Hope after
Helene
Have urgent needs to be fulfilled? Submit a support request!
Ways to Help!
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Give Hope Now!
We encourage everyone to give to the NC Arts Disaster Relief Fund to provide funding and assistance to artists and arts organizations affected by Hurricane Helene.
When you donate enter the word “RELIEF” in the description for your gift.
NC Arts Foundation brings private and public sector partners into collaborations that extend the benefits of the arts to residents in rural, urban, and metropolitan counties across our state.
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Arts Needs Assessment Form - for FUNDING!
WNC Artists and Arts Organizations: WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU! Please let us know about your immediate and upcoming needs, so we can better support you. Help us secure vital resources and financial assistance unique to the Arts in Western NC.
WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACK! Please help us collect data by filling out this form. Your responses allow us to assess our community needs in more detail and enter you to . If you have the time please also submit a form here.
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Local Arts Relief Fund
Watauga Arts Council created this special fund to be able to quickly respond to the unique needs of our local artists and arts organizations.
These funds will support local relief efforts and provide opportunities for the community to experience the power of art to help them find hope and to heal. If you want to ensure your donation reaches Watauga County artists, give here. #wataugastrong
PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU LEARN OF NEW OPPORTUNITIES, RESOURCES, OR GRANTS WE SHOULD ADD TO THIS LIST. We are collecting lists of Artisan Markets and other vending opportunities to share with our arts community. Please send them if you know of them.
The SBA loans are no longer available due to a lack of funding. We are sorry to anyone we suggested this information to. We were told to promote the loan and then updated that the funds were gone.
Artists CAN apply to replace supplies and equipment through FEMA for individual assistance!
Important!
Arts-Specific Support
A wonderful resource to review is NCAPER - National Coalition of Arts Preparedness
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Western NC Artist Relief Fund - Read the full guidelines here.
Eligibility
Applicants must currently reside in one of the counties, and be 18 years of age or older.
Applicants must be activity working in one of the following artistic fields: craft, literary, media, performing, visual, and interdisciplinary arts
Applicants must have been substantially impacted by Hurricane Helene.
This grant is intended for individual artists; nonprofits are not eligible for this opportunity.
Due to the high volume of need, awardees will not be eligible to apply again until further notice.
APPLY HERE
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Attention Musicians - We were contacted by a national foundation that has funds to provide relief for musicians. If you’re a musician in need of additional support, please reach out to us at director@watauga-arts.org or mediasupport@watauga-arts.org. Once you contact us, we can push your name through!
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CERF+ offers $3,000 Emergency Relief Grants to craft artists who experienced a recent and substantially disruptive emergency or disaster.
To qualify for an Emergency Relief Grant, applicants need to be craft artists who are 18 years of age or older. They must have been living and working in the U.S. or U.S. Territories for the past two years. Additionally, they should not have received an Emergency Relief Grant in the previous year or exceeded the maximum lifetime limit of 4 grants.
To apply, visit our website and complete the online application with supporting documentation. Incomplete applications will not be considered. For questions, contact programs@cerfplus.org or (802) 229-2306.
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MusiCares offers an Emergency Financial Assistance Program providing financial grants for musicians in crisis.
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The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant program is intended to provide interim financial assistance to qualified painters, printmakers, and sculptors whose needs are the result of an unforeseen, catastrophic incident, and who lack the resources to meet that situation.
Each grant is given as one-time assistance for a specific emergency, examples of which are fire, flood, or emergency medical need.
More info about The Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant>>
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Administered by the National Independent Venue Foundation (NIVF), a 501(c)(3) organization, the NIVF Emergency Relief Fund (ERF) is dedicated to providing economic relief to independent, live performance venues and promoters, both for-profit and nonprofit, across the United States experiencing a critically severe emergency due to circumstances beyond their control.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed for eligibility as received throughout the year. Funding will be subject to availability and distributed according to a grant agreement. Please note NIVA membership is not a prerequisite for applying to NIVF Emergency Relief Fund.
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The Center for Craft is reactivating the Craft Futures Fund grant program for emergency relief so that they may direct essential resources to support and care for the artists and community of Western North Carolina.
