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!

DOUBLE THE JOY

 It is Giving Tuesday and this movement is just about on everyone's radar and my wish is that it will inspire many to participate and make an impact in giving a helping hand to others, globally.  So many have been affected by disease,natural disaster,violence, poverty and so many other crises.

Choose To Care(CTC) the organization that was created to provide a brand new pair of shoes for the child in need, is ready to meet its obligation to sponsor a public school teacher's request for

resources for their students.  This sponsorship is done through Donors Choose, an organization founded in 2000 by a High School teacher in the Bronx, NY.  The aim is to empower public school teachers nationwide to ask for greatly needed materials for their students.

CTC's journey for the month of December, started on this special day, dubbed Giving Tuesday and has taken us to Livingston Junior High School, located in Livingson, Alabama.  This is where Ms. F. Sharp, the caring teacher of 6th and 8th graders has requested uniform shoes for her students. "Shoes with a little bling, please" is her catchy title. "Help me give my students shoes that will help motivate them and improve their self-esteem"

We are set to double the bling and make a difference.  We also know that a pair of shoes in a time of need is much more than shoes to protect the feet.  It is hope, It is dignity, and it certainly shows that someone cares. Today, as our mission commands, we are practicing generosity so that these children will walk in hope.

As always, our gratitude for your support, that has allowed us to continue our work.  Don't forget to do your part to keep mother earth green.  It is a responsibility we must all share.

May your holiday season be one of PEACE, LOVE AND GOOD HEALTH

JOIN THE JOURNEY

 "Mind is a flexible mirror, adjust it, to see a better world" Amit Ray

Choose To Care(CTC)(choosetocaresite.org) was created in 2008 with the mission of protecting the feet of children and young adults in need at home and abroad; by placing a brand new pair of shoes on their feet and a smile on their faces.

CTC has committed to sponsor a public school each month through Donors Choose(donors choose.org). This is the nonprofit organization that allows teachers in public schools to submit classroom projects requesting resources for their students in need.We at CTC, truly believe that children should not have to scramble for the resources they need to help them strive. We are always looking to expand our mission because the need is so great.

For the month of November we are on our way to "A Mario Loiederman" middle school, Silver Springs, Maryland.  Ms. Mackie, their teacher, submitted a project for her 6th - 8th graders, aptly named, "Tap those feet." She wants her students whom she described as  being passionate about dancing, to learn tap techniques.  She also wants each of them to have their own tap shoe; but coming from low-income households, it is difficult for families to afford such purchases.

CTC is honored to help make this happen.  Although a pair of shoes will not solve the problems associated with poverty, it may just lead them on a more meaningful journey, keeping them in school, bringing them joy and pride, empowering them to become agents of change.  I am sure your spring dance concert will be a blast and we will be cheering you and your students on in spirit.

We are filled with gratitude for our supporters.  Let's do our part to protect planet earth!  Each of us is able to give a helping hand to stop the erosion.  While you are it, please try a delicious plant dish.This is a great contribution which over time will help to keep our planet fit!

Yours In Service!

Every Kid, Having Resources, They Need

 "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something;And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do"  Albert Schweitzer

Each day I am given the opportunity to show kindness without expecting anything back.  With that in mind Choose To Care(CTC), the organization's whose mission is to provide a brand new pair of shoes for the child in need; makes an effort to assist in creating a world where every child is empowered to thrive.

I am proud to give to Donors Choose(donors choose.org), the nonprofit that has supported teachers and students since 2000 with resources they need. CTC sponsors a public school project from teachers requesting shoes of all kind for their students in need, each month.

The month of October has taken us to Mr. Rivas, who teaches Grades 6-8 at Paul Revere Middle School, Houston, Texas.  This teacher, wanted "to spread some sense of relief from the daily hardship that many of our less fortunate families face" Mr. Rivas is seeking soccer shoes for his students so that they will be able to compete with other schools and according to him, this will give them a sense of equal opportunity and may make a difference in the direction one takes in life.

Thanks for your support, for stepping up courageously to help CTC's mission.  And while we are on a roll, let's do our part to protect our planet.

Yours in Service!