Toyota Cares: 7 Ways to Join the fight against hunger in NYC with City Harvest

Here we are, a year and three months after the world shut down due to a global pandemic, and although with vaccines readily available and signs of normalcy starting to reappear, there are families still feeling the negative impacts of the coronavirus. More than 1.5 million New Yorkers are struggling to feed themselves and their families – up 38% from pre-COVID figures. 

Thankfully amazing local organizations like City Harvest continue to work tirelessly to help resilient New Yorkers facing hunger. Our family had the opportunity to volunteer in the Washington Heights community on behalf of Toyota and it was an incredible and humbling experience. Read on to learn more about how you can also join the fight against hunger.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with Toyota. All opinions expressed are 100% honest.

Meeting WWE Superstar Roman Reigns Who Announces Partnership to Bring Awareness to Pediatric Cancer

Despite the screaming fans and blinged-out championship belts, I try to remind my boys that their favorite WWE superstars are really just everyday people who face up and down moments juts like the rest of us. When you think of the high-energy talent that battles it out, night after night, it's hard to believe that our fave wrestlers could be faced with a life-threatening illness while still trying to entertain thousands of fans. This week Roman Reigns opens up about his battle with Leukemia and his partnership with Leukemia Lymphoma Society as part of his commitment and determination to keep fighting for patients and families. 

WWE's Titus O'Neil and Bayley host a UNICEF Kid Power Event in New York City to Combat Global Malnutrition

WWE is known for it's impressively talented WWE superstars and high energy performances inside of the ring and should be just as recognized for the countless work they do to bring joy and support to organizations for families all over the world, outside of the ring. Less than two weeks before WrestleMania 35 hits the New York/New Jersey area, Titus O'Neil and WWE Women's Tag Team Champion Bayley hosted a UNICEF Kid Power Event at P.S. 23 The New Children’s School in the Bronx, N.Y. WWE has partnered with UNICEF Kid Power to bring empowering experiences to kids across the US to show every child they have the power to make a difference in the world.

Unleash Your Warrior in the Fight Against Breast Cancer with WWE and Susan G. Komen

Having to persevere with Crohn's, a chronic auto immune disease for nearly 2 decades, there have been incredible lows as I battled painful flare-ups, two bowel resection surgeries and a combination of bi-monthly infusions and hundreds of pills prescribed just to maintain. I am always in awe and fully support the women and men who have to face any life altering illness like Breast Cancer. To coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, WWE is continuing its partnership with Susan G. Komen for the sixth consecutive year by encouraging fans to take action in the fight against breast cancer through the “Unleash Your Warrior” campaign.

Unleash Your Warrior celebrates everyday heroes making a difference in the fight against breast cancer, encouraging them to “Be Strong, Act Bold, Always Believe,” a sentiment echoed by WWE Hall of Famer The Ultimate Warrior.  

Disclosure: The WWE provided me with an Unleash Your Warrior Tshirt to support this campaign as a WWE Mom Ambassador. The opinions expressed are 100% my own. 

Inspire The Next Generation to Make the World a Better Place with the "Imagine If, With Jif" Contest

Disclosure: This is a Sponsored Post, Opinions expressed are 100% my own

Imagine a world where kids can make a difference in creating a better world to live in through the wonderful traits like bravery, confidence, kindness and and creativity that they already possess. Our two boys Tristan and CJ have always been taught the importance of giving back and this year they are looking forward to supporting an organization that helps children and families in need. As blogger kids they are very fortunate to have the opportunity to review the latest and greatest toy products and they know that often there may be kids in shelters and hospitals who won't get to spend their holiday with their loved ones, and who's families may not have the time or funds to shop for presents. 

During this years MomTrends Night Out, influencers learned about the latest products from Jif and their "Imagine If, with Jif" campaign while sharing how they inspire the next generation of changemakers right at home. 

New Yorkers Celebrate Summer Reading & Vote in Nationwide #BookBattle for NYC Kids to Win 100,000 Free Books #Sponsored

Disclosure: This is a Sponsored post. Opinions expressed are 100% my own

Did you know that by age 3, children from wealthier families have typically heard 30 million more words than children from low-income families?(AEC, 2010) That is such a huge difference right? One of the best ways to help little ones to develop such a vast number of words is by exposing them early on to age appropriate books & unfortunately in several cities around the U.S, kids live within book deserts and don't have access to adequate reading materials. This month the boys and I headed to popular NYC bookstore, The Strand to celebrate summer reading and the Soar with Reading Program. With one daily vote, through the Soar with Reading Program the public has the chance to vote in an online book battle which will reward the children of one city 100,000 FREE books

Soar with Reading: Vote for NYC Children to Win 100,000 FREE Books from JetBlue and Random House Kids #BookBattle

"If you're going to get anywhere in life, you're going to have to read a lot of books" 

~ Roald Dahl. 

