Read the Great Article by Bill Kirby in the Fayetteville Observer today.
Don't forget to donate to COTA in honor of Evie W. Even $5 will help! www.COTAforEvieW.com
Kirby: Selfless act is the gift of life for a child - fayobserver.com: News Columns
Friday, January 31, 2014
Thursday, January 30, 2014
LETTER: Make it a habit to donate blood | The Sanford Herald
Evie's wonderful family thinks about others during their difficult
trials. Let all of us think of them by donating to COTA in honor of Evie
W at www.COTAforEvieW.com
LETTER: Make it a habit to donate blood | The Sanford Herald
trials. Let all of us think of them by donating to COTA in honor of Evie
W at www.COTAforEvieW.com
LETTER: Make it a habit to donate blood | The Sanford Herald
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
LETTER: Let’s live up to editorial | The Sanford Herald
Here is a great letter to the editor about how to help Evie and children like Evie through organizations like Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA), the Red Cross, and Donate Life America. Enjoy the letter, but even more importantly, do something on the list!
LETTER: Let’s live up to editorial | The Sanford Herald
LETTER: Let’s live up to editorial | The Sanford Herald
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Friday, January 24, 2014
Local Kidney Donor Found for Young Girl - News - The Pilot -- Mobile Edition
Here is another great story about Evie and her donor Jenn.
Local Kidney Donor Found for Young Girl - News - The Pilot -- Mobile Edition
Local Kidney Donor Found for Young Girl - News - The Pilot -- Mobile Edition
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Mid January - Still going strong
My New Year's resolution was all about service. (The bottom of this post has my article about it - be sure to read all the way through.) So, for January, and now what appears to be the next several months, I have become the PR Coordinator for COTA for Evie W. Evie is a 9-year-old child that needs a kidney transplant. I am excited to report that they have found a live donor and the surgery is scheduled for Feb 18! Please pray that Evie and her donor, Jenn, stay healthy and can actually have this surgery on the scheduled date.
As PR Coordinator, I am in charge of getting the word out there concerning Evie and her COTA goals. COTA stands for Children's Organ Transplant Association. Evie's COTA goal is $45,000 to defray the costs of the kidney transplant that are not met by her insurance. So far, COTA for Evie W has raised $15,000!! There are several fund raisers scheduled, and we hope to get COTA for Evie W to the goal. (Donate here: http://www.COTAforEvieW.com)
A few words about COTA.
In other news:
NC is bipolar. 10 days ago, we had single digit weather that broke records. 4 days later, we had 75 degree temperatures and tornado threats. 5 days later, we had snow flurries. The saying in NC is "If you don't like the weather, wait a few days - it will change!"
Rebekah has started her own blog. She is a great writer. Take a look and see what you think: http://mylockedbox.blogspot.com
My 3 college students have started back for the semester. So far, so good!
Katherine is working on two projects for COTA for Evie W. The first is a donation box located at the local theatre during their running of Black Pearl Sings. She is also having a donation drawing. If you donate, your name gets put in a drawing for several prizes donated by local businesses. The more you donate, the more names you get in the drawing. Between the two fundraisers, she hopes to raise $1000. (Donate to COTA for Evie W)
Finally, here is my article for Home and School Mosiacs:
As PR Coordinator, I am in charge of getting the word out there concerning Evie and her COTA goals. COTA stands for Children's Organ Transplant Association. Evie's COTA goal is $45,000 to defray the costs of the kidney transplant that are not met by her insurance. So far, COTA for Evie W has raised $15,000!! There are several fund raisers scheduled, and we hope to get COTA for Evie W to the goal. (Donate here: http://www.COTAforEvieW.com)
A few words about COTA.
- They are a 501c3, meaning that your donations are tax deductible.
- 100% of funds collected in honor of Evie W will be used to help Evie with her costs.
- These funds do not go directly to the family due to IRS rules. Instead, they help with approved costs. This keeps Evie's family from having to pay taxes on money raised to help!
In other news:
NC is bipolar. 10 days ago, we had single digit weather that broke records. 4 days later, we had 75 degree temperatures and tornado threats. 5 days later, we had snow flurries. The saying in NC is "If you don't like the weather, wait a few days - it will change!"
