Donation from Regent Harriers

Candice Te Brugge · 02:34 AM Dec 12 · Comment

January 2011

Regent Harriers Running Club very kindly donated an incredible R5000 to everyONEcounts. 

We are extremely grateful for the generous donation, which will be added towards the funds raised for our next 'soon to be announced' beneficiary at the end of the 2012 campaign.

To read more about Regent's click here

Email from Jane Digby

Candice Te Brugge · 03:19 PM Dec 11 · Comment

From time to time we've had requests from potential buyers who have wanted to commission an artist whom they've come across through everyONEcounts. 

We've been happy to pass on the artist details to the client and in this instance received this wonderful mail back from the artist who had agreed to pay across a small percentage of the sale to everyONEcounts.

We also had a phone-call from the client to say how totally pleased she was.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

From: Jane 

Sent: 29 November 2011 13:31

Subject: RE: Commission to do a Portrait

 

Dear Lara

Thank you for introducing me to this client.  I have painted her commission of Ethan and received the monies for the painting. I am delighted to inform you that she was happy with the painting.   I would like to confirm that I will be paying a percentage into the everyONEcounts account later today.  I have attached an image of the painting (though realize that photographs often bring out certain colours more than others).

 

Many many thanks Lara

And wishing you and your family a very happy festive season.

Jane

 

Jane Digby

Jane Digby Oil Paintings

www.jjdigby.com

blacklaw@telkomsa.net

082 486 2126

Update: Letter from Art In Action

Candice Te Brugge · 03:08 PM Dec 11 · Comment

30th May 2010

Hi  Lara,

We used some of the money from Everyone Counts to buy a tshirt printing machine and start a business. The business is mostly supporting Sabelo (the teacher) as he has no other income and volunteers his time to teach the group. He is now printing tshirts and selling them, they are being sold as far as Australia as I am promoting them and selling them here. The Everyone Counts money really helped by funding the start up costs of the business, we would not have been able to buy all the equipment we needed without the money.

We also used some of the money to take the kids on an excursion to the Bat Centre. At the Bat Centre they saw different types of artwork and met artists who told them more about life as an artist and the different techniques they use. There was also a poetry session happening at the Bat Centre on the same day so they got to see the poetry as well.

Some of the money was used to buy paints. Recently the group have been painting on walls instead of canvases. The reason for this is so that the community can see the group and to promote art in the community.

Some of the money is still in the bank and we will use it as needed to buy art materials for the group.

I have attached a letter acknowledging receipt of the money and outlining how it has been spent.

I’m in Australia at the moment but I have been in touch with Sabelo and it sounds like the group is going really well.

Regards,

Katie
Posted 30th May by

 

Update: Starting to Blog - 2nd May 2011

Candice Te Brugge · 03:05 PM Dec 11 · Comment

With the frustrations of firewalls and server protocols, many of our mails no longer reach the recipients on our mailing list. So, from now we'll be blogging, tweeting and face-booking ... and hoping that you'll be able to keep up with news this way.

As always, should you ever need to be in contact, feel free to mail us ... you can find us either our facebook group  everyONEcounts  or through our website everyonecounts.co.za or by mailing me

Update: everyONEcounts - 31st January 2011

Candice Te Brugge · 03:03 PM Dec 11 · Comment

FINALLY … a note from me:


My apologies for only writing now. 


everyONEcounts was, well continues to be, a resounding success.  


Pressing through most evenings and every weekend for fourteen months, we were all pretty much dead-on-our-feet by the opening, let alone the close, of the exhibition.  Our fantastic team of twenty plus members are all otherwise employed and my goodness … if we’d known how well everyONEcounts was to be received and hence the amount of work, we might have run in the opposite direction … of course we’re pleased we didn’t but this did mean that there were unavoidable ‘balls dropped’ occasionally.  For the most part, you were all fantastically understanding and patient and even still … so encouraging.  We live in a world that is demanding in many respects, and I’ve come to realise that the imperfections are often opportunities for humanity, humility and for kindness.  


Technology also proved challenging and as it turned out, you don’t all seem to have received all our mails. Please remember to check your ‘junk’ folders and/or to set your servers or firewalls to receive mails from us.


We have all been enormously encouraged by the many mails of encouragement and support – a very sincere thank you for these.


By the close of the exhibition, approximately 300 works were sold, with as many still available. We’re still finalizing this figure in the process of collecting monies from buyers.


The website has now been re-activated to continue to sell the works on-line … or else you can be in contact with me and I’ll assist you.  We’ll monitor the overall activity before bringing the sale of the works to a final close.  A consideration for unsold works would be to arrange the works into panels or groups and then to donate these to charitable associations where the works will no doubt speak to and bless patients and visitors.  I have ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT that ALL of these special works will end up EXACTLY where they’re meant to be.


