Deed #7: Labeling family pictures for my grandmother

Growing up, I was always close with my grandparents, and would do anything to help them. Over the past several years, my paternal grandmother has become increasingly overwhelmed with Alzheimer's. It has been equally frustrating for her to progress as it has been for me to watch her undergo such a difficult transition. 

While I was visiting with my grandmother earlier this month, she picked up a picture of me and my sisters, her granddaughters, and became visibly upset because she couldn't determine who the people in the photo were. She tried tirelessly to figure out the names of my sisters, saying, "I know who these girls are. I know, I just can't remember right now." It pained me to see her struggle to remember her grandchildren, so I came up with an idea to help her. 

A labeled picture of me as a baby that sits on my grandmother's nightstand

Together, my grandmother and I went around her entire house and labeled every family picture using post-it notes. She followed behind me, picking up each newly-labeled picture and reading the names off of the labels. As she began to place names with faces, she not only became excited, but she began to tell stories about the people in the pictures. To me, labeling the pictures seemed like such a simple act, but it was something that allowed my grandmother to recognize the people she loves and remember positive times that she has had with them. Seeing the smile on my grandmother's face as she picked up each picture warmed me in the way that only helping someone you love can do. 

A story about sharing

A few weeks ago, I attended a meditation retreat in the mountains of North Carolina. Three times a day, we would practice sitting meditation. Every participant sat on a cushion called a "zafu." The meditation center had a collection of zafus that were available for everyone to use, but participants were also welcome to bring their own. On the first night of the retreat, I found a green zafu near the pile of public zafus that I picked up to use for the remainder of the retreat. For four days, I meditated while using the green zafu. On the final morning of the retreat, one of the other participants came up to me and asked if I wouldn't mind letting him pack his zafu with the rest of his belongings. In that moment, I realized that I had mistakenly picked up someone else's personal zafu and had been using it the entire time! I apologized profusely, but the other participant's response was simply, "It was good for me to share this weekend. By sharing with you, I was able to broaden my scope of compassion and learn more about myself." His upbeat message, along with his generous spirit and forgiving nature, were inspirational to me. I left the retreat with my own broadened scope of compassion. 

Deed #6: Donating my hair to Locks of Love

A few weeks ago, I shaved my head in support of children with pediatric cancers. In doing so, I gave up over twenty inches of hair. What did I do with all of that hair? I donated it to Locks of Love (www.locksoflove.org)!      

Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that collects donated hair to be used in creating wigs for children undergoing chemotherapy and other radiation-based treatments. Ten inches of hair creates one hairpiece for a child in need. However, Locks of Love also accepts donations less than ten inches, which are sold to offset the production costs of the hairpieces.

Children undergoing radiation often lose their hair, and are left feeling as though they are different from other children. By donating hair to Locks of Love, one is able to give a child in need the opportunity to create normalcy during a likely tumultuous time.  It was difficult to let go of my locks, but it's comforting to know that a child undergoing treatment will be able to sport my blond hair as his/her own (which makes shaving my head all the more worth it!)

Deed #5: Creating a place where children with Tourette Syndrome can realize that they are not alone

Growing up with Tourette Syndrome (TS), I was constantly bullied in school. People would ask me why I made the noises that I did, and why my eyes kept twitching (and then there was always the stereotypical, "Do you curse all the time?"). The other children at school were the worst. I faced teasing and criticism on a daily basis, whether it was because I squeaked during tests or had to touch a door knob three times before turning it. No matter how hard I tried, I simply could not make my Tourettes go away, and eventually resigned myself to feeling as though I was different from all of the other children. It was so difficult to fit in when I was constantly reminded that I was different. 

Then I found a place where children with Tourette Syndrome can come together and simply be kids for a weekend. That magical place was Camp du Ballon Rouge. Though I never attended as a camper, I am now able to help create a positive experience for the children as a counselor. For three days a year, I am part of a fantastic team of caring adults who come together to create a fun and emotionally safe environment where children with Tourette Syndrome play games, sing around campfires, watch fireworks, and are free from bullying. For many of the children, those three days are also the first time that they meet other people with TS. It is an opportunity for the children to realize that they are not alone, that other children also "twitch and shout", and that they are amazing, worthy people. 

To learn more about Camp du Ballon Rouge, visit http://www.tourettetexas.org/TSACamp.html or find your local Tourette Syndrome Association. 

