For those of you that don’t know me, my name is Kim O’Connor. I am the wife of a Retired Navy EOD Master Chief who served our country for 21 years. I am also the mother of two wonderful children and 5 fur babies.

I was recently asked to join the Armed Services Art Partnership’s (ASAP) line of instructors. ASAP is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to helping military connected individuals us creative arts to heal the invisible wounds a life of service can cause. ( www.ASAPASAP.org )

Having spent 21 years as a support system for my husband, I know first hand the stress, isolation, and loneliness one can endure. In 2019 my depression gripped tight, and as I described in, I didn’t jump in the river, but I was drowning all the same. I was fortunate enough to find an excellent therapist who encouraged me to devote 30 minutes a day to something that used to bring me joy. For me, that was sewing.

At first it was hard, but as I built the habit I found myself getting lost in my projects for hours. The joy I once felt when I sat in front of my sewing machine had sneakily returned.

With the onset of COVID in 2020, a small group of friends asked me to teach them how to sew so they could make a donate masks to first responders. I found that I truly loved sharing my passion for sewing with others, and wanted to continue. Over the past 5 years, I have done one-on-one classes.

ASAP is providing me a unique opportunity to combine my passion for sewing while sharing my firsthand experience of healing through creative arts with people who are walking in the same path I found myself in 2019.

My current sewing setup is for one-on-one lessons. I am committed to holding at least two 8 student workshops per month for ASAP. While this new chapter of my story is very exciting, the financial investment growing my classroom from 1 student to 8 is daunting. This is where I ask for your help bringing ASAP’s & my mission to fruition.

In addition to basic tools and supplies I’ll need, the below are the items I will need for each workstation:

Arrow Dog's Woof Hydraulic Sewing Chair | Arrow Sewing #HDOG | Fat Quarter Shop ($360)

Bandicoot Sewing Cabinet - Kangaroo Sewing Furniture/Grey ($700)

Husqvarna® Viking ONYX™ 30 Computerized Sewing Machine ($600)

Husqvarna® Viking® AMBER™ S | 100 Overlock Machine ($600)

Black+Decker Easy Steam Iron with Smart Steam Technology, TrueGlide Nonstick Soleplate ($15)

Fiskars 3-Piece Fabric Cutting Set: White Rotary Cutter, Gray Cutting Mat, and Acrylic Sewing Ruler ($30)

($2300 x 7 = $16,100)

My hope is you see the importance of ASAP’s mission and feel called to help bring joy back to those struggling. Any size donation is incredible helpful and immensely appreciated. If you would prefer to purchase any of the above items directly, ASAP is able to provide a donation receipt letter for your tax purposes. Contact me for shipping information.

I thank you for your time reading my campaign and your considering.