With your wonderful support we have successfully achieved our intention to CAMPAIGN and to bring about awareness, beyond ‘simply’ fundraising. Many of you will have heard me say frequently that “whilst monies are needed – much needed – hearts need to be changed first … and then miracles will happen, and probably not as we always envision, but usually far better than we could have imagined. Far greater …


Amongst many mails of stories shared with us from all over the world, some include:
-          requests to visit Shepherd’s Keep to volunteer their time (we have a visitor from Germany as I write)
-          offers to donate monies both to everyONEcounts and to Shepherd’s Keep as well as individuals sharing that they’ve been moved to donate to other organisations
-          other artists taking up the practice to donate a percentage of sales to a chosen charity
-          artist groups working towards similar projects … where the ethos of everyONEcounts is shared
-          many artists have since been commissioned to do more works as a result of their participation


AND THEN … that requests to adopt babies have been received. Can this not be the most wonderful of all? That works can be sold, and monies raised … surely does not compare to even just ONE LIFE benefiting by the love and joy of being received into a family.


Surprisingly too, our branded mugs and t-shirts seem to be a continued hit. Who’d have thought J !!


We’ll be taking just a few more weeks to ‘catch our breath’ and to get back up to pace and on track with a couple of administrative tasks before we’ll be full-steaming-ahead with the everyONEcounts @ schools initiative.  But more of this later …


To end then, THANK YOU! Thank you to the artists, the buyers, the donors, the partners-on-our-webpage, the silent partners, the encourages and anyone who has contributed in anyway … to spreading the word that everyONEcounts.


With gratitude,
With joy,
And sincerely,
Lara and the entire e1c team


Lara Mellon
Direct: +27 (0)31 563 4349
Mobile:  +27 (0)82 694 9444lara@everyonecounts.co.za
laramellon@iafrica.com
www.everyonecounts.co.za
 ... and find us on Facebook


“I am only one, but still I am one.  I cannot do everything, but still I can do something.  And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”
Helen Keller

Email from Helene

Candice Te Brugge · 02:34 PM Dec 11 · Comment

 

From: Helene Steyl
Sent: 12 April 2010 19:45
Subject: FW: Emailing: Million to one survivors - koi (1), Million to one survivors - koi (2), Million to one survivors - koi (3)
 
Hi Lara,

Why did I choose to paint koi fish?
 
I was shocked to hear about so many new-born babies who are simply being disposed of.  It immediately reminded me of the way baby koi are treated at a breeding farms. Thousands of baby Koi fish spawn at the breeding farms.   These baby fish are very expensive to feed, so at regular intervals the breeders select only the ones they like to keep.  The unwanted baby fish (up to 85%) are rejected, discarded and used as pet food, fertiliser or bait.   
 
If you see a beautiful koi swimming in a clear water pond, you must know- this is a very lucky fish.  Each adult koi had someone who saw his potential and helped him to survive.  

Thank you, Shepherd's Keep and each and everyone who contributes by giving these babies a chance to achieve their full potential!  


Heléne Steyl


     
Helene Steyl
Million to One  Survivors - Koi I
Oil on Canvas
Sold
 Helene Steyl
Million to One Survivors - Koi II
Oil on Canvas
Sold




Email from Moray

Candice Te Brugge · 02:26 PM Dec 11 · Comment

 

From: Moray Comrie
Sent: 13 April 2010 16:53
Subject: Re: MORNING WALK

Hi Lara,

The figures in the painting are my wife André and younger son Graeme. The image is based on a photograph I took of them early one morning during a beach holiday (we live in Maritzburg).

The painting is not a straight copy of the photograph. For the setting I used a rock formation at Umzumbe that I have sketched and painted many times. I am not sure what the painting itself conveys, but I wanted a shoreline with a hint of both protectiveness and challenge to it.



Not long after the photograph was taken André was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a radical bilateral mastectomy and, because of the age of our then young family (Graeme is our younger son) was subjected to the most extreme chemotherapy and radiation treatment available to medical science at the time.  So yes, the image of a mother and her child facing an insecure future has a certain real poignancy for us.

Fortunately André has survived, thanks to the doctors and even more to wise nutritional supplementation, and she is working hard to share what she knows with others at risk from cancer and other diseases.

Graeme is now a graduate student in England having completed a journalism degree at Rhodes. He has completed his Master’s degree in Writing for the Media at Bournemouth University, graduating with distinction and winning the prize for the best script of his year

Best wishes,

Moray

Email from Tracy

Candice Te Brugge · 02:21 PM Dec 11 · Comment

From: Pass
Sent: 23 April 2010 11:44
Subject: Re: everyONEcounts

Lara,


I cried when I received this email if my buying this painting helps only one
abandoned baby it is all worth it!!!  Thankyou for all you do.








