I know it's now December and this summer's flood is hopefully becoming a distant memory, but I wanted to say a little something in closing. Our final total was $7420 in pure profit that went to 2008 Iowa flood victims via the Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity and the Johnson County Crisis Center.
This project, and I'm sure I speak for everyone who contributed, was a beautiful thing to be a part of. The amount of time, effort and enthusiasm put forth by this amazing team was truly inspiring.
Thanks to Elizabeth for her creativity in inventing the concept. A huge thank you to the Iowa Artisans Gallery, The Soap Opera and Home Ec, for donating seed money, materials and for letting us sell the Sandbag Handbag in their stores, and to the City of Iowa City for donating their stores of unused sandbags. Also, thank you to the journalists and reporters who helped spread the news of our cause.
Most of all, my/our sincerest thanks to the long list of people who spent hours upon hours, tirelessly sewing straps & buttons, folding, beading, gluing, embroidering, enduring bloody fingertips, and not to forget DESIGNING these beautiful bags. It's been an honor to be a part of this endeavor and to see so many people working together passionately for a cause.
With love and gratitude,
The Sandbag Hangbag team...and Steph
What the ?!
- The Sandbag Handbag
- Iowa City, Iowa, United States
- In June of 2008, the much of the eastern portion of the state of Iowa went quite literally, under. Spilling into the 500 year flood plane, muddy river water devastated city streets, businesses, schools and homes…many of which will never recover.
Hundreds of volunteers spent long, backbreaking hours sandbagging in an effort to salvage as much as possible before the waters rose. Their efforts have not gone unappreciated.
Now that the waters have receded and cleanup has begun…what on earth will we do with all those leftover sandbags?
Why, make handbags of course!