I found this site the other day, and couldn't think of a better cause to donate to. Ok. Ok. There are about a million charities I would love to donate to. I am fairly critical of donating money, as I worked with non profit for a while, and have seen first hand how many charities take as overhead, that never get to the intended audience.
If you are a Chicagoan like me, and love your local cops, take a look at this site.
http://www.getbehindthevest.org/
This site helps raise money to offset and replace the bulletproof vests that CPD wear each day. Do you know that a good vest costs around $1000?
Just another incredible site, and cause that can help your city.
Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts
Monday, March 23, 2015
Monday, October 14, 2013
I Heart Weekends in Jax!!
So I finally had a 4 day weekend. Yup. After I worked over 12 hours for 4 days this past week, and was exhausted by the time Thursday evening came around. I think I even forgot to eat dinner. Yep.
Friday I ran some errands on base, went to get my car maintained, and met a friend for lunch. We actually hit up the Olive Garden. I haven't been there in forever. Salad and healthy (under 500 cal) pasta (Ravioli de Portabello). Yum! I hung out most of the night Friday. Just cleaned the house, and hung out with my puppy.
Saturday was a big day. I went to Jaxtoberfest with friends during the day. I got a mean sunburn. They had great bands, good beer, and good food. I wasn't really in the mood to drink all day, and the sun was a blazing, so we went home early.
Sunday I god locked out of my apt building. Long story:( Kind of put a hamper on some plans, but I did end up going to a fundraiser with friends! All proceeds went to a local dog rescue!
Monday I hosted brunch at my place. I love hosting brunch, and having company. It is a good excuse to clean;) I also shopped for an upcoming trip, and grabbed some amazing sushi at Bento. Oh my, it was amazing.
Friday I ran some errands on base, went to get my car maintained, and met a friend for lunch. We actually hit up the Olive Garden. I haven't been there in forever. Salad and healthy (under 500 cal) pasta (Ravioli de Portabello). Yum! I hung out most of the night Friday. Just cleaned the house, and hung out with my puppy.
Saturday was a big day. I went to Jaxtoberfest with friends during the day. I got a mean sunburn. They had great bands, good beer, and good food. I wasn't really in the mood to drink all day, and the sun was a blazing, so we went home early.
Sunday I god locked out of my apt building. Long story:( Kind of put a hamper on some plans, but I did end up going to a fundraiser with friends! All proceeds went to a local dog rescue!
Monday I hosted brunch at my place. I love hosting brunch, and having company. It is a good excuse to clean;) I also shopped for an upcoming trip, and grabbed some amazing sushi at Bento. Oh my, it was amazing.
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| Life-size beer pong. Yup, they thought of everything. |
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| I keep forgetting that yes, It is still hot in Florida, and ouccchhh. Sunburn hurts! |
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| Holy moly. Mac and Chees bites. Made with orzo. Amazing. |
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| Me n my ladies. So much fun with these gals! |
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| Col's first taste of Jager. She was pretty excited! |
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| Sushi. And my foot. But really great sushi. |
Friday, December 23, 2011
Inspiration for the Week..
I heard this story a few years ago, when a small town in Illinois reached out for a toddler with cancer. The people in town did some amazing things, to give this little boy a Christmas. They decorated their houses, in the fall, to ensure that Dax, who enjoyed those lights so much, could enjoy it. Dax Locke passed away a few days after Christmas in 2009. His parents are huge advocates for St. Judes hospital, and are currently raising money to run the hospital for one day. It costs millions of dollars to keep that hospital running, and they do amazing work for little kids!
You can get to the webpage here, which also has previews for the movie made in Dax's memory.
Here is the link to his momma's caringbridge site for him. Julie still updates it on her family, and more fundraising for St. Judes.
This is one Christmas story I will never forget. If you missed the movie on GMC, the DVD will be out next year. I don't have cable, or a tv right now, so I am looking forward to seeing it.
I sometimes get down at this time of the year, because of many reasons..reading a story like this makes me realize I need to appreciate what I have, love who I have in my life, and continue to love and remember those I have lost.
You can get to the webpage here, which also has previews for the movie made in Dax's memory.
