THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR BLESSINGS

Choose To Care(CTC)(choosetocaresite.org) has stayed true to its mission.  Since its start in 2008, we have continued to provide a brand new pair of shoes for the children in need at home and abroad.

We have continued to offer support for as many children as we can and hope that these pair of shoes will help them to make progress in whatever areas they choose.  As we have often said, this pair of shoes can be magical; the wearer will see it fit to continue their education, to participate in sports, to wear with dignity and joy, good fitting shoes without holes, to protect their feet from cuts and infections and so on.

We are proud of our efforts and thankful for our supporters over these 14 years.  We know that there is so much more needed; we are just scratching the surface but vow never to give up. Each month we sponsor a public school classroom through Donors Choose(donors choose.org). This organization allows public school teachers, nationwide, to request resources for their students.  We have enjoyed journeying to bring the good news of sponsorship.

This month we have landed at Langston Chapel Middle School, Statesboro, Georgia; where the kind teacher, Ms. Jackson is concerned about the health and wellbeing of her Grades 6-8 students.  She said that wearing the wrong type of shoes can be detrimental to their health and growth on the basketball court.

We at CTC are filled with joy to answer her request for comfortable and proper shoes for the students. This month also, feeling the joy for the holiday season, CTC donated shoes to a local shelter that is feeling the squeeze from the many new families they are housing. We also remembered our families living abroad and so we contributed to Child Fund International, an American based organization, that needed school shoes for children in foreign countries. Good footwear For Good Health was their advertisement.

CTC would like you to join them in making environmental goals.  Let's do our part, no matter how small, to preserve the planet for ensuing generations. CTC values your service! Wishing you, joy, health and prosperity in the coming years.

COMING THROUGH

 "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others" Mahatma Gandhi

It is always difficult each month to choose a classroom project and answer that teacher's request for her students.  But we at Choose To Care(CTC)(choosetocaresite.org), know how important  it is to provide healthy and secure beginnings for children, even if it is a few at a time.

This month, Mrs. Ramos from A&M Consolidated High School, College Station, Texas, described her students as amazing, funny and caring.  May of her students, she said, come from low-income households and do not have access to black dress shoes, that is needed for the concerts, they participate in. The teacher is fighting for these students because she wants them to fit in with the group.

CTC is here to fill that gap.  Our mission is to provide a brand new pair of shoes for the child in need and our vision is  that the children will be provided resources and gain skills needed to rise above adversity and positively take their lives in the right direction.

We applaud Donors Choose(donors choose.org) for providing this trusted platform, for public schools nationwide; giving teachers an added chance to lift up their students, so they can learn, grow and thrive.

CTC also uses their platform to advocate for protection of Mother Earth, in whatever way possible. It is our responsibility.

Happy Thanksgiving!

With Gratitude!

A BRAND NEW PAIR OF KICKS

It is new month and even in the chaos, the state of the world seems to be in daily, it is important to fill our lives with meaningful goals and purpose.

I look forward to each month to begin my search for a public school to sponsor, to assist with the teachers' request for resources that will support their students learning. CHOOSE TO CARE (choosetocaresite.org), the organization, that I created in 2008, with a mission to provide a brand new pair of shoes  for the child in need; recognizes that we are all on this earth together and must use our unique means to support others and make the world a better place for us all.

I applaud Donors Choose (donors choose.org), the trusted organization, that supports public schools nationwide and allows the public to sponsor the teachers' request for their students.  This month CTC will keep going in our endeavor to sponsor a public school each month. We have chosen Coach Hickley's Grades 6-8, at Westland High School, Galloway, Ohio. 

This kind teacher described the great need of his hardworking students, many of whom he said, come to practice without proper footwear, because they don't have the funds to purchase new shoes.  We at CTC want to be part of the solution.  We hope the students will continue strengthening themselves with knowledge as they participate in sports with proper footwear.

Thanks for your support of CTC and together let's do our small part to keep Mother Earth green; small parts from all of us make the whole. Help Spread the Word!

A BRAND NEW PAIR Of SHOES

It seems that in order to persevere in the face of adversity we have to rewire our brain to focus on the positives in life so as not to get caught up on all the upheavals in the world.

