Small people can do big things.  At the Goddard School kids are learning you are never too young to feel good about helping others.

From December 5^th until the 12^th, kids at The Goddard Schools  in Richmond are crafting for CJ! The tiny preschoolers are doing everything from decorating ornaments for auction, having a bake sale and hosting a spaghetti dinner to raise money. All proceeds from this week will benefit CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation for deserving local families.

 “All of our children got into the holiday spirit making ornaments for a great cause!”

Ms. Mary, Kindergarten teacher from The Goddard School located in Ashland, VA:

CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation provides assistance to families with children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses through financial aid, meals, emergency bill pay assistance and more.

The 9 participating Goddard Schools are in the following cities: Ashland, Chester, Chesterfield, Glen Allen, Midlothian, Henrico, Mechanicsville.

To find out more about The Goddard School and locations, visit their website.

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.

Source: http://safeharborshelter.com/

Thanks again Richmond – for supporting Safe Harbor through the annual cocktail party. What an awesome response!

Safe Harbor’s Annual Cocktail Party raised over $15,000 to support the agency’s work assisting those surviving sexual and domestic violence and promoting healthy relationships and healthy sexuality. Over 100 guests attended the event Friday, November 8, 2013 at Deep Run Recreation Center.

The event featured holiday-themed trees and wreaths available for purchase through silent auction as well as many other silent and live auction items. Live auction items included a trip to Italy, a Vermont vacation, an Outer Banks trip, and tickets to a VIP evening at The Richmond Forum program featuring former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Richmondmom.com is always in support of resources and outreach like Safe Harbor and we want to thank everyone who supported this annual event. Safe Harbor has been a haven for countless numbers of women in the Richmond area and we applaud their incredible work!

For more information about the event, click here.

Many of us have dreamed of becoming parents, but for the 11% of women and 7.2% of men (according to the CDC) who struggle with infertility, the road to parenthood isn’t all that easy.  In addition to taking an emotional toll, the cost of fertility treatments can be staggering.

The Race to Parenthood is a brand new, local organization that aims to help real couples in Richmond offset the financial cost of their path to parenthood while raising awareness about infertility in a fun 5k race.

The concept is simple: when you register for the 5k race (date to be announced in the coming weeks but is currently set for spring 2014) your money goes directly to a Featured Couple of your choice to help them offset the cost of their path to parenthood.

Those interested in becoming a Featured Couple, can apply by November 20, 2013 and can be pursuing IVF, IUI, adoption or surrogacy.  Currently, there are 6 local couples or teams who are currently seeking parenthood. You can read all about them and their infertility stories on the Race to Parenthood website.

Keep up to date with The Race to Parenthood, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Click here to learn more about infertility

Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Glen Allen is packing shoeboxes with small gifts that will be sent to children in need worldwide with Operation Christmas Child. This ministry reaches children who might otherwise not receive gifts.

National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child is November 18-25, and MVBC invites the Metro Richmond community to participate. You simply fill a shoebox with small gifts and help bring love and joy to a child. Boxes must be delivered by November 25, 2013, so getting an early start on shopping is important.

Members of the church will deliver the boxes to the warehouse in Charlotte, NC, for distribution.

Click here for more details from FaithinRichmond.com.

Have you considered supporting the St. Jude Give Thanks.Walk right here in Richmond on November 23^rd?

They make it easy to help – and registration is free!

Then fundraise!

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a place close to my heart. I have had the opportunity to visit St. Jude in Memphis, Tennessee in 2001, and again last year, both times to complete the St. Jude Half-Marathon. What I lacked in speed, (I walked it, after all), I made up for in enthusiasm.

So you know where your miles, dollars and words of encouragement are going, here is a glimpse of my amazing experience in Memphis last year to think about as you contemplate making a difference for children…

It was hopeful, humbling, inspirational and empowering.  Although you might expect that the finish of 13.1 miles was the highlight, it wasn’t.  At the starting line, there was all the typical excitement at a race, but the magic occurred around the 3-mile mark, as we wound our way through the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital campus.  The street was lined with children, parents, caregivers, volunteers, siblings, grandparents and aunts and uncles – all who had familiar ties with patients from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Patients waved pom poms, and held signs that WE were their heroes, thanking US.  People were high fiving me and some actually stopped me and graciously shook my hand tightly with both of their hands, with tears in their eyes saying, “Thank you for helping to save my daughter” or “thank you for helping my grandson”.  It was humbling and empowering all at the same time.  And it fortified me to race on.  I thought of those families and all of my sponsors at some point during the race.

The day before the race, I toured St. Jude Children’s Hospital.  They have made great strides over the years since my last visit 10 years ago, both in architectural change and in terms of cancer research.   And all of that research is passed on around the country to local hospitals, so that children in Richmond can receive a protocol developed at St. Jude, right here in RVA.  Some children who are at St. Jude receive services at the hospital for up to 3 years.  Everything is very child centered, and family centered.  Children are transported in wagons instead of wheelchairs.  Children’s art is woven throughout the hospital.  The cafeteria at first glance looks like most hospital cafeterias – except that families receive meal tickets so they are not burdened with the cost of food and can focus on recovery.  Danny Thomas, the founder had a clear vision that the hospital be family focused, and to that end, doctors, nurses, other staff, patients and families all “break bread together” in the same cafeteria. What a fantastic example of support, that goes far beyond the clinical aspects of support.

Thank you for considering helping this important organization.  So how can you help a child today?  Please consider registering, forming a team, and fundraise!  It’s all very easy:

1.       Register for free at http://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/Walk/Walk?pg=entry&fr_id=8249

2.       Register as a Team Captain and get your friends, family, and coworkers involved by registering them on your team.

