Help me help the kitties!

Happy Friday, folks!

Do you remember the kittens I fostered last summer?  When I first found them they looked like this...

Then I started a blog (The Kitten Mama) about my journey as a kitten foster... you can find it HERE.

At 10 weeks old they were ready for adoption, and Spock, Magnus (now Ozzy), Tabitha and Napoleon (now Mac & Cheese)  went to wonderful homes...

One kitten, Spock, went to live with my parents.  Here he is today (on the right) with his new big brother Felix...

We also rescued a little kitten from the streets (technically, she was under the hood of a car!) this summer and fostered her as well.  Her name was Buick.  She also got adopted into her forever home...

And of course you know that Travis and I have two wonderful, goofy big kittens of our own, Oliver and Beyonce...

You see I've always loved cats - and grew up with them as pets.  It wasn't until I fostered the kittens this summer that I realized the cat overpopulation problem we're dealing with nationally - and the plights of feral, stray and semi-friendly cats that are living on the streets.

Carol's Ferals, a non-profit organization here in Grand Rapids, provided me with resources to foster these kittens - and in turn I accepted a position on their board of directors.  I feel privileged to assist this organization grow and expand its efforts to provide T-N-R services, and to place friendly cats in permanent homes.  You can visit their website HERE.

T-N-R stands for Trap, Neuter, Return, and is the humane solution to cat overpopulation.  Essentially, our organization spay/neuters feral and stray cats to ensure that they do not continue to reproduce.  Cats are given shots and medical treatment if necessary, then released back to their colony - hopefully under the care of a human who is willing to provide food and shelters to these outdoor cats.  The cats can live out the rest of their lives safely, disease free, and without bringing more kittens into the world.

Since our organization is run entirely by volunteers, I am leading the charge in fundraising efforts right now.  Back in the fall, we used Facebook to successfully launch and complete our $500 / 500 Campaign.  In one month we were able to raise $500 and reach 500 members on our Facebook Cause page.  It was a great achievement!

Now we're trying to do it again.  We launched the $1,000 / 1,000 Campaign this week - with a goal to raise $1,000 and reach 1,000 members on our Cause page.  And I'm asking you for your help!

If you're a Facebook user... head HERE to visit our Cause page.  You can join the Cause to receive updates and help us reach our member goal, or make a donation to support our work!  You can also read more about the campaign in my blog post for the organization HERE.

Thank you so much for your support!!  Together we can curb the feline overpopulation, better the lives of stray and feral cats, and find loving homes for friendly babies such as these...

Mimi

DC

Money

Misty

(All of these cats are currently in our adoption program and looking for homes - do let me know if you, or someone you know, is interested in adopting one of them!)

Pink Glove Dance

You know how I love bad group dancing and general silliness... well this one is for a great cause.  So fun!  Happy Sunday!

Give

Yes, it's that time of year. Excuse me while I get on my "non-profit advocate" soap box...


Since children, we've been encouraged at this time of year to be thankful for our good health, family, friends, and lifestyles, and to think about those less fortunate than ourselves.

Now that we're adults, we can go one step further.

November and December bring year-end campaign letters in the mail. If you have donated to a charity in the past, you are bound to receive at least one letter, although those of you whom have never given may receive something as well.

I want to take a moment to encourage you to make a year end gift this year. I know that money is tight, and I know that we're all busy and stressed, but even a contribution of $25 is beneficial to many organizations, and well-deserved at this time of year.

Year-end dollars are unrestricted funds that non-profits are able to use for general operating monies throughout the year. The funds literally go towards keeping doors open, lights on, and staff employed, rather than on specific projects or capital expenses.

And it's doesn't end there. Many organizations accept food, toys, clothing, educational supplies, and more. All of these contributions are tax deductible as well. The bottom line is that we all have something to give, and there are plenty to give to:

There are educational organizations who give children the opportunity to learn and grow.

There are animal shelters who are aiding sick animals and placing unwanted ones in new homes.

There are hungry children, people who have been abused, children without toys this Christmas.

There are parks and safe-havens being destroyed by pollution.

There are people are dying of cancer and diabetes and malaria and AIDS.

There is so much heartache in our world.

Year-end giving allows us to touch the lives of others during the holiday season, and provides you with one final charitable write-off for your taxes before the calendar year closes.