Marizia Pinkham - Small Beginnings
Oil on Canvas - Sold

Email from Ritha

Candice Te Brugge · 02:16 PM Dec 11 · Comment

 

From: Ritha Fenske 
Sent: 21 May 2010 22:10
Subject: Re: everyONEcounts - SOLD - Miserere nostri, Domine and Thulelani - my Mona Lisa

Dear Lara,  
 
Maggie told me this morning that both my paintings were sold, and I was so happy.  These two really came from my heart, and for a while there I was quite overcome..........  God has been so great to have opened my eyes to art, even at this late stage of my life, and I praise Him for it.  I am also totally delighted that this will help your fund.  Maggie mentioned how much you have to do, and I just want you to know how much I admire you for having run with this project - you are in my prayers.
Love,
Ritha.




Ritha Fenske - Thelelani - my Mona Lisa
Oil on Canvas - Sold

Email from Gill

Candice Te Brugge · 02:12 PM Dec 11 · Comment

Feedback

We've received many encouraging stories that we'd like to share with you. These are just a few ...
_________________________________________________________________________________

From: Dick/Gill 
Sent: 09 June 2010 17:44
Subject: My thanks

Dear Lara,
 

I am just so humbled by the fact that I have been able to assist in a small way with your special project. Everyone counts is an inspiration to so many of us artists and to many who are not artists as well.  “Everyone” that I speak to is enthusiastic about the idea that we have come out and done something so pro active, the problem of little babies being abandoned is a problem that many are aware of but not able to even conceive of any way in which to help and there you come along with this inspiration for all of us.  You and your team has really given a special meaning to the work we do thank you for the opportunity, I would like to suggest that perhaps this initiative continues long after the World Cup and possibly become a bi-annual event.
Thank you again, wishing you God’s Blessing and much success.
Love Gill.

Gill Van Wyk -  A Light in the Dark
Oil on Canvas - Sold

Email from Paula Wright

Candice Te Brugge · 12:57 PM Dec 11 · Comment

 

We've received many encouraging stories that we'd like to share with you. These are just a few ...


 __________________________________________________________________
From: Paula Wright
Sent: 11 September 2010 22:22
Subject: everyONE counts
 
Firstly,congratulations on a great initiative! I am amazed at the response and realise that only God could have orchestrated it. Well done on such a professional approach and excellent website. I pray that this will ignite the hearts of the world to the suffering children and to the huge hearts of those who care enough to follow through with their convictions. I am involved in supporting the Starfish Baby Home and look in wonder at Cathy and Warwick Pearce who have taken on this plight and given so much of themselves and their family to show the love of Christ to these little ones in need.

On a different note, I attend Ana de Vlieg's art class and we all have submitted works towards this worthy cause. Mine was entitled "Catch of the Day", and was inspired by the recent death of my 22 year old nephew, Dean Duchenne, who was struck by lightning in July whilst working in Canada. He was a magnetic person, and really made an impact on anyone he came into contact with and, as my sister's only child, this tragedy has had a significant impact on our family, and especially hers. I was inspired by the photos I took after participating in the sardine run. Embedded in the base layer are fishing paraphenalia, obituary notices, some scriptures (one of them upside down - as I don't understand why this happened) and plenty of tears! I am a very slow painter yet managed to paint this picture in a morning - I know it is part of my healing. Dean really was the "Catch of the Day"!! Oh, we miss him!


I have been painting for 2 years now, and am truely excited about this amazing journey and what God is teaching me about myself. 

May God richly bless you in this wonderful project - praying that He opens the storehouse of His blessing upon

 The Shepherd's Keep.
Kind regards
Paula Wright   





Paula Wright
Catch of the Day
Oil on Canvas
Sold

Cottage Patch Guild of Quilters

Candice Te Brugge · 05:31 PM Dec 10 · Comment

The Cottage Patch Guild of quilters have donated 15 beautiful handmade quilts to everyONEcounts, who in turn have donated these to Shepherd's Keep. 

The guild was hoping to donate one large quilt to be auctioned at the exhibition at The Quays but with too little time, it was decided to make smaller quilts for the babies to use. The quilts were handed over to everyONEcounts from their stand at the Highland's Gathering in Amanzimtoti on Saturday 30th April 2010. 

We could hardly believe the beauty of these quilts, which have all been hand crafted. "They don't make them like they used to". The Cottage Patch Quilters Guild was established in about 2002. 

The guild meet once a month in a community hall, where they make quilts for charity. They started off very small but soon blossomed where they currently consist of thirty ladies who give of their time. 

They have to raffle quilts to pay for fabrics and find it very difficult as the cost of supplies is very expensive but say that "somehow" they always manage. Margaret Bubb of the guild says "It would be nice to receive a little help with donations of fabric to assist them with the fabulous work that they do. 

If you have off cuts of fabric, samples from swatches, or realms of cotton and or batting or can assist in any other way to keep these wonderful women crafting these beautiful work please be in contact with Margaret on 083 489 1273.