The Headbands Have Arrived!

So, the beautiful promised headbands have arrived.  I am ETERNALLY grateful for them, because it gives me something to sell which I don't have to create from scratch (like my poetry books for the Israel trip in 2007).  They're lovely, and practical (sweat-wicking fabric makes them good for working out too), and what girl can't make use of a headband?  Well, me, previously, but these are cute enough to make even me a convert.  :)  Thank you, Jenelle Joas, thank you! 

So Much Generosity!

Hi everyone! It's hard to believe that the benefit is only 3 days away! Since I'd been rather dry on great ideas on how to fundraise for this (other than asking online & in letters - and sending y'all free poems & such! ;) ), I am reeeaally grateful for those of you who came up with some great ideas. Namely - Kevin Carr, Greg Hall & Dan Noethe's idea for this benefit...all the amazing people who are performing...and I think I mentioned Nate McKay & The Beat donated the Beat Coffee Writers' February reading ticket sales to this too!

As if this were not enough, my mom's high school friend's daughter, Jenelle Joas - who I'm not super close with but was a friend of mine growing up - wrote to say she'd like to donate 50 headbands from her business - Urban Halo - to be sold at the benefit. They usually retail for $15 (in 40 states), but at the show you can get one for $5! (Unless you want to give me more; I'll never turn it down! :) ) Furthermore, Allison Scally of Corner Church suggested they bring by a number of crafts on Sunday also - handmade jewelry, scarves, etc. that they happen to have and would like to put to good use! Wow. (And I just met her/them about a month ago.) Not to mention the generous checks from y'all which have been showing up in my mailbox. THANK YOU. It does really put a particular weight on a trip like this when so many folks' goodness has been a part of making it happen. Like, hello Eastern Europe. God DOES love you. And a couple hundred Minnesotans/Californians and folks from other states have come together to let you know.

Team Photo - L to R: me, Brandyn, Roy, Elissa, Rashun, Lilian, Hal

Below - David & Janka Chlebus of Lifenet, the little church we are going there to help out. They're new and small, and we're hoping to be a bridge to introduce more folks in the college community to them while we're there. And to serve in whatever ways they need.

Thanks for reading all this, everyone! More updates to come.

Love,
Christy

PS - Current funds are at $1770. Need to raise $2300-$2500 (exact # still to come) - my $2000 deadline is May 6th. New paypal donation button is on the right of this page!

PPS - To give anonymously, give at the Oak Hills Church website, just make sure to note that in the comments and that it's anonymously for 'Christy Merry/Czech Trip'

$1500 Deadline Met! Benefit Show April 22nd

So. THANK YOU, by the way! My 2nd deadline was met last Sunday - I had quite a bit to go to meet it ($722) and my IRS refund for a few bucks more than that arrived on Friday 3/30. Just in time to be obvious that's where it needed to go... :)

This week they are looking to buy the tickets for our flights, which have been fluctuating between $1500-1800. Of course we hope to buy them on the downswing!

I'm at $1650 now, and my next deadline is for another $500 (total of $2000) due May 1st (or perhaps at our next meeting on May 6th :) ). The folks at my church have awesomely decided to throw me a benefit show to try to raise some $. I've so far been told that the Cavalier Crooks are going to play (some friends of mine with excellent talents) and another fellow I think I've seen around but never met or seen perform - Taylor Wilson. I guess there's more being planned but that's all I know so far!

Anyway, if you live here in Minneapolis (or far away and wish to travel to it!), I'd love for you to come to the show. You are all invited.

The Beat Coffeehouse, 1414 W. 28th St., Minneapolis, MN 55408 | April 22nd, 6 pm

* photo of lamp-post is by my friend Zeb Telfer in Brno, Czech Republic - thanks Zeb!