We at Choose To Care(CTC) are focused on improving the lives of the youth, one brand new pair of shoes at a time. CTC is sending a dose of kindness to Mrs. Gardler preK and grade 2 students at Rudolph Blakenburg Elementary School, Philadelphia, P.A..  This kind teacher requested help through Donors Choose(donors choose.org), the organization that allows public school teachers, nationwide, to ask for resources for their classrooms.  She described poverty as the norm in the school where she works and the families she stated do not have the luxury of buying new shoes frequently.  She described children wearing ill-fitted shoes or shoes with hole in them.

My hope is that as these children are exposed to the wonders of the world, they will be inspired to seize opportunities to achieve all they can be.  Keep imagining what a brand new pair of shoes can do and you will be introduced to the reasons we take this to heart.

Ready to try something new! Let me also direct you to this recipe taken from BLOSSOM, the newly written cookbook, plus, that is being sold to support CTC organization and all its endeavors.

A reminder also to be more waste conscious and make Mother Earth happy.

Live Vibrantly!

                                                 TREASURED BREAD PUDDING

Ingredients

2 cups soy or almond milk

1/4 cup butter or margarine

2 eggs beaten

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

6 cups bread torn into pieces

1/4 cup raisins

1/4 cup dried fruits of choice

1/4 cup slivered almonds

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit

2. In a saucepan, heat milk and butter over medium heat until butter is melted

3. In a bowl, mix eggs, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg

4. Stir in bread pieces, raisins, other dried fruits and almond

5. Stir in milk mixture

6. Pour into an uncreased deep baking pan

7. Bake uncovered for about one hour or until knife inserted, comes out clean

Tips: Soak raisins, cranberries or other dried fruits in red wine for a delicious change of flavor.

Enjoy!  Spread joy wherever you go!

Feeding Their Soles(Souls)

"When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy" Rumi

We cannot miss the frequent news stories of migrants who have arrived by bus to New York City and elsewhere.  They wore their journeys on their faces, tired and looking forlorn.  The more I think about their plight, the more I see triumph.  I, the storyteller, dug deep into their lives to bring HOPE to the forefront, even if only a sprinkle.  I have let great expectations rule supreme; even if only in my imagination.  This may not have been the way they wanted to arrive but nevertheless, here they are. This sets them on the road for the possibilities that are ahead.

The request came from a local shelter that is overwhelmed, as I knew they would, with the influx of families and limited or lack of supplies to meet their needs. They asked for black pairs of shoes so that the children can attend school.

Choose To Care (CTC) stepped up to give a helping hand to lighten their load, even if only a drop. The children's soles have been fed.  They will receive a brand new pair of shoes.  I rejoice in the fulfillment of CTC's mission and how essential it is for me to live a life of service.  I also marvel how each and every time, the simple gift of a brand new pair of shoes, given to someone in need, brings so much heartwarming and magical moments to the soul.

The children I hope will seize their chance for a better education and feel stronger and more fortified, each and every day; as they continue on a meaningful and joyful journey. I am sure with time they will grasp the value of the communities that have embraced them and they will one day utter these words from Maya Angelou: "This is a wonderful day. I have never seen this one before."

Thanks for being part of the CTC family. Together we are creating a better world, one brand new pair of shoes at a time. We are on a mission to deliver hope, health and happiness to those who need it most.

Peace!

WALKING ON SUNSHINE

When I picture walking on sunshine, I see nothing but pure joy, laughter and excitement.  And a more joyful experience would be wearing the right footwear.

The Choose To Care (CTC) nonprofit, formed in 2008, makes it their responsibility each month to provide a brand new pair of shoes for the child in need, through Donors Choose, the nonprofit that allows the public to fulfill the classroom project requests of public school teachers, nationwide.

For the month of September, we walked on sunshine to give support  to Ms. Kim's, grades 6-8 students at Nicolas Junior High School, Fullerton, California. She described her students as the most dedicated and committed dancers she has worked with in many years.  The one thing holding them back is that they are from low-income households, she says, and many are unable to purchase dance shoes on their own.

A brand new pair of shoes we hope will bring joy to the owners, but it also comes with significant messages from CTC.