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The IBMA Trust Fund was established in 1987 as a means to offer financial assistance to bluegrass music professionals in times of emergency need.
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Cheap Joe's Art Stuff - Art Supplies Replacement
Cheap Joe's in Boone and Asheville are here to help. If your supplies were lost or damaged in the storm, please fill out this support form and they will do what they can to help you get back on your feet
https://cheapjoes.com/pages/disaster-relief
To give to this fund: https://cheapjoes.com/products/donate-to-brushes-for-vincent
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National Heritage Responders
The National Heritage Responders, a team of trained conservators and collections care professionals administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation, are available 24/7 to provide advice and guidance.
Cultural institutions, arts organizations, and artists and performing groups can call the National Heritage Responders hotline: 202.661.8068.
Members of the public and individual artists who have questions about saving family heirlooms and personal collections can email the National Heritage Responders at NHRpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org.
HENTF’s Save Your Family Treasures guidance is available at fema.gov/assistance/save-family-treasures. Here you can find the downloadable FEMA fact sheets “After the Flood: Advice for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures” and “Salvaging Water-Damaged Family Valuables and Heirlooms,” available in multiple languages.
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This is a valuable, comprehensive document to review federal resources for the arts sector in disaster relief.
Other Support
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The State of Live is the first national economic research study of the independent live entertainment sector. This project quantifies the economic contributions of independent venues, promoters, performing arts centers, and festivals while addressing the challenges threatening their sustainability. Please take the survey if applicable to you, as it will help aid research and development of this project.
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So that the Chamber can advocate on behalf of Blowing Rock businesses at the local, State and Federal levels with our partners, they need to know the extent of the damage. While sales have picked up some in the past two weeks, they know that the October loss was significant, but they do not know to what degree.
The BR Chamber are respectfully asking their members to complete the attached survey by Wednesday, November 20 at 5:00 pm. Your information is strictly confidential and will not be shared with anyone. The only use of this information will be to compile the data and share it in aggregate form.
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The Golden Leaf Foundation awarded Mountain Bizworks $7.5 million to support small businesses during this difficult period. The program entails bridge loans of as much as $100,000 aimed at “providing critical relief to small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene.
The loans will have a 1% interest rate and interest-only payments for 12 months. If not repaid in the first year, the loans will convert to a term loan.
Mountain BizWorks and program partners hope to secure more funding in coming days and weeks.Read the article here. -
The Boone Chamber of Commerce has been hard at work ensuring the community is organized and informed. They have additional resources as well as information about where you can volunteer on their website. Check them out! >>
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National Heritage Responders
The National Heritage Responders, a team of trained conservators and collections care professionals administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation, are available 24/7 to provide advice and guidance.
Cultural institutions, arts organizations, and artists and performing groups can call the National Heritage Responders hotline: 202.661.8068.
Members of the public and individual artists who have questions about saving family heirlooms and personal collections can email the National Heritage Responders at NHRpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org.
HENTF’s Save Your Family Treasures guidance is available at fema.gov/assistance/save-family-treasures. Here you can find the downloadable FEMA fact sheets “After the Flood: Advice for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures” and “Salvaging Water-Damaged Family Valuables and Heirlooms,” available in multiple languages.
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Western North Carolina: Ashe, Avery, Haywood, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga, Yancey, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
If you are in need of help or guidance with the application, please email info@mtnways.org or call (865) 412-7798.
• This assistance applies to an individual or family (homeowner or renter) with a 100% total loss of primary residence due to the 2024 flooding of Hurricane Helene in one of the designated counties.
Apply Today: You will need a photo idea, and proof of residence (mail),
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WAMMY is providing assistance filling out these applications in BOONE NC.
This program includes disaster relief to artists and self-employed individuals.Individual Assistance is available to individuals and households in a location with a major disaster declaration. For disasters declared on or after March 22, 2024, FEMA’s Individual Assistance program was expanded to include quicker access to needed funds including simplifying assistance for self-employed individuals such as self-employed artists and entrepreneurs.
Search the most recent disaster declarations at fema.org/disaster to see if your county is listed.
