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How many times have we heard this and thought how true this is! The joy I get from giving someone a heartfelt gift, time, or a shoulder to cry on is so much more rewarding and brings so much more joy than any materialistic gift. This is never more true than at Christmas time. There are so many people in need and with the holiday season upon us, it is so important to remember those who are often forgotten throughout the …

There is no a better time of the year than the winter holiday season to involve children and teenagers in charitable giving and teach them why the old adage, “It is better to give than to receive,” is true.  World Vision offers five great ways for parents to lead by example and teach their children the true spirit of the holidays:
-    Consider do-it-yourself gifts, like no-sew fleece blankets that you can make with your children. Donate those blankets to a local homeless shelter.
-    Cherish the stories of your family. Have …

Most people think holiday gifts are meant to be wrapped with a bow, but the truth is that more than 800,000 people around the world were impacted by gifts last year through World Vision’s Gift Catalog that didn’t come with decorative paper or ribbon.
“The holiday season provides the perfect opportunity to honor a loved one and give a gift that has real-life implications on a family in need,” said Traci Coker, World Vision Gift Catalog national director. “As little as $16 can feed a family in the US for a …

 
I wanted to let you know about a nationwide philanthropic initiative designed to help American families in need. MyRegistry.com, the leading online universal gift registry service, is working with four women who have fallen upon financial hardships during their pregnancies and are not able to afford baby necessities. Donation registries have been created for each woman and their family. They are open to the public, so that the members of each community (or anybody, in any city, anywhere) can make contributions.

An overview of the dire circumstances that each brave woman …

Did you know November is National Adoption Month? The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau is partnering with AdoptUSKids and the Ad Council to educate potential adoptive parents on the benefits of adoption from foster care.
According to the U.S. Children’s Bureau Preliminary 2010 Trends in Foster Care Report, there are more than 408,000 children in the foster care system in the United States; 115,000 of these children are available for adoption right now.  These kids need good homes!
This year their focus is …

It’s the moment you have all been waiting for!
The votes have been tallied and Heroes for Children and The Family Place have come out on top of the “Cadillac Cares” DFW Challenge sponsored by Metroplex Cadillac Dealers. Yesterday alone, over 2,500 fans voted, and the totals were too close to declare just one winner. Heroes for Children received 10,560 votes and The Family Place received 10,434 votes.
Heroes for Children and The Family Place will each receive a $50,000 advertising campaign, which includes television spots on WFAA-TV …

Emma is an adorable little girl I know who was born with a horrible disease known as Falconi Anemia.  Only about 300 have it in the US and 3000 worldwide, it is that rare.
Right now her mama who is a fabulous person and digital scrapbook designer herself has some bribery going on for some FREE designs…all you need to do is vote.  Head on over to http://teresabelle.blogspot.com/.

Last time I told you about our DFW Metroplex Cadillac Dealers running a “Cadillac Cares Challenge”  and that Dwan from Momma D Jane & I, Alyson from 3 Ps in a Pod have the wonderful privilege of supporting Make-A-Wish of North Texas in this challenge.
Well, I opened my email this morning to discover from The Disney Store that today, April 29th is World Wish Day!  What is World Wish Day? Today wishes are being granted around the world to children all over. Go to the main Make a Wish …

Our DFW Metroplex Cadillac Dealers are running a “Cadillac Cares Challenge.”   Dwan from Momma D Jane & I, Alyson from 3 Ps in a Pod have the wonderful privilege of supporting Make-A-Wish of North Texas in this challenge.
The Cadillac Cares Challenge
Head over to Metroplex Cadillac Dealers Facebook page to vote for Make-A-Wish of North Texas daily!  The charity with the most votes when the contest ends on May 9th will win $50,000 worth of advertising.
Why Vote for Make-A-Wish of North Texas?

The sole purpose of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of …

Hey guys!  The Love Drop team is at it again!  Last month they gave over $5,000 worth of cash and goods to their recipient, Katie, who had been battling a couple of brain tumors over the years, and it culminated with a surprise gift of 15+ friends showing up at her house to celebrate with her. It was awesome. You can watch how it all went down here.

