THE GATHERING

I have been doing "shoe drops" as I call it but decided to add a touch, an event if you please.  For MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY,10/22/11, I wanted the youth at this gathering to know that any small task can lift the spirit and make a difference in someone's life.  So I started out by acknowledging the day and it's importance and invited the children to begin to make a difference.  Some stepped up to the podium to talk about the things they are now doing and others talked about what they will do.

We did not stop there, added was the message of healthy living.  So we all began to move and sway to a meaningful song that my kind colleague prepared for me; getting our limbs awaken and sealing that exercise is good for us all and fun stuff like dancing counts as exercise.

A few had heard about MyPlate, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) icon, that reminds us how to eat well and keep our bodies nourished.  Then it was movie time, "Supersize Me" was the name of the film of choice which showed the ill-effects of eating out at McDonald's or any fast food joint too often.  One of the young men had seen the film in school and stepped up to give tidbits of what this film was about.

 We welcomed tips from a Podiatrist from a neighboring hospital who talked about our feet which we ignore until they begin to hurt, wearing the right shoes that fit is important, avoiding the nail salon and if we do go, excellent sanitary condition is a must she stated.  Shoe time and each kid received a brand new pair of shoes with the MESSAGE CARD that says "STAY IN SCHOOL"  We ended the day with a delicious lunch prepared by some giving women of the church community.

Thanks to my colleagues who have helped me to make this day happen  The wall you decorated with paper shoes of all sizes and styles, looked like the real things and received a lot of admiration from the wide- eyed audience, kids and adults alike, peppered with "did you make these?"  My friend, thanks for helping me to shop for these shoes and to tote them to their destination.  My gratitude to the anonymous donor who sent me a donation with an apology that he is retired and wished he could do more.  "Sir, every little bit counts and thanks for the blessings you sent our way."  To the parents of the children, the coordinator of the youth program, the women of the church, your support is greatly appreciated.  I came away with a feeling of renewal, with my spirits raised and my faith in people heightened.  CHOOSE TO CARE is a small program trying to make an impact and  ready  to take on it's next mission.

Keep Adapting!

AND THEY ALL HAVE SHOES

"When are you coming?"  The voice on the other end sounded doubtful.  We had been playing 'phone tag for a while, different circumstances had stalled our plan to buy and drop off shoes for children and young adults residing in a homeless shelter in Brooklyn.  We had finally carved out a day and time that was convenient for all of us and we shopped with the help of the store clerk until we had picked out 55 pairs of shoes in different styles, ready to be fitted on the feet of those deserving boys and girls in waiting.

Our hands are tired, walking from the store to the subway.  It was not a long distance but we were laden down with a number of heavy bags filled with shoes.  We boarded the M train for the ride to Brooklyn, luckily the train was practically empty.  There was enough room to lay our bags down and we tied them securely to prevent losing any of our 'treasures.'

Seated and spread out, having a better grip on our goods, we began to concentrate on where we were heading.  When we finally reached our stop, we hopped off the subway, bags in tow, not knowing whether to turn left or right.  We finally reached our destination, happy to give our hands a rest and declared"we are here."

The Director and her assistant to whom care of these children is entrusted, greeted us filled with gratitude for this small deed made possible by CHOOSE TO CARE AND FRIENDS.  That old familiar saying "where there is a will there is a way," came to mind as I mentally prepared for the next shoe drop.

In each pair of shoes we had slipped two messages, one encouraged staying in school because we believe that education opens up great possibilities and the other is to  eat foods that keep them well because it is so important to   make healthier food choices even from a young age.  We do not know how many will heed us but we will keep trying and never lose hope.

Yours in Health and fitness!

WORKING UP AN APPETITE

It was four years ago in September that CHOOSE TO CARE was created to provide for the under served.  The idea of giving a brand new pair of shoes came about while vacationing abroad and witnessing so many young children walking barefooted in murky water and on hot grounds where broken bottles and garbage were strewn.  When I investigated at home, the need was just as great nation-wide and I discovered that there are many organizations with the similar idea of providing a pair of shoes for those in need.  I am happy that this small act has become a vital link to many not for profit organization working with the youth.

Each birthday WHETS MY APPETITE to do more and my soul is brimming with excitement as I plan each activity.  Shopping for shoes bring great joy.  Here is a sneak peak of how we will celebrate this coming of age.
~~  We have a shoe drop in a homeless shelter in Brooklyn on 9/20/2011; fifty-five youth will be the recipients.
~~  Still in the celebration mode, on Make A Difference Day, 10/22/2011 a national day put aside to do good in the community; we will celebrate the youth in action at the Vineyard International Christian Church in the Bronx.  Proper foot care will be highlighted. We will spring into action with simple movements, introduce MyPlate, the federal government new food icon and offer tips on how to make great food choices, eat well and stay fit.  A gift of a brand new pair of shoes is our giveaway for the day.