We hope the children will have a meaningful journey and never stop trying.

We are asking our supporters to join us also in our fight to keep Mother Earth green. Any simple act for a greener world will make a difference.

Thanks for your generous spirit and for coming along on our monthly road trips.

Spread Joy Where Ever You Go!

HANGING IN THERE

"Keep digging your well. Water is there somewhere" says,Rumi.

I don't think many of us can survive going without shoes for a long time, especially on the rough ground.

When I started the nonprofit, Choose To Care(CTC) in 2008, with the mission of providing a brand new pair of shoes for the child and young adult in need; the naysayers did not see the importance but I was not deterred.  I did not allow anyone to throw a wrench in my plans.

You can only imagine what a brand new pair of shoes can do for the owner. Bring comfort, joy, hope, lead to adventures and possibly meaningful journeys and so on.  This month, we at CTC are glad to be of assistance to deliver brand new pairs of shoes to Coach Roddie of Livingston Chapel Middle School, Statesboro, Georgia, who made the request for his 6-8 graders students, who came from low-income households and are in dire need.

We are fulfilling this request through Donors Choose(donors choose.org), a nonprofit organization that engages the public in public schools throughout America. Teachers are allowed to ask for support for their classroom projects.

Our gratitude to our supporters for their dedication to the children we so passionately care for together and for their ongoing fight for a better tomorrow.

Please be reminded to do your part to save Mother Earth, no matter how small these actionable ways are.

Help Spread The Word!

CATCH THAT RUNNER

I love that title and had to borrow it. This came from Mrs M, the 9th to 12th grade teacher in Pascagoula High School, Pascagoula, Mississippi.  She was requesting proper training shoes for her student athletes whom she described as coming from low-income households. For some, their ill-fitted shoes, she said has been the cause of many injuries such as shin splints. Others cannot afford to purchase the proper shoes.

This request came through Donors Choose(donors choose.org), the teacher-founded nonprofit that funds teachers' classrooms, allowing them to receive resources for their deserving students.

Choose To Care(choosetocaresite.org), is the organization, with the mission of providing a brand new pair of shoes for the child in need. We are willing to help these students reach their goals. We know for sure that our sponsorship of their classroom project will make a difference in the lives of these cross country runners, improving their running potential and at the same time will help to build their confidence to face this wonderful but sometimes harsh world of ours.

Along with this delivery, we are promoting, EAT WELL, STAY HEALTHY, vibes. Nothing beats a nourished runner.  A reminder also to do your part to care for mother earth.

Peace & Love

JOYFUL CONNECTIONS

 Each month I renew my commitment to sponsor a teacher's request for resources for her students in her classroom at a public school.  Donors Choose(donors choose.org), an amazing teacher-founded organization makes it possible for public school teachers, nationwide to apply for urgently needed assistance.

This month Ms. Bacon from Langston Chapel Middle School, Statesboro, Georgia, named her project:"New Shoes, New Attitude"  She needed new basketball shoes for her grades 6-8 students to wear during their middle school practices and games. She stated that many of her students wore shoes that were extremely worn and because of the lack of grip, injuries were sustained throughout the season.

Choose To Care(CTC) certainly has the power to help equip the middle school basketball student-athletes with the support they need to continue learning and growing. My deepest gratitude to those who believe in our mission and has continued to help us provide a brand new pair of shoes for the children in need, putting a smile on their faces. We hope to continue to rise to the challenge.

You have helped us protect the feet of children in need of proper wearing shoes and we know we can count on you to do your part to care for Planet Earth.  No matter how simple the step you take, it counts.

Living In Gratitude!

BLOSSOM

 The book BLOSSOM is finally on display.  Putting this together was no easy task.  My intention was to tell stories through recipes, stories, poetry, quotes and photos.  This gives the reader a chance to choose the section or sections that they find appealing and to interpret the title BLOSSOM, how they see fit.

Thanks to all who have contributed in one way or another.  A purchase of a book will help my charity, CHOOSE TO CARE.  A good way to provide a brand new pair of shoes for the children in need, while placing a smile on their faces.

For information about purchasing a book, please call contact:

cuya516@aol.com

Your help will be greatly appreciated!

Let's continue to keep mother earth green!