Rebekah has started her own blog. She is a great writer. Take a look and see what you think: http://mylockedbox.blogspot.com
My 3 college students have started back for the semester. So far, so good!
Katherine is working on two projects for COTA for Evie W. The first is a donation box located at the local theatre during their running of Black Pearl Sings. She is also having a donation drawing. If you donate, your name gets put in a drawing for several prizes donated by local businesses. The more you donate, the more names you get in the drawing. Between the two fundraisers, she hopes to raise $1000. (Donate to COTA for Evie W)
Finally, here is my article for Home and School Mosiacs:
Not the Same Old Resolution
It is January of a brand new year and it is time to make a
few resolutions. But, to be perfectly honest, I am tired of weight loss and
exercise goals. I’m tired of stating a spiritual goal that just doesn’t get
accomplished. I’m tired of creating a reading list of books that will never get
red. Don’t get me wrong, these are great goals, but somehow, they have become
rather stale. So, what can I do this year that is new and exciting? What can I
do that will keep me motivated and on track? How can I make my resolution
something that I will achieve rather than just a forgotten goal by
mid-February? I am going to make every month a Christmas month.
When you think about December, you may think Santa and
presents and eggnog. But there is so much more. For me, the biggest part of
December is the giving spirit. The Salvation Army workers ring the bell and
people gladly put in change. Soup kitchens open up for the holidays and people
gladly give their time to serve the homeless and underprivileged. Angel trees,
with wish list presents, pop up at church and people gladly give a gift. Toy
drives. Coat drives. Food drives. And, it seems, that people just do not tire of
giving.
Then comes January through November where a dearth of good
cheer abounds. People seem to close up their purses, along with their hearts,
until the next December rolls around. So, I asked myself, why should I have to
wait until December to feel the warmth and wonderment of giving? And the answer
is that I don’t.
This year, my resolution is to find some way to give each
month. Perhaps I will go to the homeless shelter and serve a meal (http://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org). Maybe I will participate in a local food drive (http://feedingamerica.org/foodbank-results.aspx#)
. Maybe I will help a little girl we know named Evie, a sweet little child that
needs a kidney to live, get more likes on her Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/kidneyforevie).
Maybe I will walk for breast cancer awareness (http://www.the3day.org)
. The possibilities are endless.
The best part about this resolution is that I am excited
because I know I will be able to reach my goal. 2014 will not be a repeat of
2013 with unmet goals and a guilty conscience. Instead, this New Year, I will
make a difference. I challenge you to find a way to make a difference. Find a resolution that rings true to you and
make this New Year one that you will always remember.
Thursday, January 02, 2014
Ringing in 2014
Ah, the feel of a new year. NEW YEAR?? How in the world did it get to be 2014 when I'm still trying to get used to writing 2013? My parents used to tell me that time went by faster when you got older and I have to admit that they were right. (Did you hear that, Mom?)
Let me start by saying that I AM going to make a New Year's resolution this year and it is all about service. I am also going to tell you to read all about it at Home and School Mosaics, where I am now a writer. However, to read this particular article, you will need to sign up for their newsletter that comes out on the 10th of each month. So, head on over and sign up so you can learn more about my resolution. Go ahead and do it now....I'll wait.
While you are at it, why don't you head on over to Evie's page and like it, if you haven't already. http://www.facebook.com/kidneyforevie. And, not to spoil the surprise, Evie has a little something to do with my resolution!
Christmas is so full of traditions, but what about New Year's Eve and Day? Do you have anything you do that is special? For the last 3 years, Keith and I have headed over to a friend's house with several other couples and played games until the ball drops, at which point we drink sparkling grape juice and hug! This year also included a few fireworks!
New Year's Day is all about traditional food. When I was growing up in Ohio, we would always have pork and sour kraut. You had to eat a poor meal in order to be rich the rest of the year. Keith grew up with pork, cooked cabbage, and black eyed peas - for the same reason. This year, we had pork, sour kraut, black eyed peas, sweet potato casserole (recipe to follow) and homemade cranberry sauce (recipe to follow). We also invited the missionaries over to our home - neither of which had ever heard of eating poor on the first day of the year in order to be wealthy the rest of the year!! I was amazed. So, I'm asking: Is this new to you? Drop me a note in the comment section. The food may have been "poor food" but is was definitely good food!
