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We Did Something Great!

September 25, 2014
Together we made a difference in our communities, and most importantly, we impressed upon our children the importance of kindness, compassion, and volunteering.

Way back in July, Macaroni Kid put out the call to inspire and empower local parents and their kids to take on a community service project with our support.  That call was answered in a big way; families and organizations stepped up and committed to Do Something GREAT throughout the month of September! 

Honestly, the response exceeded our expectations.  Diana and I are thrilled that a small idea has been able to make such an impact!  We are humbled by your energy, efforts, and willingness to make a difference. We are excited by the potential of this movement in our communities!

We managed to create many opportunities to get families involved in volunteering, raising funds, and collecting needed items, and the results were impressive!

ONE: The Malchow Family hosted Bouncing to Benefit Animals at Kidz Bounce. We raised $171 and collected cat and dog food to benefit to the Seattle Humane Society.

TWO: The Parker Family hosted a Storytime & Indoor Play at Let's Play Sammamish.  We collected just over 100 books to donate to Eastside Baby Corner. 

THREE: The CDH Warriors of the Pacific Northwest Guild held a Garage Sale to raise funds for CDH Research at Seattle Children's Hospital. Through generous support, $450 was raised!

FOUR: We hosted a Cookies for Kids' Cancer Bake Sale and raised $528 (one cookie, one dollar at a time) to fund childhood cancer research.  RSutherland Photography added $100 to that total with a donated photo session. A big thanks to the 20+ local families (and one awesome girls soccer team) who baked for us and sold the cookies!  We are still accepting donations online at supportcookiesforkidscancer.org/MacKidSnoqualm.

FIVE: The Short Family organized a Back to School Snack Drive to benefit the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank and received A LOT of donations! 

SIX: Village Pediatrics in Gilman Village collected 150 pair of pajamas on behalf of Eastside Baby Corner.

SEVEN: Issaquah Moms Group collected new toys for Seattle Children's Hospital, a way to help patients and families when they need it most.

EIGHT: The Annie Pulliam Chapter (North Bend) of the Daughters of the American Revolution collected 4-packs of Play-Doh and jumbo-sized crayons for Encompass.

NINE: Local mom Julie and five of her friends baked cookies and delivered them to local firefighters.

TEN: Issaquah Highlands Girl Scout Troop spent three hours volunteering at Eastside Baby Corner.

ONGOING PROJECTS
ELEVEN: Girl Scout Service Unit #442 is collecting new or gently used winter coats, hats and gloves (for all ages, infant to adult, men and women) to donate to Encompass for their One Voice Holiday event in December.  

WHAT:
 new or gently used winter coats, hats and gloves
WHERE: Please drop off donations at collection boxes around the community: North Bend Theater – 125 Bendigo Blvd N, North Bend; Snoqualmie Library – 7824 Center Blvd. SE, Snoqualmie; Gearhead Garage – 43424 SE North Bend Way, North Bend; Claffey’s Painting – 204 Ballarat Ave N, North Bend.
WHEN: Saturday, September 20 through Saturday, September 27

TWELVE: Local mom Colleen is donating a percent of proceeds from her online Jamberry Party to Encompass, the local non-profit organization that supported her family through the first year of an autism diagnosis and a great place that nurtures children and enriches families. Buy through this link to donate

Are you feeling inspired?  We hope so!  Want to show your kids that they can make a difference?   Of course you do!  Our friends at Encompass passed along this terrific resource of simple volunteer ideas for all ages: visit the website www.bigheartedfamilies.org. By doing good as a family, children learn empowerment, self-esteem, responsibility, academic skills, critical thinking, tolerance, respect and gratitude!  That’s a lot of benefit for just a few minutes to make a difference in your community!