Tag Archives: for the good

It’s Spring, get a new pair of shoes and vote for a cause

  By Amy | April 7, 2011 - 3:12 am | , ,
166 Comments

*Congratulations to our winner, commenter number 110 – Erica!

Spring is here and slowly but surely, the weather in this beautiful country is warming up.  You know what that means – it’s time for your toes to come out!  You should paint your toenails with some Piggy Paint and then get yourself a new pair of shoes.  The shoes?  We can help you with that.

We’re pleased to host an incredible giveaway courtesy of Naturalizer.  One winner will receive a $100 shopping spree at Naturalizer.com!

Huzzah! You are so very welcome.

You ask, Why?  What’s the special occasion?  Here is the answer:

“Feel Good” is the philosophy of Naturalizer shoes, and their new charitable program is no different. Designed to help women feel good by being able to buy shoes and give back at the same time, the Friends of Naturalizer program will donate $1 for every shoe and handbag sale (up to $20,000) between April 7-11. During this time, anyone can vote for the charity they think should get the $20,000: World Wildlife Fund, Boys & Girls Club or WaterCan.

Now, pay attention!  There are several opportunities to enter this giveaway.  This is important stuff.  This is $100 toward a new pair of SHOES we’re talking about here, people!

To enter our $100 Naturalizer giveaway you must do the following:

1. Edit 4/13: Voting has ended – thank you to all who voted! First, vote for the charity or cause that means the most to you. You can click here to vote.  (Psst…it’s easy voting, just one click to get to Naturalizer’s site and then one more click to cast your vote – no registering or signing in.)

2. You can enter for a first time by “Liking” Naturalizer on Facebook.  After you go and “Like” Naturalizer, come back to this giveaway post and leave a second comment letting us know that you’re totally a fan of Naturalizer on Facebook.

3. You can enter for a second time by “Liking” ParentSphere on Facebook.  Why?  Well, because we like offering giveaways like this one and the more fans, the merrier!  After you go and “Like” ParentSphere, come back to this giveaway post and leave another comment letting us know that you like-like us on Facebook!

Edit 4/13: THIRD ENTRY OPPORTUNITY! You can score yourself a fourth entry if you have a Twitter account and you scroll to the top of this post and click the little green “retweet” button.  Come back to this post and leave a comment letting us know that you’ve Tweeted about the giveaway.

We will choose a winner on Friday, April 15th.

This is $100 for shoes, people.  We don’t mess around.

Here are the specific prize details:

The winner of the giveaway will receive a gift code for the Naturalizer site with $100. The code will cover the shoes, tax and shipping and will be good for any pair of the spring line (excluding the specialty Naya brand). The code will expire June 15, 2011.

*This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada

Lastly but not least, we weren’t compensated for offering this giveaway, nor were we given product.  We just like honest-to-goodness awesome giveaways and support for charities.

Grocery shopping to support a cause

  By Amy | March 26, 2011 - 8:56 pm | , ,
1 Comment

There are various ways to contribute to the Child Hunger Ends Here initiative and here is just one way to give, that seamlessly fits in with your daily life and makes getting lost in the supermarket kind of worth it.  Watch and learn:

*Go Grocery Shopping – From March through May 2011, ConAgra Foods will embark on its largest branded initiative to fight child hunger in the United States. Consumers can purchase select ConAgra Foods brands and, when they activate their purchase online at http://www.childhungerendshere.com by entering an eight-digit code, a monetary donation will be made enabling one meal to be secured by Feeding America® on behalf of local food banks, up to a maximum of 2.5 million meals for codes entered through 8/31/11. Valid in the U.S. only. $1 donated = 7 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local food banks.

Look for the red “Child Hunger Ends Here” push pin logo on the following ConAgra Foods brands:

Enter the 8-digit code found on the specially marked packages online at:  Child Hunger Ends Here (or just click the big red push pin on my sidebar)

Get it?  Got it.  Good.  You’re smart, so, I figured you would.

Stay tuned for more ways to help this important cause.

