Support Verizon HopeLine This Holiday #VZWSM

click to learn more

This holiday season you can support Verizon’s fight against domestic violence.  Nearly one in four women, one in seven men, and over 3 million children have been affected by domestic violence. Wireless phones and technology can serve as a vital link to emergency or support services in a time of crisis or as a reliable, safe connection to employers, family and friends as survivors rebuild their lives.

Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Wireless Midwest Savvy Moms program and have been provided with a wireless device and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.”

Boys & Girls Clubs and Amway Team Up @BGCA_Clubs

BGCA and Amway have teamed up to help educate Club members about the importance of healthy diets and lifestyles though three different initiatives.

POSITIVE SPROUTS® Sustainability Grants – Amway is providing $30,000 in Sustainability Grants to ten deserving Boys & Girls Clubs who previously received community gardens from Amway. The funds are designed to assist Clubs with the maintenance of their garden as well as improve nutrition for Club members. For more information on the POSITIVE SPROUTS program, click here: http://www.myclubmylife.com/positivesprouts/Pages/Welcome.aspx

Garden In A Box Kits – Amway is donating 150 Garden In A Box kits to Boys & Girls Clubs who demonstrated an interest and need for establishing a community gardening program at their Club. The kit includes a variety of fruit and vegetable seeds and supplies Clubs need to get started.

POSITIVE SPROUTS® Curriculum – Amway is enabling the delivery of a healthy food curriculum to 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide ensuring that all Clubs have access to educational materials promoting healthy eating habits.

Although our family has not experienced Boys and Girls Clubs first hand I've heard nothing but great things about them.  Based on my friends and family's experiences with BGC I would be thrilled to have my kids be in their programs.  Hearing about initiatives like this makes me even more likely to get them involved in a Club if the opportunity arises.

I love that they are focusing on teaching young people about eating better and living healthier.  Our family has been working hard to do that this year by eating much more fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as adding vitamins to our daily routine.  It just so happens that we get our vitamins from Amway.  I thought that getting the kids to take vitamins each day would be a huge chore but they totally surprised me by loving them.  They are usually the ones to remind ME that they need to take them. 
After years of choosing less healthy habits, it can seem like a huge mountain to climb to fix all our habits, but we're finding that by taking it a step at at time it isn't an impossible task. 
I think teaching kids more about why its important to eat healthy makes a better impact than just telling them what to eat.  I know a lot of kids, some of mine included are NOT fans of veggies, but by teaching them about the  varieties of fruits and vegetables available you're more likely to find something they do enjoy.  And if you can involve them in actually GROWING their own, they might even start asking for them before you know it.

Each step we take in educating our kids about living and eating healthy is a step closer to the life we want for them.  

To learn more about the BGCA and Amway partnership, click here.  

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Amway. I received a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.

WOLF @ Best Buy is Proud to Support Female Entrepreneurs Around the World

For the second year in a row, Best Buy handed out bracelets that were made female entrepreneurs in India. The women artisans who made the bracelets received training and supportive services from a social enterprise in India to help them become successful entrepreneurs, and they worked with the Grameen Foundation to purchase them at a fair price. WOLF @ Best Buy is proud to support microfinance organizations that are helping women lift their families out of poverty to a new life. I got a beautiful bracelet which I will wear proudly to remind me how lucky I am to have the opportunities I do to provide for my children as a single mom.

In addition to giving away bracelets at BlogHer, Best Buy is proud to donate $10,000 to the Grameen Foundation as they continue their important work of "Empowering People. Changing Lives. Innovating for the World's Poor." For more information, visit www.grameenfoundation.org

Dreyer's / Edy's Slow Churned Light Ice Cream supports Operation Smile

Why not take a minute today to beat the summer heat and cool off with some delicious ice cream? Now imagine if that ice cream was better for you, too! Dreyer's / Edy's Slow Churned Light Ice Cream has all the rich and creamy taste of regular ice cream, but half the fat and one-third fewer calories than regular ice cream; making indulging in this warm-weathered treat enjoyable and guilt-free!  Pretty hard to resist, right? Well what if I told you that if you simply take a photo of yourself enjoying your treat and share it on Facebook, you could help a child?

This summer Dreyer's / Edy's Slow Churned Light Ice Cream is giving away 25,000 scoops of ice cream as part of their "A Reason to Smile" campaign to support Operation Smile.  Traveling around the country, they will give consumers a free scoop of Slow Churned and capture the smile on their face when they realize the ice cream they are eating has all the flavor, but half the fat.  For every "ice cream" smile photo captured at an event or uploaded to the Dreyer's / Edy's Facebook page, $5 will be donated to Operation Smile. The goal is to capture more than 25,000 smiles, which will allow Operation Smile to complete more than 500 reconstructive surgeries on children with cleft palates and other facial deformities. 

