Crafts 4 Hope Community Blog

On October 25,2025, The NJ - WCTU Will hold it's 152nd local Convention. The theme for this year is "Mountain Movers." As public Relations Director of the NJ- WCTU and Founder of Crafts 4 Hope Foundation, Inc, it is once again, a delight to give a hand up to help the NJ - WCTU enjoy their 152th Annual Convention by creating bookmarkers and constructing these precious party favors. What is the Woman's Christian Temperance Union? The WCTU, or Women's Christian Temperance Union, is a temperance organization founded in 1874 that advocates for the prohibition of alcohol and other social reforms. Initially focused on alcohol abstinence and its link to social issues like poverty and abuse, the WCTU expanded its mission under leaders like Frances Willard, to include women's suffrage, labor laws, prison reform, and public health education. Its motto became "Agitate, Educate, Legislate," and it became one of the largest women's organizations in the ...

September 25th, 2025 Crafts 4 Hope Foundation was invited to a Sunrise Breakfast at the Grove in Centerton at which time a monetary donation was given on behalf of our supporters. Big Brothers Big Sisters connects children (Littles) with volunteer mentors (Bigs) to build one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. The organization provides support and resources for these matches, which aim to help children achieve higher aspirations, greater confidence, better relationships, and educational success, while also avoiding risky behaviors. The program matches are meaningful, monitored, and helps children all across Cumberland and Salem counties.

Red Ribbon Week 2025 will be observed October 23 – 31. The theme for Red Ribbon Week 2025 is "Life Is A Puzzle, Solve It Drug Free.” The theme was submitted by Cheryl Holsapfel and Carter Weinmann from Solon Middle School. The theme is meant to convey that every choice we make in life is a piece of a bigger puzzle. By choosing to live a drug-free lifestyle, young people can put the pieces together to build a strong, bright, and healthy future. Red Ribbon Week was started after the death of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who in 1985 was brutally tortured and murdered by drug traffickers he was investigating in Mexico. As a tribute to SA Camarena, high school friend, Henry Lozano, created “Camarena Clubs” and the wearing of a red ribbon to show their opposition to drugs. In 1988, the National Family Partnership (NFP) coordinated the first National Red Ribbon Week with President and Mrs. Reagan serving as honorary Chairpersons. Since t...

We were able to raise $50.00 and that is a good thing. This does not include our supporters are helping in other ways by crocheting hats for the NICU, quilting baby blankets and donating baby items for Cornerstone's Thift Store. Cornerstone passes out baby bottles each year from Mother's Day to Father's Day. Your support bought tears to my eyes because Crafts 4 Hope has been invited to attend the Gala October 16th, 2025 and I will be sure to make it known how much I appreciate our supporters - thank you! To learn more about the mission of Cornerstone, please watch this short video:

July 19th 2025, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Everything is going to be fine. I am going to come out the otherside in one piece as the cancer is a grade 2 stage 1a, but goodness, is it a journey. When I first found out, I was devasted. But I have since reached out to 5 local churches in the area for prayer and I have a wonderful friend who is a Breast Cancer survivor who takes me to all of my cancer related appointments. I have also reached out to a Social Worker, a Mental Health Expert and a Registered Dietician to help guide me through my cancer journey. Sometimes I cry and sometimes I laugh to help me cope but I always pray and I am grateful for all the help along the way. When life gives you lemons , I have to make lemonade! So, to this end, I made 18 cards and presented them to the Frank and Edith Scarpa Reginal Cancer Pavillion , pictured above, where I am being treated and I also started a youtube to document my journey: @MyBreastCancerJourney2025 They were thorouhly a...

Because of your baby donations, Crafts 4 Hope Foundation, Inc was invited and did attend an Open House that Cornerstone hosted April 10th, 2025. Also, in AugustIt was so excitinbg to see your donations on display in the little Thirft Shop they had on the premises. In addition we toured the medical faciility they had with the nurse on staff. Then, we went on to tour the education department and check out their resource room. We also toured their Mobile Unit. For those of you unfamiliar with Cornerstone, they are a pregnancy and abortion information clinic. It is a Womaen's Resource Clinic and they do wonderful work. In the year of 2024, they were able to get 72 mothers to change their mind and NOT have abourtions. This is so wonderful and please keep your baby donations coming, you are such a blessing to the work Cornerstone is and will continue to be doing. Crafts 4 Hope Foundation, Inc received an invitation to attend their Gala in October and I will be very happy to do so. Thank...

