photo credit: John Perivolaris

Michele Jones, co-owner of Pasture Restaurant in Richmond and Charlottesville, knows a thing or two about moving households. Michele moved frequently as a child, and at one point had a fear of growing up in the foster care system. Michele found solace in her suitcase, and always kept it packed with her most treasured belongings.

Years later as an adult, when Michele learned that some children in foster care were toting their most prized possessions in trash bags, Michele felt empowered to change that. She felt strongly that children in foster care deserved more and that they should be able to carry their personal effects from home to home with dignity. And carrying their stuff in trash bags is, well, anything but dignified. Michele also wonders how her own self-concept would have been different as a child, if she had used a trash bag to carry her things instead of a suitcase.

Michele shares that she does not have any children of her own, but she feels like children in foster care are everyone’s children and she is compelled to help them. Michele founded Case for Hope, which works with the community and partners to provide children in the Richmond City foster system with their very own suitcase.

Together with her business partners of Pasture restaurant, Jason Alley and W. Reilly Marchant, Michele united the Richmond restaurant community to come together and donate luggage for the children of Richmond City foster care – and the suitcases arrived by the carload. Members of the Richmond foodie community from Kitchen Thyme, Toast, Strangeways Brewing, Estilo and Dash restaurants all worked together to make it happen. She says, “People have been so nice and so excited about this. It has exceeded what I thought I would be able to accomplish in 6 months. This has really shown me the best in people and how people can really get excited about contributing in this way.”

A few weeks ago, Michele was surprised to receive a phone call from ABC news. A few days later, Case for Hope was featured on ABC News with Dianne Sawyer for their America Strong feature. As you can imagine, Michele has been very busy since the show aired, with luggage coming in from all over the country. Michele says, “My goal is to accomplish as much as one person can do, with the help of lots of other people. It’s about working together as a community.”

Michele’s initial goal was to provide the 288 children in Richmond City foster care with suitcases. After only 6 months, she has exceeded that goal. “New kids are constantly coming into the system, so please keep the cases coming”, says Michele. Recently, she also began collecting backpacks, small tote bags and new or like-new coats as well.

And with the national coverage, people throughout the country want to know – how can they develop a program like this in their own community? Michele’s renewed goal is to have suitcase drives around the Virginia to help children in many of Virginia’s cities and counties. Michele has collaborated with Faces of Virginia Families to cast the net for getting suitcases in the hands of more children in foster care a little wider. She is also forging other community partnerships to provide guidance on towns building their own program, using Michele as a resource for how to get started. Michele explains, “Everybody loves to help, but people don’t know where to begin. When people see an example like this, then people say, `Wow I could do something like this, too.’ I will be a cheerleader for them.”

Michele, we think you already are a cheerleader.

Want to help?

• Please consider dropping off a new or like-new suitcase at Pasture restaurant
• Please consider donating a suitcase on the “Case for Hope” webpage through Amazon
• Please consider dropping off a new or like-new coat at Pasture restaurant, now through October 31.
• Be on the lookout for upcoming suitcase drives for Case for Hope from the restaurant community – Richmondmom will keep you posted!

 

Take 3:28 of your day and watch this video:

About Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond
The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that strives to improve the quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome and their families by providing access to current and accurate information on Down syndrome and by fostering programs that focus on education, community services, public awareness, medical issues, research, advocacy, legal issues and parenting.

UPDATE: Receive 20% off your full price purchase at Hip to be Round when you bring 2 or more items for the donation box  November 7 – 10, 2013!!

Have an extra pack of size 2 diapers and baby needs a size 3? Or did you get a bulk pack of baby food only to find out that Jr. hates peas?   Donate them to the Richmond Doulas food drive!

Now through November 15th, the Richmond Doulas are facilitating a food drive focusing on expectant mothers and babies at Hip to be Round.

Bring in baby cereal, baby food, formula, diapers, jar baby food, nursing supplies, snacks for babies in addition to the usual food bank donations (such as pastas, canned food and other non-perishables) to the drop box at the front of the Hip to be Round store.

Raid the pantry for those non-perishables you’re just not going to use, or have your toddler pick out a special treat for a toddler in need on your next trip to the grocery store.
This is an easy way to help families in need in Virginia!

All donations will go to Feed More.

Richmond Doulas Food Drive

Now through November 15, 2013
At Hip to be Round: 3124 W. Cary Street
Richmond, Va 23221
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-6
Sunday & Monday 12-5

Richmond resident and mom, Nicole Harwood, recently opened her heart and home to Kiana, of Staten Island, through The Fresh Air Fund’s Volunteer Host Family Program. Thanks to dedicated volunteer host families in the Richmond area, like Nicole, 15 NYC children enjoyed a summer outside of the city and all that Richmond has to offer. They hope to recruit more dedicated host families for next summer – and remind Richmond residents about simple summertime joys of The Fresh Air Fund.

