for this cause.
Stay safe. Mon x

Rainbow Comfort Packs have gone out to kids this Christmas

Lots of shots of packs, chaos of packing, Lama doing quality control, art packs, presents ready to go!

After 3 days of working solidly (with some help) late last week, a courier came by yesterday and picked up about 20 boxes of packs and wrapped presents to take to K Mart head office in Vic. so they can be distributed to children in need this Christmas, via the Wishing Tree!
It was the best plan ever, I mean could you imagine 160 packs and 55 wrapped presents being stuffed under the Wishing Tree in Victoria Gardens, Richmond??
I ran out of fabric bags near the end and decided to wrap some up instead. Basically all that was left were TONNES of colouring books, pencil cases, pencils, textas and crayons..... so we wrapped them up as mini art packs.
That's ALL the donations now gone. It's a brilliant way to finish this chapter of this project and hope lots of kids (of all ages) will love getting something special from all of you.
I won't be 'closing' the project up for ever, but will take a break for now and when it does get going again, it will be better organised and the focus will be on kids that need some comfort in general. (And we'll definitely look into warehouse space too!)

Thanks for your help and support this year! It was a full on year for many people everywhere.
It was awesome to be able to offer help in our unique way, I hope you feel the same.
Have a lovely, relaxed Christmas and New Year. Be safe too.
Monica x

Rainbow Comfort Packs..... what to do?

Just a short note to let you all know that we are still handing out packs time to time.
I've stacked all the boxes of donated goodies up against one wall in my garage come shop come warehouse, so I can claim some floor space.... ahhh, cool concrete....
There are about 150 packs that can still be made up and given out to those in need.
I'm thinking that it would be glorious to give out packs as Christmas treats to the less fortunate.
I need to know what YOU, who have donated time and goods to this project, think would be the best thing to do with these remaining packs.
Do we keep it all for Fire victims.... find those in other states (than Vic) and send them there?
Or open the doors to other kids in need, in other circumstances, in the Melbourne area?
I'm really thinking of this Christmas now......

Please leave me a comment about your view on what to do with the remaining packs.
Please read the comments before yours and if you agree with an idea, please say so.
Thanks for your help. x

Yea! 6th lot of RCPacks are out the door!

Sharon, the case manager from Familycare in Yea, picked up 69 Rainbow Comfort Packs on Wednesday this week. She will be giving them out to those who are under her care in the Yea area.

A peek of some of the bags ready to go. I always include a few bags of lollies and balloons for those in charge to distribute out to everyone. These were donated, but I can't put them in each bag for safety/allergy/angry parent issues.... so this is the next best thing!

BUT these tags have been very handy and I HAVE been attaching one to each bag. They are so colourful and makes the pack look extra special! So thanks to whom ever made these. Sadly I've run out - so if anyone is feeling up to fashioning some cool labels for me, I would be very grateful! Leave me a comment letting me know you're on to it. xx

There is still lots of stuff here to fill bags for all ages (and plenty of bags too), so nothing else is needed at this stage. Thank you as always.

RCPacks... off to South Morang

Last Sunday we took a drive out to Eltham and dropped off 15 big brown carry bags full of Rainbow Comfort Packs at the Library there. These packs are going on to South Morang to the Yarra Plenty Regional Library's Outreach program. They are working on replacement book requests and will offer the Rainbow Packs through their work there.

This is what 83 Rainbow Comfort Packs look like.
This time I remembered to take a photo of all the bags before they were placed in the brown paper ones! So I thought we could play a game called "Spot the bag you made!"
Is the bag you made amongst these ones? There are a few that have been waiting very patiently since the beginning.

Thank you from Whittlesea (Rainbow Comfort Packs)

Although this certificate has my name on it, I'd like to pass it on to you for your effort with the Rainbow Comfort Packs and the kindness you show to those who are in need.
I've also included the letter from the Mayor for you to read. Feel free to photoshop your name on it and print it out too!


We've begun working with the City of Bendigo and starting to distribute to those effected in that area. There are about 50 families registered there.

Rainbow Comfort Pack happiness!

I went to Eltham this morning to give out some Rainbow Comfort Packs to some under 2's!
It was my first time seeing the delightful faces of little ones (and their mums) when they opened their very own pack of goodies..... so heart warming, that I had to take a couple of photos to show you how you've touched so many in this thoughtful way!

