Help Us Give Kids the World

As you likely know, I've spent the last 9 months proudly serving as a member of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel (www.disneyworldmoms.com) . While helping people plan their Disney vacations has been indescribably wonderful, one of the most heart-touching parts for me has been being able to be involved in an upcoming event.

On Friday, October 1st, members of the group will visit the Give Kids the World Village in Central Florida. This special place provides cost free vacations for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. It offers hope during a frightening time in their lives, and gives them a place to get away from the stress and create memories together. The Disney Moms Panel raised money last year and went to visit the Village. See Disney Park Blog post about that here: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/08/moms-panel-it-takes-a-village/ . This year, we raised some of the money through "Ice Cream for Breakfast Socials" during the month of July. Thanks again to those of you who came to enjoy it with us. :)

As mentioned above, our family will be visiting the Give Kids the World Village in a few weeks for a tour. Together with other Moms Panel families, we'll make a donation that will help to "Give a Scoop of Hope". My sons Jared and Shawn will be attending this with me. I believe seeing first hand what other children face can only help them to appreciate their own health even more. It will also help them to continue to develop empathy for others. Then, on Saturday October 2nd, Jared and Shawn will run a 5K Race with me at the Magic Kingdom. Yes, I'm running too...yikes! We are running for a cause...to help give HOPE to other children and their families. That's where you come in. If you feel so inclined, and would like to sponsor my boys and I, we'd love if you could make a small donation to help Give Kids the World. Even $5 can help, everything adds up. Please do NOT in any way feel obligated to do this. I'm posting this to my blog for two reasons: One to help this incredible cause and two to fill you in on our plans. We'd love if you could keep us in your thoughts that weekend. The visit promises to be life-changing.

If you'd like to make a small donation, please visit: http://www.firstgiving.com/wdwmoms . Every penny of it goes directly to Give Kids the World Village. The donation is tax deductible, the gift is priceless. Please be sure to note Jared/Shawn's name in the comment section.

Thanks for considering this. Most importantly, thank you for your friendship and support.