RSS Email

Ways to Give Back While On The Go #VZWBuzz #MobileLife

It’s the season where we are reminded that there are others in need. The holiday season doesn’t create this sudden need but it creates awareness of what others are missing and how we can help. As a society we can turn any corner and find charity or organization that is in need.  The children come home from school with food drive notices, payroll reminds us of the opportunity to increase a charitable deduction and our churches are asking for “angels” for their more needy members.  There is no shortage of asking.

There are new ways to give now. We live our lives on the go and that doesn’t have to stop when it’s time to give.  There are so many times that I think about a great cause and the efforts they are making in our community or in the nation but by the time I get to my checkbook or computer that thought gets lost with all the other details of the day.Charitable Contributions while on the go. Mobile Apps to Give Back While on the Go

These apps and services below help individuals like us stay on top of what we think is important.

Feedie. For the foodie and photographer in all of us, Feedie has an arrangement with restaurants around the globe to donate to the Lunchbox Fund in exchange for patrons snapping photos of their food. Share that photo on your social media channels and the restaurant donates $.25 to the Lunchbox Fund. The Lunchbox Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing daily meals to impoverished school children in South Africa. We provide a quarter of a million meals a year, and with your help, our goal is to increase that number to 10 million, and ultimately expand our reach globally. If you’re going to eat out, eat a Feedie restaurant or try a new restaurant that supports this amazing effort to feed hungry children.Charitable Contributions while on the go. Feedie donates to feed hungry children

CharityMiles. If you’re active why not earn money for a deserving charity while you get your sweat on. Download the app, choose an organization and start moving. When you’re done your selected charity will earn money for every mile walked, run or biked.  Walkers and runners earn up to 25¢ per mile; bikers earn up to 10¢ per mile.

Donate a Photo. Did you take a photo today? Chances are you did especially with that nifty mini computer/smartphone in your hands.  Johnson & Johnson wants to take those photos and turn them into $1 donations for a variety of causes that serve our communities. A photo a day is all it takes.#VZWBuzz Lifestyle Blogger

OneToday. Google created this simple way to give to others. One Today lets you easily give $1 each day to causes and nonprofits that inspire you. It’s a community of generous people like you doing one good deed a day. You’ll see others who have given to this cause. Tomorrow you’ll see a new need and a new community of givers. 100% of all donations are distributed directly to the charity.

Check in For Good. Do you check in at your local businesses to show support and loyalty. Turn those visits into dollars for causes in need. Your check in creates exposure for charities not just on the app but through social media.  Create your own cause page for local charities or functions and spread the word to create a buzz and hopefully funds to what you care about.Charitable Contributions while on the go. Mobile Apps to Give Back While on the Go

No matter how you give it’s really the effort you put forth that counts.  These mobile options make giving simple while on the go. Give while you’re thinking about it while at the grocery store or at soccer practice or waiting for the meeting to start.

I am a Verizon Wireless Lifestyle Blogger brand ambassador and will receive various products and other perks as a member of the #VZWBuzz influencer team. Staying connected to the world outside Facebook and text while mobile is important to me. It keeps me organized and aware and focused on real life. Verizon Wireless helps me do this and keeps me updated on the latest trends, products and tips out there to keep informed and entertained.




How Do You #GiveBack

How To #GiveBack for the HolidaysEach holiday season I think about our kid’s holiday wishlists and immediately get overwhelmed. This year I didn’t let that happen because I stated early on that we’re doing a simpler Christmas.  This is an punishment for them. It was a way to open their eyes to see what was really needed in their lives.

Instead of pages and pages of gift ideas the kids really thought about the things they needed and wanted. The lists are short, deliberate and well thought out.

Even though our own gift giving is smaller scale this year that doesn’t mean we aren’t giving to others. Hasbro included me in their holiday review opportunity but instead of showering my kids with more toys that they don’t need I decided to give everything away to children in need.

Rob’s employer set up an angel for children in the community that weren’t expecting a very good holiday season. We pulled 5 names and donated everything (but 1 thing) to those children.  I’m hoping our small gesture brings a smile to their faces. Every child deserves something of their own, not just on the holidays but every day. As a family we give what we can.  Some weeks we are donating to the food bank or toiletries to the women’s shelter or blankets and towels to the pet shelter. Every donation is helpful.

