“The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller

Many of us are lucky. We are surrounded by people who love and accept us for who we are – the good and the bad. But there are people who are not so lucky. Many, despite the warmth and happiness of the holiday season, are hurting and feel the world has forgotten them. While most of us look forward to the holidays every year, for many the holidays are only a reminder of how alone they feel in life.

This is why I’m grateful for people like Jill Kubin, a woman who is out there year round reminding people who feel alone that no one is actually alone. Despite these temporary feelings of sadness and abandonment, life will get better. Through her organization, The Peyton Heart Project, Jill works to raise awareness of the serious epidemic of suicide and bullying surrounding today’s youth.

The Peyton Heart Project was started to honor Peyton James, who took his life at the tender age of thirteen, after years of enduring bullying from peers. Being so young, the idea of life getting better seemed fleeting. And we are left with a loss of the gifts Peyton had yet to share with the world.

In honor of Peyton and the many, many others who have elected to leave this planet far before the world was ready to lose them, The Peyton Heart Project makes these beautiful hearts with quotes to remind people of their value. They are meant to be shared, left in public places for people to find and be reminded of their value to this world.

While I was in New York in October, Jen of Linen, Lace, and Love and I had some fun sprinkling love throughout New York.

Once I was back in Los Angeles, I teamed up with another Jennifer and we spread some love in Downtown Los Angeles. Through the adventures, both in New York and in  Los Angeles, it never ceased to amaze me how the message attached to the heart perfectly aligned with the location we left them. It left me believing that life was there to intervene and ensure each heart would find the exact person who needed the message the most.

While the holidays seem to be about giving and gifting, often times the smallest gestures mean the most. So as you’re out and about this holiday season, busy enjoying time with family and friends, keep an eye out for those who might need some extra love. Share a coffee. Spread some love. Remind them that this, too, shall pass.

Want to spread some Peyton Heart Project love in your city? Visit their FAQ page to learn how. I promise, it’s one of the best ways to spend an afternoon – with or without friends.

Keep up with Peyton Heart Project by following them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Purple Poncho by beyondBeanie.

Pink beanie by Krochet Kids International from the CauseBox by Sevenly.

Woke Up This Happy tank by Project Happy Hearts

The post Leaving A Little Love appeared first on Charity Girl.

“Please don’t think that just because you can’t save the entire world that you shouldn’t bother trying to help the ones you can help. Every ounce of help that you put out into the world matters.” – Emily Kubin

Some people come into your life and leave a tremendous impact, no matter how long they visit. Emily Kubin, founder of Emily’s Hats For Hope Initiative, is one of those people. She was introduced to me thanks to Shannon of Homeless Solutions Inc and I am truly a better person after getting to know her.

While most of us spend our high school days pining over the cute boy you’re too afraid to talk to, worrying about getting into college, or who you want to ask you to prom, Emily had a much more ambitious agenda. At the age of 17, she decided to start a non-profit that provides hats, scarves, sweaters, afghans, and other winter necessities for homeless individuals and the working poor. In just over three years, Emily’s Hats For Hope Initiative has grown from a solo teenage girl knitting hats while watching Netflix, to an organization spread across the United States and countries around the globe. All before she was a junior in college.

Today Emily shares her story of how her empathy for people living on the streets grew into something so much bigger than even she could imagine.

Me: What inspired you to first pick up knitting?

Emily: My grandmother first showed me how to knit. I was always fascinated by her abilities and talent for the craft and I wanted to be able to learn to do the same. I first began  when I was in middle school and made basic scarves, but soon advanced to more complex projects such as sweaters, and hats. As soon as I learned to make hats, I fell in love with the project. Hats were simple and very useful during the winter months. I then decided to join my love for volunteering and my love for knitting hats together, by beginning to make hats and giving them to my local soup kitchen to help the homeless in my hometown.

Me: What is it about the homeless community that spoke to you and moved you to make it the focus of your give back efforts?

Emily: My hometown of Morristown, New Jersey has a significant homeless population. I grew up seeing individuals waiting in line at the soup kitchen, or sleeping on the sidewalk. Even as a child, this deeply upset me. I could not believe that America, the land of endless possibilities, could still allow individuals to slip through the cracks. I could not wrap my mind around the fact that there were people who had to live on the street, just a few miles from my home.

The shock I felt when I first understood what homelessness was when I was a child resonated with me for several years. I wanted to make a difference to this population, and even if I could not end homelessness on my own, I could at least find solutions to smaller problems that the homeless individuals were facing. As a junior in high school, I made this goal a reality.  I found a way to help combat an issue that the homeless people face in the winter, poor protection against the cold.

Me: When you first began to donate your hand made creations to shelters, did you image it would extend so far beyond your immediate circle of friends and family?