FEMA Fact Sheet on Arts and Culture >>
More FEMA Resources for NC >>Once FEMA has reviewed your application, the results of the inspection and/or documentation submitted, you will get a letter explaining:
whether you are approved for assistance
how much assistance you will receive
how the assistance must be used
how to appeal FEMA’s decision if you do not agree with it
The letter will be sent to you by email or mail based on what you selected when you completed your application.
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Pisgah Legal Services is also offering free aid in applying for FEMA and other assistance Monday at their Charlotte St office 10am-4pm.
More Updates from Pisgah Legal Services>>
Implement Legal was born in Asheville, NC, and many of our beloved clients, friends, and family live in Western NC. At the firm, we understand Helene as both a humanitarian crisis and a cultural heritage disaster. Hundreds of artists in the region have lost their life’s work. Their homes and studios are destroyed. Arts institutions are similarly impacted.
We are offering pro bono legal services to artists and arts institutions impacted by the disaster. If you need help, please fill out the form below.
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Recent changes to FEMA and HENTF have made it easier to deliver aid to communities and individuals and may make aid more accessible to artists, entrepreneurs, self-employed individuals, as well as cultural institutions and arts organizations.
NCAPER Rapid Damage Assessment Forms: If you were impacted, or know artists and cultural institutions impacted for a disaster, please fill out one of the following rapid damage assessment forms.
With support from the Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF) and in collaboration with the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation (FAIC), these new online assessment forms will help identify where assistance is sought, provide assistance where needed, understand critical needs, and inform recovery efforts moving forward. Learn more about these changes.
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Attorney David Bartholomew was interviewed by Blue Ridge Public Radio regarding the rights of renters:
“Tenants are going to have the option of canceling their lease if they need to, but they also have a right to stay there in the property and require the landlord to fix it,” Bartholomew said.
In North Carolina, evictions can only happen through the court system. And if your county court is closed, you can’t get evicted. Until Oct. 14, Bartholomew said, “Legally, you can’t be kicked out. You can’t be locked out. And if landlords are trying to tell tenants that they have to leave, tenants should respond that they have to go through the court system.”
If tenants are confused about their rights or suspect that a landlord may be taking illegal actions against them, Pisgah Legal Services can be contacted online@pisgahlegal.org or 828-253-0406.
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The Internal Revenue Service has announced tax relief for individuals and businesses in the entire state of North Carolina that were affected by Hurricane Helene. These taxpayers now have until May 1, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
Following the disaster declaration issued by FEMA individuals and households that reside or have a business in the entire state qualify for tax relief.
Affected taxpayers with returns and payments with due dates postponed until Feb. 3, 2025 due to Tropical Storm Debby in North Carolina will also now have until May 1, 2025 to file and/or pay.
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HUD is now offering federal disaster assistance for disaster victims in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.
HUD will be providing a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of mortgages issued by the Federal Housing Administration; making mortgage insurance available to disaster victims; offering financing for mortgage and home rehabilitation; increasing spending flexibility for Community Planning and Development Grantees; and ensuring HUD-approved housing counseling agencies are available to assist those impacted by natural disasters.
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Legal Aid will be at Watauga High School from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8 in the Aux Gym. They will be providing information and answering questions regarding FEMA, landlord tenant issues, insurance claims, etc. Walk-ins are fine, but RSVP is preferred so we know how many people to expect. Register Here.
Prior to Tuesday, October 8, there will be information available at the high school that details renters' rights along with information about the FEMA process. Please stop by the school and ask a volunteer for that packet.
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Following a federal disaster declaration because of Hurricane Helene, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits are now available in 25 counties as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. People in these counties have 60 days from October 1 to file an application for Disaster Unemployment Assistance at des.nc.gov. The deadline to apply is December 2.
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Disaster Survivor Assistance Representatives are making their way out into Watauga County to help answer questions regarding what you need to do to receive funding for disaster recovery. Know your social security number and banking information including routing and account number or bring a voided check. No appointments are necessary for these locations. If you need assistance uploading documents, staff will be available to help. Locations for today, October 5th, will include:
Stewart Simmons Fire Department: 191 Jakes Mountain Rd, Deep Gap, NC 28618
Meat Camp Fire Department: 4797 NC Hwy 194 N, Boone NC 28607
Bethel Baptist Church: 125 Mountaindale Rd, Vilas NC 28692
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This document is a quick guide to disaster preparedness for future events. This is intended for performing arts and literary artists, but applies to anyone looking to protect practice or property.
