If you want me to wax poetic about the kindness of strangers I will, but then there will be tears all over my keyboard and I won’t be able to see. But if you ask me how much I love the kindness of strangers I will do a happy dance that involves lots of twirling, smile my biggest, cheesiest smile, and then probably end up weeping all over my keyboard anyway. So, either way, I’m encouraged to cry because the response from friends and readers is amazing.
Here are the short details I have so far:
This weekend I’m working on setting up a Pay Pal account for those who can simply make a donation to the Small Purse cause.
Some wonderful, creative blog friends are helping with a button/widget/badge so people can post them on their own blogs.
The dimensions of the purse should fit a regular sized piece of paper. Nothing bigger than 8.5 x 11 will be allowed.
My mom is letting me use her post office box (thanks, Mom!). If you’re ready to send anything please do so at:
Kelly Wickham (don’t use Mocha Momma for the title – I hear the Postal Service doesn’t have a sense of humor)
P.O. Box 9465
Springfield, IL 62791
One of the most inspirational ideas I heard in yesterday’s comments was adding a note with encouraging words in each purse. Obviously, that’s not a requirement. But boy, would karma be kind to you if you did that!
October 16, 2009 @ 8:47 am | Filed under All the cool kids are doing it | Permalink | Comments (30)
Lu Said,
October 16, 2009 @ 11:10 am
This just makes me so happy. I have Tweeted about your cause and will add this to my 5 Fab Faves for the week.
Tweets that mention Mocha Momma » Tiny Purses, Big Hearts -- Topsy.com Said,
October 16, 2009 @ 11:38 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Kim Wells and mochamomma, Lucrecer – Art Slam. Lucrecer – Art Slam said: Please help out my friend @mochamomma help the girls at her school: http://bit.ly/3FESzM [...]
Angella Said,
October 16, 2009 @ 11:49 am
Tweeted and side blogged, my friend. Will be sending a purse tootie sweetie.
Julia Said,
October 16, 2009 @ 12:54 pm
Can you do an intro on the top of this email so when people come here, they can get the whole reason behind the small purse/money collection? I’d like to link it but I had to back search on your home page.
Thanks!
Amanda Said,
October 16, 2009 @ 1:38 pm
Retweeted and with any luck a purse or two may be in the mail this weekend.
Mocha Momma Said,
October 16, 2009 @ 3:23 pm
Great suggestion for the link within this post – I will do that ASAP. I’ve been away from my blogging computer all day so check back soon!
sizzle Said,
October 16, 2009 @ 3:29 pm
I’m on it.
Momish Said,
October 16, 2009 @ 3:31 pm
I can’t believe this! I just donated a bunch of stuff to good will, including several small purses (more like evening wear, but still). Count me in for the donation though, because I believe in this cause and think it is wonderful. I will keep checking for the paypal account.
One Small Thing. One Small Purse. | Dutch Blitz Said,
October 16, 2009 @ 3:51 pm
[...] small purses on their behalf. If you want to send a small purse and cheer up a girl in need, Kelly’s posted details of how to do so. No comments [...]
bethany actually Said,
October 16, 2009 @ 4:07 pm
This is such a great idea. And what better way to convey to these kids that the whole world ISN’T against them (contrary to certain newspaper website’s commenters) than by having complete strangers donate purses to their school!?
As soon as I get home Monday, I’m going through my purse collection to see what I can send you.
Mommela Said,
October 16, 2009 @ 6:31 pm
Excellent!
Nel Said,
October 17, 2009 @ 7:20 am
Mocha, Im on it!
But are you sure they will deliver these packages to a PO box?
Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommy Said,
October 18, 2009 @ 11:08 am
I just went through my closet. I have a few that I would like to send. Not having any teenagers in my life, let alone teenage girls, I worry the purses aren’t stylish or trendy enough. Each one was purchased to go with a specific outfit so they may not look right on their own. Also, they all seem to be spring/summer bags. Am I over thinking it?
Mocha Said,
October 18, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
Hi Mel! I wouldn’t worry too much about it simply because they have varied tastes and variety will be great.
You’d be surprised what they’ll end up liking!