I had the pleasure of getting to support this fabulous cause while in New York for BlogHer.  Edy's was one of the featured sponsors at Social Luxe where I was able to try not only enjoy my favorite flavor of Edy's Slow Churned Light Ice Cream (mint is my favorite in case you were wanting to send me some).  And they also had a fun photo booth there where we took photos for which $5 will be donated.  I'm not sure there's a bigger win-win around. I mean really, get some delicious ice cream...take a photo of you enjoying...share your tastey pic on the Dreyer's / Edy's Facebook page and $5 is donated to Operation Smile.  Why wouldn't you take advantage of this excuse to eat some ice cream...it's for a good cause!!!!!

Cooling off with some Slow Churned Mint and my friend Paula of FrostedFingers

My reasons to smile:

• spending time with friends
• enjoying Edy's Slow Churned Light Ice Cream
• taking a break from the New York humidity (seriously what is the deal there?)
• supporting Operation Smile

Now it's your turn...visit Dreyer's / Edy's Facebook page to share your photo and get  $5 donated to Operation Smile today!

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Dreyer's / Edy's Slow Churned Light Ice Cream . I received coupons to purchase products to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating

Ford & The Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation Celebrate 'Models of Courage'

We very excited to finally tell you this great news: The Ford Motor Company has chosen the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation (parent foundation to the Army of Women program) to be part of its new Ford Warriors in Pink^® campaign Models of Courage.

Ford joined the fight against breast cancer 18 years ago to raise awareness and funds. It’s new Models of Courage program was established to honor women and men from across the country who are inspirations to everyone involved in the fight against breast cancer.  And this year’s 11 Models of Courage aren’t just role models! As part of the Ford Warriors in Pink program, they are actually modeling the 2012 line of Warriors in Pink apparel and accessories, which includes everything from tank tops and yoga pants to ties, jackets, and sunhats. You can even design your own t-shirt!

We are especially pleased to let you know that 100 percent of the net proceeds of these sales go directly to the fight against breast cancer AND you can select the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation to be the organization you want to support! So start shopping today! And keep shopping throughout the year!

We are also encouraging everyone to go to the Ford Warriors in Pink Facebook page and let Ford know how happy they are that Ford is supporting the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and our mission to go beyond a cure and end this disease!

"IT'S UP TO ME TO BE DRUG FREE" RED RIBBON WEEK 2011

RED RIBBON WEEK 2011'S NEW CONTEST: 

"IT'S UP TO ME TO BE DRUG FREE"

  

 - Students Can Win $1,000 for Their K-12 Schools

and an iPad 2 for themselves -

The 26th annual Red Ribbon Week features a new national contest this year: "It's Up to Me to Be Drug Free." Winners from ten region across the U.S. will receive $1,000 for their K-12 schools and an iPad 2 for themselves, from The National Family Partnership (NFP).  "As schools across America celebrate Red Ribbon Week this year, with this new contest students will take the message home," said Peggy Sapp, NFP's volunteer president and CEO of Informed Families. "By decorating their homes together, families carry the message to their communities."  Recognized as the nation's oldest and largest drug prevention campaign, Red Ribbon Week reaches more than 80 million people nationwide every year from October 23-31.

How the contest works:

Students (K-12) can enter from now through October 31 by decorating their homes together with their parents - mailboxes, front doors or fences. Parents (18 or older) can upload photos to www.redribbon.org/enter or www.facebook.com/RedRibbonWeek. Then friends and family can vote for their entry from November 1-15. The entries in each region with most votes will win.

The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is co-sponsoring this year's national contest. "SAMHSA is honored to have been part of this effort for many years, and we hope together we will continue to help prevent substance abuse within our families, schools and communities," said Frances Harding, SAMHSA's Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention." The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency has also supported the campaign since its very beginnings: "Wear the Red Ribbon to show you care about having a healthy body and a clear mind free of drugs," said Michele M. Leonhart, DEA Administrator.  "Take the pledge, because it's up to you and me to be drug free!"

# # #

About Red Ribbon Week and NFP

Red Ribbon Week is the nation's largest and oldest drug prevention campaign, reaching 80 million people every year from October 23-31. NFP created the national campaign in response to the 1985 death of DEA agent Kiki Camarena, who was abducted and murdered by drug traffickers in Mexico. The NFP was established in 1980, and is a national leader in drug prevention, education and advocacy. Its mission is to lead and support our nation's families and communities in nurturing the full potential of healthy, drug-free youth.  

