Subway’s Baseball DeSIGNS Tour *Giveaway*

Subway recently partnered with Little League Baseball and Softball for its second annual Baseball DeSIGNS Tour which features over 30 baseballs designed by Little Leaguers and autographed by celebrities.  Fans can bid and win baseballs signed by legends like Philadelphia Phillies’ Ryan Howard and Biggest Loser’s Shay Sorrells by visiting their auction on eBay through August 29th.  Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Little League Urban Initiative. If you’re interested in previewing the designs, visit their Facebook page.

In conjunction with the Baseball DeSIGNS Tour, Subway is currently offering Little League themed reusable lunch bags with their Subway Fresh Fit for Kids meals.  Their kids’ meals are one of the few I’ll actually purchase for my son because they include healthy sides like apple slices and the option of getting milk instead of juice.

Win It! One of you will win a Subway prize pack which includes a $10 Subway card, a Little League reusable meal bag, and a baseball that kids can design on their own. To enter, simply leave me a comment with the name of your favorite ball!  Comments will close on September 5, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

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Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post.  Items for review and giveaway were supplied by Subway.

Souplantation Kicks Off The Great American Road Trip

I recently sat in on a webinar that was geared towards healthy eating.  While on the call, I was reminded about the importance of consuming adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables.  While I try to limit the amount of days we eat out, our hectic, disjointed schedules don’t always allow time for daily home-cooked meals.

One of the restaurants I know I can get a healthy meal at is Souplantation (aka Sweet Tomatoes).  I typically pile on the greens, grab a bowl of soup, and a carb fix and I’m satisfied.  Last week, Sweetie (the official mascot of the restaurant), kicked off the Great American Road Trip to help raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of America. He started in Florida and will travel all the way to Southern California, ending at the Garden Fresh headquarters in San Diego.  Twenty percent of the day’s sales in each tour city will benefit local chapters of the Boys & Girls Club. During his 12 city tour, Sweetie will make guest appearances at select restaurants.

If you miss Sweetie or you’d like to follow him through his travel, be sure to visit the website and the company blog.  Here are Sweetie’s planned stops in Southern California:

Los Angeles – May 24

Orange County – May 25

San Diego – May 26

· The Encinitas location from 4 – 6pm

· The Mission Gorge location from 5 – 7pm

If you’ve ever frequented a Souplantation, you know that the menu changes periodically.  To coincide with the Great American Road Trip, Souplantation is offering the following themed menu:

- California Cobb Tossed Salad

- Chesapeake Corn Chowder soup

- Texas Longhorn Beef Chili Soup

- Neighbor Joe’s Gumbo Soup

- Orange Creamsicle Lava Cake

- French Quarter Praline Muffin

For more information, just visit their website.

No compensation was received for this post.

Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale To End Childhood Hunger

We live in an affluent country where it seems impossible that children could want for food.  According to Share Our Strength, nearly 17 million children (17.2 % or 1 in 4) were facing hunger at some point last year in the US.

C & H Sugar is the presenting sponsor for Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale for the third year in a row.  The goal of the sale is to help fight childhood hunger.   Families, organizations, and schools across the country are encouraged to hold bake sales and donate the profits to Share Our Strength in order to provide meals to America’s children.

Getting involved is easy.  Simply host a bake sale, add your event to the bake sale map on their website, and donate the bake sale funds.  For the past seven years,1.7 million people have participated in the Great American Bake Sale, raising $6 million dollars to help end childhood hunger.  Hosting a bake sale at your local school, church, playgroup or community helps to raise awareness of childhood hunger in America.

So where do the funds go?  (that is a question I always ask of a charity)

Here is a summary of how the funds are used (from the site):

Enroll more eligible kids in school breakfast, after-school snacks and meals, and their families in SNAP (food stamps).

Bring community gardens and farmers markets to low-income neighborhoods.

Bring affordable, fresh fruits and vegetables to urban corner stores.

Teach at-risk families how to plan, shop for, and prepare healthy, low-cost meals at home.

Help local food pantries, food banks and soup kitchens meet the pressing demand for more nutritious food.

Increase awareness and understanding of childhood hunger and solutions to it.

To find a local bake sale, just visit their website.  You’ll also find an entire section designed to walk you through the process of hosting your own bake sale!

I received a gift card to participate in my own bake sale, which will be held mid-May (since Mother’s Day weekend was a bit hectic!).

No compensation was received for this post other than a gift card to purchase the supplies needed for a bake sale.