Deed #4: Donating canned food to the food bank

Every morning, I go to my local YMCA to go running. For the past few weeks, I've passed a collection box for the local food bank in the lobby on my way to the weight room. This morning, I dropped off five cans of green beans and five cans of SpaghettiO's (for the kiddos). It was such an easy and inexpensive way to give back. Canned foods range in price from $1-$3, but if you look for the generic brands, you can get cans for as low as 60 cents. I purchased all ten of my cans for roughly $7, which is almost as much as my Venti-Salted-Caramel-Mocha-Frappucino-With-An-Extra-Espresso-Shot costs at Starbucks. So, for one morning, I forewent my coffee and added to the collection box. Luckily, my local YMCA offers complimentary coffee to members, so I was able to have my coffee and help my community!

Hunger in the United States has become an increasingly prominent issue. Currently, one in four American families do not have the necessary funds to purchase enough food. This really hit home for me when I learned that my hometown of Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the hungriest city in the United States, with 34.8% of the population unable to afford sufficient food (http://www.thedailymeal.com/10-hungriest-cities-america). That means that some of my neighbors and friends are hungry, which made giving to the food bank that much more important. Wherever you are, someone is hungry. It may be the person that you pass on the street, a co-worker or classmate, or your best friend. With so much attention given to issues abroad, it is always important to remember that sometimes the people who need you most are in your own community. I encourage all of you to pick up an extra can of food the next time that you're at the grocery store, or grab a can from your pantry, and donate to your local food bank. 

Deed #3: Establishing a camp and foundation that assist foster youth

In August 2011, two people with past experiences with the foster care system came together with an idea to establish a foundation and camp that would provide a community for foster care youth and assist them with their journey through the system. In January 2012, I became the fourth person to join what would become The Constellation Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides programming, mentoring and scholarship-based assistance to foster care youth in the state of Texas. Together, we established a camp that serves the purpose of bringing together foster care youth, alumni, and advocates from throughout Texas (and the nation).

The inaugural Camp Constellation was held May 4-5, 2012 in Burton, Texas. We brought out foster care alumni and youth for two days of campfires, ropes course, basketball, fishing and canoeing. We celebrated the strength of every child who goes through the foster care system through a Rock-Stick ceremony, where the foster care alumni shared their stories alongside their hopes for the campers. The stick represented the fears and negative memories of the alumni, and the rock represented their hopes. When thrown into a fire, the stick burned while the rock remained.

Balloon Release

To close out our weekend, we participated in a balloon release, where each camper and counselor tied his/her hope for the future onto a balloon. Simultaneously, we all released our balloons and watched them float away. Every person who was out at camp over the weekend remarked on how remarkable it was that 48 hours could bring about a life-changing experience. We came together as a community and support unit for those in foster care and those still suffering from their experiences. As foster youth are shuffled from foster home to foster home, they often feel alone in their experiences. The weekend at Camp Constellation showed everyone that they are not alone in their journey, but rather that they have an entire camp family who cares about them tremendously and will always be there for them.

If you would like to become involved with Camp Constellation, I invite you to visit our website (www.campconstellation.org) and fill out an inquiry form.

Deed #2: Collecting can tabs for The Ronald McDonald House

Beginning in early 2011, I have collected soda can tabs for The Ronald McDonald House in Houston, Texas (www.rmhhouston.org). To date, I have collected over 4,000 can tabs. The House recycles donated can tabs as a fundraiser to raise monetary support for the home and the families that stay there. It is such an easy, simple fundraiser that anyone can take part in. Just think about how often you consume soda, and how often you simply throw the can into the recylcing bin. Take the extra second to take off the can tab and set it aside for your local Ronald McDonald House. It's a great way to recycle and benefit a charity at the same time!

If you are unfamiliar with The Ronald McDonald House, it is a non-profit organization that offers low-cost temporary housing for families whose children are hospitilized away from their hometown. It offers an alternative to an expensive hotel stay for families whose primary priority is paying for their child's treatment. The Ronald McDonald House has always played a special role in my life as it once supported my own family. When my twin sisters (now 19-years-old) were born prematurely, one with an underdeveloped heart and a brain injury, my family stayed at The Ronald McDonald House during their three-month hospital stay. It was such a comfort to be in a supportive environment where we often came back to home-cooked meals from volunteers. If you are unfamiliar with The Ronald McDonald House, I definitely suggest looking for your local chapter and investigating ways to get involved!

Deed #1: Shaving my head for children's cancer research

       Last night, I shaved my head in support of children's cancer research for the St. Baldrick's Foundation (www.stbaldricks.org). Last summer, I interned with a wonderful non-profit based out of Houston, TX called The Periwinkle Foundation (www.periwinklefoundation.org) that provided summer camps and programming for pediatric cancer patients. It was a life changing experience and one that inspired me to take a stand for all of the children out there who have been diagnosed with pediatric and adolescent cancers. Shaving my head is my first step towards taking that stand! I encourage all of you out there to find a St. Baldrick's event in your area and celebrate the fact that BALD IS BEAUTIFUL!!

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