Here is the link to his momma's caringbridge site for him. Julie still updates it on her family, and more fundraising for St. Judes.
This is one Christmas story I will never forget. If you missed the movie on GMC, the DVD will be out next year. I don't have cable, or a tv right now, so I am looking forward to seeing it.
I sometimes get down at this time of the year, because of many reasons..reading a story like this makes me realize I need to appreciate what I have, love who I have in my life, and continue to love and remember those I have lost.
Monday, June 27, 2011
The Weekend in Review..
To sum up this past weekend:
- Chicken Hut. Got to eat. Yum.
- New Wardrobe @ the Gap Can't say no to new clothes. Especially when they are 40+% off.
- Sleep, lots of sleep. Work was crazy this past week. Vacation is on the horizon. Literally.
- Chicago Cares project, cooked breakfast for Seniors. Had an 80 y/o man flirt with me. Had to shut him down. Nicely, of course:)
- Trader Joes needed some yuppie snacks and wine. Can always use more wine. Oh, and flowers.
- Sushi, Wine, and Drinks
- Laundry. My apt was a
hotmess. - Organizing. Been keeping an updated binder for all my magazine articles. Everything from reviews of products, to recipes, to work out routines.
- Dog walking. Spending quality time with my girl.
- Pride. Had a few drinks @ Bridgets, and enjoyed the revelry.
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| My $4 Trader Joes Investment. I make fantastic arrangements! |
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| My girl. Gotta love that face. |
Friday, March 18, 2011
Japan
I have been travelling for the Navy for over a week, and just got back to Chicago.
I turned on the TV last Friday, and saw what happened in Japan, and was glued to the TV. I went to the Navy Memorial in DC to conduct a retirement ceremony for a friend.
I saw how bad it "really"was when the Admiral who conducted the ceremony was "asked nicely" afterwards to go back to work. He had a lot of work to do.
What a lot of people do not know, is that the United States Navy is the President's choice of first responders to any and every nation wide and world wide disaster. There are so many ships, and so many of my friends that live in Japan and are working to help those affected by the earthquake and the tsunami.
Some things that people do not know: the current radiation levels are the same as one would get from normal use of a microwave. That low. How do I know this? My friends that work in Japan are nuclear scientists in the Navy. Also, the building codes in Japan are incredibly strict. I encountered 3 earthquakes my first day visiting Japan 2 years ago, and it did zero damage. I felt them all, they were 5.0-5.5 on the scale. Thus, all my friends that live just south of Tokyo in either Yokohama or Yokosuka have only encountered rolling blackouts. None of their homes were damaged.
It was scary for them, but they have been using facebook to communicate with all of us, to let us know how things "really are" over there.
I learned while doing humanitarian missions in 2005 and 2006 (JTF Katrina and JTF Lebanon), that the media will sell whatever sensational story they can. I met those news anchors, who I will keep nameless on here. I ate lunch across from them, escorted them around, etc. Then I saw them say a totally different thing on TV. Yeah, they just lost a ton of street cred from me. So read up on what the Navy is doing on facebook, www.navytimes.com, or http://www.navy.mil/. These are sources that are legit, because Navy leaders want us and our families to be safe,and know what is going on.
Praying for my friends, shipmates, and everyone over in Japan.
I turned on the TV last Friday, and saw what happened in Japan, and was glued to the TV. I went to the Navy Memorial in DC to conduct a retirement ceremony for a friend.
I saw how bad it "really"was when the Admiral who conducted the ceremony was "asked nicely" afterwards to go back to work. He had a lot of work to do.
What a lot of people do not know, is that the United States Navy is the President's choice of first responders to any and every nation wide and world wide disaster. There are so many ships, and so many of my friends that live in Japan and are working to help those affected by the earthquake and the tsunami.
Some things that people do not know: the current radiation levels are the same as one would get from normal use of a microwave. That low. How do I know this? My friends that work in Japan are nuclear scientists in the Navy. Also, the building codes in Japan are incredibly strict. I encountered 3 earthquakes my first day visiting Japan 2 years ago, and it did zero damage. I felt them all, they were 5.0-5.5 on the scale. Thus, all my friends that live just south of Tokyo in either Yokohama or Yokosuka have only encountered rolling blackouts. None of their homes were damaged.