Pepsi Is Giving Back

My husband and I often talk about what’s happening in our world today, and discuss how we can make a difference.  If you remember, I recently expressed how our hearts are broken for the people of Haiti.  Our hearts are also broken for the poor, hungry, and homeless right here in our own community.  There are so many in need, right here…in front of us.

I admire companies that use their influence for something greater.  This year, Pepsi is helping to make great things happen the Pepsi Refresh Project.  Pepsi will give away over $20 million dollars to fund projects that will help make communities better.  But they need and want your ideas.  Does a playground in your area need a makeover so that it’s handicapped accessible?  Does a park need upgrades to make it safer for children?  Does your community library need new computers?  Whatever need you think is important in your community, share it with Pepsi…they want to hear about it.

Every month (beginning today, Februrary 1), you will have the opportunity to submit a project in one of six categories: health, arts & culture, food & shelter, the planet, neighborhood, or education.   At the end of the month, Pepsi will post the top submissions on their website and let the public vote on who should win grants ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 (totaling up to $1.3 million dollars)

Head on over to the site to submit an idea to be considered for March’s grants or to vote on your favorite submissions (right now you can vote on February’s entries). For more information you can follow the program on Twitter or Facebook.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Pepsi Refresh. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

It Doesn’t Get Better Than ________ (Fill In the Blank)

Last week I turned down an opportunity to ride in the Wienermobile (gasp!).  We had some crazy weather here in Southern California with torrential rain, thunderstorms and tornado watches.  As much as it broke my heart to turn down a ride in the famous Wienermobile, I kept the kidlets in.  So why all the hype?  Oscar Mayer kicked off their Good Mood Missions campaign in Los Angeles last week.

Photo Credit: Hotdogger Blog

The wickedly (giggle) famous Kristin Chenoweth was the spokesperson who helped kick off the campaign last week. Good Mood Missions is a charity initiative to turn America’s good moods into 2 million pounds of food for Feeding America.  Feeding America is the country’s leading hunger-relief organization which provides food to 25 million Americans every year. Oscar Mayer jumpstarted the campaign by donating 1 million pounds of food and is now asking America to help match that 1 million pounds for a total goal of 2 million pounds.  All you have to do is answer the question “it doesn’t get better than ______”  on their website.  Every person who shares their “good mood moment” results in more food donations towards their goal.

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I did not receive compensation for this post.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Airs Commercial During the Golden Globes

Last year, I had the honor of visiting the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House. This amazing organization keeps families together by providing a “home away from home,” for families who’s children are very sick.

I only just now watched the Golden Globes (which I had recorded on our DVR).  Such is the life of a mama with two little ones.  If you happened to watch it to, you may have remembered watching a commercial starring Lance Kopplin.  Lance Kopplin is a cancer survivor and his family has spent over 200 nights in four different Ronald McDonald Houses across the country.  Lance was diagnosed with cancer at the age of six and given a 0% chance of survival.   Today Lance is ten (and I’m having difficulty writing this because of the tears that are now flowing).  I encourage you to read his entire story on the RMHC site.

McDonalds USA donated the funds to make Lance Kopplin a star.  His commercial aired during the Golden Globes.

There are numerous charitable organizations that you can support.  Maybe because I’m a nurse…or maybe because I’m a mom.  RMHC is one charity that I support and believe in.  For more information, just visit their site, follow them on Twitter, or fan them on Facebook.

I did not receive compensation for this post.

Frigidaire Supports Save the Children

While my time as a Frigidaire Test Drive Mom is officially over, I’ll still have lots to share with you from time to time about the company and the appliances I tested out.  The company has teamed up with Jennifer Garner to support Save the Children’s U.S. Programs, dedicated to helping impoverished children living in the U.S.  If you check out their new Spin & Win game you’ll have an opportunity to win gift cards for spending time with your children and a Frigidaire Affinity washer and dryer.  Frigidaire’s new appliances are designed to give you more time for the important things in your life…such as reading, crafting or watching a movie.

Every time you “spin” to “win,” Frigidaire will donate $1 to Save the Children as part of their $250,000 commitment to support Save the Children’s CHANGE program, dedicated to providing nutritious snacks and promoting healthier lifestyles for impoverished children living in the United States.  So head on over to the site today for your chance to win and make a difference in a child’s life.

