For those of you that follow me via Social Media, I recently experienced another death in my family. Second one this year if you are keeping count.
It sent me into a very dark tailspin.
One I'm truthfully still trying to shake.
And while I have turned down a majority of events I have been invited to this last quarter of the year, one event invite stood out from the rest.
The opportunity to join with fellow NYC bloggers to support an initiative with Kmart to help St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Philanthropist Marlo Thomas (daughter of Danny Thomas who founded the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee in 1962) was there with some of the children of St. Jude to lead us in a Toy-Shopping Spree - with my favorite words ever included - 'unlimited budget'. We were told only to 'fill up our carts' and that we were shopping from ages 0-18.
Kmart has marked a milestone achievement of donating $100 Million to St. Jude in total lifetime donations. They are the first Corporate Partner in the hospital's history to attain this landmark donation!These funds have helped to:
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Fully treat 206 patients with ALL, the most common form of childhood cancer
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Provide more than 10 million meals for St. Jude Families
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Cover the costs of 67,000 days of Chemotherapy
Here are some photo highlights to put a smile in your motivation Monday!
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See those cute #Love Hats? They are available at Kmart for $5 and $1 from each hat goes directly to St. Jude!
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Special thanks to NYC Blogger and St. Jude Blogger Brand Ambassador, Nichol Perez of fivelittlewords.net for sharing the three photos above with me!
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| I filled my cart with stuff for pretty much every age group! |
MY TAKE:
This is an amazing achievement, and I personally prefer to support brands that are doing something to give back. Way to go Kmart!
I haven't even put up a tree yet with everything I am dealing with (and quite frankly may not), but as a survivor I jumped on the chance to help do something to bring a smile to the children of St. Jude, I know how much a prolonged hospital stay sucks, I know how much Cancer Sucks, anything that makes Christmas a bit brighter for children battling cancer and are in the hospital for Christmas is something I am all about doing.
And I got to experience the joy of giving at a moment where I really needed it most. They have no idea how much I needed to be there and do something to get outside of my own head for a little while.
As I am not a mom it gets super frustrating to be pitched toys all the time, EXCEPT in THIS context!
An event where the toy swag goes directly to the children who need it? YES, PLEASE!
Readers Sound Off: Does knowing that Kmart has reached this milestone level of support for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital make you want to shop there just a bit more? Will you pick up a #Love hat this holiday season?
˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙
˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙
FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Compensated Post and all thoughts and opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. Kmart Gift Cards were provided to bloggers in attendance as a thank you for our time, not as compensation for the post.
Things that lure Ascending Butterfly out of her butterfly cocoon of fabulosity: Electronics/Technology (yes I am a Gadget Geek first!), Fashion, Jewelry, Bubbly/Spirits, Foodie/Restaurants, Photography and Travel. And remember Ascending Butterfly does NOT have children, please do not pitch her toys (at least not those that are intended for children).
Unless it's charity related, If a campaign doesn't pay, this butterfly won't want to play.
Smile if you got this far, twirl around twice and sing Mariah Carey's Butterfly.
Still here? Now go make someone happy today.
Kmart is such a great store. I go there all the time, they really upped their game these past few years.
ReplyDelete@Ben - Glad to hear you enjoy there shopping there too! ♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
DeleteSuch a great initiative! It looks like a super fun event as well!
ReplyDelete@Ckrusch - Letting Bloggers loose in a Toy Store? Definitely! LOL :)
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
This looks like it was a great event. It is so wonderful to see larger companies like Kmart giving back!
ReplyDelete@Catherine I agree, social giving has influenced my shopping decisions more and more
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
An unlimited amount of money to raise money for Saint Jude I would love to help that. It must've been such a blast to be able to shop for all those gifts! What a wonderful event.
ReplyDelete@Jeannette I think they brought new meaning to the term 'power shopping' for me that day! LOL
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
This makes me want to go shop at KMart. St. Jude Children's Hospital does so much important work.
ReplyDelete@Pam I definitely will be thinking of Kmart first after learning so much about how they support a cause that is so near and dear to me.
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
I'm so sorry for your loss. What a great thing that Kmart is going, especially at this time of year.
ReplyDelete@Chloe Thanks, I think it is literally the most painful time of year to lose someone. Especially someone so young.
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
What an awesome event! That would be such a blessing to be a part of.
ReplyDelete@Amanda - Indeed it was! :)
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
Now this looks like a fun event and one with a great cause! I love St Judes and everything they do for children and families!!
ReplyDelete@Ricci - Same here, my nephew survived Pediatric Cancer, I have supported St. Judes since then, it is a cause near and dear to my heart.
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
Oh this would be awesome. What a fun way to give back and be part of something so great. I would love to do something like this, how fabulous - Jeanine
ReplyDelete@Jeanine - I felt honored to play a small part. It was great to see so many NYC Bloggers in attendance at such a busy time of the year for Digital Editors!
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
I am seeing so many wonderful programs by large companies. It's great to see that everyone is giving back!