Emily: Initially no, I had never imagined that these small donations would lead to a large international organization. However, once I began asking family and friends to donate yarn, hats, and scarves, I realized that this concept could become much bigger than initially expected. I received an outpouring of support not only from family and friends, but from others who had heard about what I was doing by word of mouth. A grassroots effort soon was underway and, as my idea spread through social media, I received more support, volunteers, and hats! Now, three and a half years later we have collected over 18,000 winter hats, not to mention thousands of gloves, scarves, afghans, socks, and coats.

Me:  How long after you started donating did you start receiving inquiries from other states across the US? When did you receive your first international query?

Emily: We began receiving donations from other states within a month of creating our Facebook page, international donations came not long after that.

We not only received donations from across the country, and globe, but we also began being asked by individuals if they could start their own “spin-off” in their community. While our spin-offs are considered independent and are not directly affiliated with us, they do receive both mentoring and support from us. Spin-offs frequently do similar work to what we do, but they create their own mission statement. Many collect and distribute winter hats to the homeless and working poor, but some focus on veterans, babies, or on people with cancer. To date we have over 40 spin-offs, many of which are scattered across the U.S. but we also have some in Canada, Australia, and Denmark! I love our spin-offs because they allow us to help more people in more places than we ever could on our own.

Me: In addition to all your efforts in knitting and coordinating donations for shelters across the US, you manage to find the extra time to volunteer for the shelters you donate to as well. What motivated you to volunteer on top of everything else? Has volunteering always been a big part of your life? Or something that came about later in life?

Emily: I have always enjoyed volunteering, I believe it is a great way to not only help your community, but teach you about yourself. In high school I was actively involved in Key Club, which is a volunteering club, and in college I began volunteering at both school events and nonprofits. Thus far, I have actually completed three internships at nonprofits, all of which had a focus on helping the homeless and working poor. These internships reinforced my passion for helping disadvantaged groups. The experiences also allowed me to interact with the homeless and working poor on a deeper level than I had been given the opportunity to with Emily’s Hats for Hope Initiative. For example, when I drop off hat donations to nonprofits I seldom get the opportunity to help distribute the hats and other winter items directly to the individuals receiving them.

Me: With the ability to look back over the past few years and all the people you’ve been able to help and the reach you’ve had, is there a word or phrase that captures your thoughts and feelings on all you have been able to accomplish?

Emily: One small dream can create change in the world…especially when others believe in your dream and help you make it happen.

Me: Given all the life lessons founding Emily’s Hats For Hope Initiative has given you, have these experiences influences your choices for college majors and/or your life beyond college?

Emily: Emily’s Hats for Hope Initiative has definitely impacted my life choices. It has taught me to challenge myself and to feel like I can do anything that I set my mind to. I believe it has helped me to accept the challenge of completing three internships, with a fourth one coming this fall. It has also given me the confidence to work this summer with a social psychologist from my university, doing research.

I believe my organization has impacted my academic interests. I am a psychology major with a double minor in anthropology and neuroscience and I was recently inducted into Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology.  I am interested in psychology because I want to help improve people’s lives. I have noticed that I am much more ambitious since creating Emily’s Hats for Hope Initiative, and now I hope to attain my PhD in clinical psychology.

Me: How do you find the time to knit and volunteer, given you are a full time college student with an internship, job, and personal life?

Emily: I am quite a busy person, but thankfully I have found that knitting these hats relaxes me.  In fact, my idea of relaxation is making a hat while binge watching Netflix. Hat making has become a time in the day when I can unwind. However, being so busy does lead me to need to prioritize and manage my time carefully.

Me: With everything you have going on in your life as a young college student, no one would blame you, should you decide to walk away and try something new – you’ve already made a big difference in the lives of so many. What keeps you motivated to keep pushing yourself forward in all aspects, both with your nonprofit and with school?

Emily: I have grown into a person who really enjoys challenging myself. I also believe there is room for improvement both academically and with this nonprofit. I think challenging myself to continue to improve keeps me motivated academically; however, it is a little different with Emily’s Hats for Hope Initiative.  While I will always find ways to make the organization run better, help more people, etc., it is something that I am incredibly passionate about and I love to do it. In fact, I can honestly say that I plan to continue Emily’s Hats for Hope the rest of my life. I cannot imagine my organization no longer being a part of my life.

Me: Traditionally, when people decide to dedicate their time and energy to serving others, the act is completely selfless – they simply want to share their abundance with someone who could use a boost. But, as you well know, there is always a surprising altruistic reward. What is the one thing that has surprised you most about this journey?

Emily: I was surprised people would be so willing to volunteer and help me with my mission. I have been given the opportunity to work with hundreds of volunteers. It is extremely rewarding seeing how my idea of making hats for the homeless has caused so many people to want to support Emily’s Hats for Hope Initiative. Without my volunteers from all over the world, we would not be where we are today.