We stopped in the Salvation Army in the Month of May and Quality Care Services inc., Early Head Start had a display table. Interested in community resources, I stopped and talked with them and found out that they were now recruiting babies 0-3 years old to join one of their 4 locations for FREE services. They have FREE Children Services and FREE Parent Services. For the 0-3 year olds they have Diapers and Wipes are provided during the program. Health Screenings, Individualized Education and Nutritional food is provided. For the parents, their Early Head Start program has monly parent meetings, parent policy council, parent community resources and fatherhood activities. For your convenience, here are the locations and contact information for anyone that is interested: Bridgeton Location: GOLDEN GATE DEVELOPMENT CENTER IV 41 N. Pearl Street Millville Location: GOLDEN GATE MILLVILLE 250 Rieck Ave Vineland Location: GOLDEN GATE CHILDCARE DEVELOPMENT CENTER II ...

The Struggle Is Real September 9th is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day. It is a time when the WCTU promotes the importance of abstinence through educating the public. In 1966, at Newcomb Hospital in Vineland, New Jersey, a baby girl was born three months premature, weighing only 3.2 pounds. The room was filled with excitement, but it quickly turned to concern as the baby did not cry, open her eyes, or respond to touch or sound. Nurses and doctors exchanged frantic whispers, trying to figure out what to do next. The baby was rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where she stayed for the next three months. Her mother was informed that the infant was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Failure to Thrive, and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Overcome with guilt for not following medical advice to abstain from smoking and drinking during pregnancy, the mother chose to leave the newborn in the care of the hospital and Child Protective Services upon discharge and did not retu...

The NJ-WCTU Prayer Breakfast held on May 3rd, 2025 at the Ramada Inn in Vineland, NJ was a deeply spiritual event. Sister Geraldine King, the NJ-WCTU Christian Outreach Director, introduced the gathering, followed by a call to worship led by Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church of Salem, NJ. The opening prayer was offered by St. John Pentecostal Church from Cedarville, NJ, and the scripture reading was conducted by Faith Baptist Church of Pleasantville, NJ. The Praise dance mime ministry was excellently performed by Union Baptist Temple of Bridgeton, NJ. Attendees also engaged in meaningful fellowship, with some receiving $10.00 gift certificates from Wawa. The event was marked by an atmosphere of love, praise, and prayer to the Lord above. Various area churches gathered to pray for different aspects of society. Love Oasis Church in Vineland, NJ prayed for the nation's government and military. New Hope Baptist Church in Cedarville, NJ focused on health, healing, and those who are sick or shut...

I am 58 years old and I don't recall ever hearing the story of Eutychus falling asleep in church and falling out a window to his death. That being said, enjoy this crossword puzzle. Down #1 I just gave you the answer. Enjoy the rest! Spoiler Alert: The answer is below:

The children were found. They passed in the blaze when a building collapsed - CRAFTS FOR HOPE FOUNDATION would be forever grateful for your help. The recent box of crafts and clothes will be going to help my community Monday. God bless these families 🙏😭 Crafts 4 Hope will be helping Cristy Funeral Home and will be serving as a collection point for goods and items for the families. We will be working with Gateway Community Center and other organizations that are helping. Donations can be dropped off to the funeral home office between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. We also have an outside donation drop off bin for any donations after those hours under the rear portico of the funeral home.(please be advised, this area is monitored by camera). Pictures have been added to show the location of the outside bin on the property. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at 856-825-0314 Also, we have been provided with a starting list of items needed, p...

I am planning the fundraiser now even though it is just the last day of March. Fundraisers take a lot of planning. I did not want to do a fundraiser at Christmas because I am of the opinion that it would take away from the true meaning and purpose of Christmas and that is the gift of Christ our Saviour and the giving of gifts to those less fortunate. Crafts 4 Hope Foundation gives what it can everyday of the year. It costs approximately $2.00 per person per crafting event for crafting supplies. The newsletter and postage is another huge expense for the foundation. It is for these reasons monetary donations are needed and a fundraising event is very important. CHRISTMAS IN JULY is our turn to shine. Here is what we are planning on doing in the preliminary stages: Picnic or Take - Out Crafting (Coloring or Card Making for all ages) Face Painting Mix & Mingle [ Show & Tell Your Own Craft ] Info Booth (Any literature you want to share with the public) Craft Table [ If ...

