So save your seats at Special Olympics Virginia Summer Games’ Opening Ceremony and other cheer friendly venues! Visit www.volunteer2cheer.com and choose where you would most like to Cheer Your Heart Out-SIDE June 10-11.

For the first time ever, the Opening Ceremony will be held outside at Robins Stadium, Friday June 10. We’re excited to welcome American Idol finalist and Richmond native Rayvon Owen to the stage, as well as Minds in Motion Team XXL, a youthful, diverse group of high-energy dancers who combine pedestrian movement and rhythmic patterning into exciting and intricate choreography. We’ll also cheer for the hundreds of Law Enforcement Torch Run officers who will run the last leg of their 2000-mile journey with the Flame of Hope into the Stadium to light the Olympic Cauldron.

Saturday, June 11, fans can join us for an hour or all day at Robins Stadium for some great outdoor track & field action. Cheering is free and family-friendly, and also features our amazingOlympic Town, where all are welcome to enjoy fun activities like Bingo, a gaming trailer, shows by Mad Science and face painting. Not to mention, fans can cool off with free smoothies from Sheetz, free popcorn and snow cones from Enterprise, and free ice cream from Southland Dairy.

Cheering opportunities are open Saturday, too, at the Glen Allen Softball Complex, where dozens of teams will take to the softball fields.

Summer Games also is home to Special Olympics Virginia’s Healthy Athletes screening program where athletes and health ambassadors from across the state will receive FREE on-site care thanks to hundreds of medical students, professionals and community volunteers.

So get ready to Cheer Your Heart Out-SIDE and get inspired in Richmond on June 10-11! Sign up at www.volunteer2cheer.com.

The post Volunteer with Special Olympics Virginia appeared first on RichmondMom.com.

225 participants brrraved the winter weather at the 2016 RVA Plunge Winter Fest in Richmond on February 27th. Plungers not only celebrated a COOL $58,000 raised for Special Olympics Virginia, but also a brand new event location at The Shops at Willow Lawn. In addition to the main event Saturday, participants and fans enjoyed a Scavenger Hunt, ice sculptures, a giant inflatable slide, music by DJ Saucee, a cool new costume contest and a Plunge After-Party at American Taproom.

“The ‘coolest’ thing about the Polar Plunge is that it is a very unifying event,” said Rick Jeffrey, Special Olympics Virginia President. “We are all here for the same reason. Nobody is limited in their ability to contribute to this amazing community event. We are ALL CHAMPIONS TOGETHER!”

Special thanks to the many groups who helped us raise our cool to whole new level, including:

• 92 teachers, students and parents raised more than $12,400 during the Cool School and Coollegiate Challenge. Participating schools included All Saints Catholic School, Monacan High School, Monacan Middle School, Tomahawk Creek Middle School, St. Catherine’s School, Lynchburg College and the University of Richmond.
• Chesterfield Police Department topped the team leaderboard with more than $7300 raised.
• Blake Saunders from Henrico P&P raised $3764, topping the individual fundraising podium and claiming some sweet Polar Plunge shades!

The RVA Plunge was presented by the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Virginia, 103.7 Play, Classic Rock 96.5, Hot 106.1, Star 100.9, K95, NBC12 and The Shops at Willow Lawn. Gold level Polar Plunge sponsors included Hardees, Lamar Outdoor Advertising and Davis & Green Electrical.

This event is one of four Polar Plunge® Winter Fests in Virginia. The largest – now in its 24^th year – took place in Virginia Beach Feb. 5-6 and raised $1,040,000. A Polar Plunge also took place Saturday, Feb. 27, in Northern Virginia at Tim’s Rivershore Restaurant & Crabhouse, raising $100,000. The New River Polar Plunge® Winter Festival at Bisset Park in the New River Valley originally scheduled for Feb. 27 was rescheduled to March 19.

The post RVA Plunge: Goosebumps of Glory! appeared first on RichmondMom.com.

RVA Plunge is open to individuals and teams of all ages. Students can join the Cool School Challenge which encourages teachers and students in all grade levels to “challenge” one to plunge for our athletes. The Cool-legiate Challenge takes fundraising a step further by rallying organizations at state Universities together and compete for school credit, and of course-bragging rights. Local businesses can rally together to ‘Toss their Boss’ into a freezing pool OR plunge together for an extreme team building event!

