PAAT 2009

The Beginning

For those of you who are new to Paper Arts A Thon, let me give you a brief description of how this event evolved. Two years ago my friend Holly asked if I could help her with a fund raising idea using 'the hobbies we love'. She and her husband were raising money for the Arthritis Society through a program called Joints in Motion. Holly and I, along with the help of many others, came up with the idea of Paper Arts A Thon, a marathon of paper crafters. The success of this event went beyond our wildest dreams. We raised over $9600. for the Arthritis Society. We felt the idea had been a 'gift' and decided to do it again in 2008, with over $11,560. raised for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. We are now preparing to enter our 3rd Paper Arts A Thon.

Specifics of PAAT 2009

When: May 2nd and 3rd, 2009
Where: Family Life Center, Middleton
Time: 9 am Saturday (registration starts)
Paper Arts A Thon begins at 10:00 am and runs to 6 am Sunday
(You do not have to stay for the full event. We suggest you stay as long as you feel able.)

Charity of Choice: Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada
Visit this website to learn more about Prostate Cancer and the PCRFC.

We have several reasons for choosing this charity. One being, last year we chose the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, which would mostly assist women. It seemed appropriate that we might do the same for men. Another reason, we all have men that are in our lives: dads, husbands, boy friends, sons, brothers, uncles, friends, co-workers, to name a few. We, as women, are usually the care givers. We are the ones who typically remind these men to take care of themselves. Paper Arts A Thon has not only been a place to raise funds while enjoying your favorite hobby but it has been a place of education and awareness. I can still hear the words Vanessa (the representative from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation) spoke at last years event, how one in eight women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Reason number three: the statistics for men are much the same, one in seven men will be diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.




What EXACTLY takes place at PAAT?




PAAT was created to give paper artists time and ample space to do what you love to do, work on your projects while spending time with friends or meeting new ones. During PAAT you can work on whatever project or projects you choose. There won't be a store or supplier on site, so be sure to bring what you need. To help keep you entertained and provide you with a chance to learn something new, Make N' Takes will be available for you to do. These are mini cards or projects that have been prepared for you to put together. The time and materials for these projects have been donated and we ask that you make a donation to cover this. The Make N Takes will be available to do throughout the day Saturday and possibly through the wee hours Sunday AM. During the event all meals and snacks will be provided. On the registration form you are asked if you would be willing to donate a food item and, closer to the event, we will contact you about this. There will be a Silent Auction table happening throughout the 20 hours. You won't believe the items that are on this table. The generosity of the Paper Crafting Community is visible here. During the event there will be plenty of door prizes given away. We always have lots of surprises to keep you entertained.




How are the FUNDS RAISED?




Each registrant will receive a pledge sheet. In the past participants have handled this in various ways. Some participants go to family and friends and collect donations to fill their pledge sheet. Charitable receipts will be issued through the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada (PCRFC). Other participants make a donation from their own pocket since there is no registration fee. Some participants raise money selling items, such as cards or other handmade items.
Funds are raised during the event through the Silent Auction Table and Make N Take projects. You will want to bring money along to participate in these.




What is NEW for PAAT in 2009?




The site for this year's PAAT has changed. The first year saw us at the Kingston Fire Hall and last year we were welcomed to the Nova Scotia Community College, Middleton Site.
This year we will be located at the Family Life Center in Middleton. This is a relatively new facility and we are in hopes, this will be the perfect fit for PAAT. The Family Life Center has a large gym which will house the event and the best part, a fully equipped kitchen that is very close to the gym. This will save many footsteps for the organizers and participants.




This year we have added new members to our Dream Team. Myself (Myleta Ross), Holly Hearn and Pam Lunnon remain from last year's team with Kathy Connell, Melissa Connell, Nancy Feener and Amy Ross joining us.




If you have any further questions or would like a registration form emailed to you please feel free to contact me at m.ross@ns.sympatico.ca.
If you have already registered for this event be sure to check back here on a regular basis for updated information.




I hope you are able to join us on May 2nd, 2009 in 'Using Our Hobbies to Benefit Others'.
Myleta Ross
Member of the 2009 Dream Team