Guiliana Rancic and Orbit Gum are Busting Breast Cancer Myths #Pinktober

#Pinktober: Keep Track of Your Exams with DaysAgo Pink Giveaway {Breast Cancer Awareness Series}

New Pink DaysAgo Introduced to Promote Breast Cancer Awareness

Pink DaysAgo was inspired by co-inventor Kathleen Whitehurst's eighth anniversary as a breast cancer survivor.

When it comes to breast cancer, early detection is the key to survival. No-one knows that better than Kathleen Whitehurst, co-inventor of the award-winning DaysAgo® Digital Day Counter - and an twelfth-year breast cancer survivor.
Whitehurst's company, double u products inc., is introducing a new pink DaysAgo counter as part of her commitment to helping women of all ages get into the habit of doing regular self breast exams.
"I feel very blessed to be a survivor of breast cancer, the most common cancer in women," said Whitehurst, who underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy to fight her disease. "I want women to remember every month to do their self exams, which are designed to find early tumors. When breast cancer is found early, and confined to the breast, the chances for survival are the greatest."

The award-winning DaysAgo counts days to help families manage and organize anything in their lives that needs tracking. Originally designed by Whitehurst and her business partner, Debbie Stephens Stauffer, to help busy families keep track of food freshness in their refrigerators, the DaysAgo has become a lifestyle product that is used for everyday tasks ranging from taking medications to changing water filters. Details about the DaysAgo can be found on the company's Web site, www.howmanydaysago.com.
Winner of the 2007 Good Housekeeping "Good Buy Award," the DaysAgo affixes to containers, cabinets or mirrors through either a magnet for metal surfaces or a suction for others, and has a digital screen that counts up the days after the touch of a button.
The idea for the pink DaysAgo was conceived by Kathleen's daughter, Jamie Whitehurst, who was inspired by her experience of helping her mom through her illness and walking side-by-side with her in the 3-Day Walk after she recovered.
"When I was diagnosed, my son and daughter were 22 and 20. Jamie was getting ready to graduate from college, and we were also in the middle of planning her wedding," Whitehurst said. "That really kept me going - we managed to have such great laughs together. She made sure that my bald head, and missing eyebrows and lashes didn't stop me from feeling like a million bucks on her wedding day."
Jamie now works with her mom as vice president of double u products.

Enter to win one of TWO 2-packs of Magnetic DaysAgo!!

Giveaway Rules

Required Entry: Just leave a comment sharing whether you want to win this for yourself or for a loved one.

Additional entries: (Extra entries are only valid after completing the required entry. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry)

~Follow me publicly on google friend connect (at bottom of page) - 1 entry

~Subscribe by email (must activate) - 1 entry

~Follow my blog on networked blogs - 1 entry
~'Like' my blog on FaceBook  - 1 entry

~Follow me on twitter - 1 entry (leave username)
~Follow me on StumbleUpon - 2 entries (leave username)

~Tweet the giveaway- may be done once daily, include @lisanoel03 and a link to this post - 1 entry (leave direct url to tweet

~Post my button on your blog (make sure it's my NEW button) - 2 entries

~Blog about the giveaway - 3 entries (leave link and 3 comments)

~Enter any of my other current giveaways (listed at the top of my page) - 1 entry per giveaway

PLEASE NOTE: I will do my best to mediate any problems in delivery of giveaway prizes with the sponsor, and I do my best only to represent companies I trust, however I am not personally responsible for any prizes which are not received for delivery or any other reasons.

**Winner will be added to this post when selected**

Contest ends 10/16/11!

US Residents Only!

Please be sure that I have a way to contact you either with a email available on your blogger account or leave your email in your comment. If I can not contact you via email, or you do not respond with in approx. 48 hours to my email, I have to pick a new winner. And I really hate doing that!

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for hosting this giveaway!

Insure Your Love Picture Mosaic

The Insure Your Love picture mosaic provides life insurance policyholders with the opportunity to proudly display the ones they love and have protected by owning life insurance.

Upload up to 20 photos featuring your loved ones whose financial well-being you've safeguarded with life insurance. Please also add a caption describing who is in the photo and/or why it's meaningful to you. All submissions will be reviewed and added to the mosaic within 2-3 business days, if approved.