“She had such a positive presence in our home,” remarked Nicole Harwood, of Richmond, VA, when discussing her experience hosting a Fresh Air Fund child this summer. For ten days in July, Nicole and her daughter, Chandler (5), welcomed Kiana (6) into their home. “We told her that she’s part of the family now. Kiana and my daughter were instant friends.”

The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income neighborhoods since 1877. Each summer, over 4,000 inner-city children visit suburban, rural, and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada through The Fresh Air Fund’s Volunteer Host Family Program. 

Kiana’s visit to Virginia was laden with learning experiences and outdoor fun. “The girls went to a camp program during the day,” Nicole says. “They played outside all day, and Kiana learned how to swim.” Leaving the chaotic concrete jungle of New York City behind, Kiana was able to appreciate the serenity and wildlife of the country. “I took the girls to the Richmond Metro Zoo,” Nicole recalls. “My daughter is used to seeing nature, but Kiana was mesmerized by it.”

Regardless of the day’s agenda, Kiana was always content. “Kiana was enjoying every bit of it,” Nicole says. “She really fit in everywhere she went. She did the talent show at camp, and she loved running through the water sprinklers at Stony Point Fashion Park.” One moment during Kiana’s stay was particularly memorable for Nicole. “Kiana and Chandler were dancing and playing music in the living room. Kiana approached me and asked, ‘am I dreaming’? I said ‘No, why?’ She replied ‘Because I’m having so much fun.’ Before I even realized it, tears were rolling down my eyes.”

While each day during Kiana’s stay was jam-packed with exhilarating activities, plenty of excitement was still provided at night. “We went to a jazz concert at the Wilton House Museum,” remarks Nicole. “The girls would play with Barbies and play dress up in the evenings. They would sleep together and giggle all night.”

After such an amazing ten days, both parties were emotional during their farewells. “We were all crying when she had to leave,” says Nicole. “I had no idea how much she would impact our lives.” Nicole and Chandler called Kiana the day after she returned home. “It was just nice to hear her voice again. We can’t wait to welcome her back next summer.”

Everyone is a winner!

Richmondmom.com was so proud to be part of the most recent nTelosCaresRVA non-profit giveaway! The Children’s Heart Foundation (CHF), Safe Harbor, and Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) were the three charities included in our contest this time.

Lisa Ann Setchel from TACA was so excited!

We are happy to announce that our voters chose TACA as their number one choice to receive the largest financial donation! Congratulations to Lisa Ann Setchel and everyone else who works so hard for this non-profit. They received a check for $1,500 from nTelos at the Willow Lawn location on May 9, 2013 during the presentation ceremony. Lisa Ann was momentarily speechless (which doesn’t happen often!) and so appreciative of the donation.

Safe Harbor

But nTelos didn’t stop there.

They also awarded $500 checks each to CHF and Safe Harbor – a nice surprise for these two local non-profits as well.

Richmondmom.com is committed to donating to local community non-profit organizations, and finding ways to help them increase the donations they receive through various channels. nTelos Wireless has been a tremendous supporter of non-profits throughout Virginia, and we are fortunate that they have chosen to work with Richmondmom.com on this important initiative.

We don’t know what they have up their sleeves next, but we know that nTelos Wireless ROCKS and they’ll certainly be back so stay tuned!

How cute are the CHF recipients?

Congratulations once again to TACA – and to CHF and Safe Harbor. They are all winners.

And a special thanks to nTelos Wireless for making it all happen!

Thank you nTelos

Jack & Abby 5k Race for the NICU

Saturday, June 22, 2013
Picnic Area at Lake Innsbrook
4222 Cox Rd. Glen Allen, VA

7-8:00 am          Registration and Packet Pick up
8:10 am              Butterfly Release
8:15 am              1/2 Mile Kids Fun Run
8:30 am              5K Run, Walk or Stroller Race
9-10:30 am        Awards, moon bounce, snow cones, Bonnie the Bunny, games and more!

EARLY PACKET PICK UP AND LATE REGISTRATION ON FRIDAY EVENING:

Friday, June 21, 2013 – 4:00-7:00PM
Courtyard Richmond Northwest
3950 Westerre Pkwy
Richmond, VA 23233

Event Details

Bring the entire family out to support families with babies in the Bon Secours’ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) by participating in a 5K Run/Walk/Stroller and 1/2 Mile Kids Fun Run.

