St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

 The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.

St. Jude's is awesome! I am sure many of you have seen the benefits and ads on TV from celebrities asking you to support St. Jude's...well...I am no Jennifer Anniston or Marlo Thomas but I, too, am asking for you to participate in the amazing-ness that is St. Jude's. Located in Memphis, TN I will be visiting the hospital in January to deliver items necessary to bettering the lives of the children and their families who are patients there. St. Jude relies on donations and volunteers to to keep programs functioning and supplies available. And remember, it is not just a local hospital. St. Jude benefits children from all over the country...your donations could very well benefit someone from your own community.

Though many items are needed I am gathering items for entertainment purposes. Imagine spending all your days in the hospital...how grateful you would be for things to take your mind off your illness and provide moments of pleasure.


If you are so sick and have to stay in bed...what is one of the only things you can do? ...sleep yes...but watching movies helps pass the time and can even bring laughs and smiles amidst the suffering.


Please send NEW RELEASE DVDS for children and teens.
     **Must be wrapped in original packaging. No used movies please.
     ** Ratings G, PG, and PG-13 only. I would shoot for the first two.
     **Dupilcate DVDs are just fine...one patient might want to watch a movie
         in their room, while another patient would like the exact same movie
         in their room.
     ** There are lots of 5.00 dvds at walmart and target
          ** Disney...of course is always a hit
          **don't forget Hannah Montana,The Suite Life, Wizards..etc
              Phineas and Ferb
          ** Nick Jr...Dora, Diego, Wonderpets, Wow Wow Wubzy, etc
          ** Nick...Spongebob, iCarly, Zoey 101
          **Any DVDs not taken by St. Jude's will be delievered to a local shelter or children's
              home. All donations will be appreciated by someone!!!

Next, I am gathering supplies to put together crafts projects. The children do crafts daily and are always looking for new projects. 

                           ** Gallon Zip-Lock Bags...any brand with the "zip"
                           ** Stickers...ANY KIND
                           ** Crayons...the smaller boxes are easiest.
                           ** Colored pencils...the smaller count boxes are perfect
                           ** Markers...again the same thing..smaller count are perfect
                           ** Popsicle sticks
                           ** Foam pieces and stickers
                           ** Construction Paper or Card Stock...all colors and sizes
                           ** Beads & Jewels (for necklaces and bracelets)
                           ** Safety Scissors (in original packaging only)
                           ** String, Wire, Small rope
                           ** Paint brushes all sizes
                           ** Watercolors in original packaging
                           ** Glue Sticks
                           ** Anything Scrapbooking
                           ** Any of the Crayola packs...the special markers and paper,
                                craft packs, etc.

St. Jude's does not take Play-Doh, glitter, food items such as noodles or beans...but local shelters and homes will if that is something you want to send.


**NOTE** Oriental Trading.com has craft packs and you can find them at amazingly low prices. Remember I am delivering in January so make them appropriate for that time of year...Valentine's Day would be a great them. Go through Ebates.com first and you will get cash back on your purchase!

Please send all items to:

E-mail me for the shipping address. :)

Questions? Email me at lauravannoy@gmail.com

If you can help in anyway...large or small please do!! I know some are not in a position to donate expensively...but even if you can just put a packet of stickers in an envelope and send them it will be so appreciated! Many of these items can be found at the dollar stores...so you don't have to buy name brand or spend a ton.

I would just be beyond thrilled if everyone who reads this can send at least ONE thing! I will be taking pictures of the process and share with you in January the delivery. Be a part of it with me! I want all my friends there with me!

Thanks in advance! Love you all!


                     

Fun Ideas!

I just did a post over on Dollars for Diapers about a really fun blog I came across today that has loads of great ideas for activities to do with the kiddos! Check it out if you need all the help you can get...like me;)

It has only been FOREVER

Hey Everybody!

After what has been an eternity I have updated over at Dollars for Diapers. I posted some ideas for getting out and giving this holiday season. If any of you have some fun traditions or experiences that you would like to share please visit me over there and leave it in the comments! and PLEASE DO SHARE!! I love to hear traditions and new ideas...so go! Yes...the post is long but is chalk full of ideas in case you need a little help or boost at what you and your family can do this year.

