We did it!!

The 5th Annual OPT Christmas event was last night, and it was awesome!  The gifts were absolutely beautiful. Every woman assembled their own gifts with the utmost of care…each lady committing to see their gifts through from beginning to end.  Along with the cosmetics and beauty essentials, a “love letter” was placed in every bag…thoughtfully written specifically for the women who was to receive the gift.  Although we will never meet the women to, and for, whom these gifts were made, we can hope that they will know that, on this Christmas, someone was thinking of them.

I am so thankful for the wonderful women that gave of their time to make this event so special.  I would like to extend a special thanks to Angie Parham of The Lunch Box for hosting the event as well as providing dinner – which was delicious! – for all of us.  Angie, for your generosity, hospitality, and your ever present heart to serve…THANK YOU!  We love you.  Ps, for those of you who have never had the pleasure of dining at The Lunch Box, do yourselves a favor and head over there!  1616-10 Shipyard Blvd, Wilmington, NC 28412 (910-798-2081) in the Cornerstone Center, behind Wendy’s.

Operation Pretty Things has gone through quite a transition in 2011.  From 8 girls sitting in a living room in 2007 making a few gift bags for the women in our local domestic violence shelter, to a fully functioning non-profit organization serving 8 counties, 2 substance abuse shelter, 2 homeless shelters and hundreds of women…its evident that the future of OPT is promising, and exciting!  We are thrilled to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.  And can’t wait to see what the future holds!

Mother Theresa said it best… “We are just little pencils, in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.”  This ministry is God’s and we are His little pencils, an extension of His love, and an outlet for His work.  So cool!

If you would like to join us in our mission to love and empower women who have been victimized by domestic violence, we encourage you to follow this blog so that you won’t miss out on the many events to come this year!  ALSO, If you would like to give directly to Operation Pretty Things, Inc. now…you can!!  Click below, or on the “Donate” button of the left side panel of this website to make your donation.  Thank you in advance for your support!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  2012 here we come!!

~Missy Boneske

“The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.” ~Psalms 9:9-10

its the big one!!

Tags

battered women, christmas event, domestic violence shelters, missy, pretty things..., times of trouble

The most anticipated day for Operation Pretty Things is finally here!  In just a few hours, the 5th Annual OPT Christmas Event will be underway.  With the items donated by so many caring thoughtful people, we will be able to assemble hundreds of gifts for the abused and battered women living in domestic violence shelters this Christmas.

This will be a short post…4 hours and counting til the madness begins!!  I am hoping to have a lot to share in my next post, about the event and the gifts and all the other fabulous OPT news, so please be watching for that.

It is a privilege and an honor to do what we do, so thank you for making it possible.

Here we go…

~Missy Boneske

“The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.” ~Psalms 9:9-10

beyond grateful!

Without trying to sound overly dramatic, I am completely in awe of the generous outpouring of support for Operation Pretty Things this year!  We received contributions from groups and organizations, as well as individuals, here in Wilmington, NC.  Donations were shipped from other parts of the country!  It has truly been amazing to see how God has taken this small ministry and shaped it into something that will impact the lives of some many!

On Wednesday, December 14th, the dropboxes were collected and the pretty things were sorted.  After the bins were filled (some overflowing!) with the cosmetics and beauty essentials, it was clear that we will have more than enough to make, and give, BEAUTIFUL gifts to the most deserving of women.

I wish with all my heart that these gifts would be enough to jumpstart a new life for these women.  But I am not naive to the facts…they are wounded, hurting, afraid…broken.  They may not believe there is hope beyond the abuse…but we believe.  As I watched the items getting placed in the bins, I remembered a conversation I had had with a women who had been in an abusive, destructive relationship.  She was able to get out, but not without facing some real danger.  When i asked her what her thoughts were on OPT, she said that if someone had given her a bag full of tissue paper, and nothing more, she would have been grateful because it would have meant that someone cared.

I can assure you that the gifts we give are filled with so much more than tissue paper.  I can make that promise because of those who believe with us that love truly does come in all shapes, sizes, and colors  We are more than grateful for your generosity…

…Thank you.

~Missy Boneske

“The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.” ~Psalms 9:9-10

2 MORE DAYS TO GIVE!!

We are so excited to announce that the 5th Annual OPT Christmas Event is this Saturday, December 17th!  That leaves 2 more days to get you donations in, in order to be sorted and organized before the assembling begins.

For those of you who would like to give but need some shopping suggestions…we recommend cosmetics for the eyes and lips, as well as facial cleansers and moisturizers.  OPT randomly polled 100+ women in Wilmington, NC to get answers to the following questions….

1. “Would you go to a professional job interview without makeup on?”

2. “Do you feel more confident in public when you are wearing make-up and/or when your face is clean and moisturized?”

3. “Do you carry a cosmetic (the usual faire, including, but not limited to lip gloss, mascara, hand lotion, chapstick, etc) in your purse or handbag on a daily basis, and if so products do you carry?”

These are the results:

1. “Would you go to a professional job interview without makeup on?”

100% NO.  women would not go to a professional job interview without makeup on

0% YES

2. “Do you feel more confident in public when you are wearing make-up and/or when your face is clean and moisturized?”

