Hearts for Haiti Volunteer Andrea from Nyblaque

Peace and Blessings, My name is Andrea but most folks call me by my Etsy Nickname Ny;-) I live and love in NYC with my two spirited children and have been running my Etsy shop from home for almost 3 yrs this coming June.

Before I learned about HFH, I started pitching in with my own personal donations of food, clothing, care packages and making up cycled bags to donate to local community programs that were collecting for Haiti relief. Afterward, I registered with the American Red Cross and donated whatever proceeds I could financially muster through my former Handmade4Haiti section in my Etsy shop.

I read about HFH through an article in Etsy's Storque Blog and was moved to tears. After reading about the collaboration through the HFH forum and checking out the shop, I knew immediately that I wanted to donate some items from my Etsy shop, and also hopefully get a chance to pitch in directly. I wanted so much to spread the word about HeartsforHaiti!

When I first contacted Victoria about what role I could play as a volunteer, I wanted to dive in and take on multiple tasks such as listing, sending convos and writing blog posts. I thank Victoria for pinning me to listing items for now as I quickly learned how overwhelmed I would have been trying to do all three tasks!

With my hands in so many cookie jars actively involved in community events, still donating to the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, running my shop from home and caring for my children, I wish I could do more. But just being a part of the HFH team's community effort of love, faith and creative support is something I will never forget. To me, this is history in the making, I am glad to have lived to be a part of it somehow. We are making a difference. Together.

Namaste and Blessings to you,

Ny;-)

Etsy Hearts for Haiti Volunteers

Reflecting Back On January 2010


"10 Extraordinary Days"
by Sunny

Akureyri, Iceland, image courtesy CC GNU

At 9:55 PM on Jan. 13, 2010, a whirlwind of volunteer activity began the moment Etsy shop owner, Victoria Vanderlaan posted the question in the Etsy.com Forums, "Fundraising shop for Haiti?".  Immediately a group of women from the Etsy global arts and crafts community stepped forward to volunteer and began brainstorming an Etsy shop to raise funds for victims of the earthquake.  

Jan. 13 -Jan.15, The Volunteers ironed-out logistics, determined charity protocols, created shop policies, designed a logo and shop banner, opened Gmail, credit union, and PayPal accounts, joined 3 social networking sites, wrote a press release, and began compiling the list of donors.  

Jan. 16, 2010,1:08 AM, Day Four: the HFH shop opened. Donations poured in. Volunteers offered to work in shifts and began listing hundreds of donated items and images.

Jan. 16, 2010, Victoria posted: "The very tired Victoria here. I seriously love all of you guys right now. It's 4:30 am where I am and I've been going nonstop for days and I feel like I just want to keep going! But I'm going to have to go to bed, kiddos will be up in a few hours and the papa won't be content to be on his own for too long on a Saturday. I'm so proud of all of us for making this happen." 

Jan. 18, 2010, 2:00 AM, a Volunteer posted: "Night all! got my set of listings done-time to get some sleep so I can wake those kiddos up early tomorrow. better go set my coffee maker for the morning!!". It was now Day Five and HFH

had it's 100th sale and 170 items donated. 


The Volunteers were energized by the generous outpouring from the  Etsy Community, the touching messages that came with the donations, and they continued to be deeply concerned by devastating news reports from Haiti.  

The whole world was reeling from images from Port-au-Prince. Donations poured in faster than they could be listed. The Volunteers listed between cooking for their families, housework, jobs, school, Scout meetings, doctor's appointments, running their Etsy shops, and taking care of their children.   

One Volunteer posted in the Forum: "Hey guys, I'm working as fast as I can on those listings. I have to take breaks periodically to make sure my brain doesn't fry and that my family gets to eat! :)".   Another posted, "Good morning again, great night of listing...did anyone sleep?".   Another posted, "... It was a late night....off to get more...coffee."  Another Volunteer posted that she had to go to the doctor but that she would return to list items if she had the strength afterwards. In spite of a disability she powered through day after day keeping everyone in good spirits. The Volunteer's sense of humor and positivity kept the team moving forward.


The urgency of the medical situation in Haiti after the earthquake was pressing the Volunteers to get as many items listed as quickly as possible to help Doctors Without Borders. 100% of the proceeds were going directly to D.W.B. after Etsy and PayPal fees.

Jan. 22, 2010, Day Nine: Victoria sent the first $5,000.00 to Doctors Without Borders and provided a copy of the bank draft on the HFH blog.  

There were a few bumps-in-the-road during those first nine days. There was a tech problem with the Gmail account. There were some photo uploading problems. But everyone worked together to solve them quickly. There were weather problems for some Volunteers, such as power outages.  One Volunteer posted:  "Woke up to freezing rain! Frustrated-no mail will be going out today, so can't ship my item from the shop that sold :( And, no school either...might be a long day! Hope it's a great day for everyone else though-and again-you all are doing GREAT!!!".     

