Charity

Pedal For A Purpose

/ mysenkid / Leave a comment

Want to pedal for a purpose? Well, then join me at the 2nd annual Body Armour Spin-a-thon Fundraiser this Sunday October 30th! For those who might not know, my niece was tragically killed in as car accident as a passenger one night 5 years ago. It is something that we as a family will never forget. Each year, the Elanna Zuller Memorial Sports Fund hosts fundraisers and events to raise money for local kids, sports organizations, scholarships and more. Body Armour is graciously hosting their spin-a-thon again this year in honor of Elanna Zuller!

fundraiser

There’s no better way to show you care than donating to a good cause and burning some calories while you’re at it!  A Spin-a-Thon is just like a walk-a-thon, except that participants cycle on stationary bikes rather than walking.  Cyclists gather and members trade off cycling time to raise money through sponsors and donations. One hour is all it takes to help make a significant positive impact in the life of a local family. Your participation in this event will help support those in need in our community; all proceeds raised will benefit the Elanna Zuller Memorial Sports Fund, and your $10 registration gets you a Tshirt and a bike.  Bikes are still available for timeslots! $10 holds you a bike and you raise whatever denomination you wish!

Some Fundraiser Day Activities: 

8am Spin (instructor Rosemary)
8:15-8:45am The Art of Yoga with Joy (kids yoga and art project)
8:30 Pumpkin decorating goes all day long!
9 am Spin ( Instructors Amal & Jenna)
9:30-Noon Face Painting begins with Hazey Daze Creations 
10 am Spin (Instructors Jess & Tara)
10:30-11am The Art of Yoga with Joy (kids yoga and art project)
10:30-noon Complimentary lunch provided by Jersey Mikes
11 am Spin (Instructor Pete)

There will be snacks and drinks served all day. Raffles to win. Items to purchase. Boot camp demos. Fun to be had! The event itself is FREE. However, $10 registers you for a bike to take a spin class! Don’t want to spin? No worries. Come join in on the fun and support by trying to win some of the great raffles we had donated graciously by local companies and friends! Perhaps purchase some merchandise or just donate directly to the Elanna Zuller Memorial Fund.

I would love to have you pedal for a purpose with me!
Namaste~
Joy

 

Domestic Violence

/ mysenkid / 3 Comments

By now most have you have seen the many commercials being aired featuring celebrities, sports personalities and more, talking about domestic violence. If you haven’t, then you must reside under a rock. Some are full of heartfelt words while some leave us to watch them utter nothing but silence. It is with that silence that puts a taboo judgement on these victims. Domestic & Sexual Abuse should not be swept under the rug any longer. Silence is never a good thing when it comes to hiding any type of violence.  Too many women & children (and even men) are falling victim. Victim to the horrendous act, victim to the aftereffects and victim to the blame game. No more.

New Hope, Inc, located in our close neighbor of Massachusetts. New Hope is a 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization whose mission is “Ending Domestic and Sexual Violence in Our Community”. New Hope serves 54 communities within Central and Southeast Massachusetts.

Join New Hope, Inc on Saturday, January 24th for a night under the stars at Briggs Garden & Home (295 Kelley Blvd. North Attleboro, MA). Sample over 50 fine wines, 25 craft beers, delicious local cuisine, while enjoying a live musical performance by Gay Barboza. Bid on a trip to Walt Disney World (who doesn’t love MICKEY MOUSE?), just one of the many featured live auction items, hosted by comedian David DiLorzena. Tickets are $50/ per person and are available online at: www.new-hope.org or by calling (508) 226-4015. All proceeds benefit New Hope, Inc. – a nonprofit organization working to end domestic and sexual violence in our communities.

Can’t attend? Consider donating to the cause.  Visit their site for future events and gatherings. And remember the name New Hope, Inc, because chances are you know someone who has fallen victim to domestic violence or sexual abuse. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and estimated 1.3 million women have fallen victim each YEAR and 1 in every 4 women will experience domestic or sexual abuse in their lifetime. Help end this pattern of abuse. For our children. For our children’s children. For the greater good of humanity.

Namaste~

 

Cookies for Kids Cancer- *Local Event*

/ mysenkid / 1 Comment

Did you know that  pediatric cancer is the #1 disease killer in the U.S. of children under the age of 18.  Even with this being said, pediatric cancer receives a very small percentage of the National Cancer Institute’s $4.8 billion annual budget and almost no research and development dollars from pharmaceutical companies. This makes me angry. I don’t have a child with cancer, but I have a child. And I know,  I would want no stone unturned for the cure to this disease that takes so many precious little ones away from their families.

Photo by www.cookiesforkidscancer.org

Photo by www.cookiesforkidscancer.org

Good News People! We can help! We can help provide more funds, for more research. We the people can make a difference. Every dollar helps, because it goes directly to the Cookies for Kids Cancer, which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit public charity raising money for pediatric cancer research through local bake sales. It was founded by a very determined mother to help increase her young son’s odds in his fight against cancer. In late 2007, she had the idea to bake cookies to sell during the holidays. Her small idea became a huge movement with 96,000 cookies baked and sold during a three-week period with the help of more than 250 dedicated volunteers. She soon realized more people wanted to help and in turn- this charity was created for other towns and cities to join in on the fight to cure pediatric cancer.

Photo by http://www.mamasnightout.org

Photo by www.mamasnightout.org

Heather Wirtz, Publisher of my local Macaroni Kid newsletter has been involved with this charity for 3 years. I have seen first hand how it has grown over the years and proud to be a part of this local community. The amount of work Heather puts in is incredible and so appreciated. But she needs your help. Through her platform of Macaroni Kid and connections in the local community, we can help her reach her goal and maybe even surpass it! One person can make a difference- so can you imagine what we can do in large numbers? The possibilities are truly endless.

The event itself is so much fun! Heather has truly mastered the idea of a family fun day- paired with yummy snacks and raffles- all going to the charity. The Bake Sale will be at Dream Big Gymnastics in Cranston, RI on March 2nd from 12pm – 4pm. Kids and adults can play in the gym and have a great time together! The event is FREE- we only ask you support the charity by coming hungry and leaving with some yummy baked goods! There will also be a free craft, face painting and plenty of fun raffle items. ALL bake sale and raffle proceeds will go to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer!

95b709e534c9a763a9449e99edd338ee

HERE’S HOW TO HELP:  Heather is  currently looking for volunteers to bake and/or help out during the event. Do you own a local business? They are also in need of giveaway/raffle items (all proceeds will be donated to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer), bottled water, juice box and snacks! If you are interested in helping, please contact Heather @ (heatherw@macaronikid.com).

If you are local- I urge you to consider stopping by for a bit, or even taking your little ones into the kitchen to bake up some treats to donate. If you are not local- look into if there is a local Cookies for Kids Bake Sale in your area here.

As the mother whose idea it was to create Cookies for Kids’ Cancer says, “If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes the world to fight pediatric cancer.” We’re in this fight because every child battling cancer deserves a fighting chance. 

Namaste~

Joy