ReplyDeleteTis the season Lisa, tis the season! LOL :-)
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
I am so sorry for all of the loss you have experienced. Yes, I absolutely love what KMart is doing with St. Jude. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Felcia, this holiday season definitely has a lot less 'sparkle', but I definitely loved the chance to help Kmart help the children of St. Jude.
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
It looks like a fun event! Such a great cause, it's really nice to know that there a lot of good cause like this. I'll spread it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nicole! :)
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
I wish we have a near store Kmart in my area! It's a pleasure to help others.
ReplyDelete@Ryan - Mine is a little far from me, but I will definitely be making that trip more often from now on!
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
I am so sorry to hear about your hard year. Really, truly lifting you up in prayer. Stay positive and good for you to get back out there and give back to help with the healing. xo
ReplyDeleteThanks @Diana, right now I really need those prayers more than you know!
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
What a great cause! I'm glad Kmart is backing them!
ReplyDelete@S - me too! :)
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
This is amazing and is exactly what this season should be about! How fun and rewarding for all involved.
ReplyDelete@Emily - Agreed
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
Kudos to Kmart for doing such a wonderful campaign. That looks so fun!
ReplyDelete#Esme - I will definitely keep Kmart first from now on!
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
What a great opportunity! Love that brands support good deeds like this!
ReplyDelete@Jenni - Social Good has always influenced my purchasing decisions!
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
Kmart is really amazing to create this amazing cause! This is really helpful!
ReplyDelete@Nikki - they didn't 'create' it, but they are doing a ton to support and help! :)
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
I didn't realize that Kmart had done this!! What an amazing way to be able to help to pay it forward!
ReplyDelete@Jennifer - I have supported the cause way longer than I have been blogging but I had no idea of the extent of Kmart's support until now.
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
St. Jude Children's Hospital is the best gift to parents. I love that no family pays a bill. What an amazing event to be apart of and so glad Kmart chose to do this!
ReplyDelete@Heather - I am amazed by how extensive their support to families is at such an astoundingly difficult time.
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
I hope 2017 is a better year for you, I love to shop at Kmart. I was so sad when they left Canada.
ReplyDelete@Ann - My apologies in advance for the profanity, but my intentions are to make 2017 my b*tch! LOL ;-)
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
It is nice to see Kmart is working on a good cause.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures look like you had a lot of fun.
@Dan - Kmart has really done an amazing job supporting St. Jude, honored they gave me the chance to help.
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
Love that Kmart is giving to kids in need. We lost my nephew to childhood cancer, so organizations like St. Jude are close to my heart.
ReplyDelete@Melanie - My sympathy and prayers are with you and your family. We very much almost lost my nephew the same way, which is why St. Jude means everything to me.
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
This is so great! I love that they're able to give back. Now is the time to give back if you can. I think it's a great idea!
ReplyDelete@Kathy - Definitely an easy way to help and I jumped at the opportunity!
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
I am so sorry about your second loss in a year. That is so hard. Remember to take care of yourself and allow yourself to fully grieve.
ReplyDeleteI love companies who are able to give back and help people who are going through a rough patch.
@Christy - I have some work to do on the 'taking care of myself' part, but thank you. Social Good definitely influences my purchasing decisions.
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
What a great event and cause! I love this! KMart is great for doing this. It makes me so happy seeing this so close to the holidays! -Kendall
ReplyDelete@Kendall - It may have opened my heart two sizes wider too! LOL :)
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
What a truly wonderful thing to be a part of. I'd have gone to that one too. I'm sorry for your losses in your family. My sincere condolences.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rosey!
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
This is such a great way to give back! I absolutely love St. Jude's and their mission.
ReplyDeleteSame here @Becca
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
I have such a soft spot for St. Jude so I am thrilled that Kmart did this. It makes me feel like supporting them even more!
ReplyDeleteMe too @Liz
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
kmart is awesome. what a great way for kmart to give back. they are great
ReplyDeleteI will definitely be putting Kmart first for my shopping needs, glad to hear you feel the same way Dawn!
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
Sorry to hear about your loss. Holidays are especially hard when you've lost a loved one. Glad you were able to get away to attend the St. Jude's event. I love that organization. Too bad all hospitals couldn't be the same way.
ReplyDeleteAgreed Debra! I wish it were that way in all hospitals too, particularly when it comes to pediatric cancer.
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
This definitely makes me want to support KMart. I was fortunate enough to have healthy children. I could not imagine what these families are going through. Kudos to KMart.
ReplyDelete@Chrishelle - Don't imagine it, just hug your healthy babies as hard as you can.
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
This is such a great event to support cause, especially St Jude... I always want to do more for needed families or kids!
ReplyDelete@Rika I am a long time supporter. When my nephew survived his battle with Pediatric Cancer, I became a supporter and have ever since.
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
Well done to the brand for doing this! Such an awesome idea and I'm sure there's going to be lots of happy faces on Christmas morning. I'm so sorry for your loss. :( Take it easy.
ReplyDeleteThanks @Shaney :)
Delete♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
Wow! I'm so sorry for your loss hun! Losing someone you know due to death is hard. Sending you virtual hugs. I'm impressed with Kmart and all that they do for those kids in need.
ReplyDelete