710 SWAP this Friday!

Okay, so I must admit that I am one of "those people"... yes, I'm going to put my tiny Christmas tree up in October and I cant wait! I know, I know, gimme a break, I love the mini lights on my 12in tree at night, it all seems so peaceful! For those of you scratching your heads in dismay ...  has anyone seen Hallmark lately? I'm just saying :) Anyway, the holidays are fast approaching, yes I said it, even though it's the middle of September! Let's see, some of the the ones coming up are ... Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Diwali, Halloween, Samhain-Beltane, Veterans Day, Eid al-Adha, Thanksgiving, Kwanza, Hanukkah, Baisakhi (Vaisakhi), Feast day - Our Lady of Guadalupe, Christmas and New Years and those are only the major ones between now and New Years! If you haven't heard of some of them, that's okay too but I encourage you to look them up! What a great way to get to know our neighbors and I don't just mean that literally but our community neighbors as well and what an amazing way to learn from each other too! Our community is so diverse, sometimes I can't help but to think that I'm missing out on some awe inspiring things that are taking place in my own neighborhood!

I hope you're getting those warm fuzzies in your heart about now because this is the "season", no matter what religion you are, of giving and receiving! Friday night September 16th is the 710 SWAP which allows you to bring new or lightly used items to swap for other items, from cookware to clothes and from shoes to printers to toys and books, there's a bit of everything! You don't have to have an item to swap or to join in the party, you're still more than welcome to visit, swap, have some laughs and some great food! We open at 6:30pm for set up and then the swaping frenzy begins at 7:10pm, it's loads of fun and the best part about it is that everything left over will be put in the Long Beach Free Store so that others can have a chance to find the things they need!

Now is the time to get your friends together, go through the things you really don't need or want and bring it on in! Got an extra toaster, cute fuzzy slippers, scarfs or a tangled mess of Christmas lights you were planning to throw away...bring them to the swap, someone will need what you bring, I guarantee it! Let's dig deep and get to the backs of those closets! Here's a wonderful way to get your kids involved too! Sit down with them and ask them to pick 1 or 2 toys that they really don't play with, this is a way to explain how to give to others without expecting anything in return & the true spirit of giving, it will make them feel awesome that some else is gonna get to play with their toy! Although if they come with you and find a book or another toy, maybe they will see how much fun it is to find "new" things for themselves, heck they might free up more space for you by getting rid of more toys!

You get it now...ANYTHING and EVERYTHING helps! As I said earlier it is the beginning of the "season" for giving and receiving, (although we should do that all year) but remember that it doesn't necessarily have to be something tangible or expensive, a big hug, a smile, a meaningful "hello, how are you today?" & sticking around to hear the answer, playing at the park with your kids or playing a board game with your family and enjoying popcorn, sending an email or e-card to show someone you care, how about making a card or sending one via snail mail, even meeting a friend overlooking the bluff just to chat or catch up! You never know how much the kindness of your heart can change someone's day! 

We cant wait to see what you'll bring with you on Friday, your smile or laughter or a box of stuff, ALL IS WELCOME!

When/Where/Time:Friday Spetember 16th at Catalyst Space, 6:30pm for set-up; 7:10pm Swapping begins!

If you have any other questions please contact Sharon at : swappershopper@gmail.com. This is a potluck so please bring a dish to share..thanks and hope to see you there!

H.O.P.E. Fest, A Back to School Festival!

Alright everyone, the hustle, bustle and frenzy of back to school is upon us however I have great news and a celebration you will for sure want to mark on your calendars! This Sat. Aug. 27th from 11am-5pm, The H.O.P.E. Foundation is sponsoring a Back To School Festival and you get FREE lunch too! There will be so many different vendors there, backpacks will be given out, of course everyone gets school supplies and even prize drawings for a couple of bicycles, a skateboard and much much more...no one will leave empty handed! There will be different arts & crafts stations for all ages, a bounce house, health care information and screenings, fingerprinting for your kids and a time to come together as a community to help support our kids while giving them a safe and fun afternoon!