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. The opinions in this post are 100% my own. 

At the start of the summer, JetBlue and Random House Children’s Books launched it's annual Soar with Reading™ initiative, which provides age-appropriate books to children who need them most and until August 31st of 2017 we all have the chance to vote for one of four cities, including NYC to win the next donation of 100,000 FREE books in a good ole' internet #bookbattle 

During school breaks I remember my mom would take my sister, brother and I to the library and we'd check out as many books that were allotted, typically more than we actually wanted to carry home and our dad proudly ordered us the full set of World Book Encyclopedia and we'd get lost in a world of imagination and history.

Being a mom who was an avid reader as a child, I knew that the day I'd have children of my own that I would spoil them with shelves of books very early on. My husband thought I was crazy to have subscribed to a book club for a baby, but sure enough CJ came home from the hospital with a shelf of books to get him through the first two years of life. Over a decade later and with another Lil' monster in the house, that shelf is bursting from the seams and filled with an array of books. Heck yes we've been fortunate to have access to so many pieces of literature but today there seems to be a vast number of areas around the U.S that have limited offerings of age appropriate books. 

Family Volunteer Day: Health & Happiness Kits for the Homeless #Sponsored

As you grow up and mature you learn to appreciate the loved ones and support systems you have in your life and realize the significance of giving back and doing good for those less fortunate than you. Despite our circumstance over these last few months: we've had lots of family loss, with the passing of two uncles and a grandmother suddenly, my husband losing his job {he has since been employed the last 6 months}, our 5 year old needing emergency surgery, my random Crohn's disease related flare ups and nearly losing our home - my husband and I try to convey to our boys that we should be grateful for who we have and not what we have because there are so many without. We find it essential to instill a sense of service in our boys and plan to participate in Family Volunteer Day this year.

12 Tips From Girl Scouts of the USA and Disney Channel's "Elena of Avalor to Inspire Girls to Lead

If you watched this year's Olympics in Rio, then you've witnessed a diverse and amazing group of athletic women fulfill their dreams by showing great teamwork, leadership and determination to succeed. I hope that little girls all around the world are inspired by Monica Puig  for winning the first gold medal for Puerto Rico & 19 year old African American, 5x gold medal winning gymnast - Simone Biles.  And let's not forget the first woman to wear a hijab while competing in the Olympic games like Muslim fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad. These young women have proven that despite their differences if you're a go-getter that's willing to be a leader and dreams big, anything  can be accomplished. 

Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) and Disney Channel are teaming up to inspire girls and their families to practice leadership. The collaboration brings GSUSA’s focus on leading like a G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)^TM, the Girl Scout way, and Disney Channel’s recently launched animated television series Elena of Avalor into action with the debut of The Elena of Avalor Leadership Guide by Girl Scouts and Disney Channel. Available in English and Spanish beginning today, the Guide showcases leadership activities and conversations parents and caregivers can engage their preschool through fifth-grade girls in to boost their everyday leadership skills and prepare them to create the future they imagine.

WWE Summer Slam is Kicking off with a Concert To Benefit Connor's Cure

The countdown to one of the most popular WWE pay per views is well under way and in our house, aside from all the revamping of the Monday Night RAW and Tuesday Night Smackdown, Summer Slam is all my wrestling loving family can talk about & with the show headed back to NYC for the 2nd year in a row it's sure to be a night to remember. Can you picture how crazy the energy would be at a fully packed Barclay's Center in Brooklyn, New York in anticipation of a concert with music stars Flo Rida and Jason Derulo as a lead up to to the big night? For the first time ever, in support of Connor's Cure and the initiative to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer, the WWE is partnering with Iheart radio for a sure to be epic Summer Slam concert on Thursday, August 18th and tickets are on sale now.

Citizen's Ride for Light Event Raises Money for Habitat Humanity #MostoutofLight

Lately I've been trying to find ways to squeeze in a workout, even if it is for a mere 15 minutes, so I jumped at the chance to help raise money for one of my favorite organizations just by committing to a quick, heart pumping cycle session. This week Citizen Watch fans, Habitat for Humanity supporters, Revolve spin enthusiasts, leading members of the press and blogosphere-- and even a few passers by cycled together right in the center of New York's Flatiron district to Illuminate the Earth! 