So although not full blown and still operating on a small scale, CHOOSE TO CARE continues to put its best foot forward as we reach yet another milestone.
       "I slept and dreamt that
         life was joy.
         I woke and saw that
        life was service.
        I acted and behold,
        service was joy."
                       Rabindranath Tagore


HAPPY           BIRTHDAY          CHOOSE          TO          CARE

Shopping For Civic Good---Out Running Miss Irene

Many had supported the Choose TO CARE ORGANIZATION by buying a $5.00 ticket for the anticipated Macy's Shop For A Cause event that occurred on 8/27/11. But the Mighty Miss Irene had other plans and the majority of shoppers stayed home, rightfully so, not wanting to feel her wrath. I decided to out run Miss fast moving Irene who was ripping through Virginia and heading our way; so I got an early start to the store. There I met others who had the same plan, armed with their coupons that gave us 25% off our purchase for an all-day shopping, which would be cut short because of the impending visitor, Miss Irene.

Macy's associates were selling tickets in-store but I proudly displayed my own for my own charity. At the cash register, the women were in a good mood, as they jokingly screamed "I am shopping for a cause" while winking, because this time no one would dare say we shopped too much. This time our love for shopping would genuinely help out a deserving charity and at the same time, someone will get a chance to be a winner of the $500.00 gift card that was part of the shopping lure. So although Miss Ferocious Irene rained on our parade, it was not a complete wash out, we managed to earn some needed funds so that we can continue our mission of providing a brand new pair of shoes for the youth in need.

I came home to a 'safe haven' and embodied nature from indoors. It is times like this that I am more mindful that we are small animals not the giants so many of us profess to be and can be easily struck down by the power of earth's natural forces. I continue to be humbled and filled with gratitude. "But couldn't you have picked another day Miss Irene?" We have next year to look forward to and I am begging you to ask your sister, the one with the name starting with a 'J' that if she intends to pay us a visit next year, to work around that great event,Macy's Shop For A Cause. Thanks to all the kind folks who donated to our cause.

Peace and Love!

STEPPING OUT

The CHOOSE TO CARE organization started out with a strong determination of providing a brand new pair of shoes for the child or young adult in need at home and abroad. We do this simple act in order to protect the children's feet from cuts and infections and lessen their need to wear ill-fitted shoes, while bringing pride and joy to their young lives.

Now we are taking this to another level and plans are being made for October 22, 2011, on MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY. We will put together a program of Nutrition, Health and Exercise activities. On our Wish-List is the desire for a Podiatrist to come by and remind us of how important our feet are.

Each brand new pair of shoes given will have a card that reads: STAY IN SCHOOL ^^^^ EAT FOODS THAT KEEP YOU WELL. These messages are meant to push the power of education and a healthy lifestyle. We aim to build self confidence, bring hope and encourage good health and positive development, one step at a time.

So when people ask why I pay attention to shoes, I will take the opportunity to let them know that this small gift of a brand new pair of shoes is the start of good things to come that could easily take these children on a meaningful journey, empowering them to become agents of change.

You can log on to www.makeadifferenceday.com to follow the events or find a charity that pique your interest. We welcome any tips to make our day fun-filled and successful.

Thank you for continuing to make a difference to the CHOOSE TO CARE ORGANIZATION.

No Small Feat

CHOOSE TO CARE is all revved up, ready to prepare for MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY, which takes place on 10/22/2011. It is the day when millions of Americans will volunteer in their communities doing good. This year we will once again work with the youth in the Vineyard International Christian Ministries Church,located in the Bronx. Choose To Care has provided shoes for the children of newly arrived immigrant families or other members of the Church who find it difficult to fully provide for their children. Sometimes within families there are 3-4 children in need and only 1 child may receive so that other families can also benefit. The Coordinator weighs the needs and at times boys will receive while girls have to wait their turn or vice versa. On MAKE A DIFFERENCE Day, we would like to make a difference in the lives of the children who were passed over because prior donations could only stretch so far, by giving them a brand new pair of shoes. We hope this small gesture will produce happy feet and place a smile on their faces.

In addition, on this day we will add fun-filled health and nutrition activities to foster good health and positive development. To learn more about this special day, you can log on to:makeadifferenceday.com.

Thanks to all who have participated in Macy's Shop For A Cause Project,the funds will help us to continue our essential work of helping those in need. Happy shopping at Macy's on 8/27/2011 and do not forget to enter your ticket so that you can get a chance at winning the $500 gift certificate.

More to come!

SHARE THE LOVE OF SHOPPING FOR A GREAT CAUSE

CHOOSE TO CARE has joined Macy's Shop for A Cause. The good news is that all the money collected from the sale of the tickets will go to the organization. Our mission is to continue to provide a brand new pair of shoes for a child or young adult in need. That desire drives us to work hard at raising funds to carry on this essential work. So grab a few friends, entice them to buy a ticket, give a ticket to your best pal, someone in your life has a birthday or a special day coming up? Then give them this small but meaningful gift; a ticket to shop all day on Saturday, August 27,2011 at any Macy's nation-wide or online @ Macy's.com. Not only will you recive 25% discount off most things you purchase but you will also get a chance to win a $500 MACY'S GIFT CARD.

We hope you will support our cause. Send us an E-mail to let us know how many tickets you would like.

NAME: CHOOSE TO CARE

EIN: 35-2309289

WEB: Choosetocaresite.org

E-MAIL: Info@choosetocaresite.org

CHOOSE TO CARE gets 100% of the money raised.

With much love and gratitude!