I was approached to do a piece for a silent auction to raise money for the
Crape Myrtle Festival.
What
is the Crape Myrtle Festival, I hear you say. Crape Myrtle Festival
(CMF) originated in the summer of 1981 as a small backyard gathering in
Wilmington, North Carolina. The party quickly grew in size and moved
to Chapel Hill, focusing on the needs of the local gay and lesbian
community. In response to the emerging AIDS health crisis, CMF soon
began concentrating on raising funds for the HIV/AIDS service agencies
located in the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill area.
The
small party evolved into a yearly festival, increasing the donations
given by individuals and corporations supporting its goal, and
culminating in a Grand Gala celebrated in the last weekend of July. By
the early 1990s, special events such as educational seminars, sports
tournaments, and musical concerts preceded the Gala, resulting in a week
of CMF activities.
In 1992 a group of dedicated
individuals initiated the process of incorporating CMF as a recognized
North Carolina non-profit organization. By law, these individuals
became responsible for setting policies and drafting necessary
documents. CMF received state recognition as an official 501(c)(3)
non-profit organization in May 1993.
As the 1990s passed
and the new millennium began, CMF continued to fine-tune its mission
statement and broaden its focus to additional health needs found within
the gay, lesbian, and transgender communities. For over two decades,
it has heightened positive awareness and promoted fellowship in these
communities located within the Triangle area. As we stay focused on our
goals, CMF will continue to expand and identify new areas in which
fundraising efforts make an impact on the community.
Now all that being said, what can I make that will reflect what the CMF does. Easy :) Jasper.
Jasper
is the supreme nurturer, like CMF is so many ways, caring for and
encouraging our communities, by raising awareness and helping to raise
money for research for a cure for HIV/AIDS. Now lets add in tree agate.
Tree agate, is the stone of plenitude, don't think of it as money =
plenitude, but how you have fullness and wholeness in your life when you
are healthy. CMF's outreach is to heal, not only the bodies of those
who are sick, but also to give a sense of pride to us as humans, that we
can and should take on the responsibility of helping, caring, educating
and uplifting our families, friends, and even more importantly, the
strangers in our lives. Because, a stranger is just a friend we haven't
met yet.