100% YES! women feel more confident in public when wearing make-up and/or when their face is clean and moisturized

0% NO

3. “Do you carry a cosmetic (the usual faire, including, but not limited to lip gloss, mascara, hand lotion, chapstick, etc) in your purse or handbag on a daily basis, and if so products do you carry?”

100% YES.  women carry a cosmetic in their purse or handbag on a daily basis.

0% NO

*the exact number of each cosmetic specified during the polling was not determined. However, the overarching results indicated that most women (those surveyed by OPT from 11/9/2011 to 11/17/2001) carry a range of cosmetics, with a greater number of women carrying beauty products for their eyes and lips.  I hope that helps!!

Remember…all contributions are tax-deductible, so if you are hoping to receive a tax write-off for your donations, please contact us!  Thank you for giving Operation Pretty Things the opportunity to love and serve these women again!  We are so grateful!

~Missy Boneske

“The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.” ~Psalms 9:9-10

google strikes again!

So…I googled “should women wear makeup to a job interview?” interesting (but not surprising) results…

Every website I visited suggested that women wear “a natural or conservative application” of makeup to a professional job interview.  Every website!  According to usnews.com, “Women who wear makeup earn more than those who don’t and are more likely to be promoted.” Yikes!

This is the sad reality of our cultural standards.  Please know, I hesitate to even post this because i would hate to send a mixed message. OPT does not condone this societal norm. We merely acknowledge it.  Our mission is to help women get a new outlook on life…not a new face.  The fact of the matter is…we will not be the one sitting behind the desk conducting the job interview.  Nor will be the one at the interview trying to make the best first impression possible.  Several websites list the following as acceptable women’s attire at professional job interview…

• Suit (navy, black or dark grey)
• The suit skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably
• Coordinated blouse
• Conservative shoes
• Limited jewelry (no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets)
• No jewelry is better than cheap jewelry
• Professional hairstyle
• Neutral pantyhose
• Light make-up and perfume
• Neatly manicured clean nails
• Portfolio or briefcase

melbourne.homeless.org, lists the following items that one should remember to take with them when leaving an abusive situation:

• Clothing for you/children
• School Uniforms and books
• Favorite toys and books
• Baby formula
• Nappies
• Marriage Certificate
• Birth Certificate for you/children
• Passport for you/children
• Driver’s License
• Medicare Card
• Pension/Health Care Card
• Bank Book/Card
• Purse
• Key to house/car
• Medications for you/children
• Photo albums/personal treasures

It should come as no surprise that cosmetics are not listed above. They are not a necessity in a crisis situation.  Not a priority… and we agree!  We only hope to aid in the next steps of recovery for these women.  We offer what was not a priority then, but may be essential now, to the rebuilding of self-esteem and overall well-being.

Studies and polls taken over the last 20 years indicate that on average between 85% and 90% of women claim to wear makeup.  This is the reality.  Women between the ages of 18-34 wear makeup on a regular basis.  So, we recognize this, regardless of personal convictions.

We also recognize that the abused and battered women that remove themselves, and their children, from the violence at home, are left with deep wounds. They have been stripped of their integrity, validity, and self-worth.  They have scars that no amount of makeup will ever begin cover.  And as much as we would love to miraculously erase the scars and pain instantly from these women, we cannot.  Healing is a process.  As a ministry, we do not get to meet or know the women we serve.  We will never see their faces when they open their gifts.  We only hope they receive the love with which these gifts are given, feel more prepared to reenter the world with confidence and strength, and enjoy the prospect of a new life…one with color and vibrance and beauty!

~missy boneske

“The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.” ~Psalms 9:9-10

*for references, please contact me

TIME TO SIGN-UP!

hey hey!

The sign-up list to join us for the 5th Annual OPT Event has been posted on our Operation Pretty Things Facebook group page.  If you were hoping to be a part of this special opportunity, please copy and paste the link below and follow the instructions to secure your place with us on December 17th!!  See you there!!

http://www.facebook.com/groups/273192296043551/

 

2 MORE WEEKS!

We are getting excited about the upcoming OPT Event which will be held Dec 17th!!  That being said…we only have 2 more weeks to collect and sort your donations.  If you were hoping to contribute cosmetics and beauty essentials, gift bags and tissue paper, or make a monetary donation…now is the time to do so!

Please visit our “Locations for your Donations” page for a dropbox near you, or “contact us” to make to make a monetary contribution to our organization.

Please note: All donations are tax-deductible…and greatly appreciated! Thank you!!

Amping up for the 5th Annual OPT Event!

hello all!

the time has come for us to collect…sort…and give!

The 5th Annual OPT Event will be held December 17th at 6:00pm.  It will be hosted by The Lunch Box, located at 1616-10 Shipyard Blvd, Wilmington, NC 28412.  Food will be generously provided by The Lunch Box and Imaginary Friends Bakery!  Space is limited.  If you would like to join us in assembling bags let us know!  sign ups for the event will be posted in the next couple of weeks…so be watching for that.

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for the past 4 years Operation Pretty Things has had the privilege and opportunity to come along side domestic violence shelters in our region to love and empower women in a very tangible way!  Let’s do it again!!

Welcome to Operation Pretty Things, Inc.!

The 5th Annual OPT Event is just around the corner!

 Please follow the link below or browse our site to get more info on who we are and how you can help.  Join us in making a difference!

5th Annual OPT Event!