Jack and Abby Smith would have celebrated their 4th birthdays this June. Please help us celebrate in their honor and help other babies who are in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit fighting for their lives.

New This Year!

• Great Prizes for top 2 fundraisers (one each)
  • iPad Mini
  • One-Night Stay, Brunch and valet parking at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, VA
• Special Incentive for anyone who may just want to raise a little money!
  • For every $50 raised on your personalized fundraising page (email easy link to friends and family), you get 1 raffle ticket entered for a chance to win a $200 Amazon Gift Card. The more you raise, the more chances you get!
  • If everyone raises just $50, total funds raised could allow a family to stay at a hotel close to their sick baby for weeks, or provide a safe place for a baby to sleep when they go home.

Registration

• 5K Run/Walk/Strollers: $30 online through June 20th at noon (credit card); $35 onsite or evening before at Courtyard Marriott (cash, check or credit card)
• Kids* 1/2 Mile:  $15 online through June 20th at noon (credit card); $20 onsite or evening before at Courtyard Marriott (cash, check or credit card) *3-12 years old

NO REFUNDS

The race will take place rain or shine!

REGISTER HERE

Sponsorships:

NEW: $100 Friend Sponsorship  includes two free 5K registrations (kids race is NOT eligible) AND name listed on event banner! You can do this in the regular online race registration sign up area.*Must sign up by June 14th to be guaranteed to be on the banner.

If you or someone you know may be interested in sponsoring our race, please visit: SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. Available sponsorships range from $100-$2500.

To view our current sponsors: CLICK HERE.

Fundraising:

We are asking everyone to create a fundraising page and consider raising at least $50. If you want to raise more, even better! Special prizes for top children (ages 3-12) fundraisers!

• $50 can pay for one month of a breast pump rental for a NICU mom
• $75 can pay for a pack n play for a baby to sleep safely when they go home
• $100 can pay for one night in a hotel for parents who live far away

Great prizes and incentives! CLICK HERE to read more and to learn how to quickly set up your page.

T-Shirts:

Race T-shirts will be guaranteed to the first 200 registrants; one T-shirt comes with each registration. If your child is riding in the stroller, you do not need to pay for him/her to participate. If you want to get an additional toddler t-shirt, they are available for purchase in advance (and onsite based on availability) for $10.00. You will be offered the opportunity during your online registration to purchase toddler shirts.

Butterflies

We added the live butterfly release 2 years ago as way to honor babies who have spent time in a NICU. These butterflies represent any baby who is currently in a NICU, has graduated from a NICU or for those who did not make it home.

We will have a banner onsite at the race for you to write the name(s) of the baby on the banner. We will release the butterflies at the start line at 8:10am just before the kids race begins. Please be sure to get there in plenty of time so you do not miss this moment.

Butterflies are available to purchase online at the end of your race registration process or onsite at the race for $5 each.

If you cannot make the race but would like to purchase a butterfly(ies) to be released in honor or memory of a baby, please CLICK HERE. If you would like us to include these names on the banner, please email them to info@jackandabby.org by June 21st at 4:00pm.

Awards

Awards will be given to the top three male, female and stroller participants. Medals will be given to those who participates in the fun run.

Okay – sure – it’s a raffle ticket for $25. But if you are the lucky winner, you get the diamond earrings for the cost of your ticket. Now that ROCKS!

Purchase your raffle ticket online at this link or at Adolf Jewelers. Tickets are on sale on the website until 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 9 and can be purchased in the store up until the live drawing on May 10.

Click here to purchase tickets!

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There is no question that Jamia is our Richmondmom.com April Rock Star!

Read her story below:

Jamia is an upbeat and outgoing woman who credits MS for teaching her to slow down and take each day as it comes.

Jamia’s MS symptoms started in August 2004, when she experienced temporary numbness in her foot. Attributing it to stress, it went away and she didn’t think much of it until early January 2005 when she noticed her foot was numb while walking in the grocery store. Later that month, over the weekend, Jamia’s right side of her body went completely numb. Feeling flu-like and having trouble walking, she attributed it to stress and stayed home from work for a few days, returning that Thursday.
Unable to wear her much-loved high-heels due to her symptoms, she became alarmed when she fell over in her office. The next day she went to see a doctor who referred her to a neurologist. He performed an MRI and a spinal tap and diagnosed her with relapsing-remitting MS. It took awhile for the diagnosis to sink in, and she revealed it only to close family members at first.