Me: Your organization is over four years old. Do you have a specific memory where you realized you’ve created something so much bigger than yourself?

Emily: I realized I had made a huge impact this past winter when I went on a service trip with my university. We went to Washington D.C. to volunteer at organizations that helped the homeless and working poor.  One of the nights we were serving dinner to homeless individuals, and I started giving out winter items that I brought with me. I spoke with one woman who showed me her hands. They were a deep blue… almost purple color. I asked her what had happened, and she said she was beginning to get frostbite. I then went and got her a pair of new gloves that I had brought with me, and she was so thankful. As she left I became very emotional. This woman, along with countless others like her, are the reason why I do all this, why I sometimes get stressed out, or feel like I do not have enough hours in the day. That was the moment when I truly realized the implications of my work. I realized what Emily’s Hats for Hope Initiative and all of its wonderful volunteers are really here for.

Me: What is the one piece of advice you would share with others who want to follow in your footsteps of using their talents and unique life experiences to give back?

Emily: My best advice is to follow your dreams. Believe in yourself enough to know that you can do whatever you are passionate about.  While it may seem overwhelming, or perhaps even daunting at first, you will be able to find a way to accomplish your aspirations. The key to success is to believe in yourself, and then make others believe in you too. I created this organization when I was 17. So often teens are told their ideas are not worth pursuing. I’m here to tell you that that’t not true. If you are a kid or a teen and you have an idea that you believe in then I hope that you pursue it. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re too young. I was fortunate to have a family that supported my idea and helped me along the way. Please don’t think that just because you can’t save the entire world that you shouldn’t bother trying to help the ones you can help. Every ounce of help that you put out into the world matters.

Keep in touch with Emily and Emily’s Hat’s For Hope Facebook and Instagram.

The post #WCW & Emily Kubin appeared first on Charity Girl.

 

This week’s #WCW Spotlight is Victoria Venturi of Paper Epiphanies. Victoria is a very dynamic, quick witted and vibrant personality, just like the cards she creates. Forever changed by the passing of her father, she took the leap and followed her passions for sarcasm, paper, eco-friendly products, and philanthropy by launching Paper Epiphanies.

Me: Paper Epiphanies is something you have been dreaming about for quite some time. Where did your initial inspiration for a pithy yet classy card line come from?

Victoria: I have wanted to start a card line for many many years and I wanted to create one that served a purpose, feed a need. 90% of card buyers are women, yet very few funny card lines out there target them. Hardly any of them are witty and beautiful. Yes, there are “funny” card lines but most of them are raunchy, geared towards men or covered in loud graphics. I couldn’t find a beautiful, 100% tree-free letterpress card that said what I was thinking…so I made it.

Me: Growing up, did you draw a lot? Write a lot? Given that hindsight is 20/20, are you able to look back now and see certain passions you had then that have contributed to your confidence to launch Paper Epiphanies, now?

Victoria: We have a saying at Paper Epiphanies that is, “we are writers who print not printers who write” and I think that says a lot. I have always loved paper, letterpress greeting cards and stationery, but I love words even more. Growing up I was involved in theatre, did standup comedy and always had good one-liners. Some people even say I am funny. Essentially, I combined my love of sarcasm with my love of paper and BAM -Paper Epiphanies was born.

Me: Do you remember a specific defining moment, where you said to yourself “this is something that I will regret, if I don’t pursue it?”

Victoria: Yes. I lost my father to Leukemia on February 6, 2013, and since then I have really changed my outlook on life. Now I live with a certain mentality of “f*** it, why not?!” Life really is too short and if you don’t make those leaps and take those chances, you will just end up boring… and then you’ll die anyway.

Me: Has philanthropy and giving back always been important to you? Or something that has come about as you’ve engaged more with the world as an adult?

Victoria: I have always been drawn to giving back and, as an adult, I have chosen to make it a large component of my life. I believe in contributing to your community and paying it forward. Whether it is time, money, intellectual property, design – there is always a way to give back. If someone tells me they don’t have the time, I tell them to donate the money. If they tell me the don’t have the money, I ask them to borrow their office printer to copy fundraising fliers…the bottom line is everyone has something to give.

Me: You generously donate to several different charities through Paper Epiphanies. How did you ultimately decide on Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Teach For America, The Starlight Children’s Foundation and the Junior League Of Los Angeles?

Victoria: For me, charity has divided itself into what I call “the three ‘L’s” – life, local and legacy. Life has a way of showing you or demanding of you a path or direction. For me, my life charities have become the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and The Starlight Children’s Foundation. When my father was diagnosed with Advanced Myeloid Leukemia and then died just 60 days later, I knew I would never be the same. Since that moment, Leukemia has forever impacted my life and it is now something I fight for, something that lights a fire in my soul. I donate time, money and blood to them. Yes, actual blood. And I hope to donate platelets in the future as well. The Starlight Children’s foundation is an organization that makes life more fun for children in hospitals with life threating diseases. My father loved games – Yahtzee, Jenga, Uno – so I love helping these children in a lighthearted but impactful way. Haters might think the cause seems trivial, but, in reality, it is creating these children’s happiness. It is helping to ensure and preserve a portion of their childhood that is ripped away by disease.