This month they start all over again and grow support for the Kahlen’s – a family who has been …

I’m reaching out to you and your parenting-minded friends to let you know about a recent promotion that 21st Century Insurance has created to help the March of Dimes.
Do you like babies? 21st Century Insurance does too!  Tell your friends to give them a “like” and they’ll donate $1 to the March of Dimes – it’s that easy!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/21stcenturyinsurance

CONGRATULATIONS GO TO William McKinnley #6 and Christal C #12!!!!
In Adam Pertman’s newly-revised book, Adoption Nation, he explores the enormous changes taking place in U.S. adoption and across the world from his unique and multi-faceted perspective: that of adult adoptee, adoptive parent, Executive Director of the Evan B. Donaldson  Adoption Institute and adoption advocate.  As I can personally relate to several of these and more, I was most intrigued to find out what his book had to say.
Broken up into 3 large units with several chapters contained …

Coupon Mom Stephanie Nelson says families can save 50% off their weekly grocery bill by strategically shopping

New York, NY -  March 30, 2011
Consumers are feeling sticker shock from higher grocery prices and unfortunately, there is no relief is in sight. U.S. food costs will rise as much as 4% this year after a surge in prices for farm goods.
Stephanie Nelson, founder of CouponMom.com, says that consumers do not have to absorb this increase if they follow her website’s “Strategic Shopping” methods. CouponMom.com is free …

Last month the Love Drop Team raised over $13,000 (and 3 iPads!) to help two little boys with autism receive a service dog. They were beyond touched, and we did this in only 1 month – that’s it. Everyone came together and gave a few bucks each to impact one family’s life. If you were a part of it, THANK YOU!  You can check out the final video of us showing up to their house here – it’s pretty cool.

This month we start all over again and rally behind …

I recently learned about the most wonderful candles, Bridgewater Candles. They are truly unique.  Let me share with you a little about the company that creates these fabulous clean burning candles.
Established in 1997 in Spartanburg South Carolina, Bridgewater Candle Company quickly became a leader in the candle market with a reputation for its clean burning candles, full fragranced products and passionate sales team. From fresh to warm and cozy, the scents create those special moments in life worth savoring. Furthermore, we are committed to sharing this warmth …

As a parent, you understand what it’s like when your child is sick. As a writer, you have the voice to tell your readers about an organization that improves the quality of life for children who’s sicknesses are actually life-threatening. Did you know that each year in the U.S., 27,000 children are diagnosed with a life threatening illness?
Give Kids The World (GKTW) is a non-profit organization that provides week-long vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families at a fanciful, “storybook” retreat in Central …

Whether or not you have already been through it,  planning for a pregnancy can be both an exciting and stressful time.  Whether it’s the first, second or third time around, the mom-to-be wants to do everything she can to ensure proper steps are taken for a healthy mommy and baby.  And although the month is waning, in honor of January’s Birth Defects Prevention Month, I’m working in tandem with the Spina Bifida Association to introduce you to the VitaTrack Folate Tracker App available on iTunes, …

January 12.
You may or may not remember that date but I guarantee you that there is not a Haitian alive who has forgotten it, the day their lives were changed forever.
I have never been to Haiti but while I was on my Mission in Montreal, Quebec, Canada,  I met many Hatians and learned of the poverty and difficult way of life…and that was all before the Earthquake.
With the anniversary of the devastating earthquake coming up, I am excited to tell you about a very special opportunity to give back …

Late last Fall I learned about Novica, Home Decor, Jewelry and Gifts by talented Artisans Worldwide.
NOVICA unites you with more than 2,000 extraordinary master artists around the world. Read about their lives, explore their fascinating cultures, and select from more than 30,000 handcrafted works of art.
I was instantly enchanted with all of the beautiful items they offered.  At the time, they had given me my choice of a $150 gift card or 2 $75 to allow for a giveaway.  I chose the giveaway.  They were also focusing at …

Congratulations go to #2 Brandy!!