*I am being compensated as an active blogger correspondent for ConAgra’s Child Hunger Ends Here campaign.  Any opinions and experiences shared here are my own.

March 19th CHEH Blogger Post Round-up

  By Amy | March 19, 2011 - 10:55 pm |
1 Comment

chehAs one of the Blogger Correspondents for the Child Hunger Ends Here program, I’ll try to round-up the posts from our blogging team as often as possible throughout the initiative.

This week, our topic of discussion pretty much revolves around the 30 minute special with Al Roker that airs on NBC tonight. Hopefully you’ll be able to tune in to see first-hand what this initiative is all about.

Jolly Mom – Child Hunger Ends Here, Join us for an important Twitter chat this Saturday

The Shopping Mama – Child Hunger Ends Here

Momspective – Child Hunger Ends Here – Let Me Tell You What I Saw

Love to Shop Mom – Child Hunger Ends Here

Hollywood Mom blog – Watch NBC Special “Child Hunger Ends Here” Saturday, March 19, 2011

Lille Punkin Reviews – Child Hunger Ends Here

The Dirty t Shirt – Child Hunger Ends Here With ConAgra Foods

Cha-Ching on a Shoe String – Child Hunger Ends Here: A Special Report and #ChildHungerEndsHere Twitter Chat

rockin’ mama – What You and I Can Do To Help End Child Hunger

STL Mommy - Help End Child Hunger Saint Louis Event March 19th

Eighty MPH Mom – Childhood Hunger Ends Here Television Special this Saturday

*My apologies if I missed your post!  Leave me a comment and I’ll add it or I’ll catch you next time around.

Child Hunger Education

  By Amy | March 17, 2011 - 2:42 pm |
1 Comment

child hunger ends here

You know when something is presented to you at the right moment, how it can really make you sit down and think?  How it can cause you to want to learn as much as you can about it and how it makes you feel like getting more involved?  Well, I was just presented with an opportunity like that.

I’m teaming up with ConAgra Foods to help spread the word about the Child Hunger Ends Here program.  I like to get involved.  I like to learn as much as I can about causes that really matter and I like educating people.  This one is a pretty big deal to me.

What I’ve just learned is that nearly one in four children in America live in “food insecure households”.  What this means is that almost 25% of the kids in the U.S.  a) barely get a meal  b) get meals that are not nutritious  c) don’t get a meal at all for some reason or another.

So, start thinking about your friends, family and neighbors.  Do you know what kind of situation they’re all in?  You might think they are all well off and don’t have an issue with keeping their pantries stocked.  But do you really know?  Do you really know if their kids are getting good, nutritious meals, that help to ensure they can concentrate in school or do well in extracurricular activities?  Have you ever taken a test on an empty stomach or jogged around the high school football field after just polishing off a bag of greasy potato chips and a bottle of pop?  Yeah, not so good.  Been there, done that.

This is an important issue for all of us, to make sure our kids are eating healthy meals and are not starving.  Just sit down and think about it, like I have.

To be fully transparent, I will disclose that I am being compensated by ConAgra to help to raise awareness about this initiative.  Do you want to know something?  I am that one in four family.  We have one steady income (knock on wood) and from week to week, we sit on pins and needles, hoping nothing “out of the ordinary” happens, like, a car breaking down or any of our appliances crapping out.  So, I am downright thrilled that ConAgra is helping us put food on our table.

So, this is just one of many posts I will write over the next couple of months about the Child Hunger Ends Here initiative.  I have a lot of research to do and a lot of information to share, so I can help those of you who are as interested as I am learn more about what we can do to keep our kids healthy and fed.  I say, bring it!

For now, here are a couple of things we can all do to stay current on the program.  We can “Like” ConAgra Foods on Facebook, where information streams daily about the Child Hunger Ends Here program.  Being “aware” of what’s going on is totally a good start.