Jan. 23, 2010. Day Ten since Etsy HFH began. The group receives a profound email Update from Victoria.  It says:  

"When I wrote to you a few days ago I was really overwhelmed, coming off of nearly a week of long days devoted almost exclusively to the shop. But since then I’ve been able to step away occasionally during the day, shower and even—gasp!—leave the house.  Each day I step a little further away from the computer for a spell, and things are fine when I come back.  Though I can’t seem to stay away for long. :)."  

As I read her words I looked around me and realized how much house work had stacked up. I hadn't thought of much else but HFH. I had barely gone outside for a week. Likewise, the Volunteer from Australia posted, "Much to the delight of my two small dogs,I have spent a good part of the last week at home, on the couch, pretty much connected to my laptop." Everyone was focusing on one thing: helping Haiti.

Victoria's message continues, "I know you all have been working quite hard as well and I want to be sure that you all know that I only want to you to take on as much as you’d like to do and are comfortable with.  I realize that this project wasn’t a planned step we all took, it was something we threw ourselves into to help the people of Haiti in whatever way we can.  We all have things we dropped in order to make this happen and I know those things need to be picked up again sometime."  

On Jan. 23, 2010, ten days after Victoria posted, "Fundraising shop for Haiti?", HFH had raised $15,000.00 for Doctors Without Borders.  


It had been an extraordinary ten days that none of us who Volunteered behind the scenes will ever forget.  


It would not have been possible without the hundreds of Etsy community members who donated their shop items plus the shipping costs as well as the buyers.  They are the larger body of volunteers that make up the Etsy Hearts for Haiti Volunteer Team.

A certain type of person gives without expecting anything in return and they make this world a beautiful place for everyone. Each and everyone one of you who volunteered, donated, or bought from HFH are just such people.


Victoria concluded her message: "You are all my heros."  

And you are mine also.  

-Sunny  (Etsy Hearts For Haiti Blog Volunteer)

Hearts for Haiti Volunteer Nora from transienttreasures

Greetings from Sacramento, California!

Nora here, owner of Etsy shops transienttreasures AND treasurehuntvintage. I am a recent "empty-nester", having put my children through college. Seems I have some spare time--but not much spare money. I am so happy and honored to be able to support this meaningful project.

I, like Sunny, wish I could actually be IN Haiti, helping. Through HeartsForHaiti, I am able to utilize my time and talents to help the victims of this horrific earthquake--without leaving my home. Gotta love modern day technology!

My role at HeartsForHaiti is to notify donors when an item sells---almost 2000 sales to date! (the generosity of the Etsy community is humbling!) I also answer convos as needed.

This shop is a true manisfestation of Ghandis' famous quip--"Be the change you want to see in the world".

And, as Victoria says, "Together we CAN make a difference."

Namaste,

Nora

ps - since I am camera shy, I opted for a photo of a bouquet of roses from my garden.

HFH Volunteer Sunny

Hi, my name is Sunny and I'm a member of the Etsy handmade arts and crafts community and the Blog writer Volunteer here for Etsy Hearts for Haiti.

Although I can't be there in Haiti to lift bricks or to distribute food and water, I wish I could, every minute that I spend helping Etsy Hearts for Haiti makes me glad that I can help in this way.

My part in all of this has been behind the scenes. I saw a volunteer niche and assigned it to myself as the "night-watch" volunteer for the HFH forum thread the week following the earthquake. After the rest of the volunteers had signed off for the night to catch some sleep after hours of listing items and replying to emails (sometimes up to 700 emails in a day), I would set-up my computer by the fireplace, make a cup of tea, grab a book, and check the thread every 20 minutes between the hours of 1 am and 4 am Pacific Time. The thread was usually silent at those hours. I wanted to be there, just in case someone had a question about donating or needed information.

We had some terrific rain and thunder storms here in California during that week and the power went out a couple of times. During those quiet hours of the night, listening to the rain, I felt like I was in some way there with the people in Haiti because my heart was with them. And my prayers.

When the art that I donated sold it dawned on me that what has transpired here during the last 2 weeks was historical. It wouldn't have been possible 30 years ago. Through the power of the internet, a global community of artists and crafters (vintage sellers as well) were able to unite and in a matter of days raise an extraordinary amount of funds for immediate help to the victims of a disaster. In my case, the people who bought my art gave me the opportunity to give even if I didn't have the money to give. They could have given directly to Doctors Without Borders but instead their donations allowed me to give as well.

To me, the cheerful giving of so many people has been awe-inspiring. Hundreds of us have formed a chain of hearts which will end in substantial medical supplies and services that will help many people in Haiti.

To all of those who have donated, I want to say with all my heart, thank you very much. -Sunny 

"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." - Archbishop Desmond Tutu (Africa) 2007 Gandhi Peace Prize.

Hearts for Haiti Volunteer Colleen of fivesparrows

I am Colleen from five sparrows. My heart has been with Haiti for awhile, mainly because of a boy that we have sponsored there for 12 years now. Learning of his life has opened my eyes in many ways. When I heard of the earthquake my first thought was of him, and then my heart broke over the faces of all the precious children who have been affected so drastically by this. (I am a mom-my heart breaks for kids pretty quickly!)

