Decision: Update or take it down...

Final Decision: Update.

Yeah. Been lazy about the GNO blog. Wasn't sure anyone was really reading it anyway... until last night someone mentioned it. Figured I'd give it another whirl.

For the GNO's, this is more like a newsletter and is the same thing on the Facebook group page and in the email I sent out. So if you read those and this still doesn't sound familiar, then you should have your memory checked. Basically, there is no new information here than was there from this point forward.

Inclusions: Update on last nights collection, Upcoming Events, Calendar for the year.
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Hello Ladies,

Well, last night was truly a success! A big thanks to Jen & Sukey for their valued skills as Project Leaders and to all of the girls who donated flour, sugar, cake mixes, food coloring & cake pans. I'm guesstimating that we must have collected enough ingredients for 200+ birthday cakes for the "Free Cakes for Kids" organization. Mischell, the organizer for the Western Washington South Sound Chapter, spoke to the group about the cause. She truly is amazing and inspiring. Amy (and her two boys), were also in attendance. She is a volunteer baker and helps make and deliver cakes to the kids in need in her area.

Honestly, I guess I never gave much thought to the importance of a birthday cake. I always took it for granted. It was never a question whether my parents would have one or not in order to celebrate my special day. If you think about it, it's your day to feel important, needed, wanted, loved and just plain special. Your existence matters and a birthday cake is a symbol for the celebration of your life. Hearing Mischell talk about the kids that aren't as fortunate, made me realize how lucky I was to have loving parents and family to show me that I matter. It's amazing what a little flour, sugar, eggs and a lot of love can do to formulate the soul of a child. A little enlightenment goes a long way... and I am so proud that we were able to make birthdays special for so many kids. I hope our little efforts have far reaching effects and each candle that gets blown out atop the cake results in a dream come true.

Oh dear. I must be PMS'in. Sorry for gettin' all verklempt. Changing the tone now.

The web site is right here if you want to help Mischell in other ways... like being a volunteer baker, cake runner, donate more supplies, or want to send some dollars to help with their ever increasing list of kids in need. They don't get the ingredients for free, nor the gas in the car to drive to the birthday party. They need help and if you know of anyone who might want to do so, pass it on. It's the GNO way.
http://www.freecakesforkidssouthsound.com/

One more thing about Free Cakes for Kids... there is a big event coming up in June and the GNO's have offered to make cakes at home, and gather at the studio to decorate them. Mischell will provide more details so we can be the most effective in our efforts, but be prepared for the announcement.
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On the Calendar...

May 22 is the Team In Training/Leukemia & Lymphoma fun(d) raiser at the studio. It's a funtastic party for a serious cause. Be there & bring friends! If you want to help or have art or raffle items to donate, contact Teri at teri.mann@comcast.net and she'll get you all hooked up with the details. Submissions by Wednesday, 5/19/10 are appreciated. Teri has a donation page, but I can't seem to get it to load. She'll have to update us with the correct address.
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June 8: The GNO for June is super easy! Our favorite sisters, Patrice & Michelle, are doing their 6th annual 3-day walk for Breast Cancer. Their Bowling for Boobs event is on June 12th, at 7pm, West Seattle Bowl. We need to let them know how many lanes & teams the GNO's will have, so sign up with a group. Bring your men (husbands, boyfriends & lovers) and your girlfriends. It's about boobs and it's about time we tell the world they aren't just for staring at any more! We need to save them because every boob matters. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114505435254245&ref=mf#!/event.php?eid=330085516075
If you can't make it to the BFB event and want to support their cause, here are their donation sites...

Patrice: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2010/ChicagoEvent2010?px=1178552&pg=personal&fr_id=1463

Michelle: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2010/ChicagoEvent2010?px=1167514&pg=personal&fr_id=1463

On June 8th, I figured we can gather up and decorate our bras for the decorated bra contest, bring in any raffle items that you would like to donate to their raffle event, and figure out what they need help with for that Saturday night.

Here is the calendar for the rest of the year.
June/July is a combined month so we'll be taking July off... unless I hear suggestions or complaints otherwise.

August/September: 9/14/10** http://www.treehouse4kids.org/
Idea: Back to School theme: Homework Helper & Treehouse for Kids. We'll gather school supplies, backpacks, lunch totes, etc to donate for less fortunate kids and get them started on the learning highway! Laura volunteers tutoring and the organization needs supplies to be effective.
Project Leader: Laura Peters Boothroyd
Assistant Leader: Casandra Mack

October: 10/12/10 http://www.ugm.org/site/PageServer?pagename=default
Idea: Union Gospel Mission & Winter Warmth. We will collect blankets, sleeping bags, warm coats, socks, hats, gloves, hand warmers, sweaters, and anything that will keep someone who is homeless, a little warmer during the cold nights. Last year we made fleece hats. Let's do it again!
Project Leader: Casandra Mack
Assistant Leader: ??

November: 11/9/10
Idea: Animal Shelters. Organization TBD. We will collect pet food, beds, toys, collars, leashes, treats, litter, etc in order to help the limited funds and supplies of the local animal shelters.
Project Leader: Michelle McCormick
Assistant Leader: ??

December: 12/14/10 http://www.toys4tots.org/
Idea: Toys for Tots. This will be our third annual toy drive for the organization. We will collect toys for all age groups for the USMC to distribute to less fortunate families. This is an event at the studio in the form of a party where admission is the donation of toys (or food for the food bank). It's a pot luck, so everyone shares a dish or a bottle of wine or whatever they are inspired to share. It's fun and anyone is invited including our spouses, lovers, friends, neighbors, coworkers, potential GNO's, kids and relatives. The more that come means there will be more toys to distribute. Yep... there's an agenda there!
Project Leader: Doreen Harper
Assistant Leader: Kathryn Pinkney & Laura Boothroyd

January: 1/11/11 ooooohhhh! sweet date. http://www.thepinupangels.com/pinupangelshome.html
Idea: Pinup Angels. We will gather items for care packages to be sent to the troops. The Pinup Angels make care packages throughout the year and are always in need of items to send. Jennie has connections with the organization and will share more details as we go.
Project Leader: Jennie Lee
Assistant Leader: ??

One last thing. Check out this organization. Matter of Trust http://www.matteroftrust.org/index.html "Our ecological public charity concentrates on Manmade Surplus, Natural Surplus & Eco-Education". They are orchestrating the collection of hair (human, dog and natural fibers) for cleaning up the gulf oil spill. Check it out. Sign up. Go to your salon and dog groomer and tell them to collect hair in a box. Give them the information on how to donate it. Easy.

Excess Access http://www.excessaccess.com/ is another fantastic organization that helps companies & individuals find 're-purposes' for their unwanted goods. Recycling at it's finest. Share it with your office, boss, company, etc.

BTW, I cleaned up the email group and deleted addresses of non-participatory people in the list. This list doesn't match the Facebook group, so it just means some girls are not getting the message via email. I'll also try to update the blog at the same time as FB & email. If you also want your name off, let me know. If you want to add someone, let me know that too.

Thanks girls for the great work, the continued support and all of the good deeds. See... it's easy to give and makes you feel warm & fuzzy all over!

Hugs & thanks.
Doreen