SAY IT ISN'T SO! (Well it's only a little true)

     It seems the cat is out of the bag. Rather than trying to catch it and put it back, the Zeal for Teal committee has decided that it might be better to let everyone know now what is in store for Zeal for Teal 2015. We really don't like rumours, anyway. And we know how things get blown out of proportion. We reasoned that putting a notice here about our intention might help soften the blow and would rendezvous the facts, too.

     As you know, for the past seven years, Zeal for Teal has been an incredible day of scrapbooking & crafting. We are blown away each year by the camaraderie, the passion and the support we feel every April - and that leading up to it.

     Our very first Zeal for Teal was in 2009 - 6 months post chemotherapy for me. We started out in the fellowship hall of Drayton Reformed Church with a whopping 48 people on board. We were full to the brim so the following year we moved to the Drayton Arena, doubled our participants and have been there ever since and have loved every minute of it (okay, maybe that is a stretch - the every minute part.) But we have all been stirred and encouraged by so much and so many of you; the old faithfuls who come back each year, and the newbies whose enthusiasm is immeasurable and contagious.

     Preparing for the scrapbooking and crafting event is exhausting work, and we actually begin planning for the following year right after the previous one is finished. Amanda and I usually start planning seriously in November and then the rest of the committee comes on board in January.

     Don't be mistaken, we are not afraid of hard work and especially because we know the fruits of our hard work can benefit women in so many ways.  But sometimes the time is ripe for change. We all know about the seasons of life. So, if please be duly informed that one season is over and it is time for Zeal for Teal Scrapbooking and Crafting Day, as you know, it to cease. 

Zeal for Teal 2015 will be the final event of its kind. 

     That said, check out the Statement of Purpose:  

The original intention for Zeal for Teal [when chairpersons, Amanda and Glynis started it in 2009] was to first of all – raise awareness and inform participants and others – especially susceptible women, about the signs and symptoms and the importance of detecting ovarian cancer in the early stages. The secondary purpose of Zeal for Teal was/is to raise funds for the Sunflower Seeds team as they participate, annually, in the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope in September.

     Notice it doesn't say anything about the type of event, so the good news is ZEAL FOR TEAL will continue. But it will look different in the future. Amanda and I will be undertaking some other form of fundraising - something that will be less taxing on our families, our work and our selves. Something that we can do on a lesser scale. The individual members of the committee have seen a lot of changes personally and professionally; Amanda and I included, so it's not the we need people to help fill the gap. That would be an easier task. It is just time for the committee to move on for now. 

     We know that we will disappoint some of you, but we also know that you go through times in your life where you have to admit that it is time. Our prayer is that you understand. 

     Amanda coined the phrase ZEAL FOR TEAL when we first had this hare-brained idea to raise money. Turned out it wasn't hare-brained at all. In fact it was quite brilliant. I mean over the years we have raised over $30,000. We are very proud of all of you all for helping us to achieve that.  We are very grateful to all of you. As an ovarian cancer survivor, I can easily say you have helped me in so many ways to have hope, to think positively and to keep the faith. Amanda and I will continue to participate still at the annual Barrie Walk of Hope and we are excited about finding ways to keep ZEAL FOR TEAL alive and beneficial to Ovarian Cancer Canada. Ovarian Cancer Canada is an incredible organization who advocates on behalf of those dealing with the wretched disease. We are proud to be affiliated and supported by them year after year. 

     I don't even know where to begin to talk about our incredible committee - in fact I will probably wait until May 1st to do so officially, but all is I can say is we owe so much gratitude and love to each of our committee members -

 DARLENE HAUSER has been with us from the beginning and every time I think of our relationship I cry (in a joyful way). She was ALWAYS ALWAYS there for me (us) and her generosity, which presented itself in many forms, stirred my heart and kept me smiling and going. 

AMBER TUCK is one of the busiest persons I know but her logical brain and overflowing heart has been an essential part of our day. With Amber we could always guarantee that the job would get done! What a difference the day was when  she came on board. 

ROSEMARY LATHAM - my sister and Amanda's aunt. All we had to do was whisper an idea and she would run with it and create some of the most beautiful, imaginative sets ever. Many of you have seen how creative she is! Rosemary's compassionate, giving heart presents itself in many forms behind the scenes. Although she is not fond of crowds, Rosemary sacrifices her anxious moments just for us. Never need we ask her twice. She is at the ready to do anything we ask. 

SUE BAUMAN - Sue in her brilliantly British manner is topnotch at getting the job done. She has a wonderfully creative eye, too, and as she works with Rosemary on all things magical and hands on and the proof is always in the pudding. She knows how to get her hands 'dirty'. Sue's favourite phrase at Zeal for Teal is usually something like 'what can I do?'  She, too, is always at the ready.
AMANDA HAUSER, Darlene's lovely daughter started with us when she was a little titch. She was a great little runner and although she wasn't officially on our committee, she dedicated her time to us every Zeal for Teal. Now she is no longer a little titch. She has blossomed into a beautiful young woman who has stepped up to the plate year after year. She helps us on many levels and does whatever we ask. And now her volunteering has nothing to do with her 40 required hours for school. She completed those in her first year of high school! Now she continues to bless us from her sweet heart. Wonder where she got that giving spirit? Thanks mom!

Then last but not least, our kitchen gals 

YVONNE TIMMERMAN and ANN KABBES - Let's just say they are our cooks extraordinaire. Where would Zeal for Teal have been without the magnificent - themed meals they have provided for us over the years? Not only can we rely on them to cook it all up, but they shop, they plan, they cook ahead, they put up with all our odd requests and they never say never. Their motivation is purely heart and faith-filled for we know that they really could find better things to do on a Saturday in April than cooking up grub for over 100 people. How grateful we are for their willingness to help us out at Z4T year after year. 

Our girls are marching on. We will miss them. But we also know that they will be there if we need them.

So there, you have it. Rumours no more. ZEAL FOR TEAL season ONE will be over in April. Please, please, please don't let that be a distraction to you having fun and enjoying the intention of the day as always!

 We have some exciting announcements and plans for the day that we want to remain a surprise so anticipate good things. No more rumours allowed.

   
 Amanda & Glynis