We were slated to host the very first Women’s tying space amidst Venus’ Playground at the fair. We did just that, and it was awesome. I hope you will join in the fun next year! But it is with a heavy heart that I say we suffered quite a loss at the start of that event. Read More about the theft here. HB lost all of our suspension supplies we had fundraised for, all of the rope many of us had spent hours whip stitching to sell at Folsom and raise more funds, all additional Skill Share supplies, funds, and more.
What happened first:
I was supporting the Folsom Venus’ Playground play space and creating a Hitchin’ Bitches women’s rope tying space, by providing equipment and supplies of various sorts. I rented a 16′ moving truck and we filled it to the brim! We had graciously been lent additional items from Dark Odyssey, IMsL, Folsom Street Events, Hitchin’ Bitches and more. At 0500 on Folsom Sunday, I looked at the truck parked outside my front door as I made coffee. At 0530 my family walked out the front door and our hearts froze in our chests…it wasn’t there. Disbelief came first and then we all proceeded at various rates through the Stages of Loss.
What happened next:
Once past disbelief, we immediately took action. EdgesDaddy got on the phone with the police to both ensure it had not been towed, and then notify them of the theft (they came by later in the day for a formal statement). Samantha-M let off steam and did an incredible sweep of known “drop off areas” for stolen vehicles. Skittles88 began calling those that needed to know what was happening in order to find alternatives to their lost supplies. And I leapt into my phone book and began messaging anyone I knew that might help us make magic happen for Venus’.
When we pull together:
It’s unbelievable how many people are awake by 6am on Folsom Sunday! Far more amazing, is how folks jumped up to help. I am fearful of missing a name, so I won’t try to list those that came to the rescue for our women’s play / education space and so much more that day. I was in tears several times: not because of loss, but because of the way people responded to support Venus’ needs.
The aftermath and loss:
I am currently rounding up my receipts to submit to the insurance company and get the claim settled. To say that I’m exasperated trying to round up receipts for Dungeon Equipment, suspension frame and mats, and countless supplies, is to put it incredibly mildly… It’s going to be a process, and as I write this, my heart beat is quickening and my body feels cold. Though the cost of the loss will never be fully recovered, Yet it is the nostalgia many of us have for, and the love put into creating so many wonderful things, that feels most poignantly violating. And that is heart wrenching for not only me, but others that lost items.
What you can do:
I would love to say I have the heart to ask for support in recovery. I don’t. I am too hurt / sad / angry, and vanilla life roars constantly and loudly for my focus. Several folks have proffered some lovely suggestions for helping to regain some of what we all lost. I will allow them to take those helms and throw my support behind recreating the equipment needed to stock Venus’ Playground playspace for it’s upcoming 10 year anniversary in 2015 and the Hitchin’ Bitches supplies that they had fundraised SO hard for, which were lost. Look for details about fundraisers and please feel free to share the information widely.