And, as for wealth, I wouldn't mind a little extra cash this year, but I think I'll take my wealth in doses of health, happiness, family, spirituality, and fun, thank you very much.
As my New Year's gift to you, I'm going to share two of my favorite winter recipes. I hope you enjoy.
Sweet Potato Casserole
(Makes enough for 6)
6 medium sweet potatoes
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup mini marshmallows, optional
Microwave sweet potatoes until tender. (Be sure to poke with a fork before microwaving or you'll get an orange explosion!) Let cool.
Preheat oven to 375.
Cut potatoes in half, lengthwise, and scoop out flesh into a large mixing bowl.
Add butter and eggs. Mix thoroughly.
Add milk, sugar, and vanilla. Mix thoroughly.
If desired, add marshmallows.
Pour the sweet potato mixture into an 8x8 casserole dish.
Sprinkle with brown sugar.
Bake at 375 for 20 Minutes.
(To enjoy sweet potatoes all year, microwave and then scoop flesh into a freezer bag.)
Cranberry Sauce
(Be prepared for easy but delicious)
1 bag of cranberries (buy them now and freeze them for up to a year!)
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
Put all the ingredients into a medium saucepan and cook on medium high heat for approximately 15 minutes. Stir occasionally. You will want all the cranberries to have popped open.
Take off burner and allow to cool slightly.
Pour into your serving container.
Chill or eat at room temperature.
Let me start by saying that I AM going to make a New Year's resolution this year and it is all about service. I am also going to tell you to read all about it at Home and School Mosaics, where I am now a writer. However, to read this particular article, you will need to sign up for their newsletter that comes out on the 10th of each month. So, head on over and sign up so you can learn more about my resolution. Go ahead and do it now....I'll wait.
While you are at it, why don't you head on over to Evie's page and like it, if you haven't already. http://www.facebook.com/kidneyforevie. And, not to spoil the surprise, Evie has a little something to do with my resolution!
Christmas is so full of traditions, but what about New Year's Eve and Day? Do you have anything you do that is special? For the last 3 years, Keith and I have headed over to a friend's house with several other couples and played games until the ball drops, at which point we drink sparkling grape juice and hug! This year also included a few fireworks!
New Year's Day is all about traditional food. When I was growing up in Ohio, we would always have pork and sour kraut. You had to eat a poor meal in order to be rich the rest of the year. Keith grew up with pork, cooked cabbage, and black eyed peas - for the same reason. This year, we had pork, sour kraut, black eyed peas, sweet potato casserole (recipe to follow) and homemade cranberry sauce (recipe to follow). We also invited the missionaries over to our home - neither of which had ever heard of eating poor on the first day of the year in order to be wealthy the rest of the year!! I was amazed. So, I'm asking: Is this new to you? Drop me a note in the comment section. The food may have been "poor food" but is was definitely good food!
And, as for wealth, I wouldn't mind a little extra cash this year, but I think I'll take my wealth in doses of health, happiness, family, spirituality, and fun, thank you very much.
As my New Year's gift to you, I'm going to share two of my favorite winter recipes. I hope you enjoy.
Sweet Potato Casserole
(Makes enough for 6)
6 medium sweet potatoes
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup mini marshmallows, optional
Microwave sweet potatoes until tender. (Be sure to poke with a fork before microwaving or you'll get an orange explosion!) Let cool.
Preheat oven to 375.
Cut potatoes in half, lengthwise, and scoop out flesh into a large mixing bowl.
Add butter and eggs. Mix thoroughly.
Add milk, sugar, and vanilla. Mix thoroughly.
If desired, add marshmallows.
Pour the sweet potato mixture into an 8x8 casserole dish.
Sprinkle with brown sugar.
Bake at 375 for 20 Minutes.
(To enjoy sweet potatoes all year, microwave and then scoop flesh into a freezer bag.)
Cranberry Sauce
(Be prepared for easy but delicious)
1 bag of cranberries (buy them now and freeze them for up to a year!)
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
Put all the ingredients into a medium saucepan and cook on medium high heat for approximately 15 minutes. Stir occasionally. You will want all the cranberries to have popped open.
Take off burner and allow to cool slightly.
Pour into your serving container.
Chill or eat at room temperature.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