Participate.  This Saturday, March 19th, there will be a live “Twitter party”.  I’m not a huge fan of the phrase, “Twitter party”, so I’ll just put it to you like this – if you’re sitting around on Saturday night and happen to be in front of your computer between the hours of 6-7pm CST, go to Twitter and search the hashtag: #ChildHungerEndsHere.  I will be there, participating via @parentsphere

If you refuse to use your computer on a Saturday night, but will turn on the tube and wait for SNL to come on, then, consider watching the NBC “Child Hunger Ends Here” 30-minute special featuring everybody’s pal, Al Roker.  The special will be broadcast in select markets at the same time as the live chat (6-7pm CST)

Whew, this is WAY long.  I have so much more to share, so stay tuned…please…

Next up: I’m going to tell you ways that you can help!  Don’t cringe…remember what I said up there about sitting on pins and needles each week?  There are “simple” ways to help, too.  Another reason I like this initiative so much.

Joey’s Song

  By Amy | January 19, 2011 - 1:04 pm | ,
1 Comment

Joeys Song V1

As I was preparing for my interview with Ralph Covert (aka Ralph’s World), I learned that he contributed an unreleased track to a brand new compilation album called “Joey’s Song”.  Proceeds from the album’s sales go to The Joseph Gomoll Foundation (“Joey”).  Joey’s foundation has been set up to help raise money for the Epilepsy Foundation, as Joey had a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet’s Syndrome.  Joey passed away last March at the sweet, innocent age of four.

Of course, Joey’s story hit me pretty hard.  When my daughter was six months old, she had multiple seizures.  The seizures were most likely caused by an illness she had at the time but there was really never any proof of that.  She is now five years old and has been seizure-free since then.  I will never forget the way I felt when I saw my baby having seizures.  My heart goes out to the Gomoll family and any family who has experienced this scary situation.

I feel like it’s my obligation to help this family spread the word about Joey’s story.  Talking about it and purchasing Joey’s Song, Volume 1 is just one small way I can show my support to the Gomoll family.  This is just the first of many incredible compilations put together in honor of their little boy.  You can choose to purchase Joey’s Song in two versions: the “adult” version or the “kid” version.  So many artists have lent their talent in support of this great cause.

Volume 1 of Joey’s Song, the adult album, includes an all-star line-up of acts such as: Mike Viola, Del Amitri, Crash Test Dummies, and Cowboy Junkies.  Appearing on the kid’s album: Ralph Covert, Ellis Paul, Steve Forbert, and Jon Dee Graham among many, many other incredible and talented musicians.

Ralph Covert and I briefly talked about his donation to the cause:

Joey’s Song CD release party is right around the corner, this coming Friday, January 21st to be precise.  If you are in the Chicago area, specifically, the northwestern suburbs, you should think about attending the party.  You can find the event details here.  There will be live entertainment from The Retro Specz, Freedy Johnston, Ralph Covert and Michael Mcdermott.  Looks like it’s going to be an all-around good time.

If you can’t make it to the CD release party Friday, you can still pre-order Joey’s Song: Volume 1 here.  We’ll keep you posted when other volumes are released.

Best wishes to the Gomoll family, from our family here at ParentSphere.

Boo-Boo patches and B4BC

  By Amy | October 11, 2010 - 11:02 pm | ,
3 Comments

walle with bra

Boo-boo patches.  Have you guessed yet?  Ever since my eldest daughter (who is about to turn 5) was a wee one, she has referred to “breasts” as “boo-boo’s”.  Whenever we pass by the lingerie aisle, she giggles a little and points.  Calling bras “Boo-boo patches” is a little joke that we share and saying it makes us both giggle.

And why are we talking about bras and boo-boo’s at ParentSphere?  Well, duh.  It’s National Breast Cancer Awareness month, I’m a woman and I care about all of my lady friends.  So, let’s discuss.

Finding a lump is one of my biggest fears.  Do you check yourself on a monthly basis?  Don’t you think we all should?  Yeah, I do too.  So, I’m setting a reminder for myself every month because I have many reasons to stay on top of my health.