Thanks to all of the entrants….keep coming back for more fun!
Did you know that approximately 5.7 million different people receive emergency food assistance from the organization in any given week?  To raise awareness about the national issue of hunger, Hamburger Helper® is partnering with GRAMMY® Award-winning singer, songwriter and actor Tim McGraw to help Feeding America deliver millions of meals to local food banks through the Show Your Helping Hand™ campaign.  Now I LOVE me some Tim McGraw!!!  Anyway McGraw will lend …

Starting November 7th, believers of all ages were invited to drop off letters in the Santa Mail letterbox to earn a $1 donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation – up to $1 MILLION.
Macy’s Facebook Fans have an exclusive chance to earn up to an additional $250K for Make-A-Wish by winning the Believe Challenge game.  Based on the cartoon special Yes, Virginia, fans are challenged to help Virginia and Ollie get their letters to Santa.  Each winner will earn another $1! If you are already on …

Shoes is more than just a book, it spreads a message to kids and adults alike. It’s the perfect example of selflessness and compassion, something that we should be talking about more than ever around the Holidays.
Description:
Shoes is a children’s picture book written by Club GoBeDo founder, Jerri James and illustrated by Norma Samuelson. This is the lyrical story of Margaret Elizabeth, a young girl who looks in her closet and realizes she has lots of shoes, plenty in fact. …

Did you know that Christmas Seals was created in 1907 as a fundraising effort to save a hospital aiding those with tuberculosis? The hospital had fallen on tough times but the Christmas Seals fundraiser helped to raise ten times the goal needed to save it!  And thus, the American Lung Association Christmas Seals was born. Over one hundred years later here we are — still continuing to pass down the tradition to our children. While the Lung Association still helps people battling lung disease, they …

Love Without Boundaries has received quite a few children in need of urgent care this holiday season, so we are rallying our troops to help make some wishing come true!  We’ve put together a terrific pre-Christmas auction the first week of December to help raise much-needed funds to heal these precious babies.  Just in time for Christmas, we have dolls, Barbies, Mulan goodies, ornaments, jewelry and books plus three positively show-stopping, Christmas-themed watercolor paintings created especially for this auction!

So mark the dates and join …

Clear away the cobwebs and hang up the mistletoe.  It’s time to think of snowflakes and jingle bells and kind thoughts of others!  And here at 3P’s in a Pod, it is time to get this Holiday Gift Guide off the ground!
This is your helpful information post on how to best manage your time spent here with us as we know there are many gift guides out there.
Here we have over 150 items – some are amazing products to get your shopping list going, some are gifts that our sponsors …

My Friend Louise at  Mom Start posted about this wonderful opportunity. For every post written, $10.00 will be donated to Adopt-a-Classroom, up to $10,000. Elmer’s is celebrating back to school with a partnership with Wal-Mart and Adopt-A-Classroom to make a difference in children’s lives.
HOW CAN YOU JOIN? Well that’s easy!

Participate in the Elmer’s Virtual Bag It Forward and by giving away a virtual bag of school supplies and creating a blog post with specific rules described below.
Elmer’s will donate up to $10,000 to Adopt-A-Classroom
You …

KaBOOM! PLAY DAYS PRESENTED BY MOTT’S ARE BACK!
THOUSANDS OF COMMUNITIES ENCOURAGED TO PLAY
THIS SEPTEMBER IN SECOND ANNUAL EVENT
WASHINGTON, DC., June 15 — To ensure that kids across the country get active and playful, national non-profit KaBOOM! is kicking-off the second annual KaBOOM! Play Days presented by Mott’s. KaBOOM! Play Days encourage communities to come together for fun activities and to improve local parks and playgrounds. KaBOOM! Play Days run from September 18 – September 26, but event planning starts now.
KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to saving play, and one …

Earlier this year I mentioned the Build-A-Bear Workshop® Huggable Heroes® program that recognizes young leaders making positive contributions in their communities and around the world.  More than 1,000 nominations were received for this year’s program.  After narrowing the field down to 75 semifinalists and 25 finalists, Build-A-Bear Workshop is excited to announce the 10 Huggable Heroes for 2010.  I thought you’d like to hear and share their inspirational stories.

This year’s class of Huggable Heroes is tackling a variety of really cool and pertinent issues from illiteracy, poverty and feeding the …

I thought this was cool so I wanted to share it with you.  One of our favorite online retailer, Zappos, is continuing to spread the good word and efforts in support of the fundraising for the Children of Haiti.  In addition to their To Haiti With Love tee, Zappos has joined forces with the Life is Good brand.
Life is Good has always been about spreading the word of optimism.  Continuing with this campaign, the brand has launched a national fundraising effort for children devastated by the recent earthquake in Haiti.  …

As I mentioned before I’m a Juicy Insider for Tropicana, the fab orange juice brand. I now have points building up {have you registered yet?} I decided to put them to use–in redeeming a reward.
I will likely be more selfish and use my rewards strictly for me in the future but for now, I thought I would be a little altruistic.  So for my first reward I saved 100 sq feet of the rain forest. You know me, preserving our World and the wonders that are in it …

This video says it all – Win a LapTop, Give a LapTop & Change the World, One Child at a Time.

