Cleaning Up Week #21

Paige asked me "why do people litter?". Not easy to answer this one because really why do people litter? Is it simply laziness or a genuine disrespect for our environment? The answer will continue to be debated but Paige's interest in the problem created her task this week.

Ok so back to where we were when this all started...Paige and I went up to the local highschool track this Sunday to train for her upcoming race when she noticed the garbage all over the bleechers and grass area. First guess would be there was a football game on the Friday Night that lead to the beer bottles underneath the seats. Regardless it was a mess and if the school thought it was due to the track area being open we may not be able to train there again. So...once we finished our training we headed home, grabbed garbage bags and went back to clean up.

Pretty proud of Paige's enthusaism to clean up and help out this week. She spent an hour picking up and analizing the grabage! "Why is there coloured water in this water bottle?" lol. Wow, things never change! Once she had finished cleaning up she tossed the garbage into the dumpster behind the school and gave me a high five. Awesome!

Hats! Week #20

Laurel (a good friend that I have mentioned many times during this adventure!) emailed Paige and asked her if you would like a box of 20 awesome ball caps? Would she!!! We'll find a great home for the hats. Now it was time for a talk about who could use these hats...

Paige sat in her dads office chair intently looking at me as I explained what Cancer is. We talked about people we know that have Cancer, ones who have beat the disease and ones who have not. We talked about treatment and how hair loss can be a result. That's when Paige decided that she would like to donate the hats to..."I want to give them to people fighting Cancer". What a great idea. We decided to contact our local branch of Breast Cancer Services. We have a close family friend that was just diagnosed and know many others that have battled Breast Cancer. This is a cause close to our hearts and having the opportunity to help out is awesome.

We called the office and spoke to Laura. She encouraged us to come down to the office to see her. We drove right down and were greeted by smiles as we walked in. Paige said hello and handed Laura the box. She asked Paige if she would like to help out with another fundraiser. Paige said "Yes!" and followed her into the next room. Laura handed her a brochure of the "Healing for Breast Cancer" 5 & 10km run/walk on Saturday, June 12th at Bronte Creek Provincial Park. So great! Paige decided then that she was going to run the 5km. She also decided her aunt Jenn had to do it with her too. Sooooo auntie Jenn get ready to run!

Thanks again to Laurel (you're the best!) and to Laura at Breast Cancer Services (see picture with Paige) for your warm response and positive encouragement. You can help out too! Check out www.breastcancersupport.org for general information or www.vrpro.ca to sign up for the run!

Easter Giving-Week #19

Paige picked up the newspaper last week and pulled out the brown paper bag that was peaking out of the top. She read the blue print, handed it to me and asked if we could donate food this week. Great thinking Paige! So...over the Easter weekend Paige and I went through our cabinets and collected non-perishable foods to donate.

Paige's excitement about giving this week was awesome and the time we spent together lead into some Spring cleaning! Excellent!

Paige decided she'd like to drop her donation off to the local firehall. We drove over, walked up to the front entrance and found the donation bin. The bag was pretty heavy but she was determined to carry it and drop it in. As we walked out of the entrance a crew was pulling out of the station. They stopped and gave Paige a wave. I asked her if the firetruck was as cool as Susie's? and I got a big "No!". That was no surprise!


Happy Easter!

Paige Week #18!

I'm a little behind on Paige's posting! (sorry dewey) Here's week #18! We had called 2 hotels to see if they could donate soap and shampoo and received calls from both of them. So we were also able to pick up a large donation from the Holiday Inn. How amazing is that! Paige was excited because the last time had been so great. So....we drove over to the Holiday Inn and Paige spoke to women at the counter and told them that she was there to pick up a package in her name. They asked her if we were going away for an extended trip! Paige then explained about the donation and they wished her the best. She proudly walked out of the hotel with a very large bag full of supplies. Awesome.

Our good friend Laurel told us about the Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre. They take donations of hotel size soaps, shampoo, etc to give out to the homeless and use at shelters. They work with individuals and families and assist in addressing issues that affect their health. They offer educational programs at schools as well to promote health and well being. if you want to find out more or want to donate as well their contact # is 905-522-3233.