All the proceeds from RVA Plunge go to benefitting Special Olympic Virginia athletes through free events like MedFest, an initiative created by Special Olympics and part of the Healthy Athletes program. With the help of medical students, physician’s assistants, nurses and volunteer physicians, MedFest provided for more than 130 athletes in 2015. Athletes are able to receive annual physicals, hearing, sight and dental exams. In some cases, the program has been able to detect life-threating diseases before they have the chance to escalate.

“At MedFest, one of my students showed signs of diabetes,” said Tracy Howard, an exceptional education teacher at Redd Elementary School. “The doctors immediately made copies of my student’s paperwork and explained to us the information that we needed to relay to the parents. They also explained to us the seriousness of the situation and upon arriving back to school, the information was given to the school nurse and phone calls were made. I am forever grateful for Special Olympics and the doctors and nurses for all that they do for our children.”

Grab your team and cannonball for a cause. The fundraising minimum is $100 per plunger and remember- the more you raise the more prizes you earn! Whether you jump, belly flop, hula dance into the cold, come out and show us your style.

The post The Coolest Event of the Season is Almost Here! appeared first on RichmondMom.com.

Jump in and make waves in an ice-cold above ground pool located at The Shops at Willow Lawn.  The event takes place Saturday, February 27th and fun for the entire family begins at 12pm!  Take part in the first RVA Plunge costume contest hosted by CBS6 meteorologist Nikki Dee Ray.  Enjoy musical sounds from DJ Saucee and fun with Easy 100.9’s Bill Bevins. Starting at 4pm, you can shake off the cold by joining the RVA Plunge After Party at American Tap Room hosted by 103.7 Play.

All proceeds from RVA Plunge help benefit Special Olympic athletes through Unified Sport programs- a school based initiative made to bring athletes with and without disabilities together on the playing fields. Unified Sports have widely improved disabled athletes’ abilities to do better in school, step out of their comfort zone and help make lasting friendships between students.

A Unified athlete’s mother from Rockingham County, Amy Propst, finds it hard to put into words what Unified Sports has done for her family. One night a week, Amy and her family are able to watch her daughter become a champion and challenge her disabilities. Amy says her daughter “is no longer looked at for her disabilities, but cheered on because of her abilities.”  Everyday her daughter walks onto the court proud to represent her school in her uniform, and for that, she is forever grateful.

RVA Plunge is a fun and creative way to get involved and raise money for Special Olympics. The fundraising minimum is $100 per person. Groups and individuals are encouraged to participate.  Grab your flippers- but don’t forget your swimsuit- and jump on in, the water feels great!

The post Plunge Into the Iciest Event of the Year appeared first on RichmondMom.com.

The holidays are here and Nutzy’s Rotary Funn Run will get your entire family in the spirit!  The 4^th annual Nutzy’s Rotary Funn Run, presented by the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, is a 5k race taking place on Saturday, December 5^th, benefitting local childrens’ charities: UMFS, the Children’s Museum of Richmond Book Bank, and the Flying Squirrels Charities.

You can run, walk, or even bring your little one along in a stroller for this 5k trek from the Diamond and through Ginter Park!  You will take off from the Diamond at 8:30am and return to Nutzy’s pad to relax and refuel at the Finish Line Party.  Make sure you come in costume and register for the costume contest.  There will be awesome prizes awarded to those Funn Runners with themost holiday spirit!