Check it out HERE -
The High Country Business Resiliency Disaster Grant was created to help small businesses in Watauga, Ashe, and Avery County to recover from the crippling impacts of Hurricane Helene.
WE NEED YOU!!
Please take these Arts Impact Surveys so we can collect data and report on the impact of this storm on properties and income. Both of these surveys are important for receiving potential funding through other sources and through our private funds.
Opportunities and Other Announcements
SALES AND EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES
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Mustard Seed Artist Market
Friday/Saturday,
December 6th - 7th
10 AM-5 PM
Mustard Seed Artist Market is expanding their market for more artists to attend. More info about the event and vending fees.
Full booths are 10x10 ft. and half booths are 5x 5 ft. Please let us know your desired booth size using the form below.Vendor qualifications are as follows:
Vendors must provide own point of sale or applicable selling system of choice (cash, card, etc.)
Vendors are responsible for all booth items (tables, chairs, tents, etc.) as well as set-up and tear down of their booth
Vendors must be able to be at the booth at all times during the Artisan Market
Vendors will be required to pay the booth fee prior to the event. Booth fees are as follows: $125 for indoor full booths, $75 for indoor half booths, $95 for outdoor full booths, $50 for outdoor half booths.
Submit Your Application HERE
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Machon County Arts Council Invite to Art Vendors
The Director of the Machon County Arts Center invited artists of storm affected areas to take part in some of their vending events. Artists may join them at their Free Community Art Day on November 16, and at Cowee Christmas on December 7, with no fee to the artists. They have also invited artists to sell in their Christmas shop.
Cowee Christmas
Saturday, December 7, 2024, 10:00 AM 3:00 PM Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center
contact: gayle@coweeschool.org
For any other opportunities, contact: Laura Brooks directly at: laura@coweeschool.org
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We are actively working with our community partners to create additional art vending opportunities to make up for the list sales during peak season. Please check back often.
Please share events you are aware of too so we can update this list!
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Shear Shakti wants to exhibit a new artist starting for First Friday Art Crawl in November. If you are interested in displaying and selling your work at Shear Shakti, a popular salon in downtown Boone, please contact us. Artwork is usually displayed for up to 3 months.
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Artists in Residence at Edgewood Cottage is a juried art show that features different artists each week.
Think of Edgewood Cottage as your personal art gallery in a beautiful historic setting on Main St. in downtown Blowing Rock, NC.
If selected, you will be present at the cottage to greet visitors, sell your art, and demonstrate your techniques. Feel free to continue creating art during your time at the cottage. Visitors love to watch artists practice their medium!
Artist Fees
$85 Participation fee for all selected first time artists. Alum artists do not pay this participation fee.
25% donation to the Blowing Rock Historical Society for your total sales
(excluding taxes) made during your show25% donation to the Blowing Rock Historical Society for any sales or commissions made within 1 month of your participation that happen as a result of your show.
Visit the website for a full list of qualifications and to submit an application.
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2025 HANDCRAFTED: A JURIED EXHIBITION OF CERAMICS ∙ FIBER ∙ GLASS ∙ METAL ∙ WOOD 26th ANNUAL EXHIBITION
One work of art will be selected to be purchased for part of the arts center’s permanent collection. Three other prizes will be awarded.
Find out more here.
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An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), is now accepting submissions for the 2024-25 program, an opportunity for high school students to develop and showcase musical compositions that could be a part of a musical theater production.
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The Burke Arts Council is announcing a call for artists to submit original artworks to the First Frost Art Show and Sale Exhibition to take place November 15 through December 23, 2024. Historically, this is one of their most well attended exhibitions!
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Watauga Arts Council has launched a Cards of Hope program that invites the community to write cards of hope to victims of the storm, and cards of gratitude to helpers and service men, and cards of love to our home, Watauga county. Cards can be made at:
Home and dropped off at Watauga Arts Council
The Watauga Arts Coucil or Blowing Rock Art and History Museum.
