Day 257: Colleges Against Cancer Speaker Panel

Today, I spent some time after class flyering on Locust Walk for a speaker panel event that the Colleges Against Cancer Committee held tonight. In about a half hour I handed out a lot of my flyers (more students responded to "free food" rather than "Cancer Speaker Panel.") However there was a pretty good turnout tonight and there was an active discussion about various cancer statistics and research studies. The guest speakers consisted of an oncology Nurse Practitioner, also a Penn grad, and the Health Outreach coordinator of the PA American Cancer Society. It was interesting to learn a lot about the local cancer studies happening all over campus. Off to study for 2 finals tomorrow!

Day 256: A Down and Up day this day

My original intent this day was to blog about a visit with a wonderful Friend Al who I had the pleasure of working with during our boys involvement in Boy Scouts. Yes many years ago, he as committee treasurer for Scout Troop 250 during my years as camping chairman and Scoutmaster. He was home recovering from a fall. Unfortunately, he was taken to the hospital last night and as I write, no word on his condition, but his Family appears to have gather around.
So, I said to myself, what can I do this day for my commitment to the Service Challenge 365 blog today. Thought a bit and then off to find a Salvation Army bucket to give a donation which I do once a year during the Christmas celebration times. I went to the local Shaw's store and not surprised for there wasn't one there this day and the day was off kilter a bit. So on ward to Stop and Shop. Oh yes, there was the volunteer ringing his bell and spreading good will. So up I pulled and put my donation in. Things picked up right away, for as I was leaving I met a Wife of another Friend that gave assistance to Cub Pack 250 when I was Cub master. A nice conversation we had about Spouses and Grandchildren.
I have had an interest in the Salvation Army for most of my adult life while recognizing the work of charity they do. I still remember going to their place of prayer and social work to donate some things that they might be able to process through their store for resale at a unbelievable low price to assist the needy. Quite interesting!!!! I really like their ratio of funds collected to funds distributed to help -- 83% to charity, outstanding compared to many of the United Nations ratio's!!!!! Well Folks, have a good LIFE and keep you chin up and smile on for life is beautiful even though challenging at times -- Buppa

Day 255: Hope Lodge

Bianca here. Tonight, I went with a couple Relay for Life Chairs to the Philadelphia Hope Lodge, about 40 minutes outside the city. The Hope Lodge is a place where cancer patients and their caregiver can stay while they are going through treatment. Like a hotel, each patient has their own furnished bedroom, meals, a fitness center, cozy lounge rooms, a meditation room, etc. It is really a beautiful place meant to both inspire its inhabitants and also provide a warm, welcoming environment. There are 37 rooms in this particular lodge, though there are 31 Hope Lodges across the US.

Tonight, the UPenn Relay Committee cooked for all of the patients in the lodge. Lots of us made pasta dishes. A couple of our Chairs who had a little more time actually made lasagna, stuffed peppers, chicken, and a macaroni and cheese casserole! I ended up making a trip to the open 24/7 grocery store down the street around midnight last night and got some frozen meatballs and sauce. Not nearly as good as Dad's or Nana's, but I figured it would complement the three trays of pasta we had. Unfortunately my camera died so I only got this one photo.

We ate dinner with the patients and it was nice chatting with them. All of them are so strong and I cannot even imagine what it must be like to be going through such a scary, draining, and emotional experience. We were all glad we were able to put smiles on their faces. We wish them all the best of luck and hope to volunteer there again soon.

http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/SupportProgramsServices/HopeLodge/index

Day 254: Supporting UPenn and Penn State!!!