A mum from Kinglake, who lost everything in the recent fires, took it upon herself to organise this meeting with her own mother's group. There were 10 packs in total (8 for 16 to 19 month old toddlers and 2 for 5 week old babies).
There are 8 families in the group. 5 lost their homes and 3 were fortunate to have theirs spared (but think how it would be to live amongst what was left and the clean up afterwards too, it would be very hard). Most have found somewhere else to live for the moment and contemplate future plans.
I found I knew 1 of the families in this group, but have not had contact with them since early on and through this family, had met some of the other mums too! Plus a couple of mums were customers of bpab! How special is that!

My little ones also got to see who got some of these 'mysterious' bags of fun! I took the opportunity to tell Chai (4) that these are some of the kids that have no toys because of the fire..... I've been telling her about it for so long (every time another donation package gets opened and we inspect the goods inside). I think she gets it....

Anyway, this mum's group want to say THANK YOU to you for bringing some magic into their children's lives at this time. It really does mean a lot.

Next stop for Rainbow Comfort Packs is....

Yesterday 19 packs went to the Yarra Valley area.
There will be a community meeting tonight at Yarra Glen and these packs will be given out to kids and babies affected by the bush fires in the Yarra Valley, that are at the meeting.
We just packed for newborn through to 6 year old boys and girls for this delivery. The bag in the middle has balloons and packs of lollies (that were donated to us... probably by you!) to be handed out to kids on the night too.
I thought it would be better for those type of things to be shared generally and with adult supervision!

The Yarra Valley Girls Unite group are managing many projects for the Yarra Valley area and I'm delighted that we've formed a friendship with these lovely, caring gals who have taken it upon themselves to help their own community.

We will be sending more packs their way once we get ages and numbers of kids who did not receive a pack at the meeting. There will be on going contact with Yarra Valley Girls Unite, so more packs will get out to kids in their area.

I've been told that many families have not returned to the place they once called home and are scattered around the state. It has been hard locating many, so this is a very slow process.
There are some who keep quiet and don't ask for help, which is understandable. I feel this would be a very private thing and even though many want to help you, sometimes it's hard to accept charity.

If you belong to a group that has lots of contacts in your area and are able to locate those that need comfort in your community, please contact me.
So far I've been working through the councils, so this is the first time I'm working with a group that is actually part of the extended community. They are living amongst it all and are able to give these packs out to many people they know. (Just so you know, a council representative is also working with this group.... but it's mainly people power!)

************************************************

An update on the state of things here at head quarters:
* We (meaning you) have made approx. 500 hand made bags!
* The floor space at the bpab 'mini shop' is full of boxes split into age groups, containing donations of handmade softies, clothing, stationary, toys and lots of things in between!
* Slowly making up packs as we need them and extras so we are ahead when we get a call out. I haven't organised a packing bee yet, as there is no way we could get more than 2 people into the area. I will be looking at storage options soon - for packs ready to go.
* We are only needing handmade softies and groovy bags for the 11+ age group at the moment.
Always look at the right hand side bar of this blog to keep up to date with what's needed and going on.
* Also just want to say how grateful I am for your ongoing support of this project, in believing that this could be achieved, in being so creative and charitable. You rock! Yeah you do.
* Lastly.... you may have noticed that through this project not many people have been named or publicly thanked. I've kept it this way, in an effort to preserve the community spirit which has evolved from everyone pitching in and genuinely wanting to help others less fortunate than themselves. Every pack that has gone out, is anonymous. Those who give them to each child are told it's a gift from the community at large. I act as the middle man and do not credit myself or bpab for anything, but delivering. Just thought you'd want to know that.... it's your project as much as it is mine. So feel good about what you have done and believe that there is a lot of good in the world!

2nd lot of packs go to Narre Warren

Took a drive out to Narre Warren this afternoon to deliver 12 Rainbow Comfort Packs for 5 families who lost their homes in the fires in that area.
It was great to have a list of children (only their age and gender) to work with!
Thank you to Kathie from the City of Casey's Community Safety Unit, who has been looking after the needs of 15 families. She will be personally giving out the packs to each child.

Did you make any of these bags? They're now going to children in the City of Casey!

So it was only a small lot this time, but it was worth the time and effort of everyone who has contributed to this project. Wonder where our next destination will be?!
Thanks everybody! x

First lot of Rainbow Comfort Packs head to Kinglake!

