By Doug Staggs
Nov. 15, 2016
On Thursday, Lincoln will join the rest of the international community in efforts to support refugees from Syria and other conflict zones around the globe. An event by Nebraska artists to support Carry the Future, a nonprofit organization that provides relief to refugee mothers and children, will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Country Club of Lincoln, 3200 S. 24th St. The organization’s mission is to supply mothers baby carriers to help transport and keep safe their young children and babies.
“Carry the Future was founded just over a year ago by a young mother in California who was moved by the plight of Syrian (and other) refugees and decided to collect baby carriers for distribution in Greece,” said Sara Gilliam, a co-founder of the event.
In 14 months, Carry the Future has collected more than 35,000 baby carriers, run 20 distribution trips to Greece, expanded to offer more general aid to mothers and children and expanded into Jordan and Lebanon.
Gilliam serves on the Board of Directors and, after traveling on a few humanitarian trips with the organization, decided with her friend Sara Bucy, to hold a pop-up event to raise funds for the organization.
“I wanted to create the kind of event we would like to attend,” Gilliam said. “Great food and drinks, interesting people, art in all mediums and proceeds to a good cause.”
Gilliam and Bucy brought in a variety of resources from throughout the community. Hosted by the Country Club of Lincoln, the executive sponsor of the event is Bella Spa, and they have the involvement of 35 local artists. Method Cycles & Craft House will be raffling off an Atir Cycle City bike, and there will be henna art, complimentary Mediterranean appetizers and a cash bar.
Local artists will be on hand displaying art ranging from handmade jewelry, to pottery, canvas art, photography and even handmade longboards. These pieces will also be available for purchase and 30 percent of the proceeds will go directly to Carry the Future. Many of these artists are showing in galleries around the area and some, like Wendy Jane Bantam, have even offered to donate a percent of sales on their website this week to Carry the Future.
“We hope this year is a huge success, in which case we’d like to replicate this event annually with even more artists, and perhaps a new designated charity each year,” Gilliam said.
Event Info:
Nebraska Artists Carry the Future (open to the public)
Where: Country Club of Lincoln (3200 S 24th St. Lincoln, NE)
When: Thursday, November 17th 5-8 p.m.
Admission: Free (complimentary appetizers and cash bar available)
More: Nebraska Artists Carry the Future website and on Facebook.
Doug Staggs is one of KZUM’s tireless fall interns
