Dalton and Dawnville, GA, two tight-knit communities, came together and rallied for one of their own, 24 year-old Sgt. Joey Jones who lost his legs this past August from a bomb blast in Afghanistan.
In Dawnville, Treasa West and Ginger Souther got together and with the blessing of event organizers renamed the annual Dawnville Day as "Joey Day." The annual event usually raises money for local athletic teams but the two thought it should focus on Sgt. Jones and his family. "Joey Day" featured horse rides, craft booths, a cake walk, and a dunk tank in hopes of raising enough money to build a handicap-accessible room in the Jones' home and to purchase Joey a specially modified pickup truck he can drive when he finally arrives home from months of multiple surgeries and intense physical therapy.
Just a few miles away, in Dalton, veterans, bikers, friends, and family stood outside near the local V.F.W (Veterans of Foreign Wars) post holding signs and buckets in hopes of receiving donations from passing motorists. Sgt. Jones' friend from childhood, Charles Heard, and Terry Owenby joined forces to organize the event in hopes of delivering the money personally to Joey and his family. Sgt. Jones' injuries hit close to home for Mr. Heard, "That it's somebody you know, it hits home and hurts everybody."
Here's to you residents of Dalton and Dawnville, Ga for rallying together to help a soldier, a friend, a family member, a hero, and a local resident return home with the honor and dignity he deserves-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
What do you think of the residents of Dalton and Dawnville, GA and their efforts to raise money for wounded soldier Sgt. Joey Jones?
Monday, September 27, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
a COOL shopping spree
Back to school can mean different things to different kids, parents, or families. In Portland, OR at the Johnson Creek Boulevard Fred Meyer store it meant the eighth annual "Shop With a Cop" charity event which took place at 7am on Wednesday, August 25 to help worthy but disadvantaged children have a positive start to the school year.
While many children look forward to the start of the school year-wearing new clothes, seeing old friends, and meeting new ones-many can also dread it because they don't have the means for new outfits or the new supplies they need. This event not only helps kids prepare to receive a good education but it helps them to feel as if they "fit in."
Portland Police Bureau Sgt. Larry Graham, who helped start the annual event, expressed that around 50 police officers volunteered for the shopping spree to assist kids in buying clothing and school supplies for the new school year. Sgt. Graham states, "A good thing about this is that this isn't just a giveaway. Being chosen to participate is a reward for each of these students, who have worked in service to their community."
The annual charity event has definitely grown over the past eight years. It started by serving 75 children with $2,000 to serving 150 kids with $30,000 this year. It is fun and a positive experience for not just the kids but the officers involved as well, Portland Police Officer Doris Paisley states, "This is really fun, and more than that, I like the positive interaction we get to have with all these great kids."
Commander Bill Walker reiterates the positive effect the event has, "It gives these kids a positive memory of citizens interacting with police. This event can be a very different environment than which they normally see police officers." It is very gratifying when a student remembers him from an event like this, "that's better than any other accolade that you could get as a police officer."
Here's to you Portland Police Officers for helping these worthy kids enjoy the start of another school year and for helping them realize that working in their community is a cool act-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
"Shop With a Cop" charity events are held in many cities throughout the U.S.-if you would like to donate please contact your local police department, some of these events are held in December also.
What do you think of the "Shop With a Cop" charity event and how it helps children start their school year?
While many children look forward to the start of the school year-wearing new clothes, seeing old friends, and meeting new ones-many can also dread it because they don't have the means for new outfits or the new supplies they need. This event not only helps kids prepare to receive a good education but it helps them to feel as if they "fit in."
Portland Police Bureau Sgt. Larry Graham, who helped start the annual event, expressed that around 50 police officers volunteered for the shopping spree to assist kids in buying clothing and school supplies for the new school year. Sgt. Graham states, "A good thing about this is that this isn't just a giveaway. Being chosen to participate is a reward for each of these students, who have worked in service to their community."
The annual charity event has definitely grown over the past eight years. It started by serving 75 children with $2,000 to serving 150 kids with $30,000 this year. It is fun and a positive experience for not just the kids but the officers involved as well, Portland Police Officer Doris Paisley states, "This is really fun, and more than that, I like the positive interaction we get to have with all these great kids."