Yesterday afternoon I got a call from the Dept. of Planning and Community Development (we're on their database) asking us to organise packs for the children in the Kinglake area.
There are a couple of portables that have been set up in the town and they need some things for the children there.
Sooooo, 102 Rainbow Comfort Packs are on their way to Kinglake!

We packed up a selection for each age group and gender, ranging from baby to teens.
Here are the packs, in age groups and gender, in giant brown paper bags.........
(sorry I forgot to take shots of the actual bags until after they were all packed up!! Next time!)

That's only half of them.... I think it's the boys on the couch and the girls were on the floor!

We were told it was still a no go zone in the Kinglake area, so I drove the packs to the Box Hill Dept. of Human Services, where two lovely ladies from DPCD (Rebecca and Suzette) are overseeing operations in this area using a small office based here. The packs will be off tomorrow morning to Kinglake.


No people in these photos, because if we were to get everyone involved in this amazing experience, we wouldn't be able to fit you all into the frame! Or we'd have dozens upon dozens of shots to upload and I'm not too sure blogger would cope!!

This is just the start. There is still so many more bags to get out in the coming months, so if you think you would love to contribute but have missed the boat - YOU HAVEN'T. Actually there is no boat.... so please keep sewing and crafting and donating.
You made this happen.

Look: sewing bees for rainbow comfort packs

* Do you live in the Brighton Vic area? Are you crafty? Want to make some bags???
We have people over there wanting to do a sewing bee, but are not the sewing type. There is a hall ready to use and lots of promotion for the event if you are up for it!
Please come forward and let me know.... lots of hands make light work (as we have already proven with this project).


* The Multicultural Women's sewing group are going to be making bags on an on going basis and they are welcoming any females who would like to do some bag sewing to join them.
They meet:
12:30 - 3:00 on Wednesdays and 2:30 - 4:30 Saturdays.
They are located at the Brunswick Baptist Church Hall
491 Sydney rd, Brunswick (end of Blyth st).
Check here for more info.

If you are having a sewing bee for this project and want to have it posted here for those near you to attend, please email me and we'll add it to this post. monica[at]beyondpinkandblue[dot]com

Update on Rainbow Comfort Packs and Hello to Handmade Help!

We have been in-undated with donations, via post and drop ins!
Thank you to everyone so far... it's been an amazing week. Yes, it's a week today that Rainbow Comfort Packs have been in operation and it looks like we are in it for the long term.

freshly arrived packages from the post!

My initial idea was to get the packs out to all kids at the various Emergency Relief Centres set up across the state, but during last week we saw how much the general population donated various items to charity (which is fantastic!). All the charities are bursting with all sorts of things and as a result, don't (or rather can't) accept any packs.
After trying various avenues, mainly large departments and organisations, I came to the point where I didn't know how I was going to go about distributing the fruits of our labour.

bpab packs ready to put into bags

Well I believe in putting thoughts out into the universe and letting the universe provide a way.
Over the weekend I contacted Pip from Meet Me At Mikes fame, as she is one of the beautiful people working with the Handmade Help appeal, to see what they were doing with all the handmade donations they were collecting.
Anyway, in the course of emailing each other (how else do you do things these days??) we have joined forces and will now co-ordinate distribution and help each project in any way possible. As a result, we are now looking directly at the community at large (YOU!).

If you are directly affected, or know someone who is - we can work with day care centers, kinders, schools, hospitals, maternal health centers.... places that are starting to look after children and families who would benefit from some extra comfort and attention.
We can get packs out to these places, we just need to know numbers and age groups so we can cater the packs to those who need them. We have packs for babies, all age groups for children up to 10 and even young teens (this last one is a special task force project).
Think of a child now being sent to another day care center, because their one has been destroyed and how strange it would feel. The carer gives them a beautiful bag and says "This is just for you. It was made by some people who care about you and want you to feel safe and comforted. " The child opens the bag and inside there are surprises to cuddle and keep him busy, while his parents do important errands to rebuild their lives.

This project and Handmade Help will be for the long term. We will not go away once the media does. We know these families will need our support and assistance later down the track.
So please keep those donations and hand made gifts coming.... it's not too late.

I'm also a drop off point for Hand made Help items too, if you are near by. Handmade Help gives the opportunity for crafting all sorts of items for the home, as well as any age group... as we all love a handmade gift!

