The Christmas Challenge

THANK you!

2006-12-16T17:14:00.000-06:00

I wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! There are a lot of people who lined up to give us a hand before the actual shopping day today and your hard work is greatly appreciated. But this one is for those who helped out today! We shopped for the eight children my office gave me to buy for and then wrapped all the presents.

Shoppers:
My sweet 16-year old and sweet 11-year old. You girls did a great job!
Cheyanne and her Mom and brother. I love you!
Bad Bad Ivy who bought for two girls, ages 2 and 3. The presents are perfect!
Jillian and Brittney, two friends from girl scouts. Yay you!

Wrappers:
All of the above, plus the divine M. and her three awesome kiddos! The boy was marvelous in making sure every gift had a ribbon on it! And your girls CAN TOO wrap! haha!

Thanks to all of you. I'm sore today from my fall and would have been miserable without all your generous time and help!

Christmas Shopping for the Children

2006-11-22T09:07:00.000-06:00

Just one day before Thanksgiving, I'm writing about Christmas! We have received approximatley 100 names of children in Smyrna and LaVergne who are benefiting from our "Skate for the Children" and other fundraising efforts throughout the year to support the "Christmas for the Children" program.

I have picked up my family list - EIGHT children to buy for. We usually don't open it up for people other than agents to buy the gifts, but because the blogging community was so helpful I would like to invite your help. I plan to go shopping for the children on Sunday, December 3rd at KMart on Murfreesboro Rd. in Smyrna at 1:30 p.m. If you would like to help, please let me know.

If enough people are interested in helping, I may be able to get more names so you'll need to let me know if you want to be involved in this. After we buy the presents, we'll go back to my office and wrap them. Each child will get one complete outfit plus a toy. KMart is giving us a 10% discount and we are tax-exempt, so the children should be able to have a nice Christmas.

The kids I have so far:
FIVE GIRLS: Ages 12, 6, 13, 3, 2
THREE BOYS: Ages 11, 8, 9months

I will call their Mom before December 3rd to get their sizes and to hear what the kids need and/or want for a gift.

Holiday Cheer

2006-11-01T09:34:00.000-06:00

It is with great pleasure that I announce my office will again be able to host "Christmas for the Children" this year. The word came down today from our corporate office in Murfreesboro that they are sharing funds to help some of the least fortunate children in LaVergne and Smyrna. We usually host a party for up to 220 children. We are not able to have a party this year, but we will be buying gifts for about 150 children.

School counselors should watch for a fax to come in the next day or two. We will ask the teachers to give us a handful of names. Although the number of children we're asking for will be less, those kids typically have brothers and sisters at home who we also buy for. Each child will receive a new full change of clothing (including coats, socks, gloves, etc.) and one toy.

We plan to hold a little reception here at the office for parents to come and pick up the gifts. We'll be serving hot chocolate and cookies for those who can come. If they can't make it, agents from the office will deliver the gifts to their homes. The date will be announced at a later time.

So I want to take the time to thank some very special people in our communities who have helped these past few weeks. You have generous hearts and I we really appreciate you.

BUSINESSES donating funds, products or facilities
Smyrna Skate Center
Smyrna Printing & Design (1 N. Lowry St., 459-2223)
Ernie Dunbar of Allstate
Smyrna, LaVergne, Murfreesboro & Nashville City Guides
Daily News Journal (thanks for the write-up)
Christy Shivers of Pampered Chef
Arbonne lady (I'll post her name and contact info later when I find her business card!)

BUSINESSES donating to silent auction
Meal for 8 people donated by Mothership Barbeque
Bowling Parties (2 parties for 6 people) donated by Smyrna Bowling Center
Beautiful beaded jewelry (necklaces and earrings) donated by Jennifer of Glen & Jen's Blog
Gift certificate donated by Hickory Falls Restaurant
Gift certificate to Legends Steakhouse donated by Realtor Lory Breckler
Gift certificate donated by Dan Good Ribs & BBQ
One pound gourmet coffee donated by Starbucks
Gift certificate for $10 vase of flowers donated by Tom's Flowers
Gift certificate for $25 in fine jewelry donated by Sue's Custom Jewelry (link to world renowned Sci-Fi author Andre Norton article - Sue was Ms. Norton's caretaker)
Music CD's by Realtor, Blogger, and Musician Doug Atkin called "An Offering of Musical Praise" and "My Christmas Song for You"

INDIVIDUALS donating by blogging or monetary
Les Jones
Chris of CeeElCee
Jen of GlenJenBlog
Ivy's Mom
Anonymous from McMinnville
Drama Llama
Tennessee Redneck in King Harald's Court
This is Smyrna
Cool People Care
Big Orange Michael
Chip Manor
Nashville is Talking
Kat Coble

AGENTS in my office who attended Skate for the Children
Kathy Tyson (me!)
Rhonda Umphrey
Gene Williams
Doug "Dugger" Krupla
Doug Atkin

Okay, who am I forgetting? Please don't be shy. I want to recognize everyone who helped!