Commander Bill Walker reiterates the positive effect the event has, "It gives these kids a positive memory of citizens interacting with police. This event can be a very different environment than which they normally see police officers." It is very gratifying when a student remembers him from an event like this, "that's better than any other accolade that you could get as a police officer."
Here's to you Portland Police Officers for helping these worthy kids enjoy the start of another school year and for helping them realize that working in their community is a cool act-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
"Shop With a Cop" charity events are held in many cities throughout the U.S.-if you would like to donate please contact your local police department, some of these events are held in December also.
What do you think of the "Shop With a Cop" charity event and how it helps children start their school year?
Monday, September 20, 2010
a COOL gnome
At first glance you might want to rub your eyes and refocus, your eyes must be deceiving you, that can't be a life sized gnome that you are seeing on your way to work. At second glance and first thought you might think the grown man dressed as a garden gnome on the street corner is a little out there, if not a lot out there.
The life sized gnome is Robert Schultz, a Southeast Portland resident, who use to work as a construction inspector before being laid off. Robert has not let his current lack of work get him down, in fact his presence once or twice a month on a street corner dressed as a gnome is a testament to using laughter as a healing agent.
Schultz states, "I have a belief that you can have a positive impact on society without spending money or earning money or involving yourself in money."
The most common reaction he gets is people driving back around the block to take another look at him or to point him out to a friend. He expresses that some people come up to talk to him and that they are usually laughing, "I do hold a couple of signs, one says, 'Just Gnome Me,' and the other one says, 'Gnome for Hire.' The idea is to not look downtrodden."
He expresses that he can do jobs for anyone, he can tend a garden, hold a lantern, or just stand still. He did get a job out of it, a man asked him to sit in front of a house he was trying to sell and just wanted it to get noticed. For fifty bucks he stood there for two hours and he is pleased to announce the man was successful in selling the house.
He got the idea for the gnome when his son came down with leukemia and found the atmosphere in the hospital to be very negative. He didn't feel as this was the proper environment for children to heal in. He felt he could make a positive change dressed as a gnome and it grew from there. His wife is supportive of his new found gnomish alter ego except for one aspect, "She says don't wear the hat to bed."
Here's to you Robert Schultz for not getting down about being laid off and for looking to heal others through laughter-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
What do you think of Robert Schultz dressing up like a gnome and standing on street corners in an attempt to make others laugh?
The life sized gnome is Robert Schultz, a Southeast Portland resident, who use to work as a construction inspector before being laid off. Robert has not let his current lack of work get him down, in fact his presence once or twice a month on a street corner dressed as a gnome is a testament to using laughter as a healing agent.
Schultz states, "I have a belief that you can have a positive impact on society without spending money or earning money or involving yourself in money."
The most common reaction he gets is people driving back around the block to take another look at him or to point him out to a friend. He expresses that some people come up to talk to him and that they are usually laughing, "I do hold a couple of signs, one says, 'Just Gnome Me,' and the other one says, 'Gnome for Hire.' The idea is to not look downtrodden."
He expresses that he can do jobs for anyone, he can tend a garden, hold a lantern, or just stand still. He did get a job out of it, a man asked him to sit in front of a house he was trying to sell and just wanted it to get noticed. For fifty bucks he stood there for two hours and he is pleased to announce the man was successful in selling the house.
He got the idea for the gnome when his son came down with leukemia and found the atmosphere in the hospital to be very negative. He didn't feel as this was the proper environment for children to heal in. He felt he could make a positive change dressed as a gnome and it grew from there. His wife is supportive of his new found gnomish alter ego except for one aspect, "She says don't wear the hat to bed."
Here's to you Robert Schultz for not getting down about being laid off and for looking to heal others through laughter-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
What do you think of Robert Schultz dressing up like a gnome and standing on street corners in an attempt to make others laugh?
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
a COOL deli
Ellen Sleevi, owner of Heidi's Brooklyn Deli in Centennial, CO, donated all the money her store made this past September 11th to a scholarship fund in honor of her younger brother, the Christopher Faughnan Scholarship foundation. September 11th is never an easy day for Ellen, she lost her brother who worked as a bond broker on the 103rd floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
Christopher's wife, Cathy, created the scholarship to present money to the Arvada High School senior "who shows the potential to have the most positive impact on the world." Through this foundation his family is able to carry on his legacy which consisted of compassion, positivity, and love.