For every photo that is added, $1 will be donated to the LIFE Lessons Scholarship Fund, which provides tuition assistance to students who have lost a parent. By being a part of the mosaic, you'll also be helping to send a powerful message to the millions of Americans who don't have life insurance, but need it.

Thankfully when I was still very young my parents bought me a life insurance policy, when my mom handed it over to me when I turned 18 it was approx $15 a month  for I think $25,000 worth of coverage.  Every few years I was given the option to increase my coverage and now pay $43 a month for significantly greater coverage.  There are honestly months when we could use that money for something else but I have committed to not letting this policy lapse as there is no way I could ever get that amount of coverage for that price now.  And after having been involved in the planning of the funerals of two very dear loved ones I know all to well how expensive it can be.  I don't want to leave my loved ones with that worry.  The last thing someone who has experienced a great loss should have to worry about is how they will possibly afford the costs!

If you have a current life insurance policy visit the LIFE Happens Facebook page and add up to 20 photos of your loved ones to the "Insure Your Love" picuter mosaic (mosiac app is linked on the left side of the screen).  Help support the education of those young people who have lost a parent way too soon!

And if you don't have life insurance coverage, now is as good of a time as any to look into it!!

  I uploaded my photos! Will you??

Disclosure: This post is part of a campaign brought to you by MomSelect and the LIFE Foundation.

Read for the Record 2011

On October 6, millions of people across the globe will read the same book, Llama Llama Red Pajama, as part of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record. For the past five years, Jumpstart, a national education organization, has hosted this global event, bringing together celebrities like Bill Cosby, Justin Bieber, Vince Vaughn, Patti LaBelle, Matt Lauer, representatives on Capitol Hill, elected officials, parents, teachers, children and volunteers to help bridge America’s achievement gap. Hundreds of reading events and “pajama parties” will be taking place all across the country, and you and your readers can join in the fun!

This year, they need your help to set a new world record of 2.1 million readers. The simple act of reading with a child on this one day translates into year-long educational support for preschool children from low-income communities, many of whom grow up in homes without a single book.

The reality is that 1 in 3 children in the U.S. begins kindergarten behind, and most will never catch up. In fact, in states like California, for every child who isn't reading on the 4th grade level when tested, budget is planned for a jail cell*. Before they even enter school, children need to be equipped with fundamental literacy skills and taking the time to read with your kids is an easy way to ensure they’re prepared.

By pledging to read at www.readfortherecord.org before September 19, you will be entered to win a $77 gift card to 77Kids by American Eagle.

If you don’t own the book, it is being offered to read FREE online at www.wegivebooks.org.

Give Back with GiveBack Foundation

Times are tight for everyone and this means more people are in need of help with less of us able to contribute to worthy causes as there used to be.  But GiveBack allows you to continue to support the charities you care about without stretching your budget any father.  Simply sign up a Give Back and use the shop at just about any store you can think of online.  You'll earn a percentage of your purchase back to GiveBack to the charity (or charities) of your choice.  

In 2010, Stephen launched the Give Back Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity created to help people give back.
The Give Back Foundation (EIN 26-2449481) was established to allow any person to join GiveBack and set up their personal foundation account. The funds that accumulate in that account are part of the Give Back Foundation. Each member has the ability to direct the funds from their account to any charity in good standing with the United States Internal Revenue Service.
Together, all of the members’ accounts are gathered under one Give Back Foundation account awaiting the direction of each member. The members can give their money away whenever they choose, either as a single donation or as part of a group of people coming together to support a cause. 100% of the money that is directed to a charity is sent to the charity. The Give Back Foundation doesn't charge you or the charity anything for the transaction.
Any money that a member adds directly into their GiveBack account is immediately tax deductible to the full extent allowed. Any additional money that may be added, either by our corporate sponsors or other individuals, is not deductible by the member. At year end the Give Back Foundation will issue every member a consolidated giving statement that may be used as an IRS tax receipt.

From appareal to travel, you can shop online through GiveBack easily.  Use their search bar to find specific products and you can even comparison shop right there in one easy step. 
Then set up the charities you want to GiveBack to.  You can search using a charity name or find local charities by search by city.

I set up my charity to currently support American Cancer Society and Susan G Komen 3 Day.  It was quick and easy. 

Join GiveBack today and start giving back with the purchases you're already making online.

This post brought to you by GiveBack.com.  All opinions expressed are my own honest personal feedback.

