November Service Project: Desserts 4 Thanksgiving Update and Thanks

Thank you Onica Fuller, Karitsa Kerns, Donyell Stroud Aycock, Meeka J. Clay, Sidney Logan Echevarria, Candace Taylor-Anderson, Lee Richardson, Sylvia Richardson, Imani Smith, Kim Flanders, Angela Lindsay, Sahnia D. H. Oates, Rachel Bellotti Adams, Brittney Bogues, Takierra Hopkins-Cole, Victoria Garriett Lampkin, Tamra Berry, Lisa Hollis, Christina Mateo Landry, Kameka Rowell-Hall, Kimberly Norton, Kristy Perry & Carlenia Ivory for your generous donations for Desserts 4 Thanksgiving. Based on the pictures that were shared, 52 desserts were donated to the Charlotte Rescue Mission. It took us several trips from the car to the kitchen to get all of the desserts we had to deliver in. We went around lunch time so the guests were lining up outside of the cafeteria. After our first trip we heard one of the guests ask the gentleman that worked there what we were doing and he explained the project to them. With each trip they said "thank you all" and "bless you all". I'm sure if you reflect back on your Thanksgiving meal, one of the highlights was one of the desserts that you had (many homes have multiple desserts). Thanks to the generosity of all that participated, the guests at the Charlotte Rescue Mission also had choices for dessert.

If we left off your name please forgive us and share with us your pictures or email us so we can include you in our thanks. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!

March Monthly Service Project Part 1: Community Birthday Celebration

My birthday request was by asking people to volunteer for four hours during the month of March.  So how do you think I spent my birthday....yep, by volunteering. Every year I take off of work for my birthday to spend the day celebrating myself.  This year I spent the day having a spanish lesson, parent/teacher conference, massage & facial and then I threw a party.  Not just any party, but a party for the children that attend an after school program where I have volunteered a few times this year. What is a party without favor bags?!?!?  So I reached out to friends and family asking for donations to go in the swag bags and boy did they come through!!  A big thank you to the following people that donated items for the 36 swag bags and prizes that were given to each child:

- Donyell Aycock
- Alfreda Belton & Microsoft
- Lara Harris & Project L.I.F.T.
- Kevin Henry & Snyder's-Lance
- Warren Hollier
- Denada Jackson & Project L.I.F.T.
- Arden McLaughlin & Charlotte Public Library Foundation
- Cynthia Parker-Ham
- Beverly Spainhour
- Nancy Stroud
- Liz Thomas-Hollier
- Jada Wellman & WBTV

Everyday when they arrive at after school they have two writing assignments; one is a cursive writing exercise and the other a journal topic.  The executive director let me choose both items for the day and I chose the following:
Cursive Writing Exercise: 'I am unique because......'
Journal topic: 'Describe what you can do to help your community. Be specific!'

It was definitely a busy but very FOURfilling day.  Happy Birthday to me!! Who else is going to help me celebrate this month?!?!?

Service Project Announcement Coming Soon!

At the beginning of 2013 I made the decision that my son and I would do a monthly service project.  Each month this year we gave time, and in some cases, money to help different groups of people/organizations. In 2014 we will be doing the same, but on a larger scale.  Stay tuned for a post within the week about January's service project, of which we are really excited!  This year we are looking to get more people involved and hope that you will join us.  There will be plenty of ways for you and your family to be part of the solution to some of the challenges within the community.

Stay tuned……..