Make a Difference Monday - We Are the World
I can hardly believe it has been 25 years. I remember this ‘moment’ so well. And now, the love, the giving - beautifully recaptured.
St. Louis Children’s Photo Contest - Lace Images
A few years ago, when I was elbow deep in wedding planning, there was a local photographer who did everything she could to make my experience as seamless as possible. She went out of her way to hold my hand when necessary and also keep me smiling.
Since that first meeting, this photographer, Gina Kelly, has become a friend - she is responsible for dozens of amazing photos of my family, Christmas cards going back years and, of course, she took the picture that was stolen and used in a store window in Prague.
She, along with the amazing Arina of St. Louis Entertains Magazine, is holding a children’s photo contest.
Now, this isn’t your average ’submit-the-picture-you-love-the-most’ contest and hope someone else thinks your child is cute. This contest is FANTASTIC.
Why? Because everyone who enters gets a FREE SESSION with Gina….in the St. Louis area location of your choice. You also will get a FREE 8×10 of the photo Gina takes that is entered in the contest.
Can you stand it?
The contest runs the entire month of March - until the 31st and is open to kids and babies in the St. Louis area- age 12 and under. You will HAVE to call to make an appointment.
The Grand Prize Winner will be featured on the inside front copy of St. Louis Entertains Magazine, Spring / Summer issue, a 16×20 Gallery Wrap Wall portrait and $200 worth of photos from Gina Kelly/ Lace Images
Winners will be posted online at Lace Images.
The Prize Package is worth $2500.
Second, third and 2 honorable mentions will also be given wall portrait awards.
Your session with Gina will last 30-60 minutes - and you have a choice: she can come to you (and bring backgrounds) or you can go to her. She is taking appointments for every day in March except the 6th and 13th (she has weddings scheduled)
Be creative - if your child rides horses, is a ballerina, won’t go anywhere without their favorite teddy bear - that’s how they should be photographed.
The winner will be chosen by a panel of judges (including me) on April 1st.
Good luck! (and call Gina soon!)
Procter & Gamble honors Moms with ‘Thank you Mom’ Campaign & Contest
By now you have likely smiled at the many US Olympic victories, teared up as the athletes embraced their families and possibly shed crocodile tears as you watched dreams fall short (or as you witnessed one of Procter & Gamble’s Olympic commercials). Prepare to feel some more of that magical Olympic emotion as you watch our inaugural BlissTV episode highlighting the P&G Thank you Mom Campaign and Contest. I am proud to be a part of this project - and even more proud of the beautiful women in this video who share their love for the special moms in their lives.
Make a Difference - Procter & Gamble does
I’m sure you have seen the Procter & Gamble ‘Thank you Mom’ commercials during the Olympic Games - they make me cry. Every time. I mean, every. single. time.
I was fortunate enough to spend the past week at the Procter & Gamble Family Home in Vancouver - covering the Olympic Games. By far, one of my biggest takeaways is the success of the Thank you, Mom Campaign - here are some of the highlights.
Thank You Mom Campaign - Procter and Gamble
Are you ready to get all weepy? This campaign is the REASON I am going to be at the Olympics for the rest of this week….
ThankYouMom.com - check it out.
And watch for my updates from Vancouver - starting tomorrow!
Valentine’s Day Hershey’s Chocolate Giveaway
One hundred years ago….one man decided to make a difference.
Milton Hershey was a candy man….but he never forgot where he came from, or just how much he valued what little education he received. It was shorty after 4th grade that he had to leave school in order to help support his family. After tasting failure not once, but twice - Hershey succeeded with the special concoctions we now know as Hershey’s candy.
With success finally realized, he founded the Hershey Industrial School - which was later renamed for its namesake in 1951 - the Milton Hershey School. This school, according to its website, is “the nation’s largest cost-free, private, coeducational home and school for children of families of low-income, limited resources and social need.”
More than 1800 students, from Kindergarten to 12th grade call the Milton Hershey School their educational home. And these students don’t forget the gift they have been given - they are choosing to make a difference in their own communities - a recent poll of alumni indicated that 80% volunteer and collectively, they donate more than $10 million annually to local charities.
Little did you know, that you are helping these students every single time you buy a Hershey’s Chocolate bar. In honor of the 100 year anniversary of the school - you can now note a ‘thank you’ on the back of the traditional Hershey’s bar.
Hershey’s chocolate is a weakness of mine.
I keep the traditional Hershey’s chocolate bars hidden around my home so I always have a little available at a moment’s notice - because sometime…..I just need a little. (Don’t tell my family)
If you would like us to send you a Hershey’s Chocolate bar - enter a comment below - telling us at least ONE thing you have done lately to make a difference for someone else.
How fun to combine a Make a Difference Monday post with a Hershey’s Giveaway!
The giveaway will run until February 28th….Three Winners will be chosen at random.
ExtraordinaryMommy.com is not responsible for prizes that are shipped from outside vendors or sponsors. All entries will be pooled together and one (3) winners will be drawn. The winner will have two calendar days to reply via email. Unclaimed prizes will be placed for availability to newly chosen winners after that time. Giveaway is open to all U.S. residents only, must be at least 18 years old to enter. One entry per person, entries accepted through February 28, 2010 ending at exactly 11:59 CDT. This contest is sponsored by Hershey’s - as they will be providing the chocolate for the giveaways!
Make a Difference Monday
In just a matter of days I will pack up my car and head to Nashville - setting my sights on the Blissdom Conference.
This will be my second year…
Last year I knew no one and was absolutely petrified. And if the Twitter chatter is any indication, there are a lot of people in that exact same frame of mind heading into this year’s conference.
How does this fit in to Make a Difference Monday? Well, there is something you and I can do to make a difference for some of those people, mainly women, brave enough to venture away from their computers and engage face to face.
Start here: Smile. Ohhhhhh….the relief that climbed from my toes when someone smiled at me. That simple gesture says a million things: “nice to see you”, “I like your dress”, “we’re glad you’re here”, “come on over and chat”.
And you know what? All of those things make a difference. Especially when you are new, especially when you don’t know anyone, especially when you are looking for someone to confirm that you made the right decision to come.
This I know for sure - some of those people who first smiled at me are among those I adore today.
(I’m looking at you Rachel, Mishelle, Megan, Alli, Amber, Robin, Jyl, Carissa, Josh and Rebecca, Anissa, Kim
Smile. You have the power to impact an entire event for someone…..and they just might turn out to be your new ’somebody’.
Wouldn’t it be nice if they remembered your ear-to-ear?
What are you doing to Make a Difference this week? Do share. I’m always most inspired when I hear what others are doing for good.