What can you do to help? Can you give $25, $50, or $100? Giving back to your community is truly the best Christmas gift you can give.

I'll be adding a sidebar on my blog today compiling a list of worthy charitable organizations and their websites as I come across them throughout the month of December. Leave me a comment with the name of an organization you support, and a link to their website, and I'll add it to the list. Feel free to pass my blog link to anyone you come across, and spread the word about year end giving.

I'll try my best to highlight some of the organizations in blog posts throughout the month as well.


Stepping off my soapbox now... : )

"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."

Winston Churchill

Merry Christmas, Noah....

Those of you in Michigan or who have a Facebook account may very well have already heard about this little boy...

-----


Noah Biorkman is a 5 year old boy in South Lyon, MI who is in his last stages of a 2 1/2 year battle with Neuroblastoma cancer.

Noah was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma in February 2007. He went into remission in August 2007. In September 2008, Noah relapsed with lesions in his right arm and right leg. After going through six different trials, the cancer continues to spread.

This year, his family is celebrating Christmas early, and Noah loves to receive cards.

Please take some time to send Noah a Christmas card. Please do it as soon as possible and invite all of your Facebook friends to this event so they can do the same.

Noah Biorkman
1141 Fountain View Circle,
South Lyon, MI 48178 USA

He is precious:

http://www.clickondetroit.com/video/21525126/index.html

Please see Santa's early visit to Noah and Noah's mother's request that you simply put $1.00 in your card that will be used for Neuroblastoma research and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

http://www.clickondetroit.com/video/21546169/index.html

Thanks

-----

Please, take a minute to watch the videos to realize the impact of this story and this Christmas card project.

I will be making a card today to send to Noah, and will be sure to put a dollar and maybe some other goodies inside. Won't you send a Christmas card to Noah as well? Let's give this boy an amazing Christmas.

Making Strides 2009

This weekend we participated (for the third year in a row) in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. Although I wasn't nearly as prepared for this event as I usually am - we managed to raise $300.00 in a very short amount of time. Thank you SO MUCH to all of our friends and family who donated.

It was a beautiful day, and we had a wonderful walk through Grand Rapids for a great cause. We also snapped some lovely photos!




Travis and I were so glad to spend the day with our dear friends the Hill's. After the walk we all headed out for some Pumpkin Patch fun... check back tomorrow to hear about our adventures!

Making Strides for the American Cancer Society

For the third year in a row, Travis and I are leading a team in the Grand Rapids Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. Last year we raised $500 as a couple, and hope to raise the same this year. Additionally, we are challenging our team to raise $500 between them as well. If we succeed - we will have raised $1,000 for the American Cancer Society!

The walk is Saturday October 17th (just one week away!) at Calder Plaza here in Grand Rapids. There are two ways that you can help us MAKE STRIDES for the American Cancer Society...

1) Walk with us! All are welcome! Go to http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?team_id=502732&fr_id=19845&pg=team and click on "join team" and add each of your family members that will be walking with us as team members. We would love to have you walk with us - and will be hosting a brunch after the walk to celebrate our participation!

2) Donate - and help us raise money for the ACS! Just go to http://main.acsevents.org/goto/joanneroehm2009 and click on "make a gift to support" We would appreciate this so much!

I'm organizationally a little behind on this event this year - but am hoping you can all help me still make it a success and make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. I'm hoping we can still get our team together and raise some $$$ for the ACS in just one short week!

Thank you in advance for supporting us, the American Cancer Society, and MAKING STRIDES!

Check out my post to learn about and see photos from last years' walk by clicking HERE.

Casting On

Realized last night that I needed to put together some quick Valentines cards and goodies for the girls I mentor through the Girls Choral Academy. I wanted to create something shiny and fun that would appeal to elementary school girls:



Then I went to battle with my knitting needles and yarn. I successfully cast on. One whole row. Awesome. I couldn't for the life of me get farther than that. The book didn't help me, and even watching my friend Cindy for guidance didn't help me. A fellow blogger recommended an instructional website with clear video examples. I plan on checking it out tonight.




I'm working on some major grants for work right now - so having these side projects is a very good stress release. I've also decided I want to learn to crochet. Looks like it's going to be a busy, crafty year!

"Above all, try something." Franklin Delano Roosevelt