Tim, Thank You and Good Luck

2006-10-29T11:23:00.000-06:00

I want to thank Tim from Norway for his amazing design of this Christmas Challenge web page. Although he's thousands and thousands of miles from middle Tennessee, it's clear he still feels compassion and love for this community. Tim is moving on to another project for his wife, but we don't want him to go without first extending ur warm gratitude for his work with us.

Tim, thank you for the design. Thank you for the palm tree. Thank you for your generous spirit. We'll look forward to your visits and if you ever want to come back as an administrator to this site, you have but to ask because the door is always open. Thank you for taking the time to care.

Now go look at the pictures of the amazing place he now calls home.

Pampered Chef thru Sunday

2006-10-28T21:25:00.000-05:00

You can still help raise money by ordering any Pampered Chef products through Sunday.

Go to this link to order: http://www.pamperedchef.biz/christyshivers

ZSN4 is the password. Thank you!

Successful Skate Night

2006-10-27T08:54:00.000-05:00

The "Skate for the Children" event last night at the Smyrna Skate Center was fantastic! We had a good turnout, a little low because of the heavy rain but good nonetheless. The silent auction was completed, the lady from Arbonne was wonderful, and the Pampered Chef room was fun too! I will be posting a link later if you're interested in ordering Pampered Chef as that representative has agreed to keep the sale open until Sunday and you can order online!

We raised $230 last night!!! In all, I'd say this blog and the blogging community have brought about $600-700 to this great cause. Obviously we still have a long way to go, but I want to extend my thanks to each of you for everything you've done.

Mark told about one lady we talked with last night, and I want to also share it. One of the people skating came in to the silent auction room and was able to buy a couple of the items. When she paid, she gave us an extra donation and said, "I was in a really bad place last year, and because of Christmas for the Children, my kids had Christmas." She went on to say that she was proud to be able to help this year now that she's back on stable financial ground. That, my friends, is what it's all about.

Thank you.

$5,000 down, $9,000 to go

2006-10-26T10:53:00.000-05:00

We've nearly made it to the halfway point this year. I talked with our office manager this week and because we may not be able to raise enough money for 200+ children this year, we may just identify the neediest of the needy and try to help them. Maybe adopt a couple of families...

However, there's still time! Again, we invite our blog readers to "pass the hat" around their offices to try to raise some money. Even if you can't do that, just come out to the Smyrna Skate Center tonight between 6:30 and 9:00 p.m. Half of your admission ($2.00) goes to the Christmas for the Children fund.

Tonight we will complete the silent auction which features items including Dinner for 8 at Mothership BBQ in Berry Hill, Starbucks gourmet coffee, and much more! In addition, we'll have some representatives from Pampered Chef and Arbonne who are setting up shop. If you purchase anything tonight (and up to Sunday for Pampered Chef), proceeds will be donated to the Christmas fund.

So come on out to the Smyrna Skate Center tonight! Good times, good friends, great fun!

Skate Night Two is This Thursday!

2006-10-23T09:15:00.000-05:00

The Smyrna Skate Center has generously offered to host a second "Skate for the Children" event and it's coming up this Thursday! Make plans to attend between 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. You don't have to skate to be generous and have a good time!

The silent auction is being continued that evening, and we will have two rooms set up for Arbonne and Pampered Chef (proceeds from sale of these products will be donated to charity).

If you have any questions, call Kathy at (615) 491-2161 or Mark at (615) 995-2636. See you there!

Skate for the Children Part II

2006-10-14T15:21:00.000-05:00

Our first "Skate for the Children" was not the roaring success we'd hoped it would be. Although there were less than 30 people there, those who came had a great time! The owner of the skating center offered another skate night and we gratefully accepted his proposal.

So on Thursday, October 26th from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m., we are hosting a second "Skate for the Children." We are printing, compliments of Smyrna Printing, over 8000 coupons to take to the Smyrna and LaVergne schools. Mark of Drama Llama has also confirmed a firetruck from the SFD will be there. In addition, the silent auction will be a part of and end at this event.

I want to thank several people whose monetary donations have arrived:

Les Jones
Chris of CeeElCee
Jen of GlenJenBlog
Ivy's Mom
Anonymous from McMinnville

Also, my thanks again to our fellow bloggers who have posted information about "Christmas for the Children":

Drama Llama
Tennessee Redneck in King Harald's Court
This is Smyrna
Cool People Care
Big Orange Michael
Chip Manor
And Nashville is Talking

If you were unable to come and enjoy the October 10th Skate for the Children, please come to the next one on October 26th! Thank you!

