Charity Ornaments

30 Days of Christmas Fun!

Do you have a special ornament that needs a special display place for the season?

I do, I have several.  One is especially special to me and I wouldn't want it to get lost in all the decorations on the tree.  Besides, this ornament is just a little too big for my little tree.  It is a hand blown glass ornie that was purchased at a fund raiser for a special hospital where my granddaughter was treated for a rare disease.  (I have written about her in a previous post.)  She is doing much better now (another post);  I am thankful for her life and the awesome care that she received.  So I display this ornament, to remind me!  I leave on the tag, with the Doernbecher hospital logo. 

     

Special ornament stands are available for purchase, but I have limited space so I hang mine on the lamp knob. 

I have another ornament given to me by a friend.  It reminds me of a my blessed status as being a breast cancer survivor!  I have found a perfect place to hang it--every time I turn on  my living room lamp I am reminded of my blessed existence!  It reminds me to celebrate life!

Looks a little stark, maybe I should add a little holly to the lamp post! 

Charity Causes

Everyone needs a cause! 

My cause is the Breast Cancer issue.

I am a survivor and support the cure for this disease, but yesterday, hubby and I went with my daughter to support another cause.  We volunteered, helping with the race entrant bib pickup for our local Shamrock Run.  There were over 32,000 entrants to the run/walk that will be held tomorrow, Sunday, in the downtown area of Portland Oregon. I love this because it is for the children too! Runners and walkers of every capability are included! YAY!

The thing I like about this run is that the proceeds go to another charity that I also support--The Doernbecher Children's Hospital Portland Oregon (pronounced simply Dornbecker).  Our grand daughter has been treated there for a serious rare disease and she has had awesome care!  Awesome doctors, awesome staff!  She's doing well, now; isn't she cute?!

So this is a BIG THANK YOU to everyone participating in tomorrows race. And a thank you to all the sponsors! Here's just a few pictures from last years event so you will get the flavor of the day!

Thanks to everyone!
P.S. Hop on over to Beverly's blog to see what others are posting for St. Paddy's Day. 

Last but not Least!

Not my usual 'Friday Finds' post today because I have one final thought about the SewExpo . . . .

Their charity for the event was Mary Bridge Children's Hospital & Health Center in Tacoma WA. They serve All of SouthWest Washington state with their mission to provide care for all children, regardless of the family's ability to pay.  According to Barbara Littrell, of the hospital, "Every child who comes to Mary Bridge gets to pick out his or her own pillowcase.  That pillowcase often becomes their comfort item--something they can take with them when they have to go for tests . . . you'll see children holding their Sew Expo pillowcase as they sit in chemotherapy chairs or get rolled down the hall for surgery. Of course, the children take their pillowcases home with them--which means Mary Bridge needs about 900 pillowcases a month."

I made one this year and was pleased to see a huge stack of pillowcases displayed at the Expo as the attendees brought them in.  They collected nearly 3000 pillowcases!  I know the kids will be blessed!

(I've been sew into reporting on the SewExpo that I forgot to do a post that I promised, about my productive day with this turtle yardage!  Watch for it on Monday!)   

Charity

Stroking Sasha's fur and grabbing her travel cup, Abby dashed out the door and headed for the truck. No sporty sedan for her, she needed a work vehicle. Some of her errands today were to pick up some replacement stock at the nursery and deliver a batch of flowers to the rural market stand. Then, on to Thomas House to deliver vegetables that Suz picked fresh and prepared for delivery.

"I had better stop at the market first, and drop off these flowers while they are still fresh. Wouldn't want them to wilt! I always spend too much time at TH! The kids there are just so cute and need an extra smiling face! Maybe I could work on puzzles with a few of them today. Thomas House is such a worthy charity." She further mused on the work and services they provided there, "Immediate haven that meets the urgent and long-term needs of homeless women and their children. Activities conducted by skilled professional staff and they maintain a 5 to 1 client to staff ratio. That's pretty Good! Transitional Services span the range from workforce related learning and career centers and an educational children's center to life skills such as budgeting and cooking needed to be self-sufficient, along with parenting classes. There's career planning, opportunities to acquire a high school diploma, learn computer, vocational and employment skills. The Continuation Service includes moving assistance, ongoing life skills instruction, and neighborhood orientation to make the transition to independent living. The Children's Center is a state licensed center providing early childhood education, or homeschooling for a younger children until they are ready to enter the school system. Comprehensive. How could we not help?"

This is Abby's charity; the family farm operation provides fresh vegetables thru the summer season. Are you like Abby? There are charitable possibilities everywhere in your city to offer your time or your contributions. Local shelters, rescue missions always need coffee, mentoring services for children, court appointed volunteers for foster children, Red Cross volunteers for overnight warming shelters, agencies that provide homemade blankets for seriously ill children and hospice patients, etc. Do you have a favorite charity that you contribute to? Tell us about it.