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Dear Friends,
Our little store in Southwest Florida is struggling to survive.
A quilting and crafts shop, Cedar Valley Crafts is my wife Lee’s creation, with my help and full support. Lee offers high quality fabric and notions, classes, and personal quilting services. For more information, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/LeeKurimoto
As you know, this is a hard time for small businesses. Though we’ve tried repeatedly to get a loan, they are difficult to obtain. We have done well thus far, relying on whatever personal resources the two of us have put together. We have kept our costs down as much as possible: I built all of the shelves, the cutting table, etc. But we are entering the “dry” season in Florida, when the Snowbirds depart for the North and traffic slows substantially. And our resources are depleted.
Our small business is a worthy venture in our town of Englewood. Every customer is made to feel welcome, and Lee knows many of them by name. She works hard, having finished 419 quilts single-handedly in the past two years! Her reputation has grown, with customers visiting the store from thirty miles away or more.
We are a Christian business. Each customer is treated with respect and love. It has become a form of ministry, as women whose creativity has been dormant for years are encouraged, supported, and renewed. And it’s a place of beauty, a haven in the busy world. We’re in a corner of Old Florida, where a sense of community is still valued and local businesses stand against the common trends of mass-produced items and mega-franchises.
A bit about Lee. A skilled elementary school teacher, she discovered she had colon cancer in 2010. After overcoming that hurdle, she developed a severe abdominal infection that lasted 18 months. She applied for disability retirement, which she received.
As she dealt with health issues, Lee began to work on her sewing skills. She dreamt of a new project: a place that would provide beautiful fabric and foster creativity. Her deep Christian faith was always a central part of it.
That dream is now a reality. Every time I walk into the store, I’m amazed by what Lee has accomplished with intelligence, perseverance, and a lot of hard work. People love her classes too, where she puts her teaching background to good use. The warmth she creates is palpable. Fellowship and laughter are regular occurrences.
Our new venture is currently at a crossroads, with some unexpected costs and challenges. And we’re entering the slow season here. This fundraiser is specifically intended to ease our current debt, so that we can move forward.
Are you able to help us?
I know everyone is struggling these days. Still, I’ve set an ambitious goal of 20,000 dollars, counting on God’s providence and numbers of people. Please pass this on to anyone who may be interested in supporting us.
Many thanks, and blessings to you all,
Tom and Lee Renaud
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