It took Ellen quite some time to come to terms with Christopher's untimely death but she was amazed by the support and love that poured in from across the country from family and friends, "If I wanted the message of 9-11 to be anything, it would be that love is so much more powerful than hate."
By annually riding in the CU Buffalo Classic bike ride in Christopher's name and working through the scholarship foundation the family continues to live their lives in honor of the 38 year-old father of three, "The scholarship foundation is an extension of him and empowers young people to make a profound impact on society in his name," Ellen states, "he was always trying to make the world a better place and we're trying to fill those gaps."
Here's to you Ellen for inspiring others to do COOL things in your brother's name and sorry for your loss-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
What do you think of the Christopher Faughnan Scholarship Foundation? If you would like to donate please call 303-790-0551.
Christopher's wife, Cathy, created the scholarship to present money to the Arvada High School senior "who shows the potential to have the most positive impact on the world." Through this foundation his family is able to carry on his legacy which consisted of compassion, positivity, and love.
It took Ellen quite some time to come to terms with Christopher's untimely death but she was amazed by the support and love that poured in from across the country from family and friends, "If I wanted the message of 9-11 to be anything, it would be that love is so much more powerful than hate."
By annually riding in the CU Buffalo Classic bike ride in Christopher's name and working through the scholarship foundation the family continues to live their lives in honor of the 38 year-old father of three, "The scholarship foundation is an extension of him and empowers young people to make a profound impact on society in his name," Ellen states, "he was always trying to make the world a better place and we're trying to fill those gaps."
Here's to you Ellen for inspiring others to do COOL things in your brother's name and sorry for your loss-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
What do you think of the Christopher Faughnan Scholarship Foundation? If you would like to donate please call 303-790-0551.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
COOL bags
This September 25th, Best Stuff of Westlake Village, CA, will be holding its fundraiser for the My Stuff Bags Foundation and serving gourmet food and wine to go along with games, a silent auction, and other raffle items including three signed scripts by the guest stars of yet to be aired episodes of "The Simpsons."
The foundation was started back in 1998 to bring attention to the immediate physical and emotional needs of children who experience abuse and neglect and after being rescued are entered into shelters or foster care homes without any personal belongings.
Janeen Holmes, president and CEO of the foundation, explains the unique program, "It provides children with their own individual My Stuff duffel's filled with a variety of new, age- and gender-appropriate childhood essentials such as toys, books, a stuffed animal, toiletries, a blanket and other items to help provide comfort, diversion, and a sense of dignity and self-esteem during a frightening, very difficult time in their young lives."
The foundation has provided these bags to a variety of child and family service agencies free of charge for over ten years to help them maximize the limited resources available to them.
Holmes expresses the most important part of the foundation, "It was created to give these deserving children the realization that people they didn't even know care very deeply about them."
Here's to you My Stuff Bags Foundation for giving these deserving children something to hold to in a very traumatic time-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
If you would like more information or would like to help My Stuff Bags Foundation beat their total of almost $40,000 they raised last year please go to www.mystuffbags.org to make an online donation or call them toll free at 1-866-3MY-STUFF
What do you think of MY STUFF BAGS FOUNDATION?
The foundation was started back in 1998 to bring attention to the immediate physical and emotional needs of children who experience abuse and neglect and after being rescued are entered into shelters or foster care homes without any personal belongings.
Janeen Holmes, president and CEO of the foundation, explains the unique program, "It provides children with their own individual My Stuff duffel's filled with a variety of new, age- and gender-appropriate childhood essentials such as toys, books, a stuffed animal, toiletries, a blanket and other items to help provide comfort, diversion, and a sense of dignity and self-esteem during a frightening, very difficult time in their young lives."
The foundation has provided these bags to a variety of child and family service agencies free of charge for over ten years to help them maximize the limited resources available to them.
Holmes expresses the most important part of the foundation, "It was created to give these deserving children the realization that people they didn't even know care very deeply about them."
Here's to you My Stuff Bags Foundation for giving these deserving children something to hold to in a very traumatic time-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!
If you would like more information or would like to help My Stuff Bags Foundation beat their total of almost $40,000 they raised last year please go to www.mystuffbags.org to make an online donation or call them toll free at 1-866-3MY-STUFF
What do you think of MY STUFF BAGS FOUNDATION?
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