Those participants sporting the most festive costumes will win these prizes:

Funn Family – VIP Richmond Flying Squirrels game experience for 4

Funn Couple – Dinner for 2 at Amour Wine Bistro

Funn Girlfriends – Tupperware gift pack, compliments of Christy Gauvin

Funn Buds – Univ. of Richmond vs. LaSalle basketball tix for 4 & park pass

Funn Little Girl – CmoR Family Four Pack and Santa Land Fast Pass

Funn Little Boy – 4 tickets to Richmond Flying Squirrels game

Best Nutzy Costume – Richmond Flying Squirrels prize pack

Best Company Costume – TJ’s lunch at The Jefferson Hotel

Most Company Spirit – Hardywood Park Private Tour & Tasting for15

Packet pick-up will take place on Friday, December 4^th at Nutzy’s Winter Funn Fest, to be held at the Diamond.  Sponsored by James River Heating and Air, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, and SCOR, the packet pick-up party offers holiday funn for the entire family.  Come out to the Diamond to pick up your race bib (or register!) and enjoy games, crafts, cookie decorating, food and beer, and live music.  The kids can even meet Nutzy Santa!  Bring a toy to donate for Toys for Tots and receive a discount in the team merchandise store.

To register for the funn, visit www.NutzyRotaryFunnRun.com

The post Help a Great Cause and Get Your Funn On! appeared first on RichmondMom.com.

The holidays are here and Nutzy’s Rotary Funn Run will get your entire family in the spirit! The 4th annual Nutzy’s Rotary Funn Run, presented by the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, is a 5k race taking place on Saturday, December 5th, benefitting local childrens’ charities: UMFS, the Children’s Museum of Richmond Book Bank, and the Flying Squirrels Charities.

You can run, walk, or even bring your little one along in a stroller for this 5k trek from the Diamond and through Ginter Park! You will take off from the Diamond at 8:30am and return to Nutzy’s pad to relax and refuel at the Finish Line Party. Make sure you come in costume and register for the costume contest. There will be awesome prizes awarded to those Funn Runners with the most holiday spirit!

Those participants sporting the most festive costumes will win these prizes:

Funn Family – VIP Richmond Flying Squirrels game experience for 4

Funn Couple – Dinner for 2 at Amour Wine Bistro

Funn Girlfriends – Tupperware gift pack, compliments of Christy Gauvin

Funn Buds – Univ. of Richmond vs. LaSalle basketball tix for 4 & park pass

Funn Little Girl – CmoR Family Four Pack and Santa Land Fast Pass

Funn Little Boy – 4 tickets to Richmond Flying Squirrels game

Best Nutzy Costume – Richmond Flying Squirrels prize pack

Best Company Costume – TJ’s lunch at The Jefferson Hotel

Most Company Spirit – Hardywood Park Private Tour & Tasting for 15

Packet pick-up will take place on Friday, December 4th at Nutzy’s Winter Funn Fest, to be held at the Diamond. Sponsored by James River Heating and Air, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, and SCOR, the packet pick-up party offers holiday funn for the entire family. Come out to the Diamond to pick up your race bib (or register!) and enjoy games, crafts, cookie decorating, food and beer, and live music. The kids can even meet Nutzy Santa! Bring a toy to donate for Toys for Tots and receive a discount in the team merchandise store.

To register for the funn, visit www.NutzyRotaryFunnRun.com

The post Nutzy’s Rotary Funn Run appeared first on RichmondMom.com.

Local preschoolers at The Goddard School across 8 locations in Richmond, Virginia created amazing works art, in the name of charity!  The children, who range from six weeks to six years old, created pottery, paintings, Thanksgiving centerpieces and drawings.  The masterpieces were auctioned off at their Fall Festivals last week.  The final count is in, and drumroll please…the children’s art raised $7,515 for CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation.  CJ’s is a local Ashland, VA based nonprofit which provides assistance to families with children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses through financial aid, meals, emergency bill pay assistance and more.

Because The Goddard School is an organization about and for children, CJ’s struck a chord with Goddard and its families.  CJ’s support of families with children who are dealing with severe health issues and rare illnesses fills a gap in the existing support system and was the perfect charity partner choice for the art auction.  Through this initiative, the children learn importance of charity, cooperation, imagination, art and creativity.

The post Richmond Preschoolers Host Art Auction To Benefit Severely Ill Children & Families appeared first on RichmondMom.com.

Many local moms will spend the upcoming Holiday at the hospital caring for their babies in the NICU or on the antepartum floors of maternity wards trying to delay their babies’ premature births.

This can be a very stressful and isolating time. Whether their stays span weeks or months, the days are long and RVA Parents of Preemies wants to let these mamas know that they are not alone in their journey!