I lost my dad to cancer and my mom has had skin cancer.  I know all about cancer.  I have a cousin who is going through treatments right now and an aunt who went through it a couple of years ago.  These ladies and all of the women who have dealt with breast cancer in some form or another are my inspiration.  I bet if you think about it, someone who has touched your life has gone through it, too.

How do you recognize and support breast cancer awareness?  Let me tell you how I do.

Boarding for Breast Cancer

I have been a follower and supporter of Boarding for Breast Cancer for several years.  I first learned about this non-profit breast cancer organization in 2007 at the Vans Warped Tour in Chicago.  I remember thinking, “Wow, very cool.  Someone is finally reaching out to and educating the younger crowd.”  I have sported a B4BC decal on my vehicle and wear a pink B4BC wrist-band ever since touching the jelly breast self-exam boobs at Warped (and I’m proud of it).

So, what is this organization all about?  Staying active, raising awareness and supporting a cause.  B4BC was founded by professional women snowboarders, Tina Basich and Shannon Dunn.  Boarding for Breast Cancer actively educates and raises breast cancer awareness across the country.  I am currently a supporter but plan on getting more involved by volunteering at events around my area in the future.

I have also shown my support of this awesome group’s initiatives by purchasing these two tees:

B4BC-tees

Billabong – Protect your Tetons tee and Paul Frank – Take Care of the Ladies tee

When you purchase items from the B4BC Official Store, all of the proceeds from your purchases support B4BC’s educational outreach efforts.

Other ways you can show your support for B4BC is by telling all of the young ladies in your life about this “cool” organization,
follow B4BC on Twitter, “Like” their Facebook Page, and/or subscribe to their mailing list to stay up-to-date on their initiatives.  You could also consider volunteering for B4BC when they come to your town.

Last but most certainly not least, check out the Boarding for Breast Cancer, “7 Steps to Stomp out Breast Cancer” interactive guide.

SecuraTrac and Disney World

  By Amy | July 31, 2010 - 10:29 pm | , , , , ,
4 Comments

In May, I wrote about SecuraTrac, a company that specializes in GPS tracking.  In June, I had the opportunity to put the SecuraPal to test – at Walt Disney World.

Before leaving for our trip, I signed into my account on the SecuraTrac website and created “fences” for the areas my family and I would be visiting while in Florida.  SecuraFences are safety zones that you configure within your account.  You can create an unlimited number of fences; for instance, I created a separate fence for each of the Disney World parks we visited.  When you activate a fence, your SecuraPal will send you text and/or email alerts when the person carrying it goes outside of the area you created.

The SecuraPal (GPS tracking device) is small and comes with a case.  It was easy to attach the device to my preschooler either by stringing her belt through it, hanging it from a belt loop with a hook or sticking it in one of her pockets.  There were many occasions where I lost sight of her in the parks.  Have you been to Disney World?  It’s quite easy to lose sight of people.  She wanted to be right next to her cousin the entire time, not her parents.

(From your account dashboard, you can see the SecuraPal’s exact location in 5, 15, 30 or 60 minute increments)

Honestly, it eased my mind a little knowing that if something should happen to separate us, she could press a button to alert us (triggering an alert via text message and/or email to one or multiple assigned contacts).  We would also be alerted if she was “outside of the fence” we previously created and activated online.  We could check our SecuraTrac account from the iPhone and pinpoint her location.  Knowing that we were being proactive in finding her, helped me to not worry so much.  We were fortunate that no one in our group got lost, though, the peace of mind that this little device gave me was priceless.

There are many ways you can put this kind of technology to use.  Chris Holbert, SecuraTrac’s founder, suggested giving it to your teenager before he or she leaves the house.  Who’s the cool kid that doesn’t have to check in with mom and dad?  Attach it to your dog’s collar before he goes out to “do business”.  Does he bolt, like our family dog?  You can find him easy enough now.

Stick it in the stroller when Grandma or the nanny takes the kids for a walk to the park.  I know right where they are and when they’re coming back.  Have a tween that likes to go to the movies with friends?  Stick it in her purse before she leaves the house.

If it’s not already obvious, I think this is an awesome product and service and completely endorse it.