YOUR LITTLE COUNTS TOO

 Choose To Care (CTC) was able to accomplish its monthly obligation of sponsoring a teacher's classroom request for resources, through Donors Choose (donors choose.org); a trusted classroom funding site for teachers, nation-wide.

This month we traveled to Eastern Heights Elementary School in St. Paul, Minnesota, where specialized shoes are needed, for special need students to accommodate their footbrakes. Their kind-hearted teacher, Ms. Andrea, put in the request for her students.

CTC moved on to another caring teacher, Ms. Headley from Langston Chapel Middle School, Georgia. She wanted for her students what she called "Cheer Essentials" These are cheer shoes to help them prepare for the 2022-2023 middle school football and basketball cheer seasons.

We are delighted to be a small part of the teachers and students journey.  It gives me a sense of contentment and gratitude.  Thanks to our supporters.

We are also determined to continue to use our platform to keep mother earth safe. A reminder that we can each do our part to restore the planet we call home, is always part of my Instagram post or blog.  I have also dedicated a "Green News" column in the newsletter that I have created for the Sweet Spot Restaurant, in Arusha, Tanzania.  This month our appeal is to reduce our personal use of plastic items.

Let's take action together because our world is worth protecting and our effort, no matter how little, still counts.

"There are many wonderful things that will never be done if you do not do them" /Charles D. Gill

Peace & Love

RESTORING HOPE

 I have read over and over from Oprah that the late Maya Angelou told her, "when you learn, teach, when you get give."  This is the simple mission of Choose To Care(CTC) since its establishment in 2008.  We not only provide the resources needed but make an attempt to pass on proper health and nutrition information for well-being and bring attention to our planet earth and its gradual deterioration; while emphasizing how vital it is to keep ourselves and the earth fit.

The CTC organization brought a nourishing start to 2022, as we began our preparation to celebrate the journey of the up and coming dressmakers from the St. Peter's Skill Center, Lamin, Gambia, West Africa.  The young women have been given a chance to learn and hone their skills in a 3 year course of tailoring and other varied business courses. This gives them hope to courageously enter our wonderful and sometimes harsh world.

With that in mind, CTC engaged the students in a competition, entitled, "I Have It All Sewn Up" This creative exercise introduced them to a tiny bit of the challenges of the business world, showing a small fraction of what they will face, as they enter the working world.  This practice project gave them a chance to "wet their feet."  The title shows confidence and also indicates that they think they know it all, that they know all the ropes.  After choosing the winners, first to third place, CTC took the opportunity to extract parts of their essays and expand on the impact and significance of what they had to say and offered other approaches for them to think about.

As they continue to redesign their own life, we hope they will feel uplifted and will become warriors of the zero waste movement, as they recognize the relationship between fashion and the environment.CTC gave each student a brand new pair of shoes as they prepare for their graduation.

In Tanzania, our dream is to build a business around the food industry, giving a few folks the opportunity to see what is possible through determination, hard work and to never lose hope, no matter how difficult the process becomes.  They are on track, their story to come.

This is also the time to send the message to keep blossoming to the six children whom I sponsor through 2 USA based organization, Child Fund International and Children International. They live in various parts of the world and in spite of their daily struggles, they keep pushing to thrive.

My gratitude to Donors Choose, the teacher- founded nonprofit that allows you to sponsor classroom projects of teachers for their students, nationwide.  Through this organization, CTC has pledged to sponsor a public school project each month, giving the proper foot wear to the students in need, that we hope will take them to amazing places.

So many have reached out to us for help and no matter how little, each of us can do our part to save the world. My thoughts and emotions, sweat and tears are all stitched into these and similar projects.  It is a delight to help someone in need.  I am filled with gratitude that even without great means I take tiny steps to do my part to save the world and carryon CTC's mission.

"I will either find a way or make one." Hannibal

As EARTH DAY approaches(4/22), please find a way to save our landfills!

PEACE & LOVE

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

 It seems that the news at every corner of the world has been grim for a very long time and there is no letting up.  Still we at Choose To Care(CTC) have not allowed bad news to corrode our hope or smother our smile; instead we work earnestly to move forward with our mission to provide a brand new pair of shoes for the child in need. That pair of shoes we are sure will take the wearers on many wonderful experiences and may very well be their ticket to break the cycle of poverty.