Often children have warm and giving hearts and are willing to give when they have the opportunity.  P2 is even like that when she sees an opportunity to give, all by herself.  Heard the term ‘would give you the shirt off her back’?  She just came from Heaven that way and what a delight she is for it.
Of course, P2 and her sisters love and adore Betty Crocker’s Fruit Flavored …

It’s time to celebrate Spring mommies-to-be! On March 10, Nickelodeon’s ParentsConnect will hold its second seasonal Virtual Baby Shower, hosted by celebrity broadcaster and mom, Jillian Barberie Reynolds.
Moms can join Jillian in this daylong celebration featuring online games, tons of prizes, advice and more. They can even invite their friends to participate and make new friends, too. Jump in at anytime, or stay all day!
Jillian recently had her second child in January and a baby shower of her own in December. Some of her tips for …

Frigidaire and Jennifer Garner have teamed up yet to again, this time to support Save the Children, an organization to help children living in poverty here in the U.S.
Frigidaire’s new Spin & Win game gives you the opportunity to win gift cards for spending quality time with your children. They’re giving away a prize every day.  Plus, you could also win a brand new Frigidaire Affinity washer and dryer!
Best of all, once you’ve registered to play, every time you spin, Frigidaire will donate $1 to Save the Children, as part …

I love the Salvation Army.  They do good things for people and make it easy for the rest of us to bring out our best selves by caring about others.  I love it at this time of year when we to a store and the bell ringers are there, greeting you and hoping that you will your donation to the little red kettle.  I love to give my girls the chance to learn compassion and to have giving hearts when we see them by giving them whatever change or cash …

When you are waiting for your precious child, it can seem like forever and as we all know, money does not grow on trees.  Most adoptive families get very, very creative in ways to save, find and/or make the money they will need for the expenses that just normally accrue with the adoption of a child.  In our case, we held some awesome garage sales, saved, and incurred some debt.  We were incredibly blessed by the kindness and generosity of others and will be forever grateful.
Listed here are some of …

I am really struggling with the upcoming Christmas Season.  Struggling with the needs vs. wants thing this year but not for myself, for my kids.  We have a nice roof over our heads, plenty of clothes to even be able choose what to wear on any given day, food, well, certainly not an issue and plenty of things to fill up our spare time.  My children have two parents who love them dearly as well as extended family, we have friends, people who love us, and a bright future ahead.  …

So what do Miley Cyrus, Jesse McCartney and Demi Lovato have in common?  Beside the fact that they are all a part of the Disney Music Group, they are also participating in the 2nd Annual Concert for Hope on October 25th at the Nokia Theatre in LA. The proceeds go to the City of Hope for cancer research, treatment and educational programs.
The sold-out 2008 Concert for Hope raised in excess of $1.2 million for City of Hope’s cancer research efforts. Cyrus is donating $1 from every ticket sold …

Yesterday I learned of a wonderful combination and I am so excited to announce the news today!!  Many of my friends have been sharing the merits of Frigidaire’s incredible new appliance line.  Well they have chosen now to kick it all up a notch by taking their commitment to mothers everywhere one step further by joining forces with one of my favorite oft-admired and philanthropic celebrity moms, Jennifer Garner!  I knew I liked that woman!
You see, not only is Jennifer a huge fan of the time-saving features of the …

And while this video was actually made for the cool Lands’ End FeelGood Campaign , you can actually benefit so many others in the same or similar manner.  Knitting for Charity,  Crocheting and More, Crafting for Charity, and Provident Living are all great sites for ideas on how to use your talents to help others.  Happy crafting!

And while this video was actually made for the cool Lands’ End FeelGood Campaign , you can actually benefit so many others in the same or similar manner.  Knitting for Charity,  Crocheting and More, …

THE FRESH AIR FUND, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer vacations to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. Nearly 10,000 New York City children enjoy free Fresh Air Fund programs annually. In 2008, close to 5,000 children visited volunteer host families in suburbs and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada. 3,000 children also attended five Fresh Air camps on a 2,300-acre site in Fishkill, New York. The Fund’s year-round camping program serves an additional 2,000 …

“Smart Cookie” Contest Ends February 10th!

