From Skilled Hands » Cups of Kindness

Raising a Cup of Kindness: Being the Change

fromskilledhands — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:40:00 +0000

Artists are a generous lot. We give with our hands and hearts. When we issued a Call to Artists for the 2009 Cups of Kindess art show and sale to benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, we received responses from many local, regional and national artists. Seventy nine artists donated over 140 pieces of art; the proceeds from the sale of these amazing pieces benefits the Foodbank.

We still have some wonderful pieces, one of which, a vessel by Larry McCardel, is pictured above. We are holding a silent auction at Elements Gallery and at the Peninsula Art Academy for these pieces, which will end on April 17. Larry’s piece, which is hand turned curly narra wood measures 3″ x 3.5″. It is a beautiful piece. You have the opportunity to add this piece to your collection and to help the Foodbank. Each dollar that is raised purchases $7 worth of food and grocery items. To bid on this item, leave me a comment or email me : from skilled hands AT gmail DOT com. Take a look at the other items on the Cups of Kindness site, and make a bid.

We are the change we wish to see in the world.

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Let Silence Speak: Cups of Kindness

fromskilledhands — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:40:20 +0000

You can still partner with us in supporting the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank through our Cups of Kindness show and sale. Join us for a silent auction and bid on the remaining pieces of amazing art! Remember that each dollar we raise purchases $7 worth of food and other grocery items. Come on down to Elements Gallery and to the Peninsula Art Academy in the beautiful Village of Peninsula. The winning bids will be drawn on April 17, and winners will be contacted by phone or email.

We the People have proved the Power. Of. One. — over and over again. We have shown that we can, with our hands and hearts, help our friends and neighbors in a time of need. As Margaret Mead said, “A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

We can do this: One. Cup. At. A. Time.

photos courtesy Ron Wayton, photographer

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Sharing Kindness

fromskilledhands — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:24:56 +0000

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” — Lao Tzu (604-531 B.C.)

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Almost Wordless Wednesday: Christmas in Peninsula

fromskilledhands — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:33:48 +0000

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If you are so inclined, please consider visiting the Cups of Kindness website for holiday gifts. The Foodbank is able to purchase $7 worth of food and grocery items with every dollar raised. We the People can make a difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors.

One. Cup. At. A. Time.

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My Town Monday: The Steeples of Peninsula

fromskilledhands — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:23:13 +0000

The Village of Peninsula, Ohio, is home to several beautiful churches and chapels. Here is a look at the steeples of Peninsula:

Members of the Peninsula United Methodist Church worked long and hard to raise the money to restore the steeple of the historic church. Here is what it looked like prior to the restoration:

The steeple was removed for restoration:

Check back for a look at the beautifully restored steeple.

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Cups of Kindness, an art show and sale to benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, had it’s opening reception Saturday, December 5, at our Elements Gallery, and at the Peninsula Art Academy. Over 70 artists once again donated amazing works of art; the proceeds from the sale of the art will benefit the Foodbank.

If you are so inclined, please consider visiting the Cups of Kindness website for holiday gifts. The Foodbank is able to purchase $7 worth of food and grocery items with every dollar raised. We the People can make a difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors.

One. Cup. At. A. Time.

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Visit My Town Monday for a look at places near and far. Join us! And share cool things about your neck of the woods

As always feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by.

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Raising a Cup of Kindness

fromskilledhands — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:59:11 +0000

Hunger does not discriminate; it affects people without regard to background or social status. In our land of plenty, people are hungry every day; they have to decide between paying rent or eating, between medication or food, between staying warm and buying groceries. Of this I am certain: having enough to eat is a right rather than a privilege.

The mission of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is simple: Feed People. Fight Hunger.

The Foodbank uses its resources well: each dollar that is donated purchases $7 worth of food and grocery products to those in need. Meals that provide sustenance to people who are already stressed. No questions asked. When I recently toured the facility, I was amazed by the quantity of food that was ready to distribute to agencies large and small. The facility was immaculate; the people, both volunteers and paid staff, passionate about their purpose.

The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is located in Akron, Ohio. It serves 8 Ohio counties: Carroll, Holmes, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas and Wayne. It distributes food to more than 400 member agencies that provide food pantries, hot meal sites, shelters and other emergency hunger-relief programs.

The statistics are mind boggling:

the Foodbank serves over 163,000 people annually.

*1 out of every 3 are children under age 18

*1 out of every 10 is a senior citizen

*One in eight Ohioans lives in poverty

*Ohio ranks third in childhood food insecurity for children under 5 — hungry or at risk for hunger

*One in eight Ohioans use the Food Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps)

*Every $1 donated to the Foodbank provides $7 worth of food and grocery products for people in need.

*There has been a 23% increase for food requests for food at food pantries over the requests in 2008.

*In 2008, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank distributed 16 million pounds of food.

*In 2009, the Foodbank is on pace to distribute 17.5 million pounds of food.