Paige walked in and spoke to the woman (Jennifer) at the front desk. She explained that she wanted to donate and propped the large bag up on the counter. A few other women behind the desk area gathered around and listened in to what Paige had to say. She explained to the ladies what she does each week and they were so amazing with her. Jennifer came into the reception area and took a picture with Paige. She thanked her very much for taking the time to think of others.

It's amazing to watch Paige grow up. Each day she learns so much. Remember your children learn by example. Live your life the way you want them to live theirs. They watch every move you make! Live it Phat!

Week #17 Big Thanks...

Paige wants to give a BIG thanks to Cindy at the Hilton Garden Hotel for the amazing donation she arranged. A good friend of our Laurel (she is a wicked Phat Chick that runs freak'in fast!) told us about donating hotel size soaps, shampoo, conditioner for the homeless in our surrounding cities. Paige and I discussed it and thought why not give a local hotel a call and see if they have some items to donate. Our first and only call we made we were connected with Cindy's voice mail. We left a message and explained what we were looking for and within a few minutes Cindy got back to us. We didn't even have a chance to call another hotel! Cindy was awesome and after she had said they would put together a donation she asked if we could also deliver some sheets, blankets and pillows to help people needing a fresh start. Could we! So we set a time for pick up and contacted a few people to make arrangements for drop off! So great.

First stop was the Halton's Women's Shelter and then on to the Downtown Hamilton Mission. The response was overwhelming and Paige was beaming as she helped carry in the supplies to each location. In her words...I like helping out and the way people are happy when we come. I wish everyone was able to have a warm cozy bed to sleep in and maybe these blankets and pillows will help. Awesome.

It was a great day and we are so thankful for the amazing people we met today.

A trip to the grocery store...

Watching Paige holding her great grandma's hand as they walked down the aisle in the grocery store was awesome. Time is precious and Paige is thankful for the few hours she got to spend with her great grandma on Sunday. Early in the week I asked Paige what she thought she'd like to do for Week #16 and she came right out with "I want to take grandma Pallett grocery shopping". Love it! And so she did this Sunday.

We met grandma and aunt Wendy at Second Cup for a coffee. Paige had picked out flowers for both of them (her auntie Wendy's birthday is today!). A purple potted plant for auntie Wendy and a pretty house plant for grandma. The florist was very patient with us as Paige filled out the cards and decorated them with cupcakes, flowers and hearts. A women approached us at the cash and commented on Paige's wonderful drawings "wish I was auntie Wendy" she said. Paige giggled.

We had a great visit and they both loved their flowers. Paige was so excited for them to read their cards and she gave them a big squeeze too. We said good bye to auntie Wendy and headed to the grocery store with grandma. Definitely interesting getting her into the truck. I think she was a gymnast based on the arm leg swing combo I witnessed her do! lol. Awesome. And she sat happily in the front seat ready to go.

Paige grabbed her hand in the parking lot and lead her to the front door. Grandma voiced that she could not see anything and that the store was "too dark!". So with Paige as her guide they conquered the aisles of the store and picked up some groceries for the week. Yahoo!!! Paige got her wish and grandma was pretty thankful too. Grandma called later and told Paige how happy she made her and how much she appreciated her help.

Spend time with the ones you love.

Helping out in the Neighborhood! Week #15

Wow did we ever get dumped on! And it was heavy too! Paige was up for the challenge...and decided for Week #15 that she was going to help out our neighbors by shoveling the ends of their driveways. Isn't it amazing how the plow can build up a wall at the end of your driveway!!! Yikes. Makes it pretty tough to get to work on time! So Paige to the rescue..lol..she grabbed her mighty shovel and headed down the court. Here are her words about the experience...It was fun! I worked hard. I like helping out!

When we went to Fortino's to get stuff for dinner Paige also donated $2 from her piggy bank fund to their Children's Charity. She proudly wrote her name on the handout. As we walked away I could see how giving made her feel good. She looked at me with a smile. She is thankful...and her mom is too.

Week #14 Giving Out Smiles..and Chocolate!

It's Valentine's Day and also one of Paige's favorite days of the year. Why? Because it usually means she might just get a special chocolate heart from her daddy. That is if history repeats itself! And it did. Though something was different this year...Paige was excited about something else from the moment she got out of bed. As she pulled off the covers she whispered to me "be quiet mommy and remember to tip toe". I almost forgot she wanted to surprise her dad with pancakes in bed. Lucky him! Or maybe not since pancakes are definitely not my specialty.