Two Minutes to Help Save Lives
The Cookie Magazine “Smart Cookie Reader’s Choice” contest ends in one week!  Please take two minutes to vote for Amy Eldridge and help LWB win the $35,000 donation.
This is a free, no-obligation way to help children receive the life-saving surgeries they need to survive and thrive.  Please forward this email to at least one more person and encourage them to vote as well!

Cast your vote! Click here…

Well, November came and went before I blinked twice! So much for the best laid plans regarding special activities for National Adoption Month! Ha! Could be because we were having a Rockin’ good time with something called Because It’s Christmas!!:) Y’all were so truly amazing about coming out and playing along and I know I really never thanked you. I truly have THE BEST READERS EVER!!!
Even though November has passed, I still wanted to share this wonderful piece of jewelry with you. This foster …

For our Because It’s Christmas Kids & Charity Giveaway, every prize that was included in the giveaway, an identical item was donated to charity. Kim and I each selected a local charity and roughly divided the items in half and each charity got some wonderful toys to donate to some needy kids. The charity I selected is the Relief Nursery of Collin County located in Plano, TX. While the need is great in Collin County, it often goes overlooked due to the great affluence of some …

Okay all you Moms out there – would you please call your kiddos to the screen for a minute? You can go do your nails or have a bon bon while I chat with them for a minute, okay?:) Thanks!

Hey gang -
Do you have a Wii or games for a Wii on your list for Santa? Well, let me tell you about something else you might want to add – a new game for the Wii from The Game Factory called Build-A-Bear Workshop® A Friend Fur All …

Hey gang…in case you have not heard, the awesome girls over at Mommy Gossip – GNO (Girl’s Night Out) have been spearheading a Virtual Food Drive benefiting FeedingAmerica.org. I am so pleased and impressed to say that once again, the Blogosphere has risen to the occasion to help others in need! Helped to the tune of raising $1300 as of yesterday afternoon!! Wooohoo!! Now, here is where you come in…
Carissa and Jyl set a goal to raise $1500 and TODAY is THE LAST DAY!! So …

Did you know about this – Bloggers Give Back? Am I just slow? (Don’t answer that!) I just discovered this great idea that fits right in with my love of GIVING. RookieMom Whitney is who set this all up and here is what she wants this blog to encourage:
When my blog, RookieMoms.com, began to catch the eye of public relations folks who were in search of bloggers who would write about their products, the pitches started rolling in. Many of them are for things that don’t interest …

Remember this story? About a little girl who wanted to know if there really is a Santa Claus? Well, a large portion of the story revolved around Macy’s…you know, the classy Department store. Yes, they have been around THAT long.:)

Well, this holiday season, Macy’s is asking America to Believe. Macy’s wants everyone – from the most enthusiastic to the most cynical- to Believe in and embrace the holiday spirit of love and charity.
Writing letters to Santa Claus is an age-old Christmas tradition for children …

Today is THE Day!! The day we are kicking off our Christmas giveaway event, Because It’s Christmas that we are doing as a partnership with Kim and Lori from What’s That Smell? The event will be run here, on 3 P’s in a Pod, on 3 P’s Mama Says…, my Giveaway & Review Blog, AND on Kim and Lori’s What’s That Smell? Talk about a party!

Let me give you an intro post about the charities we are supporting and some basic info on our giveaways. The …

Today is THE Day!! The day we are kicking off our Christmas giveaway event, Because It’s Christmas that we are doing as a partnership with Kim and Lori from What’s That Smell? The event will be run here, on 3 P’s Mama Says…, on 3 P’s in a Pod, my Family and Fun Blog, AND on Kim and Lori’s What’s That Smell? Talk about a party!

Let me give you an intro post about the charities we are supporting and some basic info on our giveaways. The …

You may have noticed we are moving right on into Christmas-mode around here already. I have seemingly completely skipped Thanksgiving simply because not only is this a crazy busy fantabulous time of year but on November 10th we are starting our Christmas collaboration with What’s That Smell with reviews of great Christmas gift ideas for kids, lots of toy giveaways and some really special charity toy giveaways. And, if I can count correctly (always a might questionable , we have almost $1,800 in toys to giveaway to charity …