Cross Plus Charity Quilt: February Charity Spotlight & Block Instructions

It's February 1st and we're kicking off the Cross Plus Charity Drive. I'm so excited for this endeavor! If you want to know the catalyst behind this project, check out the original Cross Plus Charity Drive post. My goal with this endeavor is to help minority teens and young adults get the help they need to set them up for long-term success. I'm hoping this endeavor will help a wide variety of organizations that meet the needs of these teens/young adults. There are so many who strive to help a specific population and my goal is to reach a variety of groups. I do not get any sort of compensation for supporting these organizations. I just do the research and find the organizations to help. If you have an idea or suggestion for an organization to support, please email me at simplypurplepoppy@gmail.com

On the first of each month, I'll post the details about the organization/charity we'll be donating to. I'll also include the block instructions at the bottom of the post.  I'll post reminders on instagram, so make sure you're following me there (@purplepoppyquilts) for updates on this undertaking. You can send blocks any time of any month, the monthly reminder posts will just be...reminders. The last week of the month will be the raffle ticket purchase/drawing. Raffle Tickets are $1 and there's no limit to how many you can purchase.

**If you'd like to donate to the construction of quilts (i.e., batting, backing, quilting, binding, shipping, or the money to purchase these items), please contact me via Instagram or email (Simplypurplepoppy@gmail.com).


FEBRUARY NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION: THE POSSE FOUNDATION
The Posse Foundation is an incredible non-profit that helps POC young adults going to college to have a support system. They partner with universities and colleges across the country to provide opportunities for kids from diverse backgrounds to attend and thrive in a university setting. From their website:

CONCEPT

Posse started in 1989 because of one student who said, “I never would have dropped out of college if I had my posse with me.” The Posse Foundation identifies public high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential who may be overlooked by traditional college selection processes. The Foundation extends to these students the opportunity to pursue personal and academic excellence by placing them in supportive, multicultural teams—Posses—of 10 students. The Foundation’s partner colleges and universities award Posse Scholars four-year, full-tuition leadership scholarships.

MISSION

The Posse model works for both students and college campuses and is rooted in the belief that a small, diverse group of talented students—a Posse—carefully selected and trained, can serve as a catalyst for increased individual and community development. As the United States becomes an increasingly multicultural society, Posse believes that the leaders of this new century should reflect the country’s rich demographic mix and that the key to a promising future for our nation rests on the ability of strong leaders from diverse backgrounds to develop consensus solutions to complex social problems. One of the primary aims of the Posse program is to train these leaders of tomorrow.

THREE GOALS

1. To expand the pool from which top colleges and universities can recruit outstanding young leaders from diverse backgrounds.
2. To help these institutions build more interactive campus environments so that they can be more welcoming for people from all backgrounds.
3. To ensure that Posse Scholars persist in their academic studies and graduate so they can take on leadership positions in the workforce.

Hopefully, with the money we raise through the raffle and other donations, we can help give at least one young adult the chance to change his or her life. The beauty of this organization is that they scaffold the students throughout their 4 years of undergraduate programs and provide support that they would not have otherwise had. One of the biggest challenges faced by POC young adults is that they don't have a way out or the knowledge of how the education system works. The Posse Foundation helps support and train them. In my mind, it will always benefit the student, the university, and the community at large to help give these young adults an opportunity to shine as leaders and innovators. If you'd like to learn more about their foundation, where they have posses, and how you can volunteer in any capacity (in case you're feeling the bug to serve and not just as a quilter making blocks!), you can check their website for details.

Raffle Details:

During the last week of the month, you can purchase raffle tickets and/or donate via the "DONATE" button on this blog. If you'd like your donation to go to the construction of the quilts, instead of to the specific organization, please email me/message me on Instagram and we'll make other arrangements for you to donate.

On the last day of the month, I will draw a winner from the raffle ticket purchases and send this quilt to you! I will also publish how much money was raised and make the donation to this month's organization.

Cross Plus Block Construction: 

I chose this block and resized it so that you can hopefully use up some scraps! Change the world and use up scraps! It's a win/win! You can use a jelly roll strip or charm squares for almost every part of this block. For this block drive, we're using the instructions on Bad Skirt's blog, with a couple changes. 

1. Your cutting instructions will be slightly bigger because our block will be 10.5" unfinished, instead of the 8" in her tutorial. You'll need one print for the center +, one black print for the outer edges, a variety of low volume prints, and 4 bright, happy squares, as pictured in the diagram below. Because we want bright, saturated fabrics, please stay away from NAVY, GRAY, AND BROWN for any part of this block. 

2. The tutorial has you cut the larger squares on the bias. You don't need to do that for this block. Just cut your 4.5" squares as normal. 

Make the outer "spokes" first, pressing towards the middle (aka, the darker fabric). Then assemble the center + and black prints, pressing towards the center + fabric. Then assemble the rows. 

You can see in this photo the pressing directions. When you assemble your rows, press towards the middle. Same when you finish the block. If you feel strongly about it, you can also press all seams open. 

When you finish your block(s), please consider doing a 1/8" staystitch around the edge. I promise, the person assembling the quilt and the quilter will love you for it.

When your blocks are ready, just message me on Instagram or email me at simplypurplepoppy@gmail.com and I'll send you my shipping address. Please make sure your blocks are sent in a waterproof bag. I'd hate for all your hard work to be ruined by the postal system!

I want to take a brief moment to thank you in advance. First, for reading through this entire post (phew!). And second, for your good, kind hearts. In working with at-risk kids in schools and communities, it's so easy to get discouraged and feel helpless. I know it may not feel like you're changing the world by making a few quilt blocks and using up scraps, but I've seen so much good come from small acts of love. So, thank you for being so wonderful and good in a world that often only sees the negative. I feel lucky to be a part of this amazing creative community.