Give a Little... Get A LOT

Helping others for a great cause...

Since December I have been working on recruiting and promoting for our next team to participate in the "March For Babies" on April, 27th.  We have been fundraising, informing others on the "March of Dimes", and having fun!!  We have been touched by so many peoples lives along the way... the stories and personal triumph (and heartbreak) will astonish you!!  

We first decided to walk in the "March for Babies" for my best friend Gina.  We have known each other since Pre-K and I was over the moon when I heard she was expecting.  When things took a crazy turn, and she ended up in the hospital after having her water break 2 months early, no one knew what to expect.  I remember getting a message from her that said she was in the hospital and that they were going to try and keep her there as long as possible.  I received that message on March 17, 2012... the next day, her son Colten was born.  He was in the NICU for 2 months and it was a very trying time for Gina, her husband Andrew, their families, and friends.  

Today, we are happy to report that Colten just celebrated his 1st birthday!!  March, 18th 2013 - Colten is one, happy, and healthy!!  :)  Yayy!!  

This year we decided to participate in the "March for Babies" again.  This time it's for our cousin Kathleen and our good friends Mindy & Neel.  Both were put on bed rest after showing signs of labor VERY early in the pregnancies.  Kathleen was on bed rest for over half of her pregnancy and was only able to leave her hospital bed for restroom breaks.  As of right now, our friend Mindy is still on bed rest and her little girl is still holding on strong.  (she is almost at 28 weeks).  

Happily, Kathleen's little girl Brooklyn, was born healthy and only a few days early.  We are praying for the same happy outcome for Mindy and her family!!  

There are so many others that have been effected by premature birth, babies being born with illness or disease, and major complications during their pregnancies.  The March of Dimes is working hard to combat all of these painful experiences and more.  Their "Campaign for Healthy Babies" across America can be strengthened by awesome people who give their time to help promote their cause and help raise money for the groundbreaking research they are conducting.  

We felt we needed to help fight the good fight (so to speak) and walk in the "March for Babies" each year.  Here is the link to our team page:

http://www.marchforbabies.org/team/Supremes

Please feel free to check it out and see what the walk is all about!! <3   

We can always use more teammates - whether you are walking with us side by side, or participating in one of the other walks around the country.  :)  If you cannot walk - there is always room for another cheerleader!!  :)  Also, if you are feeling charitable - follow the link - there is a super simple process for donations.  All of the proceeds go straight to the March of Dimes!!  Thanks for your support and for reading!!  :)

Here are some photos from our walk last year:

Here I am with my (now) boyfriend, Matt.  We made a sign to thank all of those who donated  to our walk!!  We carried the sign so they could walk with us " in Spirit."  

Here is our AWESOME 2012 "March for Babies" team.  "The Supremes"  :)  The little ones are holding pictures of Colten and everyone wore buttons that read "We are walking for Gina, Andrew, and Colten."

Here is my super awesome brother holding our "donor" sign for all to see!!  Thanks again to all who have donated in the past and those who have donated again this year!!  Yayy!!

The 2012 "March for Babies" had a pretty good turn out for our "smaller" town.  We walk in the Illinois "heartland" division.  :)  You can't see too well because of the hill, but there were so many teams out walking!!

The wind took the sign a bit in this photo, but it reads "THANK YOU FOR HELPING BABIES" - the March of Dimes
Well... you're very welcome!!  :)