Last week we made a trip to Build A Bear. 30 more bears. Wow!!!!! They're all waiting to be dressed in their doctor's uniforms and donated! Someone that Jon works with put in a request for a VERY deserving little girl that is fighting leukemia and battling some pretty rough side effects from her treatment. We will definitely make sure we get a very special bear into the hands of someone that can get it to her. The rest of the bears will be going to Rush University hospital in Chicago.
Our charity work has been keeping us busy. We are working REALLY hard on getting 501c non-profit paperwork filed with the government. This is quite the process and anyone who has any experience with doing this, PLEASE let us know! We have called lawyers and accountants and have had no luck finding someone who can do this for us. I am slooooowly trying to work through the paperwork, but it is not easy! I'll get it done eventually, but would love some help if you have experience.
Jack was able to present Little Hands to his school last week. Wow, talk about a proud moment for us! Seeing our little guy up there on the microphone telling his schoolmates why he started his charity and how they can help....ah, it was too much! His amazing school is showing us so much support, it is just fabulous!
I think that's it for now! It still blows my mind that what started as a distraction discussion on a long car ride is turning into all of this! How amazing for us to be able to watch our chilren's hearts grow with a passion for charitable work. I love all the ideas they come up with, they have no inhibitions, no thoughts of "this will never work." I can only hope that the recipients of our charitable efforts feel a fraction of the joy that we do!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Build a Bear
I just got a message from the Build A Bear corporate office. They love our charity and have accepted it into their program. From now on we will receive a discounted rate and special assistance when we go to make our bears.
I am thrilled beyond belief!
Little hands DO make a big difference!!!!!!!!
I am thrilled beyond belief!
Little hands DO make a big difference!!!!!!!!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Success!!!
This weekend's lemonade stand was a huge success!!! We made lots of money and spread the word about Little Hands. Jack and I had a great time selling lemonade and chit-chatting with one another. We got so much support and encouargement from the employees, students, and parents at Spectrum School....very heart-warming!
He really does love selling his lemonade.
We need to get the ball rolling and get some bears made!!!!
He really does love selling his lemonade.
We need to get the ball rolling and get some bears made!!!!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Big Week!
We're keeping busy getting things organized for this weekend. We'll be at Spectrum School at 2909 North Main Street in Rockford on Friday from 4-8 and on Saturday from 11-3. Please stop by for a cup of lemonade and while you're at it do some shopping at Spectrum's bazaar.....100+ family garage sale.
This week is a VERY exciting week for us...the amount of money we have raised reached the $1000 mark! Reaching this milestone was pretty easy as we were the recipients of a $500 donation! My dad was very excited to call me on Tuesday to tell me that someone had just dropped a $500 check for him to give Jack. I want to publicly thank Tom for this donation, we are all VERY touched at your generosity. With the money you have given us, we can brighten the lives of 20 very-deserving children...not to mention teach our own children a very important lesson on generosity and selflessness. So, thank you very much...and to quote Jack, "that's a whole lotta bears I get to make. I better get to work."
This week is a VERY exciting week for us...the amount of money we have raised reached the $1000 mark! Reaching this milestone was pretty easy as we were the recipients of a $500 donation! My dad was very excited to call me on Tuesday to tell me that someone had just dropped a $500 check for him to give Jack. I want to publicly thank Tom for this donation, we are all VERY touched at your generosity. With the money you have given us, we can brighten the lives of 20 very-deserving children...not to mention teach our own children a very important lesson on generosity and selflessness. So, thank you very much...and to quote Jack, "that's a whole lotta bears I get to make. I better get to work."
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Lemonade Stand!!!1
We'll be at Spectrum School's Rummage Sale Bazaar this Friday and Saturday! Please come and support us as we sell lemonade! We'll be there Friday from 4-8 and Saturday from 11-3.
Spectrum School is located at 2909 N Main street in Rockford. Stop by and do some shopping...there are MANY families that have donated household items, clothes, etc to sell. And while you're there, stop by and buy a cup of lemonade!
Spectrum School is located at 2909 N Main street in Rockford. Stop by and do some shopping...there are MANY families that have donated household items, clothes, etc to sell. And while you're there, stop by and buy a cup of lemonade!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
News Broadcasts
Here's a link to the news broadcasts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bGSCVEET6I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l32Ia0gjFy4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YRisyvUyxs
Who would have thought? This charity started out as an idea Jack had when I was trying to keep him distracted on a long and uncomfortable car ride. We as parents tell our kids they can do anything....but do we really believe that? I think I do now!!!
Because of these broadcasts, our inbox has been full! We've gotten some donations (you can now donate directly through paypal on our website.... http://www.littlehandsmakeabigdifference.com/ ) Some emails have been to say what you're doing is great. But, the majority of emails have been other moms writing to tell their story of their child and their experience at Rockford Memorial. I've read many heartwarming and heartbreaking stories of kids fighting their fights and it's nice to make those connections with moms that have "been there too." So, we are very thankful to the news stations and the newspapers for sharing our story with the community!
We are making plans for more fundraisers, waiting to hear back on a great opportunity. Jack's classroom wants to partner with us, and we are very excited about that. So, we'll keep you updated. Until then...thank you to all who donated and we'll keep building the bears!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bGSCVEET6I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l32Ia0gjFy4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YRisyvUyxs
Who would have thought? This charity started out as an idea Jack had when I was trying to keep him distracted on a long and uncomfortable car ride. We as parents tell our kids they can do anything....but do we really believe that? I think I do now!!!
Because of these broadcasts, our inbox has been full! We've gotten some donations (you can now donate directly through paypal on our website.... http://www.littlehandsmakeabigdifference.com/ ) Some emails have been to say what you're doing is great. But, the majority of emails have been other moms writing to tell their story of their child and their experience at Rockford Memorial. I've read many heartwarming and heartbreaking stories of kids fighting their fights and it's nice to make those connections with moms that have "been there too." So, we are very thankful to the news stations and the newspapers for sharing our story with the community!
We are making plans for more fundraisers, waiting to hear back on a great opportunity. Jack's classroom wants to partner with us, and we are very excited about that. So, we'll keep you updated. Until then...thank you to all who donated and we'll keep building the bears!
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