Lastly, I'm sorry to those who feel this is all a wasted effort. This started up as a way we could help without money. I'm in no position to donate cash and I don't have the time to sell stuff to raise money (personally). But lots of other people can and do, so I reckon doing this project is just as meaningful too. (I don't want sympathy comments please, just addressing negative vibes that have gone around lately.) What everyone is doing in their small way, is important and we need to keep a community spirit going because depression is high up there when events like this occur.

Here is some more reading (if you haven't gotten square eyes yet!), all worth your time and will help you see why we're doing such important projects:

Last saturday's Sewing Bee (great photos and lots done!) Thanks Nikki!!
Why handmade does actually help (Soozs blog post)
Tips from a bushfire survivor (Canberra fires)


Thanks again for your ongoing support!
I'll keep you in the loop. x

Comfort packs for sale and a mega sewing bee!

Finally got together a bunch of Rainbow Comfort Packs using products I have in store.
These are available to purchase on line at the bpab shop.
There is no profit being made on these at all, just covering the cost of items. They will be packaged in the hand made bags at no extra cost.
This is a good opportunity for those who live too far away to contribute to this project.
There are 5 different packs going at the moment:

For a baby:

For a Toddler:

For a Small Child:

For a Big Boy:

For a Big Girl:

Also over at You SEW, Girl! :
Nikki has organised a meg supa dupa SEWING BEE this SATURDAY 14th FEB in the Brunswick area. Visit her blog to get all the details and let her know you'll be there to have some fun! There will be projects there ready for you to tackle and of course she would love all the great jokes and dance moves you can muster. (there is plenty of space, tables etc for everyone - so grab your buddies and get crafting for a great cause!

Lastly, it looks like we'll have some brand new clothes in packs here and there, as well as the stacks of second hand clothing donated by everyone to the charities all ready.
It has been suggested again and again lately to include UNDIES and JOCKS for the kids in the packs too. As one amazing commenter has stated that "throwing a 3 pack into your shopping trolley would be pretty easy to do". (Shop at Coles this Friday (tomorrow) and they'll be donating all profit to the Bush Fire Relief) .
So go do your food shop tomorrow (at Coles), buy some undies or jocks and donate all that money to charity all at the same time!! Woo hoo!

Trying to get groups together now!

As offers and more support flood in, I am getting a bit more organised and ideas are getting circulated......

As you know the main drop off point is my place in Balwyn North (70 Clifton Street).
Anyone who can is welcome to drop by and drop things off to me.... someone is home most of the time. Front door area is safe to leave items. Please bag, box etc deliveries so they are not showing what is inside.

We have established a few more drop points, if you live closer to these areas, use them instead (unless you would like to drop directly to me):
Brunswick - Nikki (visit her blog and email her)
Eltham - Kim (ph: 0439 484 036 to arrange drop off)
Spotswood & Brooklyn - Monika from Creative Bliss (can you please email me your details so I can post them here ...thank you!!!!)
Caulfield South - Cintia at My Poppet (mark: for Rainbow Comfort Packs) drop off at shop.
Brighton - Gabrielle (ph. 9592 1995 or 0409 483 485 email: gmmwells[at]yahoo[dot]com)

Anyone else?
Please let me know and I'll add to the list asap.

Also working on some Couriers at the moment and hopefully if they come to the party, we can organise drop areas in other states. So for those of you who are interstate and not sure about postage costs........ please wait and we will do our best.

If you are organising craft get-togethers, collections etc, please work together and bundle up what you want to donate. If you are in Melbourne, please email me and let me know you have a collection of stuff to be picked up or you can drop off at one of the above points. Other areas, if you can't afford to post, are you able to be a drop point? Or we can work the courier / pick up thing.... once it is organised.

Does any one know/ work with any courier companies? See what you can do to assist with the delivery of donations.
I know there are a lot of fabulous things going on to help those in need and many organisations are helping already. So we can't expect everyone to help this cause, but if you are willing to be open to possibilities - anything can happen!

Also remember to do some physical activity in between crafting and blogging! (I just went for a bike ride........)

Rainbow comfort packs for bush fire kids update

Firstly - thanks so much to everyone who has linked with us, are now busy crafting or collecting and those who are just spreading the word!

Okay, am still waiting on some info to come through but - if you are making bags, a library bag is roughly A4 size. So use your imagination and go with that. We have Nikki from You SEW Girl blog fame who is a bag expert and will help you out if you need any advice!! Hehehe, thanks Nikki!