In other Frigidaire news, the company announced their new consumer rebate program called “Paid to Upgrade.”  Frigidaire is offering an additional $150 on top of the government’s $3 million Cash for Appliances program when you upgrade your current appliances to select Energy Star appliances.  Frigidaire recently launched 250 new kitchen and laundry appliances with time, money, and energy-saving features.  Their new line of appliances minimize energy and water consumption which is in line with their commitment to a greener world.  Their Energy Star appliances are 10-80% more energy-efficient.  Be sure to visit their website for more information. Here are some energy-saving tips, courtesy of the company:

Toys For Tots Teams Up With 1-800-Flowers.com

Are you on Facebook?  If so, 1-800-Flowers.com is doing something pretty amazing.  They are working with Toys for Tots to help donate $5,000 for kids in need.  I’m not a huge Facebook user, but I have used an application here or there.  This is for a great cause.  They have a fun little application called Secret Santa which allows you to send an anonymous message to that special someone in your life.   And…if you want to send a real gift, you’ll receive a promo code for 15% off of a purchase at 1-800-Flowers.com just for using their Facebook Secret Santa application.  

I just sent my message (shhhh!).  On December 21, your recipient will find out who their Secret Santa is!  It’s fun and it’s for a great cause.  And I know many of you are on Facebook right?  So what are you waiting for?  Help 1-800-Flowers.com reach their goal of 10,000 so they can make their donation to Toys for Tots!

Celebrity Friends of Ronald McDonald House Charities

Last week I told you about an incredible opportunity I had to learn more about Ronald McDonald House Charities.  McDonald’s obviously provides a great deal of support (in every way imaginable) to the RMHC.  However, much in the way of resources is necessary for RMHC to provide the support they do to families and their children.  RMHC relies on donors and volunteers to ensure that families have a place to go when their children are sick.

A few of us had an opportunity to sit down with two of RMHC’s celebrity friends…Billy Bush and Dayanara Torres.  It was neat to be able to spend some time talking to them about how their involvement with RMHC has impacted them and their families.  I realize there are three videos, but they’re not super long.  I think it was neat to hear both of them speak, in a casual environment (we were at McDonald’s of course!)… chatting like we were old friends.  I hope hearing them speak inspires you to get involved.  I know I was…

It’s the Season of Giving…

No parent ever imagines their child will get so sick that they’ll have to be hospitalized.  It’s unnatural.  As a NICU nurse in a large pediatric hospital, it’s assumed that I know about Ronald McDonald House Charities.  It’s not uncommon for parents to have their babies stay in the hospital for extended periods of time…weeks and even months.  I could share many a story of families who have had to travel quite a distance in order for their child to be afforded with the necessary medical care.  The emotional and financial stress this puts on a family who is struggling to cope with a sick child can be very overwhelming.  If there are other children present, the situation becomes even more complicated.

I recently had a very special opportunity to visit the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House. With only a handful of bloggers in attendance, I was honored to be invited to be a part of such an important event.  I want to start by sharing with you the mission of the LA RMH:   “To support the health and well-being of children by providing a ‘home away from home’ for families of seriously ill children who are receiving care in Southern California.”  Simply put, RMHC keeps families together. Family-centered care (where the family is involved and actively participating in the medical care of a patient) has been shown to improve outcomes.  But how can families be involved if they live in another county…or another country?

Such is the case with a mom and her son who have been living at the LA RMH because their home is in Hong Kong.  And by the way, her husband is overseas, working to ensure they are able to survive financially.  Listening to her story was heart-wrenching, but hopeful and inspirational.  As a woman and a mom, I only hope I could be as strong as she is.  Out of gratitude to the people of RMHC, her and her husband decided to give back.  They are raising funds to sponsor a family room at the LA RMH.

I will be completely honest in that my expectations for what I was to see were so greatly underestimated.  I expected simple and clean.  What I found was much more than that.  The LA RMH very much resembles the modernness of a hotel, with an open ambience.  It’s very much a “home away from home” complete with a kitchen, library, and fitness room.  Many companies have donated items to furnish the rooms. One such example is Select Comfort who has been the “Official Bed Provider” for Ronald McDonald House Charities for over 8 years.

I find that it’s important for families to be comfortable…to have the comforts of home while being as close to their children as possible.  The support that these families receive from both RMHC and the other families in the house is incredible.

None of this would be possible without help from people like you and me.  Two of the most important things you can do to support RMHC are to donate and volunteer.  While it costs approximately $125 a night to house one family, RMHC only charges families $25 a night (and if a family is only able to pay some of that, they are not turned away).  The difference must be made up somewhere, in order for RMHC to continue to provide families with this much needed resource.

Tomorrow is McHappy Day.  When you visit your local McDonald’s and purchase select food items, $1 will be donated to the RMHC.  You can also purchase a “hand” for $1 to help with RMHC.

And don’t forget about how important volunteering is.  Much of what goes on in the facility is made possible because people like you and I volunteer our time and services.

Here are some pictures from the event:

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