Love Drop Year in Review

12 months. 12 cities. 12 families. $90,000 given to those who not only needed it, but also deserved it. Together, we proved that micro-giving through social media really does work!

We had the privilege of representing this team all around the country for an entire year, and the experience was one we will never forget. It was truly an honor to work with all of you wonderful, giving people, and we’d like to thank you for making 2011 a life-changing year for ALL of us.

While this phase is over, we’re always cooking up more ways to do good. To stay in the loop for future Love Drop plans, sign up here. Thanks for being a part of it all, we’ll see you again soon! :)

SAY HI TO OUR PARTNERS:

Final Drop Video of The Year!

Check it out, guys! Our very last Love Drop video, full of special guest stars, Christmas cheer, and more joy than you can shake a stick at! It was the perfect ending to our big project this year.

With your help, we have accomplished our goal for 2011 – to build a new micro-giving project that allows anyone to give just a small amount, but make a huge difference for a deserving family. Together we gave over $90,000 this year to 12 families who will never be the same thanks to YOUR generosity.

While this phase is over, we’re always cooking up more ways to do good. To stay in the loop for future Love Drop plans, sign up here. Thanks for being a part of it all, we’ll see you again soon! :)

SAY HI TO OUR PARTNERS:

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WE DID IT, TEAM! We gave Marci and her entire family a handful of WONDERFUL vacations together – it was so fun! You’ll have to watch the video to see how we presented them all (we thought it was pretty clever, hehe) but here are a handful of the AWESOME gifts we gave them:

– A family trip for five to Aruba!! Including lodging, airfare, food, and even spending money!
– A romantic trip for two to New York city :)
– And many many other wonderful surprises, including a brand new nice camera (woo!).

You all really out did yourselves this month, and we couldn’t be more proud. THANK YOU for making such positive change with us all year long, you’ve touched so many lives!

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[To check out the pictures, click here.]

• We sent Marci and her entire family to ARUBA!!! – You guys did it! Our mission was to get them to spend more quality time together, and WOW did y’all come up with some whoppers :) The first being an ALL-INCLUSIVE family of 5 trip to Aruba including all airfare (thanks Joni & Wally!), lodging (a house 1 mile from the beach – thanks Kim!), $500 worth food!, and a $1,000 shopping spree – perfect for any scuba diving or other family activities they may wanna do together while there. A one-week vacation of bliss. Doesn’t get more relaxing than that!
• We then gave them a romantic weekend for TWO to New York city! Because we all know parents need a break from there loving kids too :) So with help from some *awesome* people out there, we were able to send Marci and Dave on a round-trip getaway to NYC to not only spend some quality time together as a couple, but to also check out some night life (Thx Goldstar!) and a fancy pants dinner with each other too. And did we mention they’ll be staying at the downtown Times Square Marriott? Woohoo!
• Also hooked them up with a family getaway to Estes Park – a local attraction filled with family friendly activities and quaint lodging. Perfect for a little relaxing and unwinding time close by whenever they need it :)
• Got them a brand new Canon camera & lens too!! So they can take alllllll the photos they want, on alllll the adventures they’ll soon be going on. Best Buy hooked them up with a nice bag and other goodies like filters and a memory stick too – nothing but the best for our Love Drop recipients! :)
• Filled a suitcase full of fun items and packages — Esp. for their trip to Aruba like bright t-shirts (that spell out A-R-U-B-A, haha… good idea Melissa!), maps and travel books, stuffed animals, and the one thing we always forget when we go away — toiletries! Fellow Love Drop member Edward was thoughtful enough to fill up 5 little bags full of goodies for them so they’ll always be prepared ;) Good one, Ed!
• Gave them a $250 Gift card to Macaroni Grill — Compliments of the team over there! To help with food during all the times their family needs a break from cooking :)
• A $100 Visa card – From dear friend and Love Drop member, ColoradoMom! (Which was certainly fitting considering we were in Colorado this month! Hehe :))
• A $25 Target gift card – From another awesome person!
• 6 months of meal plans from MealPlanRescue.com – our yearly partner!
• And 6 months worth of coaching services through Hope Couching – for anytime Marci, or any of her family members, just need some private time to talk and get some refreshing advice. We love you for always offering this up, Ronae!