I was so excited to find Victoria’s thread asking about starting a shop for Haiti. I remembered the bushfire shop and had hoped that there would be something like this for Haiti. Then I just got to follow along as all these motivated and brilliant people figured out how to make this shop a reality. My main job has been listing, listing and more listing as all the beautiful donations pour in! It has been amazing to see all the variety of shops who have donated, and doing this has kept me from crying in front of the TV watching footage of Haiti.

I have been struck so much by the worldwide effort this is-just that fact that our inbox is run by ladies in 3 different countries and time zones is so cool! Everyone comes from a different background, mindset, country, etc, but we can all come together to make a difference-really love that!

One of the times I was crying at the TV I saw a story on the desperate need for medical supplies in Haiti-I think of that as I see the amount raised go up-that this shop can help ease that need! So glad for this opportunity to just give and help in my own small way.

Hearts for Haiti Volunteer Lucinda of DesignedByLucinda

Lucinda here with why *I* got involved with HeartsForHaiti.etsy.com shop. I saw the initial post and was the 4th person to reply because I couldn't just sit by, quietly sipping my coffee and doing business as usual, so long as people were trapped under rubble just a few miles off Florida's coast.

I started my own Hearts For Haiti program on my blog but quickly switched to helping develop a GREATER presence by banding into a larger mass with other Etsy shops; many hands joined together can lift way more than any one person can. I forced poor Victoria into making it real by taking HFH live before midnight that fateful Friday night (forgive me, V?).

I did much of the copy for HFH and I am heading up the "Collections Team". I also list donations and catch convos and I try to help Victoria when the world goes crazy around her. I'll take on any task needed to help get much needed funds into the hands of DoctorsWithoutBorders because I believe we CAN make a difference, together. And Haiti needs us, so much.

Hearts For Haiti Volunteer Andria of Shagpile

Hi there! I’m Andria from Shagpile. Much to the delight of my two small dogs, I have spent a good part of the last week at home, on the couch, pretty much connected to my laptop. I became involved with the Hearts for Haiti shop when I offered to list some items but as the only volunteer on an Australian time zone Victoria quickly asked if I’d mind watching the inbox while she got some much needed sleep.

Working in the inbox has really opened my eyes to the generosity of the Etsy community. The kind words of support and personal stories have been genuinely moving and inspiring. I only wish that I had the time to write a personal response to each and every person.

Though I won’t be able to be as involved with the shop over the next few weeks as I am relocating overseas, I really hope to have a continuing role for as long as the shop is open. It has been the most amazing experience and such a privledge to have had the chance to support such an important cause and to work with such a friendly, dedicated group of people.

I am so proud of all the volunteers who have been working on this project as I know the amount of work they have put into it and especially of Victoria who has somehow managed to hold everything together! You guys are truly amazing!

Hearts For Haiti Volunteer- Angie aka Timesandchimes

Hi, I'm Angie- the daughter half of the Mother/Daughter team called Times And Chimes on Etsy. I am a volunteer for the Hearts For Haiti shop.

I have been truly honored to be a part of the Hearts for Haiti team on Etsy. I first heard about the Collaboration Shop in the Etsy Forums. I knew immediately that I wanted to donate some items from our Etsy shop, and also help with the work behind the scenes.

My first job was to open new Forum threads to promote the shop. Next, I took on listing some of the many donations that were being sent in. This was a big deal for me, because I secretly HATE listing items on Etsy! In our birdhouse shop, I take the photos, and Mom does the listings! But because I had a purpose, to help those in dire need, I sucked it up and did my part, listing some unique and lovely items.

Recently I have started working in the Hearts for Haiti inbox. I go through donations, tag them, and send them out to volunteers to be listed. I also help tackle lost listings, relistings, and any problems that may come into the inbox.

My favorite part of being a part of the Hearts for Haiti team is the sweet friendships that have been cultivated while working so hard on a common vision. I am blessed to be a part of something bigger than myself. We are making a difference. Together.

Kathy's Thoughts

What impressed me most about the Hearts for Haiti Shop and these ladies is that the idea was first planted by a simple inquiry on the Etsy Discussion Forums.

On January 13, 2010, Victoria wrote "I would love to see and potentially help to organize an Etsy shop established to fundraise for relief efforts in Haiti".

Dedicated volunteers came forward immediately (look over to the right side bar). Yes, there was much to do; contacting Etsy, Doctors Without Borders, PayPal, bank, and so much more. And yet the Hearts for Haiti Shop was opened the following day and everything was organized and in place to start listing on January 16, 2010, and the donations poured in!

The generosity of the Etsy community, both sellers and buyers, was overwhelming and only one week later, they had already raised over $10,000.

Yes, I could have just sent in a cheque to a charitable organization, but I wanted to contribute and be a part of what I thought would be something special (and this is). I am proud to be a small part of this wonderful and caring community and the Hearts for Haiti team!

Kathy