Bucket List, Month Two: Help Lily

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Erika

Remember my 33rd birthday bucket list? Particularly the $9 on the 9th of each month? Well, month two found me late — again — so I gave $10.

I donated to support an online family I “know” in Colorado, through her indiegogo campaign Help Lily.

Lily is a six-year-old girl who contracted RSV virus, a respiratory infection, as a baby. While ill, Lily had seizures and went without oxygen for a long period of time. This caused brain damage, vision and hearing loss, gi issues and also very fragile bones. Here is her Facebook page, Help Lily Mathis.

Her bones are an urgent concern — getting Lily from her special wheelchair into the car has caused several breaks, even when her caretakers are gentle. So Lily’s parents are trying to raise funds to buy a wheelchair van.

I really love reading Lily’s mom’s posts on Facebook; she seems pretty amazing. One of Kathryn’s other children — there are five kids in the family — has some special needs, and they also deal with food intolerances. And a toddler. Meanwhile, Kathryn is an incredible advocate for her children and she never complains. I’m sure she’s not Supermom, but she seems to take things in stride in a way I really admire.

I donated $10 to Help Lily — and you can too!

Next weekend I also plan to return to volunteer with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. In April and May I was recovering from my rear-end surgery — although I did participate in Stamp Out Hunger! — and in June we were in Florida during one of the kids’ days. But now things are settling down, and as long as I’m not scheduled to work during volunteer hours, I’ll be there.

20120718-074548.jpgAt the Food Bank a few months ago.

Filed under: Daily Life, Food Bank | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Update on My 33rd Birthday List

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Erika

I have crossed two things off my bucket list for my 33rd birthday: Zumba and donating $10. I gave an extra dollar because I was a day or two late.

Zumba was interesting. I know I’m uncoordinated but I didn’t realize the extent of my lack-of-coordination til I was in the class –

Wait, did I mention I joined a gym? No my blog has not been hacked. My Chemical Romance’s insurance has a deal with gyms where you can get a membership for cheap. So I joined.

Anyway, I am uncoordinated. The minute I started to follow along, it was time for a new move. Dammit. Six years ago, between The Informant and My Masterpiece, I was a gym rat, but this was before Zumba. I loved step, spin and cardio kickboxing. Now I cannot imagine my but is healed enough for spin (or ever will be) but I’ve attended step and yoga. Kickboxing is too much torture.

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I’d rather be doing this.

The step class was like going back in time: I always loved step, and especially one particular instructor, Bridgett. She still teaches, so if you’re ever in Yuma, Arizona, and looking for a step class, go to the Valley of the Sun YMCA on 4th Ave.

This class was okay. The instructor was kind of shrill and I felt like she called the steps late, but I’m sure I’ll get used to her. I plan to go back.

I donated $10 to Child’s Play, on recommendation of My Chemical Romance. It’s well-known in the Gamers’ community as a charity that donates video consoles and games to hospitals and pediatric centers.

Child’s Play works in two ways. With the help of hospital staff, we set up gift wish lists full of video games, toys, books, and other fun stuff for kids. By clicking on a hospital location on our map, you can view that hospital’s wish list and send a gift.

Child’s Play also receives cash donations throughout the year. With those cash donations, we purchase new consoles, peripherals, games, and more for hospitals and therapy facilities. These donations allow for children to enjoy age-appropriate entertainment, interact with their peers, friends, and family, and can provide vital distraction from an otherwise generally unpleasant experience.

Child’s Play Charity is a nonprofit and keeps their administrative costs under 6%. They also appeal to lazy donaters:

What’s the easiest/fastest way to donate?

Text “GAMERS” to 50555 to donate $5 directly to Child’s Play! Charges will appear on your bill, or be deducted from your prepaid balance.

I’m planning to choose a new charity each month.

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Filed under: Daily Life, family | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Erika

Remember when I first moved here, and I wrote about my mailman, Chuck, who did NOT like it when my address was written incorrectly on letters? (Don’t remember that? Okay I just looked back and apparently I never posted about it. Here’s the story: my neighborhood postman is named Chuck, and when I first moved here, Jugs wrote me letters with the wrong house number — off by one digit. After hand-delivering my letters for a week, Chuck left me a VERY detailed note, which included the phrase PLEASE USE THE RIGHT ADDRESS! in shouty capitals — and he even double-underlined it.) Anyway, he’s still a bit of a wild card, and often my People Magazine arrives late, but regardless — the National Association of Letter Carriers is sponsoring a “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive!

(Credit: Flickr/vastateparkstaff)

This is the 20th annual national “Stamp Out Hunger” — the largest one-day food drive in the nation! Last year, over 70 million pounds of food were donated across the United States.

It’s easy to participate! Simply place your non-perishable food items by your mailbox on Saturday, May 12th or deliver them to your local post office.

(Credit: Flickr/Pocius)

You can take part in this food drive from anywhere in the nation. If you live here in Wake County, the Food Bank of Central an Eastern North Carolina has volunteer opportunities at various post offices. You will receive a “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive tshirt, and snacks will be provided. Children are welcome, as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

For more information about the 2012 “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive, visit the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina’s information page. And remember, place your non-perishable food items by your mailbox on May 12.

Credit: Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina

Together with mail carriers like Chuck, we can “Stamp Out Hunger!”

Filed under: Food Bank | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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