We also give when we can to Child Hunger Ends Here. As a young child I often didn’t know when and where my next meal was coming from. This shouldn’t happen. No child should ever know what hunger feels like. There are too many resources in this country to allow this to happen. We incorporate efforts in our everyday. Our children always have an extra snack in their lunch box just in case a classmate goes without. Our grocery shopping includes brands that stand for the same cause. We’ve helped grow a community garden.

Do what you can to #GiveBack this holiday season. But remember others need help all year long. Choose a cause or two that you are passionate about and give them your attention for 2015.

This is in no way sponsored by #VZWBuzz but as a collective we are sharing our stories, efforts and organizations on how we want to #GiveBack this holiday season. Find inspiration from other members of the team.

http://www.spreading-joy.org/site/love-joy-and-giving/

http://givetoourtroops.com/

A special place where disabled animals enjoy life




St. Jude Day of Play with Carnival

2014 disclosureThere are times I look at my children and wonder if they were put on this planet to just frustrate me. Then there are moments when I just want to hold them close and thank the universe for giving me so much in my life. These are the times I’m grateful for a happy and healthy family. A few weeks ago I had the honor of being invited to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN and was awoken again to realize that our lives are precious while having to witness the struggles of the families seeking treatment everyday.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats, educates and defeats childhood cancer and other deadly diseases. Founded in 1962, Danny Thomas changed many lives with his vision to provide care and treatment for children without burden to their families. Today thanks to treatments invented through St Jude research the survival rate for childhood cancer has risen to over 80% from its original rate of 20% fifty years ago.

St Jude focuses its research  efforts on childhood cancer some acquired and inherited immunodeficiencies, sickle cell disease, infectious diseases and genetic disorders. Currently they are also investigating work in gene therapy, bone marrow transplantation, chemotherapy, the biochemistry of normal and cancerous cells, radiation treatment, blood diseases, resistance to therapy, viruses, hereditary diseases, influenza, pediatric AIDS and psychological effects of catastrophic illnesses

As you can tell this isn’t just a regular pediatric hospital. The most severely ill children are brought here to take part in breakthrough technologies, clinical trials and treatment.

I, along with several other bloggers and the media and entertainment group of Carnival Cruise Lines, were invited to take a tour and learn more about how the hospital benefits it’s patients and families.

  • St. Jude is where doctors send their toughest cases because St. Jude has the world’s best survival rates for the most aggressive childhood cancers.
  • St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs we make, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children.
  • St. Jude is a world leader in developing new, improved treatments for children with cancer. We create more clinical trials for cancer than any other children’s hospital.
  • On average, St. Jude has more than 67,000 patient visits each year.
  • St. Jude has helped increase the survival rates for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) from 4% before opening in 1962 to 94% today.

The most important fact I want to press upon you is this. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.

I was also invited to be a part of the Day of Play that was put together by Carnival Cruise Lines. This was an underwater adventure themed party with a DJ, food, dancing, games and crafts as a way to give the kids some fun to look forward to. The doors opened to the patients and their families and for the next couple hours there was no talk of treatment, medication or diagnosis.St. Jude Day of Play with Carnival Cruise #sjblogtourSt. Jude Day of Play with Carnival Cruise

I was honored to be a part of this chunk of time of their day.  If I helped one child smile then it was all worth it.

Through a variety of innovative fundraising activities such as on board Groove for St. Jude, Beary Cuddly Program and simple bingo games, Carnival Cruise Lines has raised more than $5 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® for the hospital’s many lifesaving pediatric cancer research and treatment programs.

St. Jude keeps moving forward due to the generosity of individuals, businesses, the community and a band of loyal volunteers.




Use #TexasPete to Spice up your Meals #FeedingAmerica

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Texas Pete for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Something happened with Rob’s palette 2years ago. He started craving super spicy foods and adding hot sauce to everything. Now when it’s time to set the table for any meal the kids are required to grab hot sauce along with any other condiments needed. Texas Pete Hot Sauce is one we’re going to try because I found this chicken wing recipe that sounds amazing.

 photo TexasPete_Logo_Simple_zpsb993442b.png

CHA! HOISIN-GLAZED ROASTED CHICKEN WINGS

These lip-smacking, delicious, party-style chicken wings are marinated in CHA! by Texas Pete® and roasted in the oven until golden brown and delicious, then finished with an explosive CHA! hoisin glaze.