Thanks supporters for standing strong together with us to provide resources for children, so that they may become empowered and one day be a catalyst for change in their own communities and even the world at large. 

As we do on a monthly basis, we choose a public school to sponsor through Donors Choose(donors choose.org), the nonprofit organization that allows public school teachers from every corner of America to create classroom project requests and you can give any amount to the project that inspires you. This month we sponsored Mr. Friedman's project titled "Run Wild, Run Free" This kind teacher from the Hostos-Lincoln Academy of Science, located in the South Bronx, New York City, requested proper running shoes for his students whom he stated currently run in ill-fitting shoes that do not provide support and protection. A big thank-you to this caring teacher who saw the need and took action.

It is William Shakespeare who said, "Fight till the last gap"  That is exactly our plan at CTC to continue fighting to uplift these students in need  and I am sure you will come along with us.

Peace & Love

Proudly Rising To The Challenge

 The enormity of the sufferings around us frequently weighs on me.  My endless passion to help those in need has not stalled.  I know I could not wait for the world to reopen to continue with my charitable projects.  So the lockdown has not stopped me from being an advocate for the children in public schools, who are in need of resources to lift them up.

Choose To Care(CTC) the nonprofit organization created to provide a brand new pair of shoes for children in need, has continued to sponsor public school classroom projects. We do this through Donors Choose(donors choose.org), the organization that makes it easy for anyone to assist a classroom in need, when teachers throughout the USA, submit project requests.

For the month of February, we at CTC have chosen Hosts-Lincoln Academy of Science in the Bronx, NY. Their kind and supportive teacher, Mr. Friedman, applied for his 7-8 grade students, the majority of whom come from low income households.  He used colorful titles, such as: "No More Shin Splints" through which I read his relief when sponsorship is given. "Run Like The Wind" "Run Forest Run" seem to show the results  of a new pair of shoes, no stopping them now.

Be a Change Agent. Let's pay it forward and do our part to change the world and make it a better place for us all. 

Thank you kindly for supporting teachers and their students. And here is another responsibility we should not forget. Let's all promote sustainable actions to keep Mother Earth Green.

Peace & Love!

KEEP KINDNESS AND COMMUNITY GOING

 At this time of year, the buzzwords GRATITUDE & KINDNESS  are often heard, just like welcoming music to your ears.  There are numerous heartwarming stories of people doing good in the global communities.I am wholly passionate about this heightened movement and through the lens of Thankfulness & Gratitude  I am forever seeking projects to be involved in to make this a kinder, gentler world.

I wear my passion with pride as I continue to use the nonprofit "Choose To Care"(choosetocaresite.org), which I founded in 2008 with the mission of providing a brand new pair of shoes for the child or young adult in need, globally; trying to add a little extra cheer in their steps.  Here at home I have found a very ideal place to keep taking steps to reach a place where each child has the resources they need to succeed.

Donors Choose(donors choose.org), a nonprofit organization founded in 2000 by a High School Science teacher in the Bronx, New York,  empowers public school teachers from across the nation to request much needed materials for their students in need. For the month of January, Choose To Care has sponsored the following public school classrooms through Donors Choose.

• Dancing For Fun - Teacher, Mrs. Attaryan/ 4th Grade/Shirley Avenue Elementary School,Reseda, California
• Shoe Tying Practice - Teacher, Mr. Freyre/Prek- 2nd Grade/PS106 Parkchester, Bronx, NY

Even in these struggling times many are pushing forward to give back whatever kindness they have received; knowing that  a life of service gives joy both to the giver and the receiver.  Difficulty I have discovered means nothing when you are doing something you love.  Our sincere gratitude and appreciation today and everyday, for the way your support has impacted our mission.  We wish that this jubilant and infectious spirit for giving continues.

I am reminded of this quote by Rumi: "Your heart knows the way. Run in that direction." Choose To Care is heading on a journey to keep kindness & community going. Won't you join us? Goodwill to everyone. Let's continue to keep Mother Earth green in 2022 and beyond.

Thank you for supporting our teachers and students!