It wasn’t until 2008, after recruiting friends and family to participate in an MS Walk, that she disclosed her diagnosis to a wider group of her friends. She started Avonex in March of 2005 and she would take it on Fridays as she experienced extreme fatigue and flu-like symptoms that prevented her from working. Tired of the side effects, she switched to Rebif in 2007. The side effects were less intense, but she was bruising from the injections and decided to ask her neurologist about Gilenya in March 2011.

Prior to taking Gilenya, Jamia was experiencing one relapse every other year. Her symptoms were extreme fatigue, numbness from the core down, and burning in her legs. In addition, during an MS relapse in 2007, she experienced optic neuritis in her right eye. Her relapses would last 2-6 weeks and were typically treated with steroids. Jamia started taking her new medication in March 2011 and loves that she can take a pill and no longer has to administer shots.

She has learned the signs of an impending relapse – fatigue and craving sleep – and knows to slow down and rest. In November 2011,she experienced a relapse that included fatigue and core numbness from the waist down. Her relapse lasted one week after taking Prednisone at the outset of symptoms.

Since being diagnosed with MS, Jamia has learned to take each day as it comes and to enjoy the moment. A self-described, “type A” person, Jamia once feared her MS would get in the way of the life she envisioned for herself. She’s thankful, and proud, that she graduated with her MHA, works full time, got married and started her family.

Jamia wants to share her story with others so they can see the rich, full life that is still possible, even with MS. She is an example of a person who is determined, strong-willed, and excited about life. Even in the midst of her challenges with MS, she is an inspiration to women everywhere.

We think Jamia rocks! She will receive a free massage thanks to our incredible sponsor – Massage Envy.

More About Jamia

Jamia Thomas Crockett is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a masters degree in Hospital Administration from VCU.  While making her mark professionally in the health care industry and planning for a new life with soon to be husband, Jamia was given her diagnosis with relapsing Multiple Sclerosis in January 2005.

While exploring the impact of MS to her previously “normal” life, Jamia has re-mastered her life as a wife, mother of 2 busy little boys, and professional trail blazer.  Something she didn’t speak about and rarely acknowledged, Jamia’s outlook on life with MS changed in 2008 when she participated in her first MS walk with the support and encouragement of her family and friends.  There, she was amazed to find many people just like her, living courageously and with purpose.

Jamia’s ultimate strength and calling was realized in 2012 as she embarked on a new path as a  national speaker and advocate for MS.  Sharing her challenges and triumphs with others afflicted, their support systems, and anyone caring to know more about life with MS has brought higher purpose, healing, and a new life.

Massage Envy is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com

Time: 6:30-9:00 pm

Location: The Wine Loft in Short Pump

Who: Anyone Who Wants to Have Fun & help a great cause!

Thanks to Downtownshortpump.com’s team for partnering with us each month for these fun events.

RSVP & Share on Facebook here!

Invite all of your friends and share this on social media! And if that’s not enough reason to come, then check these additional great reasons to join us:

• –The Wine Loft Richmond is the shizzle. It’s a cozy atmosphere that allows for networking so bring a friend. Or come alone, we’ll introduce you around.
• –There will be complimentary delicious appetizers provided with discounted wines.
• –We give stuff away. That’s right. . .for every entry fee of $10 we give you a raffle ticket; additional tickets may be purchased for $1 (so bring lots of dollars!).  We give away photography gift certificates, Richmond Rocks books,  and generally cool prizes you will surely put to use.
• –All funds raised will benefit the non-profit. Contact us if you want to mail a donation.
• –As much as $1,000 is raised each month in just a couple hours at each event at the Wine Loft.
• –Over the last three years, we’ve raised thousands of dollars for great Richmond non-profits just by having fun.

For businesses owners who would like to donate a raffle prize, we appreciate you! Please contact us: kate@richmondmom.com.

These events may also be sponsored by businesses owners, like the Gundlach sisters, who have a huge charitable heart!

Now, you can get in the spirit this holiday season at the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis^®. Be one of the hundreds of runners and walkers who hit Richmond’s pavements and pathways this winter to fight arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability.

Jingle Bell Run/Walk^® is a fun and festive way to kick off your holidays by helping others. Make it fun for the entire family – including the family dog.

• Wear a holiday themed costume.
• Put on a festive holiday hat with bells.
• Tie jingle bells to your shoelaces.
• Run or walk a 5 kilometer route with your team members and celebrate the season by giving.

Awards Ceremony, Costume Contest, Dogs Welcome!

2012 Richmond Jingle Bell Run/Walk®
Saturday, December 1, 2012

Pre-registration 7 am- Run Begins at 9 am

Stony Point Fashion Park
9200 Stony Point Parkway
Richmond, VA 23235