YIELD: 48 party wings

PORTION (Serving Size): 1 party wing

INGREDIENTS:

Wings

Chicken wings, fresh: 4 lbs. or 48 party wings

CHA! by Texas Pete®: 1 cup

Butter, salted: 1 stick

Salt and pepper to taste

Glaze

CHA! by Texas Pete®: 1⁄2 cup • Hoisin sauce: 3⁄4 cup

Scallions, sliced thin for garnish: 1 bunch

PREPARATION:

Marinate the chicken wings in the CHA! by Texas Pete® for 24 hours. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. After 24 hours, place the chicken wings in a large mixing bowl. Melt the stick of butter and pour over the chicken wings. Season with salt and pepper and mix well. Place the chicken wings on as many baking trays as needed, keeping space between each chicken wing and not over-crowding the pans. Roast the chicken wings in the oven for approximately 45 minutes or until golden brown, crispy, fork tender and fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Flip them once halfway through the cooking process so they crisp evenly on both sides. Depending upon the size of the wings, you may need to cook them for over an hour. While the wings are cooking, prepare the glaze and slice the scallions.

Mix the 1⁄4 cup of CHA! by Texas Pete® with the 3⁄4 cup of hoisin sauce and mix well. When the chicken wings are finished cooking, carefully place them into a large mixing bowl and toss them with the spicy CHA! hoisin glaze. Arrange the chicken wings on a serving platter, garnish with the sliced scallions and serve.

Texas Pete CHA! Hoisin Glazed ChickenWings

 photo CHA_LOGO_on_red_zps40e9714c.png

With football season just starting I could make these easily for a crowd and adjust the heat for mild taste buds or make them more fiery for my husband who wants heat on everything.  Texas Pete is more than just hot sauce too. You can find Texas Pete Hot Sauce and condiments and ingredients to fit your own meal plan. You can also find Texas Pete Hot Sauce recipes online to try for yourself.

Choose Texas Pete to kick up so many other dishes like macaroni and cheese, tacos, ribs and even baked potatoes topped with cheese. Best of all Texas Pete will be donating $1 to Feeding America (up to a $5,000 total donation!) for every social share of THIS post.

Help get them to their goal with a little social clicky above or below. Let me know where to find your share.

How do you like to use hot sauce in recipes?  

Visit Sponsor's Site




ConKerr Cancer Pajama Party Recap

Sometimes it takes just a small gesture to make a big impact.

In 2002 a young man, Ryan was diagnosed with cancer. Throughout 6years of treatments, recurrences, surgery and therapy his mother stood by him to create some light in his world. This came in the form of a homemade pillowcase. This separated his pillow from the rest in the hospital and made his stays a bit more inviting and warm. This sparked the start of ConKerr Cancer,  and their efforts to bring a smile to every child’s face that is going through similar battles with cancer and other illness.

This past March was the 2nd ConKerr Cancer Pajama Party. We were invited to be Ambassadors to share the news of the event and bring awareness of how simple it is to do something for a child in need. We attended the party at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia. From the start I never would’ve guessed this event was only in its 2nd year. The participation and attendance was amazing.

The community rallied together to donate their time and money for this cause. Throughout the evening 1000 guest were invited to explore the museum, enjoy local food and drinks, sew pillowcases, mingle with local celebrities and athletes, bid on auctions and play with animals from the Philadelphia Zoo.

Sabreena was the first to sew a pillowcase with the help of some volunteers.ConKerr Cancer Pajama Party RecapConKerr Cancer Pajama Party Recap

ConKerr Cancer Pajama Party Recap

We thoroughly enjoyed the event and were proud to be a part of such a phenomenal organization.

Learn more about ConKerr Cancer and how you can donate or volunteer.




Join @ConKerrCancer PJ Party, Philadelphia Please Touch Museum

While a world free of cancer would be a dream come true right now we have to focus on research, compassion and treatment. Bringing smiles to the faces of those working through diagnosis, healing and living is one of the best ways to show support and kindness.ConKerr Cancer Pajama Party 2014 Philadelphia #ConKerrPJParty

ConKerr Cancer was created to bring smiles to some of the 44,000 children in the US that are going through cancer treatments each year. Their mission is to bring a smiles to children with life changing illnesses and to make them feel special.

ConKerr Cancer provides children with their own special pillowcase to help brighten hospital stays. For a child a hospital can be a scary place. It may be unfamiliar, cold and intimidating but something as simple as bright and cheery pillowcase can soothe and comfort.

