At Soapy Gnome, we support several community organizations: ADEC, Goshen Schools Music and Theatre programs, Center for Healing and Hope, and the Window with in-kind donations.
ADEC is close to our heart. We first learned about ADEC when our shop was on Lincoln Ave. ADEC serves folks in the area with developmental disabilities. They support individuals with housing and day-to-day assistance, job training and support, and through the day programs that provide opportunities like exercise, art programs, and field trips.
My first ADEC friend was Yolanda. She came over to find a little soap to put into tiny bathtub she painted. I commissioned Yolanda to make me a little bathtub to hold my business cards. I got to know some of the other ADEC clients when I would run into Gaining Grounds for an iced tea. Yolanda is always ready with a hug.
About a year and a half ago, I asked if there were any clients that would like to paint a design for a couple of labels for my soaps. We would then donate some of the proceeds from these soaps to ADEC to support their art programs. We selected two painters for the designs: Usha and Che. What was going to be just a short-term project has turned into a regular feature at the shop. With the participation of our customers, we are able to donate several hundreds of dollars per year to ADEC.
Last month, one of our artists, Che Hines, passed away. Che was a bright light at the day program at the Shoots Building. Not only that, he was a happy presence any time I went into the Wendy's where he worked.
In Che's honor, during the month of April, we will be doubling our donation to the ADEC art programs through the sales of the Lilac and the Flower Child soaps (while supplies last). We'll also have a donation jar out for the month of April to help raise funds if neither of those soaps speaks to you.
You can also show your support to ADEC by stopping into Gaining Grounds on Lincoln Ave. for a coffee or soda, and get to meet some of the ADEC clients and artists for yourself.
Che Hines, artist, 1973-2018
2 comments
I miss Che
Che was the love of my life and his work was phenomenal and it was he was gifted in
Everything he did