MAKE A CHILD SMILE UPDATE

MACS is a wonderful organization that our family has recently become involved with it only takes a stamp and a few moments of your time to become involved.  I will post updates or you can go directly to their website to learn more...

Meet Haven!

Hello to all,

Meet Haven!
She is 4½ years old and has Ganglioneuroblastoma.
Please read her story and send lots and lots of cards & gifts to brighten her day!
NOTE: Haven’s Birthday is coming up, on the 26th!

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*****Reminders*****

Don’t forget to send Birthday Cards to all upcoming Birthday Kids.
Visit the “Current Kids“ page and sort the “Birthdate” column.
And please always remember our Angels too.
Parents of our Angel Kids also do appreciate the remembrance of their child’s Birthday, other than the Anniversary of their passing.

Thank you,
Alexandra Bakker
Founder & President
Make A Child Smile Organization
http://www.makeachildsmile.org

Happy New Year

Hoping that you all had a wonderful Holiday and a safe New Year.


As 2009 gets started I reflect on how fast 2008 went. It is amazing how much can get accomplished in a year, the goals we achieve, the people we are able to help, and the lessons that we have learned in one year. A lot can be achieved when we all work together.



We have a lot planned already for this year. Here are a few ideas we have come up with and would love to see if any of you are interested in helping us out...

Start a Blanket Drive for Warm Wishes Organization in honor of Valentines Day (Feb 14th) For more information on how to start your own blanket drive go to Warm Wishes Or to contribute to our Plainfield IL Blanket Drive feel free to e-mail me at: Sales@LoveToPromote.com

April 22nd is Earth Day - Here are a few ideas for you and your children to get involved.

For more info go to Earth Day Network

Save Energy by switching your
Inefficient Incandescent Light Bulbs!

Every day is Earth Day. ~Author Unknown





Adopt A Park or Pond With Your Family and Friends



On April 22nd gather everyone you know and choose a local park or pond
grab some garbage bags, rakes, gloves, and help to get that area clean.
You can commit to just this one day or once a month. Teaching your children that we are all responsible for keeping our Earth clean!



These were just a few ideas we had for our family this year. We would love to hear what ideas you have feel free to e-mail us with any events that you want our Blog readers to know about. I hear that SOS Children's Village was a great success we are pleased that so many people were able to help such a worthy cause.

Wishing you all a Happy 2009 keep coming back to our Blog for more Volunteer info!
Leslie Prohaska & Family

Make A Child Smile

Make A Child Smile Organization (MACS) www.makeachildsmile.org December/08 Featured Kids Mail a card/gift to the children below TODAY to brighten their day!
Emerson 2 years old Unknown Metabolic Disorder		Olivia 9 years old Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Mailing address: Emerson W. P.O. Box 31366 Omaha, NE 68131 - U.S.A.		Mailing address: Olivia J. 3100 Waddell Ave West Palm Beach, FL 33411 - U.S.A.
Note: Mailing addresses may change! Addresses above are only guaranteed during the month of December! Please visit out website after December to check if the kids' addresses remain the same. Kids featured on MACS are NOT all terminally ill, they are chronically ill. Make sure you visit our website to check their health status prior to sending mail. Visit www.makeachildsmile.org to read the kids' stories and check their current health status. Copyright © 1998-2008 Make A Child Smile Organization All Rights Reserved

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Thank you to all of you who have supported this Blog and

a special thank you to all of the articles that you have submitted to Give Your Time.

From Our Family to Yours,

We Wish You a Very Merry Christmas

&

A Happy New Year

Leslie Prohaska & Family

Lambs Fold Center For Women and Children

Beth Randall of Plainfield, IL is a Certified Relocation and Transition Specialist she is the owner of Joe Organizer, LLC. Beth recently sent me some information on a place that she has been volunteering at for over 5 years with her family. Beth can be reached at: 815-436-1578


I volunteer at Lamb's Fold Center for Women and Children in downtown Joliet. Their web site is www.lambsfold.org. I volunteer monthly by teaching a class to the women that live there. My classes are to teach them life skills such as paper management, time management and money management. I am a member of the Quantum Leap Task Force within the National Association of Professional Organizers. During December I do not teach a class but rather go volunteer there with my three kids (15, 11, 9 years old). We will be wrapping presents and helping organize all of them. I have been volunteering there for 5 years and my kids have gone there for 4 years during December.

Lamb's Fold is always looking for volunteers throughout the year. If you don't have time to volunteer you can help by making a cash donation, food or clothing donation. There is a lot of great information on their web site including a 'Current Needs List'.


Lamb's Fold Center for Women and Children helps homeless women and children and victims of domestic violence transition to successful independence through educational enhancement, supportive services, and personalized recovery services.

Beth Randall


Thank you, Beth for sending us this wonderful information if there is anyone who would like to volunteer at this organization located in Joliet, IL feel free to either e-mail me at Leslie@LoveToPromote.com or go directly to their website.

SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGES

Dena Furlow of Keller Williams is in desperate need of monetary donations for her wonderful cause - here is what she is doing for this holiday I ask that you all consider helping her out.

This year, for Christmas, I would like to bring joy to children's lives that may not have such a Merry Christmas this year. I have found SOS Children's Villages in Lockport and they need my help. You see, I don't want to help just one child, or 5, or 10, I want to help provide Christmas for all 70 children living at the Village, and I believe with your help, we CAN do it!

Contact me at 630-742-4374, 815-556-8734, or email me at furlow@kw.com. We have the children's Wish Lists. You and your family can help in the following ways:

* Help us by giving your time
* Help us by giving monetarily
* Help us by wrapping presents
* Help us by giving the gifts personally

I am truly blessed and honored to be a part of this project with SOS Children's Villages ~ I believe in the power of giving of ourselves, of our time, of our energy, and of our love. Join me in making dreams come true for some beautiful neighbors ~ I hope You See What I See! DENA FURLOW



This is a hard time financially for all of us however there are other ways to help as you see giving of your time is just as important. God Bless all of you and may 2009 bring you health and happiness to you and your families.

If you have a volunteer need or know someone who might need assistance this holiday please e-mail me at leslie@lovetopromote.com we would love to put your information on this blog so that others may be able to help.

Recent Newspaper Article

We were recently asked to submit some quotes for a wonderfully put together article for the Plainfield's Enterprise Newspaper.

Madhu Mayer of the Enterprise newspaper wrote a very nice piece on the volunteer blog and makes mention of how my neighbor Catherine Leturno inspired me to do this blog.

Here is a small version of what is posted on the newspaper.

Woman creates volunteer blog
By Madhu Mayer
Instead of giving a Christmas present someone may not like or appreciate, Leslie Prohaska of Plainfield wants everyone to consider a gift that keeps on giving beyond the holiday season.

We were very pleased to have this article in the newspaper the more people that see that young and old alike can contribute the better off we will all be.