On March 21, 2014 my family has been invited to join other families in the Philadelphia area at the ConKerr Cancer Pajama Party at The Please Touch Museum. The night is put together to celebrate special kids, the PJ Party Stars, and their families with a fun night dancing, silly picture taking, meeting celebrities and even sewing pillowcases. All of the fun will be had in our jammies.ConKerr Cancer Pajama Party 2014 Philadelphia #ConKerrPJParty

If you are interested in attending the Pajama Party or sponsoring a child in treatment to attend tickets are available for just $25.

Donations are always accepted also. Any contribution is welcome and will bring a smile to a sick child.

They spend day after frightening day stuck in a hospital room when they should be outside playing with friends. And each and every day, ConKerr Cancer volunteers work selflessly to bring them comfort and smiles through a simple act of love called a pillowcase.

If you are local to the Philadelphia area and want to join us for this event we’re giving away 2 tickets. Let me know if your family has been affected by pediatric cancer in any way?
EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry above. Please note the changes to the entries and frequency, entries that don’t follow rules may be disregarded/ignored/deleted

Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Wednesday, March 12, 2014. The winners will be emailed and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. This contest is open to Contiguous US residents, age 18 or over. For complete rules please read our blog contest rules page.




N Philly Aztecs come home to Hunting Park #power2change #NRGCharityGame

I remember many many years ago there was a place in Philly where people gathered on the weekends to grill, have picnics, play sports and just chill. Hunting Park was an urban retreat in the middle of some of the roughest neighborhoods.  As the years went on it changed to a gathering spot for drug deals and home to many violent crimes. Hunting Park deteriorated into a shell of what it once was.

This Saturday, September 14th  NRG Energy, in partnership with the Fairmount Park Conservancy and the Philadelphia Eagles come together to cheer on the North Philadelphia Aztecs, the area’s local Pop Warner football team, as they take their home field for the first season in 20 years.

For 20 years, unsafe conditions kept the North Philadelphia Aztecs from their home field. This celebration commemorates the team’s return thanks to the $1.4 million restoration of the Hunting Park football field led by the Fairmount Park Conservancy, the Team Vick Foundation and other private and public supporters, including NRG Energy. The Aztec program, a safe haven for many local youth, now has a permanent home to help support community kids for years to come.

Charity Flag Football Game #NRGCharityGame

Celebrate with this community as Rob and other local media compete in a charity flag football game. The MVP of the game will receive $10,000 towards their charity of choice. Stick around after that game for a meet & greet and photo opps with Mike Golic from ESPN’s “Mike & Mike,” former Philadelphia Eagles QB A.J. Feeley, SWOOP and the Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders. Bring the family to enjoy the Aztec Fan Zone with face painting, raffle for Eagles tickets/merchandise and more. The day rounds out with a football game between the North Philadelphia Aztecs and the South County Chargers.

 

Festivities 

10:30am, September 14, 2013

Team Vick Field, Hunting

900 West Hunting Park Ave




Give A Minute, Help Make-A-Wish #straighttalkwish

blog disclosure bannerMake-A-Wish® grants the wish of a child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition on average, every 38 minutes. These wishes don’t just happen. They are available through dedicated volunteers, staff, donors and supporters. This month Straight Talk will make a $1 donation up to $1,000,000 each time the video found on bit.ly/Straighttalkwish is viewed.  Is the time of a sick child worth $1?

Give a Minute $1M Make a Wish Donatione #StraightTalkWish

This is the second year in a row that Straight Talk will be hosting this program. Last year’s program was successful, reaching its $1,000,000 donation mark! Let’s not let the children down this year. Every Saturday in September, Straight Talk Wireless will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish for each person that visits their participating local Walmart and takes a minute to learn more about Straight Talk.

This gives you  2 ways to help make a child’s wish come true.

Straight Talk is America’s largest no-contract cell phone provider. This service is available exclusively at Walmart so the cost savings of not having to maintain their own storefronts are passed on to their customers. For only $45 customers receive unlimited talk, text and data Nationwide anytime with calls to 411 at no additional charge.

Straight Talk #StraightTalkWish $1M Donation

By reaching their $1,000,000 goal last year, Straight Talk helped make wishes come true. Be a part of that goal this year.

Share this with your friends and family to help Straight Talk get to their goal.




Joining the Million Mile Run to fight Childhood Cancer

I’m lacing up my running shoes again but this time it’s not for my own vanity. I’m joining Delaware Valley area bloggers to fight back against childhood cancer this September – National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation!
Alex's Lemonade Stand Million Mile RunOur team was inspired by two local childhood cancer heroes, Lily & Maggie.