We have suppliers sending things right now:
Little Extensions - extensions that 'extend' the life of onesies, which will be paired with onesies in bags.
Lark - knitted rattles and colouring books
Eleganter - stickers, lock up diaries, hair ties
Poss Bloss - library bags
Yunginz - shoe vouchers that can be cashed in for a brand new pair of their shoes
Little Soursob - hand made softies, bib packs
Monstar Kids - t-shirts

Next - we want to organise some drop off points around Melbourne, so we (maybe the royal one) can drive around and pick up all donations at some point.....
So anyone willing to have beautiful strangers knock on their door to leave goodies, has a big enough post box, is at home during the day, maybe owns a shop? and has room to store stuff for up to a week.
Please let me know and we'll spread the love around.... postage is expensive I know.

Also want to set up drop points around the state of Victoria close to the Emergency centers.
Here is the list of centers by Shire:
Alpine
Baw Baw
Cardinia
Bendigo (City of Greater)
Horsham (City of)
Corangamite (Camperdown fires)
Indigo
Latrobe City
Mitchell Shire
Murrindindi
South Gippsland
Southern Grampians (Coleraine fires)
Nillumbik (we are near this one)
Yarra Rangers
Whittlesea
Wellington Shire

Do you live in any of these Shires? Will you be happy to be a drop point for finished bags to be collected and/or be a drop point for those in your area to give donations to you? We will all work together and some how get every bag assembled and filled with appropriate things. So bags can be put together around each Shire area too.

Queenslanders!
Are you up to speed on what is needed for Flood kiddies?
We can do packs for them too. Actually if you are interested, let me know and we'll try set something up your way too. (Saves on postage!)

I think that's it for now.
Think of anything else? Let me know.
What a wonderful community we live in......

Rainbow comfort packs for little ones effected by the bush fires

Okay, I've been able to come up with a brain wave of an idea to assist in some small way....
Basically we are putting together bags of goodies for the kids / babies who have been affected by the bush fires. These bags will be given to the Emergency Relief Centers around Victoria.

The aim is to provide some comfort and distraction while parents are dealing with what it is they need to face in the aftermath of their own tragedy.
So I am thinking along the lines of....
A bag of some sort which will have some items depending on their age group. (the bags should be re-usable like cloth, string)

Comfort: something to hold, cuddle, talk, imagine with (like a soft toy)
Distraction: something they can play, do, look at, read (colouring book, book, puzzle.... needs to be compact and light to carry)

I've asked the brands that I stock in my store to donate items for the packs and to assist any way they can. So am waiting for replies on this, but so far have gotten a few items as a start.

Now, what YOU can do is one (or all!) of the following:
1. Donate something for the packs:
can be new or second hand (MUST be in GREAT condition please)
Comfort - soft toy, teddy, doll (people who craft, this would be a great opportunity!)
Distraction - colouring book, crayons, pencils, plain paper book, books to read (all levels), puzzles.... nothing too heavy or bulky please.
Anyone who can get their hands on little bottles of wedding bubbles (they are the best!).
Make a library sized bag from fabric.
Clothing for all ages, summer I think. (Again if second hand, MUST be near perfect condition... please don't burden us with all your opp-shop stuff.... they still need you!

We are open to any ideas....... please email or comment here.

Send items to:
Rainbow Comfort Packs
70 Clifton Street,
Balwyn North, Vic. 3104

2. If you can not donate:
We are also listing some packs ready to go on the bpab web shop that will have only new products in them. They will be at cost price and basically you purchase one (to cover the cost of items) and we will include them in the drops. We will not be making ANY money from this. It is strictly for the Bush fire victims. Please do not abuse this service and buy for yourself (because you will not get it! hahahaha).
Please allow a bit of time for packs to become available at the shop, we will work as fast as we can.

If you have a blog or want to email people about this......


This little sign will be on the top right corner of my blog for people to lift and paste in their blogs etc. Please link it back to this post so everyone will get the info they need.
If you have any trouble, let me know.

Thanks so far for the great response, as you are aware the Emergency Centers are so over whelmed generous offers, so this is a way you can help a little bit down the track when they need supplies again.
Stay safe and happy,
Monica

Update post: tues. 10th Feb
Also: 11th feb -more drop points and update