Another incredible success, team! Y’all just keep bringing the love and making these Drops amazing month in and month out. Give yourselves a hearty pat on the back – way to spread the positivity :)

Special thanks goes out to both Emily and Melissa too for not only helping to organize a lot of this month’s festivities, but also for stepping in and helping with the photography and capturing all of the great moments we shared together. Thank you so very much for helping us to pull it off!

Meet Diomi and Nalee :)

This Christmas we’re coming together for Diomi and her son Nalee, who are going into the cold Milwaukee winter with very little food, clothes, and other necessities. Diomi has been through so much, including the loss of her father, the loss of her job, and clinical depression. But even through the pain you can see all the love she has for Nalee, who has one of the most beautiful personalities you’ll find. :)

We want to make this month special for them! We’re working with their pastor to help get things they really need, including school uniforms for Nalee, interview clothes for Diomi as she looks for a job, and food to help them through the winter months. Let’s make our very last Love Drop special!

Where Your Money Goes We were touched by Diomi’s story, but even beyond that, we were blown away by Nalee. This kid has a sweet, kind soul, with so much love for his mom and for the few blessings that they do have. When we learned that he has to wear the same clothes to school every day of the week, we knew we had to help. (They wash his uniform by hand once a week and let it air dry in the house over the weekend – they don’t have money to go to the laundromat.) Many of us have been in a spot where money was tight, but to have a kid like Nalee have his self esteem broken because he can’t afford clothes for school is unacceptable. Let’s do what we can to give them an extra joyful Christmas this year! Why We’re Helping This Family We know of a lot of people who would like this or that to make their Christmas better this year. But Diomi and Nalee actually need things to improve their lives. Basic things like food, clothes, personal hygiene products, and the biggest of all – hope. Hope that their lives won’t always be this hard, that there are people in this world who care about them and are already working to help get them where they need to be. We want the Love Drop team to be a big part of lifting this family up. If you can find it in your hearts to give one extra gift this year, whether it be money or a helpful item they can use, please send it in – our goal is to reach $3,000 worth of necessities. Share  Tweet                     Let’s end 2011 the way we started it . . . with love.

Join our team and help Diomi and Nalee this Christmas! :) Click here to make a 1-time payment, or give via check or c/c.

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Marci’s cancer is back and her family knows exactly what to do, support her fight. Marci knows her condition cannot be cured but it can be treated, which is why she donates so much of her time to creating awareness and fundraising for cancer research.

Over the past 7 years she has seen firsthand the improvement in cancer treatment because of money raised from campaigns including the Avon Walk For Breast Cancer. Marci has a fighter’s spirit who tells her family and others with cancer, “don’t count us out. We’re going to get back up and be stronger than before.”

Let’s give this strong woman and her tough family a little time to connect in a way that doesn’t involve cancer. Put on your Mickey Mouse ears and let’s think FAMILY FUN!

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For families struggling to make ends meet, granting the final wish of a dying loved one can be difficult, if not impossible. Astronomical hospital bills and care-giver fees can drain a family’s budget very quickly. The Dream Foundation focuses on easing this burden by catering to the specific needs and desires of its dreamers.

Located in California, the Dream Foundation manages three different programs, Dream Granting, Flower Empower and the Toy Program.

Dream Granting – The website refers to this program as the, “heart and soul of the Dream Foundation.” They pose the question, “If you had one year to live. . . what would your dream be?” Then they try to fulfill it. Potential dreamers are encouraged to fill out an application telling a little about their illness and then describe their request. For the Dream Foundation there is no “want” that is too farfetched. In the past, people have asked for a garden in their name, a book of poetry published, a loved one flown in from far away and many would like to meet a favorite celebrity or take one last vacation with their family.

Flower Empower – Based in Santa Monica, this program was started by local volunteers who wanted to brighten the day of critically ill people in their city. Every Saturday morning a group of volunteers meets at a local farmer’s market to assemble bouquets of donated flowers. The arrangements are then delivered to hospitals, hospice facilities and homes. In addition to the flowers, deliveries may also include fresh-baked cookies and chocolate.

