Service for Teeny Tears - 11/22/2014

I cannot imagine being pregnant and the excitement of bringing new life into the world only to have a child born stillborn.  My heart breaks for anyone who has had to go through such suffering.  

I was connected to Mandi Ray through my mom. Mandi shared her personal experience with the stillborn birth of her son with a group of incredible youth who are compassionate and wanted to participate in meaningful service.  Mandi obtained the requirements from Teeny Tears and these incredible youth purchased and prepared fabric before tracing, cutting out and sewing these tiny diapers for the benefit of families who have suffered the loss of a stillborn child.

 

Two diapers are made for each family - one to be placed on the stillborn child and the other to go home with the family as a remembrance of the child.

 

From Teeny Tears' website:

"Approximately 26,000 children are stillborn in the United States every year, about 1 in 160 births. A significant number of these angels are preemie or micropreemie infants.  Many of these angels are far too small for even the very smallest commercial diapers.
Teeny Tears is a service organization that provides tiny flannel diapers at no charge to hospitals and bereavement support organizations for families that have suffered the loss of a preemie or micropreemie child through stillbirth or NICU loss."

I was honored to be invited and included in this service event in helping these youth make  flannel diapers to provide love and support for the families suffering such difficult loss.

Thank you to these incredible young ladies for their service and for Mandi Ray opening up her heart and sharing her experience to enable the youth to truly make a difference in the lives of others!

Miss International 2014 Pageant Day Four July 29th

The events of the day started bright and early at 7:45 A.M.! I was in the third group, as my contestant number is at the end, and we began the rotations with a service activity in the Omni Hotel. We made no sew blankets for Worshan Children's Hospital, which was so fun since I have had so many opportunities to make these in the past.  I felt like a pro! 

Members of the Florida American Heart Association Chapter spoke to us about a boy who is receiving a new heart in surgery tomorrow. He had a very touching video about how he would never be able to play sports, go to college, or grow old. Best wishes and prayers for him as he undergoes surgery tomorrow- hopefully he will get the chance to live his life. 

Our second rotation was to Pete's Candy Shop, which is the cutest Candy Shop I have ever been in! They have an artist who changes out the decorations seasonally, and they are all handmade and so creative!! The candy is also so amazing and I loved the chance to make my own lollipop- though it did not turn out as perfect or pretty as I wanted! 

Our third rotation was a walking tour of Jacksonville. We went into a building that was the tallest building in Jacksonville in the early 1900s. There are secret tunnels underneath it that lead to a giant bank vault!! This was so cool to see as some of the safety deposit boxes are still unopened- and the public at the time had no idea of the existence of the tunnels! Such a fun piece of history! 

We traveled to the Jacksonville visitors center, where we learned the Jacksonville is the largest city by land area in the continental U.S., and used to be used by 26 movie producing companies as it has all types of scenery! So glad the pageant is held in such a beautiful city! 

My group traveled to the newest tall building, which provided an outlook over the whole city, and then to the Wells Fargo building. Such a fun walking tour!

Following the rotations, we met back with all the teens and the misses and went to the Jacksonville Jaguars Stadium where we asked questions to the team manager and got to see the pools, cabanas, weight room, and go on the field!! I love sports- playing and watching- so really appreciated this cool opportunity to go behind the scenes of an NFL team!

The group picture was taken, and we were treated to a delicious dinner accompanied by an amazing speaker- Eddie- who talked about 4 girls: Cinderella, Snow White, Little Mermaid, and Esther. He shared that we are not all here to win- but we are here for a reason and we have a destiny. This powerful talk was an awesome way to end such a great fourth day here in Jacksonville, Florida! 

Thank you Cami from One Stop Dress Shop for the gorgeous dress!!

Visit with Students going to India with YMAD - July 13, 2014

I had a wonderful opportunity to meet with several youth earlier this evening who are embarking on a life-changing experience.  They will be going on a trip to India this year with Youth Making a Difference (YMAD).

Their enthusiasm for their upcoming service opportunity is contagious! They know that they will be improving the lives and opportunities of the people they will meet in India.  They will also find - as does anyone who serves - that they leave India as changed individuals.  They will return to their homes after their trip with a deep love for the people they have served.  They will have gained appreciation for all the many luxuries and benefits of living in the United States and all the opportunities that they have in their lives.  They will also, most likely, return from their trip committed to providing service to others throughout their lives. 

I have found when I serve others - while those I serve benefit - I also benefit.  I then want to serve more!  That is truly the foundation of my platform of promoting youth service - instilling in youth the motivation and desire to provide volunteer service for the rest of their lives!

I really like the organization Youth Making a Difference.  In the past, for YMAD, I have been involved in making education kits for the YMAD groups to take, use and leave in India.  I have also been involved in putting together safe birthing kits to be taken with YMAD trips.  YMAD does a great job bringing resources and training to India.  I love traveling internationally and love providing service while doing so  - the perfect combination that YMAD offers.

Youth going on a YMAD trip also really prepare for the trip through leadership trainings.  Youth - if you are looking for a way to make a difference - check out YMAD!

For those youth (and adults) who cannot go on a YMAD trip - you can still help make a difference internationally!  YMAD needs help with creating and donating hygiene kits, education kits, skill kits, new born kits, safe delivery kits and lots of supplies.  Check out the projects that can be done at home on YMAD's website:  http://www.ymad.org/volunteer/projects-from-home/

Thank you, to Gretta Millett and Allison Ford for inviting me to talk to your outstanding YMAD group!  And good luck to the YMAD group on your upcoming service trip!  

Way to use your handz for good internationally!

July 4, 2014 - Independence Day - Operation Gratitude

I love America!  For the past four Independence Day celebrations, I have been traveling internationally.  I love venturing abroad and the many cultures and people I have met while overseas.  I also, however, love America! I am grateful to live in a country where I have so many opportunities and freedoms.

I cannot be grateful for this nation without acknowledging those who sacrifice their families and their lives to help keep those freedoms.  Thank you to the service men and women who have given so much the past and who are presently serving our great Nation.  I am so grateful for their commitment and dedication in our behalf.

Thank you to Sandy City for including me in their annual kids craft fair! I loved talking to the children about using their handz for good! Thank you to all the great kids and adults who stopped by today and colored pictures and wrote letters of appreciation to the military.  All the letters written will be sent this week to Operation Gratitude to be included in packages for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.

If you missed out on the opportunity to stop by - you can still write a letter and/or send a care package on your own.  Here's the flyer with the contact information:

God Bless the USA!