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.

1. They are a 501c3, meaning that your donations are tax deductible. 
2. 100% of funds collected in honor of Evie W will be used to help Evie with her costs.
3. 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!

Another way to help is to like Evie's Facebook page. She loves likes and comments - they lift her spirits. Simply go here and like her page: http://www.facebook.com/kidneyforevie.

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.