Do More Good & Head to Good Deeds Day in NYC #GoodDeedsDay #aCAUSEforJubilation

" Do your little bit of good where you are. It's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." ~ Desmund Tutu

So as of late I've been on a mission to share more stories of social good, empowerment and celebration of life and triumphs in hopes to not only inspire myself to do more but in hopes of motivating & enlightening my audience to dig deeper and make an impact no matter how big or small the steps. You have to start somewhere right?

This Sunday, April 10th, New Yorkers and Visitors alike will join celebrity activist Adrian Grenier {Entourage}, local and national non-profits, corporations and millions around the world in a record-setting annual day of doing good!

THE V FOUNDATION AND WWE® LAUNCH NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP TO FIGHT PEDIATRIC CANCER #aCAUSEforJUBILATION

Children are just so resilient, even in the face of adversity in situations where most adults would crumble and it just breaks my heart to know so many have to fight to persevere against Cancer. Having been diagnosed with a chronic auto-immune disease in my late teens I could never imagine a child of any age having to endure some of the awful symptoms of battling a terminal illness like Cancer and the toll it takes on them not only physically but mentally. If you're a fan of the WWE then you are all too familiar with the story of the vibrant, humorous, cancer-fighter Connor Michalek, an 8 year old who inspired everyone who was in presence or watched him from a television screen across the WWE Universe. His passing in 2014 of pediatric brain cancer was just heart wrenching to watch as a mom, and Connor "The Crushers" story of hope and resilience will never be forgotten! 

In an effort to help find cures for pediatric cancer, WWE (NYSE: WWE) and The V Foundation for Cancer Research announced a multi-year partnership to support cancer research nationally through funds raised by Connor’s Cure. The announcement was made at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, where Connor’s Cure was originally established, with representatives from the hospital, WWE and The V Foundation. In 2014, Connor’s Cure was created by WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon and WWE Executive Vice President Talent, Live Events & Creative Paul “Triple H” Levesque as a fund within Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation to support pediatric brain and spinal cord cancer research.

A Cause for Jubilation: A colorful ball pit can even help random adults connect

While cleaning out my email box I stumbled upon one from Oprah.com and followed a link on Icebreakers for grownups. This Soul Pancake clip touches on the idea that we spend so much time passing each other by, caught up in our own day to day, probably not even mouthing a hello, good morning, let alone making eye contact.

If only meeting new people and making friends were as easy as when we were kids. As a parent and preschool teacher usually ball pits symbolize a pool of germs and yuckiness but actually in this instance I wouldn't mind seeing this ball pit full of random questions located in the middle of Times Square...Who inspires you? What's on your bucket List?

 I love this, especially the two that pulled out their fake teeth {hysterical}, fate put them together in this pit they agreed. Great idea Golriz and Devon! Hope you guys enjoy and check out their other videos.

image source
* video property of the OWN network

A cause for Jubilation.... Candy Chang (Bringing Communities Together & Sparking Conversation)

               

 Flipping through my copy of the September 2011 "O" Oprah magazine a photo of what appeared to be a shack had the words "Before I die.." stenciled and spray painted on the side of it with a list of responses instantly caught my attention. Candy Chang who's an artist and activist for social change created this project in hopes of connecting the members of her New Orleans neighborhood by reminding them of what matters most as a community and as an individual.

 Chang said she found herself questioning her wants before she died after loosing someone very close to her. With the 1st year anniversary of my husbands 25 year old best friend passing from a car accident approaching; we can't help but think of all the great things he was destined to accomplish. What are some things you want to do before you pass on? or places you'd want to see?  I'd love to be my own boss, visit Italy during Carnivale, live to see a cure for Crohns disease among many other things.. On Cindy Chang's site you can purchase a kit to create your own neighborhood "Before i Die"' wall and purchase planks with the phrase and blank space on it.

Another Project I felt inspired by was  "I wish this was" where members of the community filled in the blanks after the phrase on stickers describing what they hoped an abandoned space would become..

Like these abandon spaces I know there are a few in my neighborhood and possibly a few in you own you'd like to see something positive done with. Neighbors wrote things like Chinese food restaurant, a daycare, a community garden, Brad Pitts house or art gallery. With all the varied answers one thing was evident the community had great hopes and colorful imaginations for what they wanted for their neighborhood.

All images found via: CANDYCHANG.COM please go check out her site and be inspired by all of her projects and share with your friends, family and community to keep the conversation going!!