Help For Joplin

Recently I started blogging for a local blog, Little Lake County which was created by a blogger who lives just 30 or so minutes from me that I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting in person.  But there is no doubt in  my mind Melissa from PB In My Hair, is an amazing person.  If you've ever read any of the posts at another blog she helped create, Bigger Picture Blogs, you know that she has an amazing heart.  So when fellow Bigger Picture Blogger, Sarah's town of Joplin, MO was struck by a tornado, Melissa jumped into action to see how she could help.  #Help4Joplin was born and sponsors were contacted and over $1000 worth of auction items have been donated for a fundraiser.  If you have not seen the pictures or heard the stories coming from Joplin, please check out Sarah's latest update here.

The Help For Joplin Auction will take place Wed., May 25 through Fri., May 27 on the Bigger Picture Blogs page.  Here are a few of the generous companies that are supportin Help For Joplin.

Busy Body Books
Card Direct
DaySpring/InCourage

Discovery Channel
Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes

Jamie Shaw

Samster Mommy


Stoneyfield Organics
Tammy Lee Bradley of Bliss and Folly

Twitter Hashtag: #Help4Joplin

Also, if you are local, one of the boys in my kids Cub Scout pack, has family in Joplin and was moved to help.  He (with help from his family) has secured a semitruck to pack with donations for Joplin. This is what they have heard is needed: toothbrushes, toothpaste, deod, shampoo, soap, diapers, formula, bottled water, detergents, all basics, gloves, Non-perishable foods towels, shoes/socks, generators, tents, etc.  If you are local and wish to donate items please let me know and I will be sure to forward additional details as they become available!

World Water Day 3/22/11

1. 1/3 of all drinking wells built in the last 20 years are broken.
2. Over 4,000 children die every day from lack of clean drinking water.
3. The well mechanics business in North India trains and equips men and women to repair their region’s water wells.
4. If we raise $10,000, we will help mechanics fix hundreds of wells for years to come, turning water back on for 300 people each month.

Secret Millionaire premieres March 6 on ABC at 8/7c

Secret Millionaire, an new show from ABC, where some of America's wealthiest people for one week leave behind their lavish lifestyles, sprawling mansions and luxury jets, conceal their true identities, and go to live and volunteer in some of the most impoverished and dangerous communities in America. They are required to survive on welfare wages where they discover the unsung heroes of America - deserving individuals who continually sacrifice everything to help those in need - and ultimately they give away a portion of their wealth to help these incredible organizations, ministries, and volunteers.

The first episode actually features millionaire Dani Johnson, a woman who was living off welfare and became a millionaire. In her episode she travels to one of the poorest communities in America where she connects with a three non-profits, and gives them all financial gifts because of the incredible work they are doing, including to Helen and Ellen, 82 yr old twins who run the Love Kitchen in one of the poorest areas of America (they were featured on Oprah Thursday. Read a great article about Oprah's surprise for Dani and the ladies from Love Kitchen.  Or watch this video to fall in love with the ladies of Love Kitchen and be inspired to do something to help people in your own community.

Then set your DVR's to auto tune  for this Sunday on ABC to watch Secret Millionaire.  I was able get a sneak peak of the premiere and I highly recommend checking it out.  Secret Millioniare is part Undercover Boss and part Extrem Makeover Home Edition but hugely more moving.  I would suggest having your tissues close at hand when you watch this premiere episode.  And I dare you to watch this episode and not feel compelled to get off you duff and start making a difference in your own community.  These are the stories of REAL people making a REAL difference.  They are people who struggle to be able to do what they're doing.  Things aren't always easy but because they see the need, they can't give up.


What local cause is close to your heart?  What might you step out to do to make a difference in your community?  You don't have to be a Secret Millionaire to make a difference.

Help Conquer Kids' Cancer with Spar Energy Chicago

Help Conquer Kids' Cancer by "Liking" Spark Energy Chicago on Facebook and Following on Twitter

 

Spark Energy Chicago to Raise Some Green for St. Baldrick's!  It's time to raise some "GREEN" for St. Baldrick's!  For every "Like" Spark Energy Chicago gets on Facebook and "Follow" on Twitter now through March, the company will donate $1 to The St. Baldrick's Foundation – to conquer kids' cancer.

•  www.Facebook.com/SparkEnergyChicago

•  www.Twitter.com/SparkEnergyChi

Make the Switch to Spark Energy and an Additional $25 Goes to St. Baldrick's

Want to raise more money for St. Baldrick's while saving 16% on your monthly electric bill?  Make the switch to Spark Energy (www.sparkenergy.com) and enter the code BALDRICKS and we will donate an additional $25.  Spread the word!

•  It’s simple to make the switch – just five quick steps!

•  Spark Energy will take care of the rest

•  www.SparkEnergy.com