I have really been neglecting the blog for Dollars for Diapers but I have been working on it locally...so I have not abandoned it completely...just have not been good at updating. :)

And I did notice my button went all weird...I will work on getting that fixed. So thanks to all of you that have stuck with me and kept your buttons up and have supported me! It really means a lot. If any of you would like to donate there is a Pay Pal button on the blog and a 100% guarantee that your funds will go directly to a sweet little baby tushie;)

Dollars for Diapers

Okay...I decided to do something about my thoughts...put them to action I guess you could say! Remember back when I watched "Oprah's Big Give" and wanted to come up with a good idea?!?!?...well...the diaper relief thought has stayed with me ever since then and I have decided to give it a whirl. I do not know what will come of it....but I figure if we can help even one family...diaper one little tush then it will be worth it!

So...I have created "Dollars for Diapers"...a diaper relief effort. I am dreaming big and want to reach every corner of the United States. I have seen the blogging community do great things...the efforts for Nie Nie have been incredible...and I know we can do more. Where there are numbers there is power...and where there is a group of moms there are caring hearts. I trust that every person on my blog roll will find this effort a worthy cause and will get involved...even if that just means posting a blurb on your blog and linking your blog to the diaper blog.

I am asking each and every one of my readers to support me in this cause! I believe even with just my small group of readers we can make a difference...but if my readers reach out to all of their readers...who in turn reach out to their readers...then this effort can be huge and we can help hundred upon hundreds who need our help.

Families are having to stretch their dollars even more than ever before. And while we all may be feeling the pinch there is always something we can do or give! I want to help families who may be making a decision on whether to pay the power bill or diaper their baby. Those are decision people shouldn't have to make...and ones WE CAN MAKE EASIER!! We can do this and I want all of you to do it with me!!!

Dollars for Diapers is accepting donations through Pay Pal on the blog. We will be setting up a PO Box so that we can also receive checks and money orders by mail...as well as donated goods. We are focused on diapers but also want to be able to provide baby wipes, diaper rash creams, and other baby care items...as well as potty training items and tips and education where we can. For now I am keeping it simple...we just want people to donate diapers!

All the logistics have not been determined. We are waiting to see if this will be what we hope it will. The way diapers are distributed will be based on the support we receive...the funds we collect...and the needs of our communities. Currently I am counting on my friends that I know and trust to act as "Diaper Stations" dotting the USA. Right now I just need people in all locations who are willing to act as a "station". From there I will be in contact with you about your community needs...the areas surrounding you..and such...and as funds come in they will be distributed through out the stations...the station managers will be in charge of purchasing diapers with the funds we send and giving them to families who will best benefit from them, or by contacting community programs who may assist you in finding families in need. I would also like Station managers who want to be active in this cause and spread the word...hold local community drives and fund raising events to the best of your abilities. This is not a requirement though...if anyone is interested in just being a home base...where diapers can be distributed then I want you! Please contact me and let me know what you want to do to help!

I know things may seem daunting, people start to doubt what will come of ideas, it may seem you do not have time...but we CAN do this. I can't do it alone...I need all of you. We can make a difference.

So...to start...write a blurb about Dollars for Diapers and link your blog to dollarsfordiapers.blogspot.com. Click on the "Follow this blog" button on the diaper blog. Doing this allows you to know when the blog is updated...but most importantly...when someone looks at your profile it tells them the blogs you follow...if someone is interested in you then they will be interested in the blogs you follow. And it will show support in numbers...which will make new comers to the effort feel confident and comfortable with making a donation or getting involved. If you feel you can't do anything else this is all I ask of you!! Please take just a few minutes to write a quick post and link and then you are done!!! If you would like to help more e-mail me at dollarsfordiapers@gmail.com.

I am writing to Pampers first because I am using the logo "Every baby deserves to be Pampered"...and I want Pampers to sponsor this. From there I will reach out to anyone and everyone I can think of. If you have ideas let me know! If you have the "ins" on fundraising and asking for support help me out!

If you have ideas on how to improve the blog...links I should include...things I should say or do...ANYTHING...then I want you!! I want everyone to feel like this is their project and work together on a common goal.

Sooo...I need some motivational speaking skills...But WHO IS WITH ME??!?!?!