Artists for World Peace : Hats off for a Cause!

Artist for World Peace is a non-profit organization, with a goal to foster peace and support humanitarian efforts around the world through artistic expression. Founded in 2003 by Middletown resident Wendy Black-Nasta ( who I might add is one of my favorite people), a renowned artist, AFWP is dedicated to creating a living link of people from diverse cultures who share a vision of global peace.

In the winter months of 2007/2008, a group of 30 dedicated artists assembled to hand-craft unique hats as a fundraiser for Artists for World Peace (AFWP). Donating their time and materials, these artists created over 150 hats that raised over $4000 at an AFWP charity auction. This extraordinary effort enabled

AFWP to build its first safe house

for battered women in Cambodia and supported the Children of Peace Project, providing basic necessities for children in the US and around the world. This fund raiser was held at Cold Stone Creamery, and has since been held there and at the Winter Festival in Chester CT in later years.The group then went onto create more hats in 2009 and donated money raised to various local women's shelters and food banks. The 2009/2010 campaign raised money for a scholarship fund that corresponded with AFWP Children of Peace mission.

The next Hats For A Cause event will take place:

December 4, 2010

Wadsworth Mansion, Middletown
10am-3pm
All proceeds support Children of Peace project, an initiative of AFWP.

Unique handmade felt hats made in the shape of various exotic animals, fantasy creatures, and whimsical themes can be purchased at this even just in time for the holidays. Last year, I had the pleasure of going to one of the session's held at Wendy's house where various artists had gathered to make hats. It was one of the highlights of the winter for me, and I wished I could have attended more sessions unfortunately I got the inevitable flu which laid me up for a few weeks. I got a warm welcome that snowy Sunday afternoon at Wendy's house where volunteers had gathered around sewing machines and those of us non sewers cut felt for patterns. It was discovered I was a non sewer after a failed attempt at a puppy hat which turned into a ball of threads & knots, it was later recycled as stuff for another hat. I got to try my hand at hat design and assist Wendy with a felt swan that was to become the centerpiece of a hat. A hot pot of soup accompanied the sewing session.

Later in the month of December AFWP is sponsoring a food and clothing drive to help those in need living on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota.

Annual Food Drive December 9th 5-9pm

The First Church of Christ on Court Street in Middletown

Here is what is needed: Non-perishable foods: Flour, sugar, salt, shortening, baking powder, coffeerice, hams, tuna, soups, peanut butter, beef stew, veggies,pinto beans, pasta. Warm winter blankets, warm coats all sizes, new or like new, hats, gloves, scarves. New Unwrapped Christmas Gifts: for all ages. Wrapping paper and tape.
Financial donations are always needed to cover the cost of driving the truck to South Dakota.
All donations are 100% tax deductible. Please make checks out to Artists for World Peace and put holiday drive in the memo line. AFWP will be mailing receipts before the end of the year.

You may also make a donation & find out more about all the events online at www.artistsforworldpeace.org

Be sure to check out their website to see the MANY projects this group has done and the impact they are having globally.

(photos borrowed from the AFWP website.)