Toy Program – For dying parents with young children, the emotional and financial strain on a family can be overwhelming. Volunteers from the Toy Program send parents age-appropriate gifts for their children. The gifts are pre-wrapped and sent directly to the parent to give to the child. This partnership with Ty company and Hasbro is wonderful because it gives children a momentary respite from their parents’ illness and everything it brings with it.

It was an emotional experience to read through the current dreamer requests and past wishes granted. Paul is battling a brain tumor but wanted to see the final installment of Harry Potter with his 16-year-old son. Zoh, a mother of two young children whose breast cancer returned, wanted to spend some quality time with her family. Amie, almost completely paralyzed from the neck down from her battle with ALS, wants to attend a Rick Springfield concert. Sweet, spunky 91-year-old Jeannie told her doctors she wanted to die in her home and then promptly asked the Dream Foundation for a lobster dinner and coconut cream pie. The wishes are different but the sentiment is the same. They each want something they can savor, that their families can savor, to take some sting out of what’s to come.

The Dream Foundation accepts monetary donations, mileage vouchers and other unique ideas individuals have that could help the dreamers.

“I know if we could step away just for a few days we could put some punctuation on this time and move forward as a family, lighter and less wounded. My wish is to be just myself, for my family.” — Zoh – Dream Foundation dreamer

 Make your heart happy. Do good.

 
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Marci’s family and friends know the depth of her strength because they’ve watched her fight breast cancer. . . twice. Although they’re banding together again and gearing up to help her fight a third battle with this disease, they say she is the one who inspires and encourages them to push forward.

A recent two-time triathlete, Marci isn’t letting this latest diagnosis stop her from living life to its full potential. Cancer may be stealing her health but she’s trying to stay one step ahead of it. Now more than ever, she lives in the moment and encourages others to do the same.

This month, we want you to be part of Marci’s Army. Let’s help stop her world for just a few days so she can soak up precious moments with her husband and children. We know we can do this for her. Help us give her the best gift right now – time!

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Those iconic lyrics are from the 1970’s classic, Bridge Over Troubled Water. After all these years it remains a tune of hope and feels like a snug radio hug whenever I hear it. The message of the song reflects the mantra of our latest charity spotlight, Band Back Together, “we are none of us alone.”

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting the Simon and Garfunkel of Band Back Together, Becky and Jana. Some of you serious bloggers might know Becky as Aunt Becky from her wildly popular site, Mommy Wants Vodka. I’m a big fan of her no-holds-barred persona and zany Twitter page so I didn’t know what to expect. During our interview she was reserved, making it very clear she was serious about The Band and all the goodness they provide, in spite of the often difficult subject matter.

Before The Band

Becky’s third child was born with a rare neural tube defect. The shock of the diagnosis and weight of the treatment involved to cure her daughter took its toll. Already fighting emotional demons from life as a child of alcoholism, she began to experience depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. When she wrote about these torrents of emotion on her blog she received many, “there-there” comments but also, “hey, I’ve been there too” responses. When I asked why she didn’t create a site based solely on her daughter’s condition she said, “I thought about it, but then decided it would be too exclusive. Everyone has a story.”

Band Members

It would be great if life were like an episode of the Cosby show with little Rudy Huxtable lip-syncing a jazz tune at the end but it’s not. Life has handed people some dark and twisty stuff that tests their resolve every day. Band Back Together provides a place for people to submit their story of struggle and also triumph, whatever that may be. The stories are categorized so you can find a topic with ease. BBT’s goal is to give people a safe place to read, share and talk. With over 100 subjects already covered under the site from adoption to eating disorders, to the loss of a child, nothing is off-limits.

How The Band Helps

For many, writing down the words they wish they could say to their abuser or talking to cancer like it’s a living thing is helpful. Telling their personal story is cathartic. Others just want to know they’re not alone. Band Back Together provides both these opportunities and then they go one step further. For each category they also provide a resource page. Many bleary-eyed, sleepless hours by Becky, Jana and their volunteer staff went into creating it. From a suicide hotline to Asperger’s page, The Band not only allows readers to vent, they also let them know where to go for help. Becky considers this page especially helpful to patients who have just been diagnosed with a serious disease or condition. Doctors provide advice for the disease itself but not how to “live” with it. Band Back Together helps patients deal with the emotional toll.

