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The author was thrilled to find these wooden mittens on sale at the recent Arts for Hearts show in the Durham Outpatient Center West Atrium. |
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Amanda Schraut peruses through all the mugs for sale at the Arts for Hearts show on Dec. 3. Proceeds from the event go to the C. Louis Meyer Foundation to benefit recreation programs for adults with developmental disabilities at MMI. |
Knowing in advance that the funds raised from Arts for Hearts went to the C. Louis Meyer Foundation to benefit adults with disabilities who attend MMI’s recreation programs, I had waited until the second day of the two-day show thinking that those in charge would have a better idea about what I really wanted to know: how much money would be raised.
I grabbed a notepad, pen and a digital camera on my way out the door and headed to the central atrium in the Durham Outpatient Center.
The moment I stepped off the escalator, I was in awe of all the handmade holiday decorations. There were wreaths, decorative plates, Christmas cards, candy dishes as well as non seasonal ceramic bowls and serving dishes. Coasters, wine charms, picture frames, wall hangings and jewelry also lined the tables.
For someone who’s obsessed with Christmas, it was a dream come true. I quickly went from professional reporter to professional shopper. I knew my husband would kill me if I bought too much as it already looks like Santa Claus threw up on our living room. I finally narrowed it down to a pair of wooden mittens and told recreation program associate Karol Warchola to stash them for me while I went and grabbed my checkbook.
I half-ran back to the office and breathlessly told one of my co-workers to come quick, the goods were going fast. Many of the items had sold the first day.
My colleague, Jessi Long, quickly followed. We both love a good craft fair, but the great thing about Arts for Hearts is that the items are affordable. I paid $12 for my mittens and Jessi purchased a cute fall candy dish for only $5.
That wasn’t the best part. It felt good knowing that my money wasn’t going to a big corporation like Hobby Lobby, but instead to a good cause. One-hundred percent of the cost for the crafts goes to MMI’s adults with development disabilities, so they can get together on Thursday nights and do arts and crafts, swim and sing among other activities. The programs also serve as much-deserved respite for their parents and caregivers. Coutts tells me many parents call it “dining out night.” And while the parents dine out, their children dine in and learn to cook snacks like calzones and apple turnovers.
It gets better. Perhaps the most wonderful part about Arts for Hearts is that the adults who benefit from these programs are the ones who create the pieces to sell.
“Participants enjoy making the crafts and they are able to help themselves at the same time,” Coutts said.
The event raised $2,100, but for me it raised awareness of how special these programs are to the adults who attend.
Just as we may look forward to a night of bowling or book club with friends, these adults value time with their peers. Oftentimes opportunities for social outlets run out after an adult with a developmental disability turns 21, but not at MMI.
And every time I look at my mittens hanging on the wall at home, I will remember that.