Let me preface this by saying that a lot went on during 2021 with our posse that disrupted our happy little routine of seasonal Free-For-All events and scheduled holiday musings. So we'll start with a quick catch-me-up for those of y'all either not in the inner loop or just now joining this charade.
During the course of 2021, our oldest (and number 1 helper with this whole fiasco) had a semi-major hand injury and two separate hip surgeries - resulting in a grand total of 30 weeks that she was unable to do 90% of the things she usually does to help out. On top of that, my husband changed jobs three times and I started working full-time.
So what does any of this have to do with you or this project? Simply stated, it means that time and energy that previously went into this project had to be diverted to go into healing, resting, and working instead.
So as we enter 2022, some aspects of this project are going to see major changes. This decision has come after a large amount of prayer and discussion, out of the admission of the fact that I'm just not up to doing everything I want to all by myself anymore. I need help or I need change. And the help wasn't forthcoming - so here's to change instead.
First, we will no longer be doing Christmas Packages for the general public. I made a full ten year run out of it, but I can't handle that much work all at once on top of shuffling everything else in my world. I need a break. So those people on our VIP List are guaranteed to receive a Christmas Package. We will probably have a giveaway or something else to allow a few more families to get one when the time comes - but there will not be an open sign up sheet, as there has been for the last ten years.
Second, we will be shuffling book inventory from our Free-For-All events so that 90% of the books available at each event will be new inventory. We're hoping that this will help them to find new homes easier and also decrease our storage space and set up times. We are still planning on hosting three of these events per year (spring, summer, autumn), and homeschool books will not be affected by this change. Books discarded from our inventory will be donated to the library book sale or posted as giveaways in our Insider's Group on facebook.
So there's the "something's gotta give" part of the changes. Now, for the high notes.
First, we will be continuing our Teal Pumpkin Drive Thru and our Christmas Drive Thru. Those events (including visits with Santa) are already scheduled for this upcoming year. Be sure to check out the tabs on the top for more info. Also, expect Santa to have extra goodies for kiddos this year since we won't be doing the Christmas Packages.
Second, in lieu of Christmas Packages, I have brought back an altered version of the Care Packages that we tried to provide a few years ago. This time around, they are more like an amended version of what we previously provided in the Christmas Packages. Anyone can sign up for one at any time throughout the year, and we have options for both individuals and families. All applications will be kept for 30 days. One individual or family will be selected every 1-2 weeks to receive a Care Package. Families are only eligible to receive one package every 30 days. These Care Packages can be requested for any reason - birthdays, holidays, rough patches, sickness, just because, etc. The purpose behind them is to fall more in line with our original slogan that started this whole show - Someone Cares! Use the tab at the top to find more info and request a Care Package for yourself or a loved one. :)
As I reach this point, I'm sure there are more things I wanted to discuss right now, but the cat snoring next to me is a rather good distraction - so I'll close this out and probably be back in a few days with some other announcement.
In the mean time, thank you all for your continued support.
Someone Cares!
