Scrapbooking is such an amazing hobby and so much more than “just a hobby.” I have been scrapbooking for nine years and have gone from “doing it just this once” to create a memory book for a little boy, all the way to using it to raise money for a local Autism support group and as another source of income.

Scrapbooking means different things to different people; but to me it is my creative outlet and “me thing” (that I’ve learned I need to have), a way to socialize with others, a way to document my family and friends’ history, and most recently a way to raise money for the Johnson County Autism Support Group (Indiana).

My best friend, Lisa Booth, has two young sons with Autism. When they were first diagnosed, she felt alone and lost; not knowing what to do, or what to expect. The Johnson County Autism Support Group (www.jcasg.org) gave her people to talk to, education about Autism and the services that were available for her children, as well as a group of people who understood why her children sometimes acted the way they did. After watching how Johnson County Autism Support Group made a difference in her life, I decided, along with Lisa, that we should use our passion for scrapbooking to give back to the group.



So now, every September on the last Saturday of the month (the 25th for 2010), we host a 12 hour scrapbooking crop in Franklin, Indiana, called Crop Out Autism Franklin! The attendance fee is always low; this year it’s just $10 to attend and a minimum $10 donation to the Johnson County Autism Support Group. All of the money collected for attendance fees and donations goes straight back to the JCASG. We also have a silent auction and a scrapbook rummage sale to raise more money for the group. At our last event we raised over $500. That can help pay for half a therapy session, or could go toward a grant for a teacher’s classroom.

Our crops run from 10:00am to10:00pm. In addition to the fundraising, silent auction and rummage sale, we hold classes and serve lunch, dinner and snacks. You get a discount at the local CVS/Pharmacy when printing your pictures and many other local businesses donate items for the silent auction, prizes, food and drinks. We are very fortunate to have support from our local community and businesses.

To find the products mentioned in this article and shown in these layouts, check with your local scrapbook retailer. Browse our Premier Retail Stores for coupons to a store near you.

For more details about Crop Out Autism Franklin!, please contact LeighAnn Rebillard at 317-507-1166 or email at snipsoftime@yahoo.com. Also check out the Snips of Time News blog http://snipsoftimenews.blogspot.com for updates and specifics about the event. Please feel free to leave comments as well. We would love to see you there!