Lily was diagnosed with a brain tumor called ependymoma when she was 14 months old. Lily endured five brain surgeries and a month-long hospital stay at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Brain surgery left Lily unable to sit, crawl or walk. But now, Lily who is 7, is cancer-free. Lily can walk and she can dance and jump and rock it on the soccer field! Lily can run! Lily will be running along with our team as we work to reach our goal of 1,000 miles and $10,000 for a cure for all kids with cancer!

fighting childhood cancer with Lily Adkins

Lily Adkins

Maggie was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastomic leukemia (B-ALL) just a few months ago in May at 2 years old. All of her life, Maggie has been a whirlwind of giggles and red curls. And even though cancer and aggressive chemotherapy has temporarily stolen those lovely curls, they did not steal her tenacious spirit. Maggie and her parents fought this disease with everything they had. Finally, on July 5, Maggie was declared cancer-free! However, she will continue to receive a variety of treatments and testing to ensure that she stays healthy. As she works on regaining her physical strength, we will walk and run for Maggie!

fighting childhood cancer for Maggie

Maggie Sabora

Everyday 720 kids are diagnosed with childhood cancer– and everyday families begin the fight of their life. Childhood cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for children under age 15. Research is consistently underfunded–but with your support, we can make a difference!

Running a few miles isn’t anything in comparison to the struggles these girls have had to deal with. I’m asking you to JOIN US by making a donation, joining our team, or forming your own Million Mile Run team!

Stay tuned for progress on the donations and the mileage we all complete.

Yoke

The Turnip Farmer

Musings of a Housewife

Nichole Ann

Philly Fun 4 Kids

Natural Review

Finnegan and The Hughes

HeartWork Organizing

It’s An Empowered Spirit

Philly Sproutlet

The Naughty Mommy

Look What Mom Found…and Dad, too!

Mommy Entourage

Knitting Zeal

The Vintage Mom

Confessions of a Stay-At-Home-Mom

Real the Kitchen and Beyond

Honey Badger Mom

A Life in Balance




Cradles to Crayons Clothing Drive at Springfield Mall, PA.

Cradles to Crayons is a major player in the Philadelphia region who is always on top of the of the list for helping others in the area. Nearly one in four Philadelphians, including 130,000 children, live in poverty and C2C is making it their mission to provide the essentials for those children and families.

I’m headed to the mall today but not to shop but with a bag full of clothes that Shaun has outgrown.

The Easter Bunny will be at Center Court at Springfield Mall, beginning Friday, March 8, not only to help launch his namesake holiday at the major Delaware County shopping hub, but also to kick off a joint clothes collection drive with Cradles to Crayons for the region’s disadvantaged children.

donating to cradles to crayons
The collection effort – to continue through March 30 – is a collaboration between the more than 70 merchants at the M

all and Cradles to Crayons, the local nonprofit that provides children, from birth to age 12, living in low-income and homeless situations with the essential items they need to thrive – at home, at school and at play.

The Easter Bunny is scheduled to hop into Center Court at the Mall, 1250 Baltimore Pike, at 10:00 a.m. on March 8.

hoppers who drop off donations of new or nearly new clothing (from footwear to winter coats, and new socks and underwear) at the Mall’s Customer Service center (located near Ruby Tuesday’s) will receive a discount off photos with the Easter Bunny. Shoppers will also be able to select from baskets of “Easter eggs,” individualized egg-shaped cards that identify an item of clothing needed by an area low-income and/or homeless child, and purchase items on the eggs from stores within the mall. The purchases will be gathered by courtesy desk staff and provided to Cradles to Crayons, from which local social service agencies, including homeless and domestic violence shelters, schools, and foster homes, will distribute them to the children in their care.

“Springfield Mall is proud to host this important donation drive benefiting children within our communities,” said Maureen Weir, the Mall’s senior marketing director. “We are pleased to join forces with Cradles to Crayons and Delaware County Moms, and look forward to working with our shoppers in supporting such a worthy cause.”

“Cradles to Crayons cannot thank enough the Springfield Mall and its scores of merchants who are making it possible – and convenient – for shoppers to help the one in five children in this region who live in poverty,” said Michal Smith, executive director of the Cradles to Crayons. “Families living in poverty struggle to pay for rent, utilities and food, so warm clothing, coats, and shoes that fit are often completely out of reach.”

I Disclose