Aunt Becky, Jana and the entire BBT team are incredibly inspiring and their work is tireless. Regardless of the burden you carry, Band Back Together wants to be your bridge over troubled water. Everyone is welcome and you are never alone.

Make your heart happy. Do good.

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Talk about a baby success! Y’all raised over $2,000 in cash and gifts, and we were able to surprise Jeff & Becca with a VAN FULL of baby supplies! And it only took us 6 hours to go out and buy, haha… (you’ll see our Babies “R” Us spree and antics in the video ;)). Overall we were able to show up with over 2,300 diapers, 2,700 baby wipes, 480 servings of formula, 3 high chairs, a large crib, TONS of toys and clothes, and enough detergent for over 740 loads of laundry. It was quite the celebration, let me tell you.

And it just goes to show again how IMPACTFUL each and every one of your single acts of kindness can have when joined together for a specific mission. In 30 days you affected 3 of the most beautiful babies around, and the whole family will be forever grateful. Way to go, team!

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[To check out the pictures, click here.]

• We dropped off over $2,500 worth of baby stuff! – Do you know how many carts that fills up?? Haha… (4). Our good friends over at Babies “R” Us hooked us up with some discounts, and we went all out shopping for a solid 4 hours making sure we got those babies as many of the essentials as we could (not to mention an additional Costco run for some of the bigger bulk items!). And we give mad thanks to Heather, our nominator this month, for helping us along in the process too – we would have been lost without her! :)

So GREAT JOB with all the money this month, everyone — You REALLY made a difference in these triplets’ lives! Check out all the stuff we gave them:

• 2,304 Diapers (Over 10 huge boxes worth!)
• 2,700 Wipes (those babies can be messy! :))
• 748 Loads worth of detergent (again, they’re messy!)
• 480 Servings of baby formula (which is not cheap, wow)
• 3 High chairs (each with cool-looking monkeys on them ;))
  
• 3 Swings (one of which we had never seen before? Kinda cool the new stuff out there)
  
• 1 Large play pen (which looked like it could convert to bunk beds for the babies! Haha… it had all sorts of different levels and toys built in :))
  
• 1 Nice stroller (they already had one which fit two, so now the set’s complete! Thanks Shannon!)
• 3 CUTE snowsuits! Two blues and one pink ;)
• $500 worth of toys and other baby items (wayyyyy too many to mention, but let’s just say it filled an entire shopping cart and a half! Blankets, games, squishy things, you name it. If it was baby-related, we probably picked up 3 of them ;))
• A gift bag from the Indianapolis Colts! Stuffed w/ awesomely branded animals and well wishes (Thanks Colts! And Jessica for sharing the triplets’ story with them :))
• TWO complete Date nights! Which consists of two fancy dinners, followed by tickets to the movies and FREE baby sitting by a close friend of theirs. Gotta make sure the parents have breaks!
• A $150 gas card to help get them there and back, as well as for other daily trips that are always needed :)
• $75 worth of Babies “R” Us gift cards: Thanks again Trinnie and Jessica!
• 4 Tickets to the Children’s Museum‘s Haunted House! (Thanks Heather and Children’s Museum!)
• A Nintendo Wii :) For the whole family to play and spend some fun times together.
• A gift bag of beauty goodness from Sarah – Thanks so much for driving all the way over to celebrate with everyone!
• 6 months of meal plans courtesy of MealPlanRescue.com (Thanks for always participating!)
• 6 months of coaching services from JRRSEHopeCoaching.com – Solutions for midlife parents, troubled teens, single moms & career challenges.
• And a photo book from GroupStory to capture the entire Drop’s celebrations.

WAY TO GO guys!! These babies are gonna be sooooooo taken care of for quite a while – give your selves some pats on the back :) So amazing how everyone’s efforts combined can create such a larger impact in such a small amount of time we have every month. Keep up the great work!!

*Special thanks to Casey Mullins for her awesome Photography skills!