It was scary for them, but they have been using facebook to communicate with all of us, to let us know how things "really are" over there.
I learned while doing humanitarian missions in 2005 and 2006 (JTF Katrina and JTF Lebanon), that the media will sell whatever sensational story they can. I met those news anchors, who I will keep nameless on here. I ate lunch across from them, escorted them around, etc. Then I saw them say a totally different thing on TV. Yeah, they just lost a ton of street cred from me. So read up on what the Navy is doing on facebook, www.navytimes.com, or http://www.navy.mil/. These are sources that are legit, because Navy leaders want us and our families to be safe,and know what is going on.
Praying for my friends, shipmates, and everyone over in Japan.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Mardi Gras and Lent
Today is Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Paczki Day, whatever you would like to call it. Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. Bf and I were talking yesterday about what I was going to give up for Lent. Hmm.
It isn't that it is tough to give something up, but I would rather give back. I think it is tougher for me to get out there and give back. I volunteer with a great group, called Chicago Cares. I usually do one service project a month. I think I need to step it up a bit during Lent. Last year, I went to church every Sunday, and one weekday. I don't like talking about going to church or doing volunteer work, because I don't want to sound pious, or like I am bragging. Just a personal thing for me. I feel like going to church more often mellowed me out, and made me less irritable at work. Win win for everyone around me:) I also did that on deployment. If I wasn't on watch, I was in the chapel. Such a great break in a stressful environment. It allows you to reflect, think, and just be. I think a lot of people are surprised I go to church because I am sarcastic, and well...a Sailor. Being in that environment makes me realize I need to be a better person.
Anyone want to volunteer with me?
Thanks to Meghan for inspiring this post:)
It isn't that it is tough to give something up, but I would rather give back. I think it is tougher for me to get out there and give back. I volunteer with a great group, called Chicago Cares. I usually do one service project a month. I think I need to step it up a bit during Lent. Last year, I went to church every Sunday, and one weekday. I don't like talking about going to church or doing volunteer work, because I don't want to sound pious, or like I am bragging. Just a personal thing for me. I feel like going to church more often mellowed me out, and made me less irritable at work. Win win for everyone around me:) I also did that on deployment. If I wasn't on watch, I was in the chapel. Such a great break in a stressful environment. It allows you to reflect, think, and just be. I think a lot of people are surprised I go to church because I am sarcastic, and well...a Sailor. Being in that environment makes me realize I need to be a better person.
Anyone want to volunteer with me?
Thanks to Meghan for inspiring this post:)
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
My dear friend Kim is trying to raise money for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Chicago June 4-5, 2011. She has to raise a lot of money for this cause, and she even made some pretty awesome t-shirts if you donate $30 or more.
Here is the link for her page!
Thanks!!
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| Awesome T-Shirt |
Thanks!!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Chicago Cares
When I first moved back to Chicago in 2008, my friend Kim told me about this great volunteer organization, called Chicago Cares. It is a great organization, and it so flexible! They have a monthly calendar to sign up for various events around Chicago. They have everything from Senior Breakfast Club, Bingo, and Pet Therapy. I have met a few good friends through Chicago Cares..and love the cooking projects. Let me know if you want to join me cooking breakfast for some energetic seniors someday!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Toys for Tots!
The local Marine Corps Reserve Center is in need of toys for the Toys for Tots program.
Read Here to learn more about Toys for Tots!
It is such a good program, helping out the local communities. They accept new, unwrapped toys for newborns to teenagers. I noticed today when I went to their warehouse that they are in need for the following: toys for girls of all ages, and boys 11 and up.
If you know anyone who can't afford toys for their children this holiday season, refer them to http://www.toysfortots.org/. They can request toys for their little ones!
Read Here to learn more about Toys for Tots!
It is such a good program, helping out the local communities. They accept new, unwrapped toys for newborns to teenagers. I noticed today when I went to their warehouse that they are in need for the following: toys for girls of all ages, and boys 11 and up.
If you know anyone who can't afford toys for their children this holiday season, refer them to http://www.toysfortots.org/. They can request toys for their little ones!
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