We want to know how you have used your artist skills to help other people? Have you donated time to a worthy cause? Have you done some great glittering with kids? Tell us about it! YBodyUSA donates to several places but the little things we do also make a big difference. Last fall we were part of a Barn Party at a local church picnic. Everyone loved the glitter tattoos and we had a wonderful time bringing our talents to new people. So what about you?
How to enter: Post your “Glitter for Good” story in the comment field
End Time: 2 weeks – Tuesday June 26th, 2012
Prize- PRO Kit
I am an ED nurse, caring mostly for pediatric patients. They are often scared and crying when they are in our ED, worried about getting a needle or other 'bad ' things. I bring my glitter tattoos with me and when the child is feeling better, we go through my book and pick out a few to decorate their arms. Works much better than the traditional stickers or lollipops.
If I am caring for an adult with small children, a simple glitter tattoo helps settle down a youngster for a while so the parent can rest for a few minutes.
I never give out any business cards or advertise myself, and often people try to give me $$$. If they insist, I ask them to donate to my charity of Alex's Lemonade Stand so hopefully, the number of sick children I care for will someday be nil.
Love this! What a great story. Thank you so much for sharing.
I am now 56 years old, and a surviving victim of rape! I was brutally molested and raped for 9 years as a youth. At the age of 12 my perpetrator died, I always felt as if I never received any justice for his crime. I married my childhood sweetheart, he was the first person I told of my childhood, I held it all inside of me until I was 18 years old. We started our family and was blessed with four daughters. My greatest fear was that I had girls! And yes the unthinkable did happen to one of my daughters at her tender age of 13. I couldn't help her, because I re-lived my childhood. It took two full years to incarcerate her perpetrator. Two years went by and I knew I had to do something to help others. So I took classes and became a advocate for rape victims. I am proud to say I have been an advocate for rape victims now for over 10 years. I use my art as therapy for clients, and my clients have become my therapy. When I go to the hospital for a call, I take a small kit of face paints and glitter tattoo's. Not only is there a victim, lots of times there is victims brothers and sisters there. We I introduce myself and take out my magic bag! They then open up to me, and lots of times, just me and not the Nurses and or Dr. I also do volunteer work and go to homeless shelters, safe houses, foster care homes and spend an hour or two with the children. It doesn't take away their pain, but I can get them to smile for that moment. I also volunteer at large events. I face paint and do glitter tattoo's for the Abused Children Group, normally a group of around 200 kids. And I face paint and do glitter tattoo's for Sexual Assault Services for Rape Victims annual picnic, normally around 500 people. This is the group that I provide my advocacy work threw. It is the only fund raiser we have once a year, we open it to the public as well as the victims and their families. No one knows who is who, so everyone is very comfortable while being there. Last year I raised over $9,000.00 for our group, just by taking donations at my painting table. With this money our group helps the victims with counseling and a safe place to stay until permanent houses is found. I pay for all my own supplies and materials myself. Several times I have thought I would have to stop doing volunteer work because of the cost, It gets pretty tuff some times for me, I had to stop working 5 years ago, due to health problems, but I never want to stop making smiles on people. Ten years ago, I had a message from GOD, it was as plain as day to me. This was my work to do for my community, there is no pay involved for me, but I know what it feels like to be a victim, and I know the pain in my heart what it feels like to be the Mom of a victim. So if I do nothing else with my life, I know I make a difference to lots. All I want to do is to paint and glitter the world in color, makes miles of smiles, one face and one tattoo at a time.
"Glitter for Good"
I ran across YBody Glitter in a desperate, last minute attempt to get glitter tattoo supplies for a children's Birthday party I was to be the entertainment for. The parents requested it and I had never heard of it. After emailing a representative directly, I was directed to your kits, and purchased one right away. I received the package so quickly, I was relieved as I only had a few days to purchase the items if I was to do the party.
It was my first day on the job as a children's Birthday entertainer and I was at a loss, as I knew the Birthday girl was not only special as all children are, but had been triumphant in overcoming her recent battle with childhood leukemia. This being my first party, was something new for me, and then knowing about this little girl's battles with her health; there was this added pressure. I was a nervous wreck.
The parents were looking for a way to make her feel like a princess and draw attention to her beautiful face, as she had become very insecure about her hair loss. I wanted to celebrate her accomplishments and good health without seeming like I was announcing her recovery; rather, emphasizing her strength. I wanted to do my best to make the little girl's Birthday a success without becoming consumed with 'over doing' it and seeming to show pity…I couldn't sleep the whole night before. I had no idea which design to do.
I thought long and hard, and chose to do a simple butterfly on her cheek and I freehand designed a cross for it to sit on. I don't know why but it just came to me, and seemed to speak of survival, and beauty.
The glitter tattoo on her was a success, but more importantly than that or the happy [dozen] other children I did the tattoos for, I felt like I helped in some small way to bring joy to a family who had been through so much.
