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·˙
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.