After they had both eaten breakfast she decided it was time to open the card and heart shape box of chocolates sitting on the counter with her name on it. She was thankful gave us both a big squeeze...which was the best gift she could give us today.

I mentioned that Paige loves chocolate...so when I asked her what her face did when she had chocolate she said "smile" it was not surprising.

For Week #14 Paige had wanted give out smiles and she realized she could do this by giving out chocolate! We headed out and my little chocolate fairy dropped off little sweet gifts to some little and big people she cares about. We pulled up to each home and she walked up to the front door and gave it a knock. She made it clear to me that she wanted to do this herself! A few people weren't home so she left it on their front door and others that were it was great to see them and say hi! She was pretty pumped about giving today. As we drove home she said "it feels good to give Mommy". Think it's sinking in...so good.

Have a Phat Valentine's Day!

xo

Week #13

On a routine trip to the grocery store Paige and I walked in the door and I went to grab a basket. I glanced back to see Paige staring at a poster that read "Give a Tonnie. Fill a Tummy!". She looked up at me and asked "can I give to this? I want to help fill some tummies." We had filled a baggie from her piggie bank at home last week and I store it in my purse for moments like this. It's awesome to see her give from what she had been saving up. Her favorite babysitter Leah gave her the piggie bank when she was three. She's big on saving..so we're even happier that she's also learning about sharing.

Toonies for Tummies is a program run by The Grocery Foundation. It was launched to make a difference in the lives of children who experience hunger every day. Not only can you donate at your local grocery store (Longo's. Sobey's, Metro, Highland Farms, etc..)but also online at http://www.groceryfoundation.com/ , click DONATE and follow the prompts.

This is a great opportunity to make a BIG difference to the children in our community.

Week #12 Everyday...

Week #12 Paige has found a way to give a little everyday this week to the people in Haiti. Whether it was at school (they have done an amazing job informing the kids!), a counter top coin box at the grocery store, bank, coffee shop, you name it there's a way to give. It's amazing how everyone has come together to support the people effected by this tradegy. For ways you can help out too check out...
http://mashable.com/2010/01/13/haiti-earthquake-donate-help/


Every little bit helps.

Be Phat!

Helping Haiti

Week #11- there's no question this week...Paige decided to donate her piggy bank to the people of Haiti. Darcy and I sat down with Paige and explained to her (trying not to frighten her) about the earthquake and it's impact on the people of Port-au-Prince. We watched video coverage together and answered her questions the best we could about why this happened. She cannot imagine the depth of devestation that has taken place so far way...but she wanted to "help make things better". We looked at the listing of organizations offering aid and Paige wanted to donate food to give everyone the energy to stay strong. She picked Food For The Hungry and made a donation on-line and also sent a donation text.

Here is some information about how the organization is helping out...

Food for the Hungry is flying in 4800 blankets, 160 rolls of plastic 2200 solar flashlights, two commercial size water filters, 1,152 jerry cans and 1440 hygiene kits. With funds supporting Stop Hunger Now, a 747 jet is headed toward Haiti with purchased dehydrated food packs and water. We are also partnering with Kode Red to ship clothing, plastic sheeting and tarps, wheelchairs, bandages and gauze, water purifying tablets, water and food.

If you would like to make a donation go to: https://www.fh.org/learn/news/disaster/haiti-rocked-by-powerful-quake?promocode=WA25WD0A2

Namaste

xoPaige

Week #10 Burrr...

The snow is finally here and for Week #10 Paige decided to gather up some extra coats, pillows and blankets to donate to those who could put them to good use. "It's so cold outside..everyone needs a good jacket to keep them warm". I tried to explain to Paige the amount of people that don't have one. She looked a little confused and I know she has a hard time understanding how many people that actually is. I reminded myself to take one day at a time and that her genuine love for giving is a HUGE start! As we packed the stuff up she spotted a large blue blanket up in the closet and she had to give it too. Seeing the smile on her face as she pushed it into the drop box was inspiring. "Someone's going to love this!" she said.

Her new daily giving idea: she put some of her piggy bank change in a little purse and gave it to me to hold onto. She keeps her eye out for donation boxes on store counter tops...and she can donate to them too! Today she donated to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. That sparked a whole new conversation! To be continued...