Happy Dance for Christmas Kids

2006-10-11T12:07:00.000-05:00

I don't know if this will work or not, but I'm going to try. This is me "shaking my bootie" to say thanks for the help people gave us in this fundraising effort.

This video stuff rocks my world!

Skate Night 2: Coming Soon!

2006-10-11T07:02:00.000-05:00

THANK YOU to everyone who helped make tonight's skating party so much fun! We do still have a long way to go. Approximately $9,000 is still needed to make Christmas happen this year for the neediest children in the LaVergne and Smyrna communities. Although I'm an optimist, deep down inside I'm afraid that the "Christmas for the Children" will truly be cancelled this year. Let me add, though, that there are other organizations who will hopefully care for these children through their "angel trees" etc.

We received donations of time and money from all over the world - and enough inquiries that we plan to open a PayPal account later this week for others who want to donate.

In a wonderful act of charity, the Smyrna Skate Center has agreed to host a SECOND "Skate for the Children" this month! It will be held Thursday, October 26th from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. In addition, the Smyrna Bowling Center is interested in hosting a "Bowl for the Children." We will announce that date and time when we "pin" it down. (haha!) We are carrying the silent auction over the next event so more people will have the opportunity to bid.

Also, Doug Atkin (pictured with the cap) has volunteered to help us put together a "Writer Night." We will be looking for a place to host a "songwriter" night for any of our local musicians to perform. We will probably charge an admission fee. Does anyone have a place they can allow us to use free-of-charge? Are there any musicians who may be willing to perform that evening? (Pictured on the right is another Realtor, Gene Williams. Both he and Doug are good-hearted, thoughtful, generous people who I am privileged to call friends.) Meanwhile, I am certain that part of the reason we gathered this evening was that great minds could come together to come up with additional fundraising ideas. Isn't it awesome that when people have open dialogue, brilliant ideas flow!?!?!

Back to the skating event... Poor poor Ivy. She fell down and hurt her knee. She thought getting on skates was a fine idea until her crash. Logically, she traded her skates in so that her baby boy could have some skates. Every time he fell, he cracked up laughing. It was so funny!

Ivy and her skinned knee. Ouch.

My baby is 16 years old today. She's pictured here with her number one fan, Nate. Nate is 3 years old today. How cool is that? They share the same birthday!

I've got more photos, but blogger won't let me post. Grrrrr... I'll try again later.

I also want to give a big shout-out to M. of ThisisSmyrnaTN, Chip of Chip Talks, and my friends Debbie B., Dugger and Rhonda from my office. Thank you for being there tonight. I hope you all had a great time!!

TONIGHT! Skate for the Children

2006-10-10T11:52:00.000-05:00

Come one, come all to the party that will benefit disadvantaged children in the LaVergne and Smyrna communities! SKATE FOR THE CHILDREN is being held tonight (Tuesday, October 10th) from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. at the Smyrna Skate Center. The admission is $4.00 ($2 will be given to the cause) and $2.50 for skate rentals.

A silent auction is planned for the evening. Donations include:

Meal for 8 people donated by Mothership Barbeque
Bowling Parties (2 parties for 6 people) donated by Smyrna Bowling Center
Beautiful beaded jewelry (necklaces and earrings) donated by Jennifer of Glen & Jen's Blog
Gift certificate donated by Hickory Falls Restaurant
Gift certificate to Legends Steakhouse donated by Realtor Lory Breckler
Gift certificate donated by Dan Good Ribs & BBQ
One pound gourmet coffee donated by Starbucks
Gift certificate for $10 vase of flowers donated by Tom's Flowers
Gift certificate for $25 in fine jewelry donated by Sue's Custom Jewelry (link to world renowned Sci-Fi author Andre Norton article - Sue was Ms. Norton's caretaker)
Two Music CD's by Realtor, Blogger, and Musician Doug Atkin called "An Offering of Musical Praise"

The silent auction will be set up in one of the party rooms. In addition, Arbonne is setting up another party room. Arbonne features all natural make-up, lotions, etc. The sales representative will donate a part of every sale this evening to the Christmas for the Children fund.

BIG NEWS: The Daily News Journal published an article about tonight's party. Kudos to the this major media outlet that has supported us in this process. Although she didn't take a byline, I want to thank Mealand Ragland for writing the article, Party to help pay for holiday presents. Thank you, Mealand!!!!

