The Preemie Project Group Blog

4th Annual Summer Craft Sale

We held our 4th Annual Summer Craft Sale on Tuesday and Thursday of this week.  After raising $2,670 in crafts at last year’s sale, we were hoping to raise $3,000 this year.  So, after months of crafting by our diligent volunteers, the donations started pouring in.  The fundraising committee met on Monday evening from 7-9pm to organize and price crafts donated by 34 volunteers.  We left with 3 SUVs and 1 car all packed to the brim with craft sale goods in hopes of a good sale the next two days. 

One of the cars included our new poster:

As always the patients, volunteers and staff at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics were eager to purchase items in support of premature and critically-ill infants in the NICU and PICU.  One of the best parts of the sale was meeting several families with babes in the NICU.  They all love the new sleepers! 

Now, down to the best part.  How much did we raise?!  This was our BEST summer sale to date.  Here are the numbers:
Crafts
Tuesday $2078.50
Wednesday $1516.50
Total $3595.00

Cookbooks
Tuesday $65.00
Wednesday $78.00
Total $143.00 (11 Cookbooks!)

GRAND TOTAL   $3,738.00

We not only surpassed our goal by $738, we also surpassed last year’s sale by over $1,000.  100% of the money raised at our events goes to support our programs like supplies to make blankets, sleepers and memory boxes.  Funds also go towards purchasing items for families in need like food and baby care items.

Thank you to the following people for either helped with event planning, pricing, set-up, tear down, etc: Jane Fredericks, Linda Aker, Jeff Hackbarth, Mary Anne Sheets, Audrey Knox, Kim Horras, Laurey Easland, Michele Hogue, Linda Aker, Karen Jacobsen and Sheri Null.

Thank you to the following people for donating their wonderful crafts: Carol Minnis and the Relief Society Women of LDS Dubuque, Michele Hogue, Elsa Narvaz, DaNae Mikesh, Krista Wolf, Julie Johnston, Audrey Knox, Sherry Christoffer, Kerry Dlouhy, Stephanie Mrse, Sherri Null, Lia Shields, Dorothy Schaefer, Nancy Miller, Ily and Teresa Lane, Amy Welt, Pam Mills, Cindy Dayton, Susan Smith, Carol O’Neill, Karen Christianson, Claudia LeNeau, Mary Anne Sheets, Chris Miller, Joni Lakin, Andrea Knepper, Emily Thomas, Margaret Wick, Alison Kofmehl, Laura Bolton, Linda Aker and Linda Bowton.  THANKS SO MUCH!

We took a lot of pictures of the individual donations, but many were sold too quickly.  You can view an assortment of the donations from this sale in the photo gallery.

Here is a list of items that sold well ( if you have questions about this list or your donations):
American Girl and Bitty Baby Doll Clothes
Barbie Clothes
Hawkeye Items (Painted Pots, Scrub Hats, Blankets-Adult and Baby, Stuffed Bears, Aprons, Potholders, Headbands etc.)
Toddler mittens and scarves (we did not have any but they were requested)
Casserole Covers
Beaded Jewelry
Novelty Gift Items
Large Stuffed Animals
Bibs, Burp Cloths, Taggie Blankets (Tiny square blanket with ribbon around the edge)
Games
Purses, Totes and Grocery Bags
Handmade Cards
Embroidered Baby Blankets
Potholders and Wash/Dishcloths
“Scrubbie” Dishcloths
Baby Clothing
Newborn Baby Gifts and Sets

The 4th Annual Holiday Craft Sale is scheduled for November 17th and 18th.  Now is the time to get started!  In addition to the list above, the following items also sell well during the holidays:
X-mas Tree Ornaments (We would like to fill a full-sized tree this year!)
Scarves and Hats
Fall and Christmas Themed Kitchen Items (Potholders, Napkins, Painted Plates, Aprons)
Fall and Holiday Decorations (Stuffed snowmen, pumpkins and santas, Stockings, etc)
Anything that could be given as a gift
Purses, totes, bags, etc