Charities

I have been so blessed in my life so one of the things that I had to include was giving back to a charity. I put up a poll with a few charities that are near and dear to my heart. If y'all would vote, it will be open until next Sunday.

Here is a little info on each of the charities:

Catholic Charities
I was adopted when I was just a few months old by my parents down out of Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia. This is obviously my personal tie to this charity but they do so much. They're mission is to improve the lives of the people of Eastern Virginia. While this is a national organization, I would want to give back directly to this one.
Catholic Charities

American Cancer Society
In an earlier post, I told y'all about a dear friend of mine who was diagnosed with leukemia. I think it is safe to say that almost all Americans know at least one person battling cancer, regardless of the type. This is a beautiful charity that educates, researches and supports patients across the country.
American Cancer Society

National Military Family Association
I come from a very pro-military family. My father, two uncles and grandfather all went to West Point and served in the US Army after graduation. The Military and their families deserve all of the support and efforts us citizens they protect give. We are so blessed to live in the greatest country in the world.
National Military Family Association

Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute
Clare Boothe Luce is one of my personal heroes who was a Congresswoman from Connecticut, among many other things such as editor, playwright, dancer, ambassador, socialite and journalist. The institute provides funding to conservative young women for training and guidance to become involved in politics. The Clare Boothe Luce Policy institute is the single most significant source of private support for women in science, mathematics and engineering. To date grants of more than $120 million have supported some 1,550 women.
Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute

#33- Take a Yoga class

I have a few classes on my list and this is the first one I get to cross off. I signed up for yoga as a 1 credit class here at Flagler. I got my mat and my little bag to carry it in, ready to go. I got to the class a little early and was welcomed by very relaxing music and tons of kids scattered all around with their mats.

I laid out my mat and waited. My professor was great! He explained everything we were doing as well as the history and methods of yoga. One thing I did realize quite quickly is that I have absolutely no upper body strength. This was hard! You see people doing it and they make it look so easy... not so much.

The next morning my body was killing me. It was a great pain, though, knowing that I was working muscles I never had before. Though I unfortunately had to drop the class to make space, I did get to take my yoga class and enjoyed it! Highly recommended.

#11- Become a vegetarian for a week

Today I will start this one. It's going to be rough, but I also happen to be on a diet do it may not be as bad as I think it will be.

Regardless, wish me luck! I'll let y'all know how it goes in a week from right.... NOW!

#21- Grow a Plant from a Seed

I can officially cross this one off the list :) My beautiful flower bloomed today! Here is a picture to remind you of the beginning...


And here it is now!!

#24- Donate Blood

Recently, our family has had two family friends diagnosed with leukemia. Once again, an event in my life gave me a kick in the butt to cross another item off my list. Donate Blood.

The Blood Mobile happened to be outside of our Church after mass so it was extremely convenient. I signed up and loaded onto the bus...


After answering a million and one questions, they laid me out on the bed and found a vein. They suprisingly took more blood than I thought, more than a pint!

After laying there and giving the blood, I was finished! SO easy and the needle didn't even hurt.. that badly. :)

I was fortunate enough to meet an amazing woman on the bus. She had worked for the Red Cross for 32 years and this was her 72nd time donating blood. She asked me why I was donating and I was shocked by her question. She told me that people always have a reason that they start to give blood. I told her my reason was for my dear friend who was just diagnosed with leukemia. She told me that her reason was because her sorority house mother was going to have heart surgery over 30 years ago and she has been donating ever since.

I found what she told me amazing. It really did take this list and my friend's diagnosis to get me to donate. It is so easy and so beneficial to society that we shouldn't NEED a reason.

So I urge you all to go donate. It takes 10 minutes and literally saves lives.

Thank you all to everyone who donates and those who work for the Red Cross! I plan to be a lifer with this one ;)