Next on my ‘L’ list is Local and my local charity is The Junior League Of Los Angeles. I donate time and money to them because they help to make my city a better place. Not in another country or state – right here in my backyard. They help me to identify worthy charity causes and partners that I can give to efficiently and effectively. They help to hone my skills and offer trainings to make me an even more efficient leader and volunteer.

And the last L, legacy. This is where Teach For America comes into play. Not many things get me more worked up than unequal access to education. I believe education and learning should be a right, not a gift and I fear for those children who are not afforded that right. Teach for America is taking small and large steps both locally and nationally to build a system that is less broken and more hopeful. I believe that education is a legacy we can leave for our childen and I support their efforts to find solutions that work.

Me: One of the things I love about your line is that you’ve worked so hard to not only be socially responsible but to also to ensure you erase your carbon footprint each year. How did you go about finding these materials?

Victoria: It is sad that more companies don’t stop to evaluate their impact – to see how they could be improving the world around them. Our motto at Paper Epiphanies is “don’t be an asshole” and we try to stand by our motto – especially when it comes to the earth. With today’s technology, there are no excuses for not making an effort to become greener. Finding 100% post-consumer cotton paper takes two things – a bit more effort and a bit more money. But when I look at the thousands and thousands of cards that I have created from cotton that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill, I think wow…who wouldn’t do this?

Me: The first thing I noticed about you when we first met is your quick wit – your timing and insight is just perfect. Do you come up with all the sayings yourself? Do you like to bounce ideas off of your husband or friends?

Victoria: Aww, thank you! I do come up with all of our card lines and sayings on my own, which is the part of the process I love the most. I have developed a routine where I write them down (usually on long airplane flights); let them ruminate for a few days and then I try them out on the hubby. His feedback is important, but I also have to keep in mind that much of the humor is geared towards women, so I bounce card ideas off girlfriends as well. I also try to think about who would be buying the item or card and whom they would actually give it to. That process helps to eliminate the cards that I find hilarious but may be totally random.

Me: What was the phrase you chose to launch Paper Epiphanies? How did you come about selecting that phrase and deciding it was the perfect statement in defining your line?

Victoria: “Attitude; pressed” is our logo tagline, which my husband helped to create. Essentially, it means attitude that is letterpressed but also, attitude that is pushed to the forefront. “Paper with attitude” is another tagline that we use with the line. Anything and everything we create will have attitude. Attitude isn’t a bad thing, it’s a way of carrying yourself and attitude is everything.

Me: Is there a specific card that has been the most popular? Is there a phrase whose popularity most surprised you?

Victoria: For Holidays, it has been “Deck the Halls with family meltdowns” which wasn’t a surprise at all as pretty much every family I know is batshit crazy.

Another bestseller is “Glitter and Cleavage…it must be your birthday,” which is a great example of witty humor aimed directly at women.

As for surprises, I was happy and sad to see that “He was a prick” is also one of our best sellers. I knew it would be popular but for there to be that big of a need for “prick cards” is a little scary.

Me: What has been the most surprising part of this journey? What has been the most inspiring?

Victoria: This journey is a hot mess. I have done many things in my life, but none of it completely prepared me for owning my own company. The rollercoaster of entrepreneurship is very real. Some mornings I wake up and think “I am the BOMB” and 2 hours later I might question my entire existence. Very high highs, very low lows. Apparently, this is normal. Personally, I am hoping it’s just a phase.

The most inspiring…hmmm. I would have to say that the number of people who have stepped up to the plate and offered to help is astounding. From my husband who learned to letterpress for me, to our friends and family who have posted, talked, purchased and instagrammed – I am so inspired by their good spirit and true desire to see me succeed. Thank you all!

Me: What is the one piece of advice you would share with others who want to follow in your footsteps of using their passions and life experiences to give back?

Victoria: It would be that the path is not linear and there is no right way. I majored in Political Science and Theatre, had a career in Public Relations and now own a paper company – NOT LINEAR.  You can make choices, try things, grow, learn, and all of those experiences combined make you who you are.

Once you wrap your head around that I would say, figure out what matters to you and then go from there. No matter what industry or career path you’re in, there is always a way to match your interests with a need.

Connect with Paper Epiphanies through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with the latest cards and also get sneak peeks into future cards. If you’re in the Los Angeles area this weekend, stop by Paper Epiphanies booth at Unique LA.

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