3.       Fundraise! There are prizes for every incentive level you hit, and all of the proceeds directly benefit the kids at St. Jude.

Ashland MOPS and MOMS Next is combining a Christmas tradition with a wonderful cause.

When you purchase discounted tickets to the Concert Ballet of Virginia’s The Nutcracker $2 of your purchase will got to Ashland MOPS and MOMS Next’s fundraiser to provide support for Hanover Safe Place, provide scholarships, and more.
According to the MOPS & MOMS Next Facebook page, “MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) and MOMSnext (mothers of school aged children) groups believe that better moms really do make a better world! It is a safe, loving environment where moms have the opportunity to make new friends, share experiences and laugh”

Performances of The Nutcracker run from December 7th – December 22nd at various locations.
Please note times and locations when purchasing tickets.

Links

MOPS and MOMS Next
Concert Ballet of Virginia
Hanover Safe Place
Tickets

Young 14-yr-old Brandon (Brad) Farbstein has a rare skeletal condition that has resulted in ongoing orthopedic issues and surgeries. To overcome his mobility challenges, he dreams about one day owning a custom Segway. To help make this a reality, he and his mom Sylvia, are working together to raise funds to purchase the Segway. They are selling RVA magnets which will go toward the purchase of  a custom segway for Brad.

If you would like to purchase a magnet for just $7, or can make a $5 donation for Brad’s Segway, click here and order via his Facebook page.

This story was first reported on FaithinRichmond.com. We were more than happy to share this story to help Brad own his Segway to give him something to look forward to as he faces his physical challenges.

Click here to learn more and follow Brad’s journey.

Safe Harbor received a $22,300 grant from The UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of UPS. The grant will be used towards the upgrade of technology and equipment along with the costs associated with recruiting, training, supervising and celebrating Safe Harbor volunteers.

Jodi Ottaviano of Safe Harbor Shelter and Kate Hall, founder and previous owner of Richmondmom.com

Safe Harbor’s volunteer program significantly supplements the work of the agency’s twelve paid staff. It would be impossible to provide all essential services, 365 days a year, without a cadre of highly trained volunteers.

• The agency typically has 100 active volunteers deployed across ten volunteer teams.
• They work beside our staff providing direct services to survivors and educating the community about the issues of sexual and domestic violence.
• This grant supports this important program and its immeasurable impact on our community.

“UPS’ corporate values of diversity, community safety, and volunteerism align perfectly with the focus of Safe Harbor’s volunteer program. We are honored to work together with UPS to build a program that meets the needs of survivors of violence and tells the story of the UPS Foundation’s commitment to delivering sustainable solutions to the communities where UPS employees live and work,” stated Safe Harbor Executive Director Kathleen Demro.

Established in 1951 and based in Atlanta, Ga., The UPS Foundation identifies specific areas where its backing clearly impacts social issues. In support of this strategic approach, The UPS Foundation has identified the following focus areas of giving: nonprofit effectiveness, encouraging diversity, community safety and environmental sustainability.

In 2011, The UPS Foundation distributed more than $45.3 million worldwide in grants that benefit organizations or programs such as Safe Harbor and provide support building stronger communities.

“The UPS Foundation is honored to support Safe Harbor’s efforts to empower survivors of sexual and domestic violence to transform their lives, and promote healthy relationships for all,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of The UPS Foundation. “Our goal is to fund powerful programs that make a lasting difference to the global community.”

About Safe Harbor

Safe Harbor empowers survivors of sexual and domestic violence to transform their lives, and promotes healthy relationships for all. The agency was born through the efforts of a St. Mary’s Hospital emergency room nurse who was devastated by the number of domestic abuse victims she treated. As a result, Safe Harbor opened in April 2000. It has grown from an emergency shelter to offering additional critical supportive services including a 24-hour confidential helpline (804-287-7877), community counseling programs for adults and children, community support groups in English and Spanish, court advocacy, hospital accompaniment and community education and outreach services.  For more information, please visit www.safeharborshelter.com or www.facebook.com/SafeHarborRVA.

More than 3,000 children have been identified as homeless in Richmond, VA.

Some are sleeping in cars, on the streets  – and the more fortunate spend a night in shelters or in rundown motels. Most don’t know if they’ll have a place to sleep each night.

HomeAgain is working to make a difference in the lives of these children and families.

HomeAgain’s mission is to assist homeless families and individuals in metro Richmond by providing emergency and transitional shelter as well as programs designed to build skills leading to increased sufficiency and to identify resources needed to obtain and maintain permanent housing.

HomeAgain does incredible work with limited resources in Richmond, serving the homeless, including the veteran’s shelter and shelter for women and children.  As the colder weather approaches and families prepare for holidays, HomeAgain is searching for people to “adopt” their men, women and children for the holidays. They can provide their Christmas wish lists so that others can help them provide things the families need and even a little something special for the kids during the holiday season.

If you or someone you know if able and willing to help, HomeAgain needs you. Please spread the word.

Visit the website  to learn more and contact them to get involved in making a positive difference in the lives of children and families who are left out in the cold this holiday season.

If you have any questions about  items they need or would like to organize an item drive in your community, please contact them at (804) 358-7747, ext. 109 or junderwood@homeagainrichmond.org.

Some needed items include:

Standard size (new) Pillows – TWIN bed sheets, TWIN blankets – POWDERED Laundry Soap -DAWN Dish Detergent – WINDEX Glass Cleaner – Paper Towels –  Toilet Paper 

Powdered Cleansers (Comet, Ajax, etc.) – Brooms/Dust Pans/Sponge Mops (with extra mop heads) – Lysol Disinfectant Spray 

Liquid Bleach – one gallon bottles