Folding for Funds in 2018

The Cultural Center in Port Charlotte, Florida, was the scene of a festive, bustling craft fair where Teresa raised funds for victims of Hurrican Michael by offering a wide variety of her origami boxes, kusudama, and origami holiday ornaments. Used origami books and sample packs of origami paper were also sold to raise funds.

Although Hurricane Michael is no longer in the headlines, the people affected by this terrible storm are still struggling to get back to a normal life. Many are still homeless and have lost all of their possessions, while others are coping with expensive home repairs or unexpected medical bills. Many local facilities on which people rely -- such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, fire stations -- were destroyed or badly damaged. The process of recovery for this devastated area will take years, not months, yet donations have a tendency to fall off once a disaster like this is no longer fresh news.

If you would like to help, but want to avoid scams or groups which are not using donations efficiently, take a look at the list of vetted organizations on the Hurricane Michael page of the Charity Navigator web site at: https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=6806*

For her own donation of origami funds, Teresa chose
 
All Hands and Hearts / Smart Response,
 
one of the groups recommended by Charity Navigator.
 
 
You can learn more about their Hurricane Michael program or make a donation online at:
 
 
https://www.allhandsandhearts.org/programs/hurricane-michael-relief/*.

Child Fund International/India benefited from the sale of Teresa's origami creations during this craft fair hosted by the Cultural Center in Port Charlotte, Florida.
 
Teresa has been sponsoring children in need through Child Fund International ever since 1965 (when the organization was called Christian Children's Fund). Currently Teresa sponsors a girl in India and a boy in Brazil.

Sponsoring a child is easy to do and it's a very rewarding experience. If you are not already involved in this type of activity, please consider getting started. The wonderful letters you will receive from your sponsored child, along with photos and school reports, will let you see your child's progress very clearly. Other than direct volunteer work, there are few other forms of charitable giving which allow you to have such a close, personal connection to the people you are helping. It's great to know for certain that your contributions are making a big difference in your sponsored child's life. You really can change the world -- one child at a time.

For more information about Child Fund International, visit their website at https://www.childfund.org*.
 

This craft fair held at the Cultural Center in Port Charlotte, Florida, provided Teresa with an excellent opportunity for selling her origami creations as a fundraiser to support a worthy cause:  a special fund set up to assist the student victims and their families at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

 
If you would also like to contribute to this fund,
click on this link:
 
 
https://www.gofundme.com/stonemandouglasvictimsfund*.