Children Mending Hearts - Help them Mend Haiti

Our involvement in art is allows us to connect deeply to the world and open ourselves to new ways of seeing things.  According to an article written by Fran Smith, Why Art Education is Crucial, and Who's Doing it Best, years of research have proven that it is closely linked to academic achievement, social emotional development, civic engagement, and equitable opportunity...all of which we want for our children and demand form our schools.

Lysa Heslov, understands this and founded Children Mending Hearts (http://www.childrenmendingheart.org/) in 2008 to help children express themselves creatively.  Her organization conducts art workshops in America with local homeless children's organizations and internationally with NGO's supporting children in conflict zones.

On February 21, 2011, Lysa's organization and Sean Penn's organization will be embarking on a mission to Haiti where they will be lending their time and talents to help the children in Haiti as their country continues to mend itself after the horrific earthquake that rocked it a year ago.  This is a scene of debris in Haiti one year after earthquake struck.  As you can see the reconstruction progress has been slow.

Photo: J. Swicord, VOA

Lysa has reached out to ask for assistance in donating gently used items of the following:  digital cameras, photo paper, and used laptops you may no longer need.  In addition, Haiti is in desperate need of boy's underwear (briefs or boxers).  Please extend your help if you are able to and send the donated items to:

Children Mending Hearts

13741 Venture Blvd.

Sherman Oaks, CA  91423

I would love it if you would join me in this cause.  Your help will be deeply appreciated by all the children that will be affected by your kindness.  Thank you, in advance, for your assistance.

"Art open the closets, airs out the cellars and attics.  It brings healing."  (by Julia Cameron from her book The Artist's Way)

Quash Alzheimer's

The Alzeihmer's Association San Diego/Imperial Chapter's mission is to support efforts in research, care of those affected by Alzheimer's, and the promotion of brain health.  Alzheimer's is a fatal and progressive brain disease with no cure and no survivors.  As part of their efforts, every year, this organization puts together a huge scavenger hunt called "Quash" to help raise funds for their cause.  This year the events will be held at the University of Northern Iowa, the University of Iowa and San Diego. 

Quash involves teams of 2-4 players who will be required to use their brain power, creativiy and team-building skills to complete a scavenger hunt.  Teams will travel on foot and will be required to solve clues that will award them a pre-determined amount of points if they get the correct answers.  The teams will race through this scavenger hunt to the finish line where they will be greeted with a party, music, food and awards. Check out their website for additional information:  www.quashnow.org or http://www.alz.org/quashnow/2010_about_cause.asp


The coordinators of the event are reaching out to organizations to help with gift donations and sponsorship.  Inspired Designs by Patricia (www.idbyp.com) will be donating $200 worth of gift certificates toward the association's need for gift donations.  If your organization would be interested in either donating gift certificates or sponsoring, please contact me at inspireddesignsbypatricia@yahoo.com.  Help make a difference.

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." (Mahatma Gandhi)

Inspired Designs Helps Habitat for Humanity

Welcome to Inspired Design by Patricia's first blog.  I'm very excited to be able to share inspirational and motivating articles with you that will warm your hearts and put a smile on your face. 

Never Ending Dream

Inspired Designs by Patricia was extablished in September 2009.  Our company's mission is to design and create sophistacated, beautiful and affordable handcrafted jewelry pieces so that our customers can feel wonderful about their purchase.  Inspired Designs by Patricia is based in beautiful San Diego and the inspirations of our designs come from the beauty around us; the creativity exhibited through art and design work done by great artists throughout history; from the amazing multitude of cultures spread throughout our world; and, from the wonderful imagination of talented guest designers.  See more about us on www.idbyp.com.

To kick off the launch of my blog, I'm very excited to announce our company's efforts to help support Habiitat for Humanity's efforts to build homes for families around the world who need shelter. This is all made possible through volunteers, financial support, and by lending no-profit & no-interest mortgage loans to beneficiary families (on a global scale, other innovative approaches are taken).  Read more about Habitat for Humanity on http://www.habitat.org/.  In support of their mission. I would like to Invite you to join me in raising $4500.  This amount alone will provide one house for an eligible family. Let's take a stand together, one step at a time. 

How to donate:  Send a Personal Check, Cashier's Check or Money Order made payable to Habitat for Humanity to:  Inspired Designs by Patricia, P.O. Box 262192, San Diego, CA  92196.
All your donations will be collected and forwarded to Habitat for Humanity along with your name and/or organization's name.  Thank you in advance for being part of our "focus on giving."