10News Leadership Award Winner Elena Etcheverry

10News honors Elena Etcheverry, founder of Scrapbook Royalty, a non-profit organization that holds charity scrapbook events to help with local causes.

In 2006, Etcheverry began helping members of the community get involved in charity work by organizing "crops." These all day events are a way for people to come together and work on their scrapbooks, share materials, and learn new ideas. Participants of each event pay a registration fee which includes meals, contests, silent auctions, space to work on their own books, and classes taught by local scrapbook instructors. Local companies sponsor the events and participants are also expected to raise money. One way is by purchasing materials at any of the companies around San Diego that have agreed to donate a portion of purchases to the Scrapbook Royalty charities.

From the meals to the classes, Elena tries to get everything donated. Scrapbook Royalty has raised over $84,000 through the crops and donations for several non-profit organizations including the Boys and Girls Club, Rady Children’s Hospital, The Invisible Children, Surfrider Foundation, Susan G. Komen Foundation, and the marines overseas.

Elena and her partner, Melanie Christie, also sell unique handmade goods and crafting supplies through their online store, Treasures for Charity. Twenty percent of all sales are donated to Scrapbook Royalty. Elena spends countless hours each week on both projects, striving to let people know they can make a difference by scrap booking, something they already love to do.

For more information, please contact Scrapbook Royalty at 858-558-0369 or visit www.scrapbookroyalty.com.