GlobalFingerprints Red Backpack Project

Stitch in Time Saves... Lives!  Volunteers Needed!  Register as a Volunteer Here!

Challenge Youth Conference June 28 - July 3, 2010; Columbus Convention Center; Columbus, Ohio

In July, 7,000 high school students from all around the U.S will converge at the Challenge Youth Conference in Columbus, Ohio to learn about God’s heart for the world and how everyone can do something in the lives of children around the world.

backpack

Red Backpack Project  

One of the ministry outreach opportunities for students this year is the GlobalFingerprints Red Backpack Project.  Students have the opportunity to make 5,000 Red Backpacks to send to every GlobalFingerprints orphan in the Congo, the children in the launch site of India, and to children orphaned in Haiti’s earthquake.

Volunteer Yourself!

Be a Red Backpack Project on-site Volunteer.  Join us in Columbus, Ohio for 1 day or all 4 days helping teens sew backpacks. Register here.

When?

  • Tuesday, June 29th - 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    9:30-11:00am  - Volunteers need to come about two hours early the first day they work for training, procedural pieces and discussion about working with the teens and then actually make a backpack.
  • Wednesday June 30th - 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Thursday July 1st - 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Friday, July 2nd - 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    (Serving options:     1-4 days.  Multiple days would be the most helpful, but we need people to commit to at least one day.)

Skills Required?

  • Patience and Flexibility
  • Heart for teens
  • Basic sewing ‘know how’ to sew so you can help those who don’t know how.
  • Basic sewing machines knowledge – how to change and thread a needle, change and fill a bobbin, straight and zigzag stitches.

What can I expect?

  • You will have fun!  We are designing this to be an interactive and enjoyable time for you and the students.
  • There will be about 225 teens in the room sewing at one time.  You will be working with about 10 students at a time.  There will be about 30 sewing volunteers in each room at a time, plus each group of 10 students will have a youth leader with them.  If you are coming with others we will attempt to arrange your assignments in close proximity to each other so you can work together.
  • While the schedule says 11-6, you will work two 2-hour shifts with a break in-between during that time.  You will probably be standing and moving around for most of your shift – so wear comfortable shoes.   
  • You will be trained on how to make the backpacks and told exactly what you need to do. Here's sample directions.
  • There will be a hospitality room available to relax in before, in-between and after your shifts.  There will be drinks, snacks and lunch provided.
  • We will cover your parking fees to park at the Columbus Convention Center during the event.
  • We wish we could cover other expenses you may incur to get to Columbus and volunteer; however, we simply don’t have the budget to pay lodging and transportation costs for the hundreds of volunteers we need to make this project happen.  If you are coming with a group from out of state, we would encourage you to look at this as a short-term mission trip and work with your church’s mission team and see if funds could be raised to help off-set costs.  Download a list of hotels in the Columbus area.
  • To be blessed!  Your willingness to volunteer and serve with the GlobalFingerprints Red Backpack project is a huge blessing for us and in turn we pray that you will be blessed.

Can I participate in the other conference events?

  • If you are coming as a sewing volunteer and would like to attend a gathering session at Challenge on the day(s) you are volunteering, please let us know.  There is a special guest seating area and you would need to wear a special guest badge.

How do sign up?

The Project

Leading up to Challenge ’10, we are collecting donations with the goal of raising $50,000 which will cover the expenses for the backpacks, supplies and shipping. At the Challenge conference students and youth workers will construct the backpacks and pray over each one before they are stuffed and shipped.  Every dollar given over the $50,000 goal will go toward opening a new site in India. Some orphans rescued in India are saved from the sex trade. The more you give, the more GlobalFingerprints can help orphans. Together (God, you, and me), we can do something.  

Give $10 

One backpack costs $10.  Partner with EFCA GlobalFingerprints, Challenge ’10 and ReachStudents to make an impact.  Give Now! Facebook Cause: Make Red Backpacks for GlobalFingerprint kids.

Shop and Donate

Donate by shopping on-line for needed project items at PJ’s Fabric and Crafts.  All purchased supplies will be donated to the Red Backpack Project.  Shop Now at PJ's!

Why the backpacks?

A red backpack is given to every GlobalFingerprints sponsored child. All of the children that benefit from GlobalFingerprints have suffered in some way through war, poverty, HIV/Aids, or malnutrition and have lost one or both parents. The red backpack project helps solve this problem by providing children with the things they need. It is filled with basic hygiene and school supplies. It is a treasured possession that stores all their worldly possessions.

More Questions?

For more information about GlobalFingerprints and the Red Backpack Project:
www.globalfingerprints.org
Email globalfingerprints@efca.org
Call us 1.800.745.2202

Backpack lineup