Buttons Project » Resources

Buttons Project update coming soon July/August 2010
Exciting news!
-----------------------

Buttons Project Update

December 2009

Dear friends,

It has been an eventful six months since my last Buttons Project update. I have had a couple of great opportunities to share my story and the vision of the Buttons Project. One of these was travelling down to Hawkes Bay with my husband Peter and 16 year old daughter Courtney. This came about through an amazing chain of events. The short of it was a songwriter Richard Dawson had heard about the Buttons Project through a couple of different people who gave him a brochure. Richard felt in his heart to write a song for the Buttons Project, which has involved many emails, phone calls and then coming down meeting his family/community.

They organised an evening service for me to speak and my husband shared as well , coming from a male perspective about the effects of abortion. Finished the service with a lady who had had an abortion herself giving a button and singing the song. It brought tears to my eyes and I was moved again with the hospitality, people approaching me giving their special buttons and sharing a snippet of their abortion story/loss.

The song we see as a vital part of this project and to be used not only when speaking, but also an accompaniment of memorial when it all comes together. We want the song done well and a video put to the song, which we will have on the Buttons website when developed. For this to be done properly, also is a financial cost. But in saying that, an elderly lady gave me $10 and said I am doing a good thing. So after Hawkes Bay arriving back in Auckland I opened an account for the Buttons Project and used the $10 as seed money. It was amazing that in that week without asking for any money, some generous people felt in their hearts to give to the Project for the making of the song. Close to $2500.00 has been received – thank you Lord! Though I know it will more than likely take a lot more money to do it well.

We are just in the process getting a demo done and it is coming along great. Then it is finding the right people at an avoidable price to put a video together to go with the song. It is exciting times and we hope to have it all done in the new year.

As we know, all good things take time. I have also been asked to speak at the upcoming Mainly Music national conference on the first of May 2010 and look forward to playing the song. Also, it will be great to have had started on the creative wall hanging of the buttons.

To date I have 40 stories/comments with their buttons and another 3000 or so buttons which have just been given along the way when speaking. If you have any questions or would like me to come and speak to youth, womens groups, church or community group, I am always happy to do so.

It was with great sadness, I lost my dearest friend last July. Rhondda was a inspiration and a great encourager, especially in my vision for the Buttons Project. One thing I take away from our 30 years of friendship is she always saw the good in people no matter what they had done. So this Christmas my prayer for others is that not to hold on to bitterness, but focus on the good in the person. To reach out to others who may otherwise be alone this Christmas, give a listening ear, a hug, and give to those less fortunate. That is the true meaning of Christmas to me.

Marina Young x

“Buttons Project” June 2009 update

Dear Friends,
It is hard to believe that we are already half way through the year! You have probably been wondering how the Buttons Project is going? I am pleased to say, that the word of the project continues to spread. It is just over a year ago that I officially launched the project.

I presently have 34 personalised buttons sent and another 2000 buttons accumulating given by numerous people, as I share, in support of the project. Plus many emails/letters of encouragement.

What has happened recently? Well, I now have pamphlets printed, which I am distributing, spoken to a couple of groups and at a school. When sharing with these groups my story and about the Buttons Project, it has been received well and opened the doors for healthy discussions afterwards. Plus, I have met up with some lovely people along the way.

Whats happening now? I have a couple of creative people thinking through ideas for the wall hangings, networking with P.A.T.H.S (Post Abortion Trauma Healing service) and other services in my support links. I am excited to say, that the Buttons Project is slowly spreading its wings internationally, with contacts in Australia and America. So watch this space!

I have been asked to share at a couple of big events later this year and the following, which once dates/times are confirmed I will let you know.

I look forward to getting a good camera in the future and not only having the buttons on wall hangings, but also putting the buttons on the website in date order of when received. Thanks again for your ongoing support of this project. Warmest regards, Marina

Buttons Project update - September 2008

Dear friends,

The BP has been slowly gaining momentum. On an average I have been recieving a letter/story and button once a week. As I have said, I find it very moving and humbling. I have received buttons from teenagers to elderly, women, men, grandparents and siblings. I also have a glass jar with a mounting collection of buttons (450 so far) people have given to me in support of the
project. If I collect 18500 buttons in jars representing the annual number of abortions in New Zealand alone, then it would have a huge visual impact alongside the wall hangings.

Some comments:

…..Thank you again I’m so glad to have someone to share this with.

What a beautiful thing you are doing.

Thank you soooooo much for the Buttons Project.

Thank you both for your openness and for the compassion you are expressing for and remembrance of New Zealand’s lost children. This will be a huge encouragement to men and women around New Zealand who have found themselves in this position, and who have lived with the thought/memory.

Dear Marina, I want to thank you for this opportunity to publicly mark the lives of my babies. You are doing a good thing. I love and will miss them always and am sorry I didn’t give them everything they needed and deserved.

“A small button for a small child – SIMON. Unwanted, unloved, unmourned and discarded in a back street abortion 58 years ago. Forgive me little one, your mother.”

For my grandchild who I always think about and who would have been 20 years this year.

What has been happening since the last update?

June – Buttons Project media release went out. Appearing on the web in www.scoop.co.nz , then followed an interview on Radio 531pi. A reporter Tammy Buckley did quite a big article in the Sunday News paper (show above) on the 6^th July.   Have also appeared   in some inter-denominational papers in the last couple of months. It has been a great encouragement to me to see word of the project spreading across the country, reaching people of all walks of life.

My story and website has also been put on a womens magazine online www.womenz.co.nz   I have had a television interview on Shine TV and have spoken at a couple of churches, womens group and youth. Which I am keen to continue to speak to different groups when given the opportunity.

I have always admired a quote from an American author and activitist Helen Keller who was deaf and blind:
“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do”

This is something I can do, to be a bridge towards healing and acknowledging what happened. To show how the buttons project has been significant for, not only myself, but these people in their journey of healing and remembrance. As it is often a deep private grief and not generally talked about. I have a great respect for the stories recieved, peoples courage in sharing, and would not jeopardize their confidentiality. My vision for the future is to have with the memorial of buttons, a memorial book of comments and stories shared – where permission is given.

Thanks again for your support in this project and if you would like me to come and speak , or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Warmest regards,

Marina

BUTTONS PROJECT UPDATE

13^th April 2008

SOME OF THE SPECIAL BUTTONS RECEIVED

Dear friends,

The 18^th February 2008, was the initial beginning of the “Buttons Project” and when

the website went live.

I began the email tree which has spread out to many and continues to grow. It was the next big step in pursuing my dream of collecting 1000’s and 1000’s of buttons.

I just wanted to let you know that the Buttons project is moving along and gaining momentum. Also, to say thank you for your support of this huge project.

I have been greatly encouraged by the response so far and deeply moved by the stories shared, the words of encouragement, and the buttons arriving. Some named, some unnamed, some with a story or a button in an envelope wrapped in tissue.

Each time I clear the post office box   I experience a mixture of sadness in the stories/buttons I get, excitement that others believe in the project and encouragement that people can find peace and some closure. As for many of us, it has been hard to openly talk about and a deep secret that has had great impact on our lives.

I have been cataloguing all buttons and correspondence, as I realise that they are precious and unique for the person who has sent it. A symbol for the baby that was aborted, never to be forgotten.

I look forward to giving you more updates in the future, including pictures of more buttons, and sharing some of the stories, when permission is given.

Please continue to spread the word about the project. As I want to reach all people in New Zealand and Australia. And beyond.

Warmest regards,

Marina J

.