Friends Against Mental Illness Stiga Fellowship is a group of people that have been brought together all throughout Cumberland County New Jersey with 2 things in common: A history of some type of Mental Health issue present or past and the joy of crafting. This group aims to raise Mental Health Awareness through educating the general public. Praying for individuals privately and crafting together. To be a member of said fellowship, each person must strive to do a random act of kindness daily and take the membership pledge: MEMBERSHIP PLEDGE There is no shame in my mental illness. I can be a blessing to others just the way I am. Each day I will to be a kind member of my community by striving to do one random act of kindness each day. I will uplift and support my friends in the fellowship to the best of my ability. MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS BY THE NUMBERS Millions of people are affected by mental illness each year. Across the country, many people just like you work...

Crafts 4 Hope Foundation is giving a helping hand to the New Jersey Woman's Christian Temperance Union by making Thank You Shaker Cards for those in attendance. It's just a fun, whimsical way to say, "Thank you for praying with us". Total made by Crafts 4 Hope will be 170 individual units. Please plan on coming to breakfast. Join the NJWCTU for our Annual National Day Of Prayer Breakfast at the Ramada Inn Saturday May 3rd 2025. Address: 2216 W Landis Avenue Vineland, NJ 08360 10 area Pastors will be joining the New Jersey Woman's Christian Temperance Union. COME OUT & PRAY WITH US AS WE PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER. Adult Tickets - $15.00 Children (10 & Under) Tickets -$6.00 Email: njwctu@gmail.com for tickets and more information. If you would like to know how to make these shaker cards, I did make a youtube video that you can view here:

Vision We will strive to bring hope to a seemingly dire situation through the joy of crafting and through networking, meeting small, individual needs on a daily basis. A smile, a hug, a friend, and the Ministry of Presence fills a heart with hope in an otherwise hopeless situation - Bringing Joy. Meeting Needs. Mission To be a beacon of light for the Lord in a dark world to those who are experiencing homelessness, unemployment, poverty, disability, mental health issues and substance abuse both online and in the community in which I live. To be an inspiration to the elderly, to special needs children and youth in Cumberland County NJ and beyond. Goals To meet small individual needs by networking and putting out a quarterly newsletter with community resources available and information about Crafts 4 Hope Foundation, Inc updates and in the future, allow others to use the Crafts 4 Hope Logo and all it has to offer to help others in their own communities in which they live a...

Layna is an 11 year old and technically a “retired”, service dog just like I am a retired registered nurse, but we both continue to do the Lord’s work by doing what we can to help the community. We received dog vests; dog coats and dog sweaters and we found some needy dogs to give them to. Layna also continues to go with me to the local nursing home and we roam up and down the hall going into people rooms and bring them happy tail wiggles and joy. God is so wonderful, and I am so blessed to have Layna. Layna got invited to an Easter Egg hunt April 19th 2025 Sunset Lake, Bridgeton NJ 2p – 3:30p Anyone that wants to join our service dog friends group you can message {detacted} on Facebook. You’re invited to the Easter Egg Hunt! Layna will be helping to make event favors for the humans attending. Hope to see you there!

Word Bank: Cross, Easter, Gardener, Jesus, linen, Mary, Napkin, Sins, Spices, Tomb.

Our fabulous Crafts 4 Hope tree turned out to be so lovely. We did not use this time to fundraise but strictly give back to the community. We are planning a Christmas In July Fundraiser for the third week in July. This should be fun! Everyone that came to the Christmas party and colored a Christmas tree, were placed in a drawing to win a gift certificate of $10.00. Three Amazon gift certificates were given away. All three went to online participants. Next year, we will have two categories: One for both online and offline participants. Our Tree of Hope had no ornaments at all to start; Everyone who came put an ornament on the Tree of Hope Christmas Tree and enjoyed a lovely time of fellowship. Brother Lawrence read the Christmas Story. We lit the Advent Candles throughout the night and because of my wonderful supporters both on and offline, we set up a donation room. Everyone took what they wanted so that they could give it to those in need in their own communities. Hats, scarves, glo...

In this issue, we have a lot to celebrate. I hold a very special place in my heart for someone very dear to me whose birthday is on St. Patty’s Day! So, I would like to wish this individual a HAPPY BIRTHDAY and let this person know that we are not lucky but blessed to have each other just as we are blessed that God gave His Son, Jesus, to us to die so that we may live. Spring is a time for new beginnings. “… Old things are passed away; behold all things are become new”. (2 Corinthians 5:17) This is at the heart of why we celebrate Easter and it was at the heart of the message that Saint Patrick brought with him when he preached Christianity to the people of Ireland and taught about the Holy Trinity: God the Father; God the Son and God the Holy Spirit represented by the 3 leaf clover that we see when celebrating Saint Patricks Day. I always thought this was a fun fact. So the next time you see a 3 leaf clover always think of God’s precious gift to us when He gave His Son to us and ...