Special events at local restaurants and businesses.
Email us or call with questions! We will distribute these to appropriate outlets and showcase them online.
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Blowing Rock Art and History Museum is hosting some expressive arts workshops through the end of the month. Find more information here:
Kids workshop:
https://www.blowingrockmuseum.org/calendar/expartyouthAdults workshop: https://www.blowingrockmuseum.org/calendar/expartyouth-ym9a7
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WAC has been hosting numerous free art classes since Hurricane Helene’s initial hit. Check out our socials to keep track of when our next one is!
CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
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Potters and Clay Artists - High Water Clay Replacements
High Water Clay may take up to 18 months to reopen. We have put together a list of locations clay artists can visit to get clay.
Rising Sun, Garry: 704-735-582 - limited supply, call ahead.
Carolina Clay: has Lagoona Clay and Standard Clay. (Standards Clays are comparable to High Water Clay) Call(704) 376-7221
Starworks in Seagrove: (910) 428-9001 -
We have an offer from a local business in Boone NC to provide studio space to artists who need it. Studio space would be available from October through March. Please Email and also fill out this form if you have need for space to work over the next few months.
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Sawtooth School in Winston-Salem, NC is offering free open studio access for Western North Carolina artists working affected by Hurricane Helene.
Fill out the interest form here
SUPPLIES AND SPACE
Join the Shop WNC Shoppers Guide
This site was designed to create a central platform for storm affected areas of Western NC businesses to advertise their events or stores. We requested permission to include artists in this endeavor and they added a category for you! Artists who have brick and mortar or online shops may list their businesses on the Boone or Blowing Rock Directory. Please let us know if you add your profile so we can promote it online!
OTHER IMPORTANT INFO
Document and Response to Helene
WE NEED YOU! If you have video, photography, documentaries, written stories, or any sort of arts response to the storm, please consider sharing it with us so we can share with others.
Additionally, NC Artist Relief Fund is looking for content to help them tell the story of the impact of this storm on the arts sector. You can help! Email us or call for info.
Tell us what you need
Need Studio Space?
If you need studio space - whether storm related or not, please fill out this form. We have some places that have been offered to us for temporary support, and we are working on more permanent options.
Need Support with Applications?
We can help you apply for relief. Some of the specific arts-related relief support above can be confusing to navigate. Please message us if you want to schedule a time to use our computers or if you want someone to walk you through an application.
Need Income? Teach!
We are hiring instructors to teach free classes for kids and adults through October and November. If you have need some extra income and have experience teaching art - any medium - please reach out. If you love it you can keep teaching into the Spring Semester. Call or email us with questions.
Here to Help!
Office Resources at any Hours
Stop by for a visit - charge your electronics & battery packs, use our kitchen, or make cards with us. We are here to welcome you. We have snacks in the cabinets and drinks in the fridge; coffee is always on. We also have volunteers who are ready to help with your laundry.
Applications for Relief
See all the resources for individuals and organizations below. If you need help filling out any of the forms below, we have board members on standby willing and able to help you get started. Please don’t hesitate to message us. We also have Wifi and computers here at office that you can use.
Free Classes for Kids and Adults
For the month of October, WAC weekly classes will be cancelled. However, we are offering free classes and drop in workshops at various times throughout the month. Pop over to our classes and community page to register!
Cards of Hope
Watauga Arts Council and Blowing Rock Art and History Museum are teaming up to collect hand decorated cards to offer hope after Helene. We are seeking writers and artists of all kind to make cards of hope to victims of the storm, gratitude to those who have helped, or a letter to Watauga, our home. These cards will be dispersed to the appropriate audiences. We will also use them to inform the upcoming mural that will be painted in the tunnels on the Middle Fork Greenway.
Drop by the office during business hours to make cards. You can also drop off cards you already made. We will have a few nights at local restaurants to make these as well.
Places to Join:
Drop premade cards or written notes to WAC office any time. We will have a box on the porch to collect.
Make cards at the office: Stop by during office hours to make a card at our office. Supplies provided along with snacks and music to listen to while you work. All ages welcome.