When the mom walked up to pay me, I almost forgot I was doing a 'job'. I would have done it for free, if they'd let me 🙂
I am so thankful I found this site and was able to do this party as I would never had had such a meaningful experience.
I originally bought a glitter tattoo kit to help my then 7yr. old daughter be more social at family birthday parties; however over time it has become a real tool in inspiring other children (mainly girls) to want to share in the tattooing as well. I express to my daughter before each outing that these are temporary and people can change their mind at any time, and Jesus has tattoo's too, He has our faces tatttoo'd in the palm of His hand and He has "King of Kings" tattoo'd on His thigh. I've heard my daughter share with other children how pretty they are and that the glitter makes them look like a princess, even adults want the glitter glam! It's so exciting to hear my daughter speak positive and inspiration into the lives of children, I know it helps her too, because she's adopted and her bio-mother is caught-up in the drug life. My daughter has a big heart for children and loves making them feel special and all it takes is a little glitter and a lot of love. I'm so thankful that we found this venue. I know she's helping many children to know that they matter.
Ah we have a small children's museum here in Annapolis and it is in need of funds to keep up. The museum has been moved around from one location to another as it was not paying rent. It's for the children and their growth and development and for community. They found a home in a building the city owned and they have to maintain. This year they will see if they are allowed to stay. I have brought my son there and he loves it. They have animals and art corners, and a dress up and even outdoor play area. They support many children's functions in the city. I volunteered for thier New Years event in downtown Annapolis, Maryland. Not at all expecting there to be lines and lines I worked for FREE. I face painted for about 6 hours into the night and completely did not realize what I had gotten into. There was a line a mile long (maybe I am exaggerating) but it felt like it. When I closed the line it still took me about an hour and change to finish every last customer. And even while I was closing I still did little stuff so no one would walk away. What an expereience that was!! People are much more abusive when face painting is free too. Had a few parents even get into a few arguments. I told them to just wait and I would take care of their children (I think one of the parents had cut in line, but I did not want to disappoint the children). There was another face painter there, but she had been hired and left long before I was done. I think they had only been hired for a couple hours, whereas I decided I would stick it out to the end for the children. We give away smiles, not face paints, we ensure every child has a happy memory, that is why I do this, so the occasional free event that I donate, I do because I love the cause or the group.. And I do a few a year – to groups that really deserve it. I do this for the children but wow, what an overwhelming feeling to try to do such a large New Years Eve event!!!
Christine Cots
christinecots@gmail.com
I have a friend that is an art therapist and she would agree with you on how much it can help people. Thank you so much for sharing.
It is so nice to hear about the amazing things that are being done with our products =). I am sure you made her feel like a princess.
It sounds like she is a little artist. My kids love to play with all of my glitter stuff. I let my 6 year old daughter start doing free hand design with a glue cone. It was a little messy- but she really liked getting creative. Thanks for sharing!
I bet that was overwhelming. I have done events where I couldn't see an end in sight (and a few line cutters causing a scene). Great job sticking it out until the end. Talk about exhaustion!
GLITTER TATTOOS ON A MISSION!!!
This past June I went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic with a group of families through Maranatha International. As a face painter and artist, I wanted to share my passion in a positive way. Our group was responsible for building 3 school/church buildings, holding Vacation Bible Schools and running medical/dental clinics in 3 different poverty-stricken areas of Santo Domingo. I asked permission to bring my supplies to help with the medical clinics. I thought perhaps it might help the anxiety of the children waiting to be seen. The group leaders thought it would be good for the Vacation Bible Schools, but were hesitant about the clinics because they had never done anything like it before. They were ok to try it as long as I organized it so they didn't have to do anything extra. I visited Tal's shop and stocked up on supplies.
When we arrived, I was surprised to find that the clinics were being held in all 3 locations simultaneously at all the construction sites rather than in rotation. I split my supplies into multiple kits and asked for some teenage volunteers. I ended up training about 15 young people to work at the various locations. They were very enthusiastic and helpful and thoroughly enjoyed working with the hundreds of children who showed up for the clinics. Each location saw about 300 patients on that day with the doctors and dentist working in makeshift exam rooms and communicating through interpreters. Most of those seen were families with multiple small children and they were so excited about their beautiful shiny tattoos and/or face painting. I don't know how many children we decorated, but it was non-stop from 8 am to 5 pm in blazing heat and humidity. Every little smiling face made it worth the effort.
What really touched me was how many of the doctors and nurses on the medical teams expressed their gratitude for the efforts of our art teams. They told me that it had been the best experience they had ever had with a mission medical clinic. They usually have a very difficult time communicating through interpreters with the patients because they are usually surrounded and distracted by tired and fussy little ones. With the glitter tattoo teams entertaining the children, they were able to communicate more effectively and efficiently and therefore help almost double their normal daily patient count. Praise God!
Katherine Thompson
KT's Cuties Face Painting
Richmond, Virginia
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