I also want to thank Tim of Tennessee Redneck in King Harald's Court for his work on designing this page. It is BEAUTIFUL! We are working toward setting up a PayPal account for anyone who would like to donate, but don't want to write a check. It may take me until later this week, however, because we're a tad busy right now!

I also want to express my sincere appreciation to Mark of Drama Llama for doing so much of the legwork today to make this evening possible. There are so many bloggers who have done a lot to help us, but I think Mark definitely deserves a hearty thank you from all of us for his extraordinary efforts.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING A HUGE BLOGGER TURN-OUT TONIGHT!! See you there!

FIRST POST - I've moved this here because it was dated 2007, so all our newer posts were falling below this one.

Bob Parks Realty hosts a "Christmas for the Children" event annually to help impoverished children in the area. Unfortunately, the Christmas for LaVergne and Smyrna children may be cancelled this year because we have been unable to raise adequate funds to pay for it. Many thanks to the blogging community who have stepped up to the plate to help in the fundraising efforts. We need $12,000 at this point.

Donations have begun to come in:
Logo designed by Tim of a TN Redneck in King Harald's Court. Tim offers this all the way from Norway. Wow. We are reaching across international boundaries to help our children.

MONEY DONATIONS

GlenBlogJenBlog
Ivy's Mom
Anonymous from McMinnville

TIME AND BLOG SPACE DONATIONS

This is Smyrna Drama Llama (Mark has also secured the Smyrna Skate Center for us!)
Cool People Care (thank you Sam)
Big Orange Michael
Chip Manor
And Nashville is Talking

BUSINESSES

Smyrna Skate Center
Ernie Dunbar of Allstate
Smyrna, LaVergne, Murfreesboro & Nashville City Guides

As you can see, we have a long way to go. Please come to our "Skate for the Children" night on Tuesday, October 10th at the Smyrna Skate Center. Open 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. Admission is $4 ($2 to go to the Christmas for the Children fund) and skate rental is $2.50. We will have donation buckets at this event if you'd like to give a little more (or a lot more), plus we'll be having a silent auction. Join us, won't you?!

Christmas Challenge Palms & Logos

2006-10-10T06:43:00.000-05:00

I can already hear a few sighs or imagine someone rolling their eyes at me for daring to mention or even think of Christmas as early as October. I know - I feel the same way. For me, holidays in general have become so beyond commercialized that I am a "bah! humbug!" grouch as the winter holidays roll around. The rush and insanity even exists in Norway. Though our little island is just a smidgen of this. Thank goodness for my nerves.

I am especially weary of and somewhat mistrusting of charities that seemingly focus only on holiday specified periods, then switch to silence for the remainder of the year.

I have, however, decided to involve myself with this one, brought to my attention indirectly by Kathy. She has been struggling and trying her honest best to keep this charity alive and going for the areas in Middle, Tennessee, for families not only in need for Christmas, but for the remainder of the year. It's known as The Christmas Challenge, and it was launched by Bob Parks Realty.

Dailydiablogger - recently came to me asking if I could post a link to this charity in order to help generate some publicity for this. I gave it some thought and figured, sure, and created a little graphic to help. But then, I thought further, "isn't there something more I could do than create some pretty writing?"

Ok, so though I myself have very little in monetary funds I could offer, it suddenly came to me.

Back a few years I had another website which no longer exists, and on this site I used a palm tree to represent peace. Though I've long deleted and left the site behind, I kept the palm in hopes that I'd find another use for it someday.

Now you're thinking I've lost my mind. Why a palm tree? What in the heck does that have to do with Christmas?! Well, if you want to get technical, the pine trees we've been using for so long have little to nothing to do with Christmas at all, but follow me on this one.

I am no christian, nor do I profess a religion or spirituality of any kind. However, I grew up always hearing about the holiday season being a time of giving and "good will towards men". So, I thought, what could be a symbol that would include people from all backgrounds and religions, representative towards the simple act of giving? My PALM TREE! The Palm tree represents peoples' hands (palms) stretched out towards others in need; not only just during the holiday season, but for all seasons and for any reason behind the need.

So, it's my hopes that each of you reading this will take a tree, put it on your blog or website and generate the humaan act of giving to all of those in need - nevermind whether or not it is now, Christmas, or next June.

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Tree and / or logo script:

Don't worry if you don't know anything about script. I've all sizes here, and if you run a blog yourself, they should all fit nicely into your menus; just copy and paste them into your template. If you've a website, then you already most likely know about html or otherwise, in which case you won't have to be instructed. ;)

Big Tree:

______________________________________________

Medium Tree:

______________________________________________

Small Tree:

______________________________________________

Now, if you'd like, you could choose a logo instead, three different typical Christmas colors:

Red:

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Blue:

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Green: