Giving Thanks: Giving Tuesday and A Copper Shop Fundraiser Update

by Vonda Givens and Kate Nixon

Giving Tuesday on November 27 (the Tuesday after Thanksgiving) is coming up and for many non-profits, including the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms, this day launches an annual season of giving. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, donors tend to be most generous and so this period is often a key time for nonprofits to close year-end budget gaps and replenish operational resources. Ahead of Giving Tuesday, Executive Director Vonda Givens offers a reminder that “together we grow stronger.”

I remember the moment it hit me: I can’t do my job by myself. It was an uncomfortable revelation.  I was the newly hired education director at the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms. Five years into my museum career, I was accustomed to working with volunteers on occasion, but in this new position, I depended on the help of volunteers more than ever before.

It was my job to staff all weekly tours. On Saturdays alone, a docent was needed to lead each of 5 hourly, back-to-back tours. I have a deeply engrained DIY sensibility, so I wondered, could I lead all the tours myself? But even if this was technically possible, it was ridiculous. The realization gave me a jolt. On any given day, to do my job, I would need to ask for help. To even open up the doors, I would need to ask for support from other people.

Now, nearly 11 years later, I’m the executive director of the museum. My job, most simply put, is to safeguard all things Craftsman Farms—its 30 acres, 9 historic buildings, collections, its story and perhaps most importantly, its legacy. That I can’t do this job by myself is a given. Asking for help comes with the territory. The museum needs scholars, engineers, conservators, exterminators, architects, electricians (I could go on, though, likely, you get the picture), but truly, the people most needed are donors.

Donors understand Craftsman Farms’ significance as an American landmark. As a reader of this website, I suspect you are one of those people. Donors understand that safeguarding this landmark takes a whole community of people. So, during this giving season, I’m asking for your help. Help keep the doors open by making a financial donation. Here’s a link to make it easy: https://www.stickleymuseum.org/support.html

My DIY sensibility persists so I am also a donor. I give to the Stickley Museum and to other causes I love. During giving season, I challenge you to do the same: Be a donor to the causes you love. A good place to start: how about any (or all) the landmarks associated with Art and Crafts movement? We have many to choose from: historic homes like the Gamble House in Pasadena, CA (https://gamblehouse.org/donate/), the Gustav Stickley House in Syracuse, NY (http://gustavstickleyhousefoundation.org/donate/) or the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park, IL (http://flwright.org/joingive/annualgiving).

Or historic communities like Roycroft in East Aurora, NY (https://www.roycroftcampuscorporation.com/index.php/support/annual-appeal), Rose Valley in Rose Valley, PA (https://rosevalleymuseum.org/) or Brydcliffe in Woodstock, NY(http://www.woodstockguild.org/support-byrdcliffe/).

Perhaps other landmarks have more significance or meaning for you. They likely need your help too. If you’re looking for ideas, check out the Arts & Crafts Collector Traveler’s Guide. https://artsandcraftscollector.com/travelers-guide/

Asking for help can be hard, but at Craftsman Farms or any of these landmarks, one person working alone can’t get the job done. This fact brings to mind the motto of a pretty smart guy (who happened to start this website), “Together we grow stronger.”

 

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A Copper Shop Update

by Kate Nixon

Thank you, Vonda! It’s true that several of these Arts and Crafts Landmarks, communities and non-profit organizations are able to keep their doors open and educate the public through the support of collectors and enthusiasts – and this holiday season, we encourage you to give support to your favorites. As mentioned before, in addition to the Stickley Museum and Vonda’s suggestions, we have a whole list of Arts & Crafts landmarks and organizations at our Traveler’s Guide. In fact, just in time for the Holiday Season, some organizations hold fun holiday raffles or contests to thank their supporters and customers. Here’s one of the many examples: 

Here’s one specific way you can give this holiday season – and you could end up receiving a prize in return! The Roycroft Restoration Raffle drawing is a couple weeks away and tickets are still available! Only 450 tickets will be sold – and the odds are 1 in 75 chance of winning one of the six cash prizes. As you may remember from a previous article, the unique raffle from the Roycroft Campus is for raising money for their restoration efforts of the copper shop gallery; giving away 6 prizes, totaling $15,000 to only 450 lucky ticket holders, five prizes of $1,000 and one grand prize of $10,000. This will be the largest raffle East Aurora has seen with some of the best odds of winning. Tickets are $100 each and currently on sale at the Campus’ M&T Bank Visitor Center and Copper Shop Gallery or on their website ( Click here to purchase your tickets ).

 

 

The live drawings will take place on Friday, November 30th at 6pm during a Holiday Kick-Off Event at the Museum in the Roycroft Campus. There will also be Copper Shop discounts for ticket purchasers the evening of the drawings, from 5-7p.m. to kick off Holiday Shopping on Campus.

 

 

For more information, please visit their website at www.roycroftcampuscorp.com or call (716) 655-0261.