We are just back from a fun weekend with our granddaughter, Bianca, at her college of choice--University of Pennsylvania (U Penn, for short!)It was quite a ride down. I was the co-pilot with Map Quest directions held tightly in my hands. We knew Bianca was working til 5:30 on Friday and her games were at 8:00 and 10:00, so we decided to take a "dry run" to the building where the games were to take place. We found it easier than we thought, so called and left her a message that we were there. It was quite a challenge to find a spot to park and learn the ropes on getting a "card" from the "kiosk" to put in the car window. By Friday night, we had that procedure and finding the garage "down pat." Grabbed a burger and then Buppa stood by the car while I went down two streets to mail a box to Olivia. (Couldn't do for one twin without the other!) Small P.O. with 15 people ahead of me. Quite a process! Finally met up with Bianca and she invited us to see her dorm. She is on the 15th floor and has a great view of the city. Met her roomies ---Carolyn, Jessie and Ashley--all lovely, friendly girls. Went to the pool and only attended the first game which they lost to Penn State. Beautiful pool and quite a game to watch---feet cannot touch the bottom of the pool during game!! Next game was too late for us "seniors", so we left and found our way back to motel. Plans were made to meet at 12:45 on Saturday for lunch. We toured and saw the Liberty bell and the Betsy Ross House among other things and met on time. Lunch was fun and then off for a walking tour of campus---very interesting. Left Bianca and met her later at the pool Her wonderful roommates were there to support her. Team is having a rebuilding year--they lost both games! So we parted ways--see you at Christmas. Today, we decided to go out for breakfast at a diner across from the motel and after spending 2 days at and with U. Penn folks, there was a girl from "Penn State" canning for THON. Collector asked if we had heard about THON and proceeded to explain and the gist of it all was they were collecting for children with pediatric cancer. While I was getting out some money for her basket, Buppa explained we had spent the weekend with our granddaughter at U.Penn, but even though unknown to us that the two colleges were rivals, we were happy to contribute to such a worthy cause.

Day 253: A Memory Pillow for Kathleen

Another one of my dear friends, Kathleen, has recently lost her mother. 
Kathleen and I go way back...she was one of my college roommates at BC, and she was in my wedding.  Thankfully, we have managed to stay close over three decades! 
A few weeks ago, Kathleen ordered a MemoryWrap to be made out of her mother's favorite sweatshirts, which I was happy to design as I had the privilege and pleasure of knowing her mother, Kay.  In the true spirit of kindness and generousity that has always been Kathleen's nature, she plans to ship this quilt to her brother and sister-in-law in Hawaii as a Christmas present.  She is very excited about sending this special surprise.
What Kathleen doesn't know is that when she comes to pick up the quilt, she will be receiving her own  gift from me....a keepsake memory Pillow made from her mother's clothing.  I know how close she was with her mother, and I feel blessed that I can use my skill as a seamstress to be able to support the people I love.

Day 252: Coats for Kids

Once again, happy to redeem the UPC codes on my favorite coffee creamer to support Coats for Kids, and Toys For Tots.  Actually, it's a bit embarassing that I drink so much of the stuff!  But certainly...Bravo to White Wave Foods who make/distribute International Delight.  You're on the right track; a role model for how business can give back. 

WhiteWave Foods Gives Back

Share Your Delight is brought to you by WhiteWave Foods Company, based in Broomfield, Colorado. At WhiteWave, we’ve always believed that drawing a connection between what we value and how we do business is essential to our success. That’s why we’re proud to partner with organizations that help make the world a better place. By choosing specially marked bottles of our brands, you’ve chosen to Share Your Delight with kids this holiday season. Thank you.

Day 251: Parish Christmas Giving Tree

As in most every church at this time of year, there is a "Giving Tree." We at St. Jude's have one also. The tags were in colorful baskets at the entrances and all were asked to participate and take 1 or 2 tags, buy the specified gift or gifts, and return the wrapped gift WITH the tag on it by December 11th. We had little boy gifts to get---hat and mittens for a 2 year old and pants for another 2 year old . It was fun looking at clothes for little ones as we don't have many little ones left in our family. I was happy to place our 2 gifts in their Gingerbread wrapping paper under the tree.