We are reaching out to others by giving hope. There is, I think, joy and intrinsic satisfaction in helping people who will never know who we are. As members of a world community, we have a moral and ethical responsibility to share our resources and to preserve dignity.

Cups of Kindness is now in it’s second year. This year, we are pleased to join with the Peninsula Art Academy, the Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, local, regional and national artists and a group of dedicated volunteers to support the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

Local, national and regional artists — over 70, have raised a cup of kindness by donating over 125 pieces of artwork; the proceeds from the sale of the work will benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

If you are in our neck of the woods on Saturday, December 5, from 10-2, join us for light refreshments at our opening reception. The show will run until January 10, 2010.

Take a look at our website to see some of the beautiful pieces of art that have been donated. Items will be available for purchase online on the evening of Sunday, December 6.

We the People have proved the Power. Of. One. — over and over again. We have shown that we can, with our hands and hearts, help our friends and neighbors in a time of need. As Margaret Mead said, “A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

We can do this: One. Cup. At. A. Time.

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In the Eye of the Beholder

fromskilledhands — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:58:51 +0000

When I look at a photograph, I feel like I have a glimpse into how the photographer sees the world. That’s what I like about photographic images—it’s not the “prettiness” of a view—it’s the quality of the light, the slant of the sun, the place where the shadow meets the light.

And once in a while, I come across someone who sees the quiet spaces, the places where my heart stops to linger and to rest. A person who sees the extraordinary beauty in ordinary objects, and who appreciates the sacredness of it all.

Jodi Anderson captures moments in time through images and words that touch my being. She shares her work at her blog, so Not cool, and at the Women’s Colony. She has just opened an online shop where her luminous photos are available for others to own and enjoy. Jodi is hosting a giveaway of one of her pieces at the Women’s Colony as well as a 10% discount (the discount code is WOMENSCOLONY11) and is available to Jodi’s readers through November 23.

You can read what Jodi has to say about herself here. You will also find links to her main blog, her poetry, her videos and other things she shares.

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If you are so inclined, please visit Cups of Kindness, our art show and sale to benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

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Cups of Kindness: Let it Begin With Me

fromskilledhands — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:01:09 +0000

If you want to know what the face of hunger looks like, take a look in the mirror. Folks like you and me are hungry tonight. Some are hungry all the time.

If you want to see the face of those who can help, take a look in the mirror. Over at A Knitting Nurse , Rudee has done just that. Rudee spins and knits amazing things. The colors she chooses are rich and vibrant; they emanate from within. Rudee has made a Fair Isle Hat, which she says, “should fit a head size of 22 inches–or 21 inches with big hair. It won’t stretch bigger because fair isle doesn’t have a lot of give. The colors are brown, yellow, cranberry and a hint of purple. The fiber is Blue Sky Alpaca and it’s softer than a babe’s behind.”

If you’d like to see how you can own this one of a kind hat, visit my friend Rudee. You’ll have the opportunity to own a hat that came from Rudee’s heart through her hands, and you will be able to look in the mirror and see the face of one of the people who has helped the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank help folks like us. One. Cup. At. A. Time.

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Raising a Cup of Kindness in 2009

fromskilledhands — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:49:22 +0000

photos courtesy Ron Wayton, photographer

Last year 76 artists and authors, and assorted web designers, sign makers, muffin bakers, photographers and patrons raised a Cup of Kindness as they donated over 150 pieces of work and countless other services to benefit friends and neighbors in need. Through the generosity of these fine folks and people all over the country, we have raised enough money for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank to provide around 28,000 meals. That is an astounding figure: twenty-eight thousand meals. That is enough to feed each of the 601 people in the Village of Peninsula 46.6 times.

Artwork is coming in and is being cataloged and packed to go to be photographed for this year’s show, which will open on Saturday, December 5th, from 10:00am-2:00pm, at our Elements Gallery and at the Peninsula Art Academy across the street, and will continue through January 10, 2010. Check back for more details about online purchases and other ways to help.

We the people have demonstrated the Power of One. And one more. And one more. This is how we make a difference in the world. One. Cup. At. A. Time.

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My Town Monday: A Bit of This and That

fromskilledhands — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:31:08 +0000

It has been quite a while since I have shared the MTM experience. Life has presented our family with multiple challenges including 3 deaths and the hospitalization of a child. I have learned a lot about community, and have had my feeling that we all live in the same town reinforced over and over.

Fall has come to My Town, the Village of Peninsula, population 601. The leaves are beginning to change as daylight hours grow shorter. The Village is nestled in the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley, home of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The Valley is an amazing and diverse place with so much to see and do. Here are some photos I took during a summer hike on the Tree Farm Trail. Take a look, and if you are in our neck of the woods, stop and visit. Feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o) to let me know you’ve stopped by.

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Visit the My Town Monday website, for a look at other places on this fine planet.

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COMING SOON: Cups of Kindness

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