February 14, 2019

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! 

Once again, you've captured my heart with your incredible generosity! Thanks to you this stone soup undertaking cooked up 286 Valentines Day gift bags for delivery to Safe Horizon’s 9 NYC shelters later today. 

 THANK YOU Each person receiving a gift bag is in emergency housing as a result of intimate partner violence or sex trafficking. Many arrive at Safe Horizon with a single bag. Our gifts don't address the violence that necessitate our valentines seeking refuge but we hope to gives a little boost along the journey of rebuilding their lives. Putting on lipstick has more to do with how it makes you feel than how it looks - some days that little bit of extra comfort or confidence can make all the difference. Thank you for being that difference. 

This project has taught me much about community and the beautiful way things fall into place. It was never my idea to bring gift bags to ALL of the Safe Horizon shelters in the city but the abundance of your generosity demanded it and facilitated it at every turn. At a time when things can feel so divided I am touched by how wildly diverse the participation in this project is. Over 100 people, many of whom who might not imagine they had anything in common with each other, collaborated to put love out into the world. You really are my heroes.      

SEE THE BAGS
Each red tote bag was a little different based on the things you sent in but contained similar items: sunglasses lip gloss, Jewelry, toiletries, makeup, perfume, cosmetic bags, chocolates, a card from all of us, handmade purses, airline travel bags, scarves, and other little treasures. See examples of bags from each shelter here.

AFTER VALENTINE'S DAY
Please continue to keep our valentines & all victims of violence in your thoughts and prayers. 

The Valentine Community was generously offered space to keep donations and materials until Valentine's Day 2020! So, if you meant to send something in & missed the date; if you are in the midst of the Kondo craze and some jewelry or scarves don't bring you joy; or if you have occasion to stock up on hotel toiletries, collection for Valentine's day 2020 starts today and you can send stuff in any time to this address:

VALENTINE COMMUNITY PROJECT
C/O: Rose Ruesing
4514 245th Street
Douglaston, NY 1162 

I cannot thank you enough for making this Valentine's day so sweet! I hope you are blindsided by love today too!

Peace, Em