Mary A. Said,
October 18, 2009 @ 7:25 pm
Long time lurker and HUGE fan of what you do. I notice that the PO Box is in Springfield. I am in Champaign and work in Springfield 2x a week or so. Is there a place I could just drop them off instead of mailing to save me a few bucks? (I would be one of the girls who would have a problem affording the $5.00 purse right now) The students at your school- both female and male- are so lucky to have you.
Rachel K Said,
October 19, 2009 @ 8:24 am
I’ll be mailing my box this week. Glad I saw this bc I was just about to donate a bunch of things (including purses) this week to my son’s school. You are so awesome for doing this.
Jilian Said,
October 19, 2009 @ 10:41 am
What a great idea! Do you have a planned date for the purse sale? I will spread the word.
she Said,
October 19, 2009 @ 1:54 pm
i LOVE the idea of putting in inspirational messages!
Redneck Mommy Said,
October 20, 2009 @ 11:13 am
I need a paypal button so I can help contribute. We Canadians have your back. We’ll throw money at it.
Chibi Jeebs Said,
October 20, 2009 @ 11:19 am
I cleaned out my purse collection last fall, but I’ll see if I still have a small purse kicking around!
Mocha Momma Said,
October 20, 2009 @ 7:56 pm
There’s a PayPal button on one of my posts but it’s not working yet – I’m still trying to get that up and going.
I loves my Canadians. You are particularly extraordinary, Redneck Mommy.
xoxo
EarnestGirl Said,
October 21, 2009 @ 7:08 am
I just wrote a post about purses – what a beautiful, beautiful p.s.
I will be tweeting the crap out of this, and adding purses to the things we Canadians are throwing at your back. Along with my pirouettes to your own. It feels so much better to donate specifically rather than anonymously. Thank you for this.
Chris Said,
October 22, 2009 @ 11:42 pm
I emailed my fellow PTA buddies (of a school here in So. California) and we would like to take this on as a project. We are collecting purses right now for you! I’m sure you’re going to get hundreds!! Do you mind us doing this or are you inudated with purses yet? What else can we do to help? If you’d like you can email me directly at JeroldsSis@aol.com. Thanks!
Mocha Momma Said,
October 23, 2009 @ 5:21 pm
Wow, people writing posts is warming my heart!
Chris, I really wanted to see if we could give this thing wings and keep the tradition since the response has been so positive. I think the Purse Boutique could be something that keeps on giving.
Keep ‘em coming.
xoxo
CraftyPod » Blog Archive » Can you help The Small Purse Project? Said,
October 29, 2009 @ 10:27 am
[...] can find some purse specs, and the address to send your purses, right over here. var addthis_pub = 'sisterdiane'; var addthis_language = 'en';var addthis_options = 'email, [...]
pat Said,
October 29, 2009 @ 10:44 am
I’d like to do this. What about straps? Can I attach a strap so it can swing from their shoulder?
Ellie Finlay Said,
November 2, 2009 @ 4:38 am
What an absolutely WONDERFUL idea.
I’ll go through my purses this very day. I know I have a couple I don’t really need any more. (I need to clean them thoroughly, though!)
Ellie Finlay Said,
November 2, 2009 @ 4:40 am
Oh, one more thing. Do you have a guideline for “small”? Dimensions? Can you give us a ball park idea of the maximum size allowed?
Thanks!
Ellie Finlay Said,
November 2, 2009 @ 4:44 am
Whoops! I just re-read your post and you do give the dimensions. Silly me! (I’m still caffeine deprived; it’s too early in the moring!)
anonymous Said,
November 6, 2009 @ 11:12 am
My spouse and I are closely related to a Teacher/Coach and Two Students at the High School where Kelly Wickham Works Hard To Help the Students.
In the past few years our school has lost numerous Students to other schools, trough transfers.
To you, we wish you the best.
Recently our school has lost a significane number of Teachers/Coaches to other schools, through tranfers.
These cut and run Teachers/Coaches must think it to be in their best interests to Teach/Coach at a diffrent school.
To you we say, a large portion of the problem follows you, simply because you are a large part of the problem.
However, cut and run people, whom you are, are Never part of the answer.
Those of us who Sincerely Care About our Students Will Stick It Out, we Will Be Part of The Answer and we Will See The Biggest Turn-Around a High School has ever seen.
On the other hand, the Non-carring, cut and run attitude, which you take with you to your new school, will adversely effect any school you tranfer to.
Then, Who will you blame? What will you do? Where will you go?