If you would like to donate any supplies we can never have enough! So if you happen to stop in to one of those big stores, you know the ones I mean...where folders are only 1cent or crayons are 25cents or...well, you get the picture and you're able to purchase 1 or 2 items or maybe even more... Please bring them with you to the check-in table when you come in and we'd be happy as well as grateful to take them off your hands and find them a happy home with some extremely deserving kids! This is especially true for backpacks, we have a shortage of backpacks so unfortunately not everyone will get one, each child will have a bag to put their school supplies & goodies in but some won't get an actual backpack, sad I know but "WE" as the community can change that so that every child walks out with one! :) Ask your friends and neighbors to get involved, heck maybe you can't afford a backpack on your own to donate but if you've got a group of friends you can divide that $15 between all of you and its only $3, $4 or maybe even less than that and that is do able! 

Let's make this an amazing afternoon and get the kids extra excited to go back to school!

Date/Time/Location- Saturday Aug. 27th from 11am - 5pm at Stevenson Elemetry School 515 Lime Ave LB

For other questions please email Pam at foundhope2009@gmail.com (562-506-3606) or Marie at misdamarie@yahoo.com (562-682-6902) or click on the flyer above...HOPE to see you all there and THANK YOU in advance for all of your generosity, change begins one person at a time!

Friday Night SWAP!

Another month has passed, which means more things have accumulated around your home...which means it's perfect for SWAP night! How you ask? Well, let me tell you...all the things you've been looking at & thinking, I need to donate that or get rid of this or throw that away just so i can have a little more room...STOP! Now grab those things and anything else from your friends, family and neighbors that are slightly used or new, throw them into your wonderful recycling bags and bring them on down to Catalyst Space at 6:30pm Friday 17th! Enjoy some snacks, meet new people, make new friends ... connect and affect! For more info, questions and to RSVP, contact  christinacellis@gmail.com. Hope to see you there!

710 SWAP is Back at Catalyst!

Hello everyone and happy May! It's time to gather your things together or perhaps you have a neighbor that has items they are no longer using that they are willing to donate to the SWAP. Remember it doesn't just have to be clothes, it can be household items, children's toys, books, self care items...really just about anything as long as it is lightly used or in new condition. It's always nice to have a little extra room around the house or apartment isn't it? But remember...you never know what you might find for yourself either! For instance, I had wanted a sketch book for such a long time and a few months back guess what... someone, i have no idea who dropped off, you got it- a brand new sketch book, nice and small, perfect size! Made my night :) All that to say, come on down, set up & drop off begins at 6:30pm, the SWAP starts at 7:10pm and we wrap up at 8:30 so time flies! In the mean time, grab a bite to eat, it's potluck so bring something to share, meet new people, make new friends, have some laughs and come hang out with us for a couple of hours! For more info, questions and to RSVP, please contact christinacellis@gmail.com.

Seven-Ten Halloween Swap

Looking for some good ideas for Halloween costumes or even decorations? The Catalyst Space is hosting their monthly "Seven-Ten SWAP" event this Friday, October 15, 2010 from 6:30pm - 9:00pm. This month's swap will give people an opportunity to trade halloween costumes and decorations with fellow swappers.

Bring your scary and funky clothes and accessories for people to custom create new and fun costumes. Reuse and re-create!

Donations will also be collected as part of the Swap For Good campaign - to raise funds and awareness for Domestic Violence Programs and Shelters. Donate $5 or $10 (or whatever you can afford) to help out.

You do not need to make a donation to participate in the Swap. Donations are not required, but they are greatly appreciated - any little bit can help.

The Seven-Ten Swap meets every 3rd Friday of each month at the Catalyst Space, 430 E. 1st Street, Long Beach, CA 90802 from 6:30pm - 9:00pm. It's a potluck too so bring something to share. Doors open at 6:30pm for swap item drop-off, organizing items, potluck dinner, and socializing. Swap begins at 7:10pm.

RSVP on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115121311881807