YOU CAN HELP!

Please consider making a donation to spread cheer and show your support for our local Richmond NICU mamas this Holiday Season.

100% of proceeds will be used to assemble Self-Care Gift Bags for moms in the NICU, NICU Gift Baskets, and Hobby Carts for the Antepartum Units at local hospitals. 

Self-care Gift Bags for moms in the NICU: Chapstick, lotion, Medela wipes, bottle of water, gum/mints, healthful single-use food items, $5 gift certificate to Starbucks/Subway, and similar items.

Gift Baskets for NICU moms and nurses: These baskets will remain in the NICU and include items like: a hand print kit, lactation cookies, and phone/laptop chargers.

Hobby Carts for Moms in the Antepartum Unit: filled with activities that can be enjoyed while sitting or lying down; new or used books and audiobooks, DVDs, magazines, activity or work puzzles, art supplies.

How to Donate!

Donate Monetary Gifts Online anytime: www.RVAPOP.org

Donate Goods in Person November 17 through December 18th: Donation Centers are located at Franklin Goose  and Hip to Be Round in Carytown.

Questions? Email: rvapreemie@gmail.com

Last year, thanks to YOUR generous community donations, RVA Parents of Preemies provided comfort items and support to families at the NICUs at St. Mary’s Hospital, Henrico Doctor’s Hospital (Forest Campus), and VCU Medical Center, as well as the Antepartum Unit at Henrico Doctor’s Hospital.

This Holiday season we are teaming up with our local RVA community (that’s YOU!) and the BB&T’s Lighthouse Project to expand our giving to reach all Level III NICUs and Antepartum Units in the Greater Richmond Region.

RVA Parents of Preemies is a Richmond-based support group that provides community, advice, support, and friendship to local parents and family members of infants born prematurely. 

Learn more about RVA Parents of Preemies at their website.

The post The Annual RVA Parents of Preemies Holiday NICU Drive Makes a Difference for Local Moms appeared first on RichmondMom.com.

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” – Mother Teresa

Seventeen years ago, The World Kindness Movement started World Kindness Day with the sole purpose of creating a kinder world.  Today, Richmondmom stands together with over 25 nations to recognize this special day.

One individual who has embodied this spirit is Mother Teresa.  Her kindness and compassion have made everlasting marks on many communities throughout the world.  Her relentless commitment to serving the poorest of the poor is an inspiration for us to treat our neighbors with kindness.  I recently had the opportunity to view a film about Mother Teresa called “The Letters” (in theaters December 4th, 2015).  This film strikes a balance between her choice to be kind and the high cost of that choice.  Choosing kindness isn’t always easy, not even for Mother Teresa.

Sometimes kindness is a simple smile or a polite gesture.  At other times it’s more difficult to choose kindness.  For example, being kind to a distracted driver during rush hour or giving an upset friend your undivided attention when you have a million things to do is not easy.  Some acts of kindness demand big sacrifices.  Regardless of what it requires of you, kindness is always a choice.

For most of us, choosing kindness isn’t going to look like it did for Mother Teresa.  Like she said, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”  That was her charge to the rest of us: to choose kindness in our day to day lives.  For me, the difference between showing kindness or letting a fleeting emotion dictate an unflattering word or action comes down to a choice.

World Kindness Day only comes once a year, but kindness should be on our calendars year round.

The post Kindness is a Choice appeared first on RichmondMom.com.

Be a Noble Kid is hosting a free community event which combines holiday shopping and service!

At the family event, kids can create care packages for patients at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, send thank you cards to troops, make animal toys for furry friends at the Richmond SPCA and more. Hot chocolate, apple cider, and some light snacks will also be available.

The kids won’t be the only one doing good deeds, parents who do a little holiday shopping will be helping too! A portion of the sales at the shopping event will benefit Be A Noble Kid.  Kids will even be able to shop for their parents, siblings and friends at the special Noble Kids holiday shop.

Learn more and share the event with your friends on Facebook.

Find out more about Be A Noble Kid here.

Be A Noble Kid
Sunday, November 15, 2015
2-5pm
The Frontier Project
(3005 W Marshall St.)

from 2-5.

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