(43-228) Neon BINGO

As much as I love to volunteer; due to time constraints, I don't participate in the PTSO at my kids school; other than assisting at the annual carnival, or attending their activities.  Well this year, we have somewhat of a new board; and I have to tell you that they've proven to be extremely creative and they've provided our students with a very diverse activity schedule that's I've been incredibly, impressed with.

A couple of months ago they offered Wii bowling on a Friday night; and even though we have a Wii and we have the bowling game; my kids still wanted to attend, because of the way that the PTSO had organized it.  They told the kids to get a team of four, or they'd be placed on a team when they arrived.  They charged $2 admission, and they had 4 Wii's set up, and they ran a bowling competition.  They sold reasonably priced drinks and snacks; and the kids had a great time.  From a fundraising standpoint, I thought this was a great idea, because there was virtually no cost for them to put on this activity.

Last night, they offered "Neon BINGO" in our library.  For one dollar you got a BINGO card and an individual candy of your choice, to use as markers.  You could choose from M&M's, Starburst or A variety of Skittles. They had thin vases, that contained a neon glow stick and 4 balloons on sticks, on each table; in addition to some other home meade decorations.   Again, from a fundraising standpoint, their expense was minimal, as most of the items could be purchased at the .99 store.  They had six  different types of BINGO games and they awarded prizes of your choice to the first three winners per game.  They sold drinks and snacks for .50 to $1.00 and they sold neon crappola too.

At first I thought that only my girls would play; but into the second game I realized that there was no reason for me not to play; so I bought myself a card with M&M markers.  I opened my candy, and caught up on my card, and then I remarked to the girls that Starburst probably wouldn't have been a good choice for a marker as they might stick to the card.  Kelsie then kindly said "Mommy, you're supposed to keep them in the wrapper."  OMG, HOW EMBARRASSING; my seven year old apparently has MORE common sense than I do.  I just had to laugh.

As if that little faux pas wasn't enough, I went on to further humiliate myself, when during the round they called "B&O Railroad," I yelled out "BINGO," after getting a BINGO on the "O" line.  Kelsie then leaned over and informed me that this was "B AND O BINGO," and I needed to get BINGO on BOTH The "B" AND the "O" lines in order to have BINGO in this round.  What could I say but "my bad; sorry."  And then we resumed our game.  In my defense, I must admit that I was not paying complete attention because I was writing out a congratulations card for Michelle M, who I was going to have dinner with right after BINGO.

Luis and Nicky joined us just as we were about to conclude the "B&O" round; and I left to go out with Michelle.  As I was leaving I made sure to tell the PTSO President what a good idea I thought Neon BINGO was.  I may not have won while I was there; but it was a winning evening for sure.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

A Friend in Need

Up until 2 hours ago I had very different plans for tonight's post. Basically it was going to be a grammar lesson of sorts, or a tirade about grammar is probably more like it; but then I got this email from my friend Cheryl and suddenly grammar didn't seem quite so important (at least for tonight.)

The email was titled "If I Get 10 Donations by Friday Night, I'll Run/Walk 10 Miles in a Pink Wig!" And read: So I already know I am crazy training for a Marathon to try and cure blood cancers, but just to prove it to all my friends and family, if I can get 10 donations by Friday night I will wear a pink wig while I do my 10 mile training run. Pink is in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month and all of the women I’ve loved who have been taken by or have beaten this disease. Many of the advancements by Leukemia and Lymphoma Society funded researches benefit all types of cancers, including Breast Cancer. Just go to this http://pages.teamintraining.org/sfl/wdw10/cbakos link to make an online donation. You can also read about why I am on a Quest to Cure Blood Cancers, like the one that took my father from us over 10 years ago.

I’ve already gotten 1 donation since I sent this challenge out via Facebook. Will you be # 2, #5 or maybe lucky #10 (or #15?) I promise to post pictures on Facebook and email if you help me reach this goal. Some people have asked ‘is there a minimum donation?’No, I know you will give what you can (but do keep in mind that I will be trekking 10 miles in 90 degree weather in a synthetic pink wig.)

With love and Heartfelt Thanks
Cheryl

I'm running a marathon to find a cure for Blood Cancers
I know I can do it, because I know why I do it!
http://pages.teamintraining.org/sfl/wdw10/cbakos

Well, I read that and I felt compelled to help her. September, someday between the 10th and 12th (I have blocked the day out of my memory) marked the 23rd anniversary of my Mom's passing and I could not in good faith refuse the opportunity to assist Cheryl in her fight to raise money; ESPECIALLY when she had offered to wear the pink wig to honor breast cancer awareness month. I immediately used the link and made a $25 donation and then because I wished that my donation could have been more, I forwarded Cheryl's email to my friends,with the following note from me:

Hi ALL;
The below email comes from my friend Cheryl; who I grew up with. Please take a moment to read her email and if possible make a donation to support her efforts. I know that our wallets are all a little lighter these days; but if you donate anything at all you will receive a receipt to use for your taxes including a tax ID #.
I believe that one of the women Cheryl is trying to honor is my mom, Lee Howell who passed away in 1986 after a terrible battle with Cancer and in her memory I would truly appreciate any donation that you could give to support Cheryl’s efforts.

Be Well!!

MUCH Love,
Paige

Within a few minutes I received 2 emails from Cheryl; and as she has given me her permission; I am going to share our correspondence with you because I think it is more powerful than any story I could tell:

Dear Paige
I cannot being to thank you enough for helping my efforts as I work towards raising money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). It’s overwhelming (in a good way) to know that the people that have meant so much to me at different times in my life have reached out to support me now. I love the thought of honoring your mom as well as my dad. I remember so many fun times at your house, having tea parties and drinking Constant Comet. Your mom always made me feel so at home. I know how hard it must be without her sharing in your life now. I will always miss my father... but it's been nice to ‘spend a little time with him’ every Saturday morning, as I work towards erasing the very disease that took him from us. I know that once again he'll be there with me on race day, and I am so happy that together we can honor his memory in this way.

Please let me know if you want me to wear your mom’s name on my shirt when I complete the Marathon in January.

Hope you and the family are doing great. How wonderful that Facebook has put us back in each other’s lives.

With love,
Cheryl

PS: I will keep you posted about whether I hit 10 donations and wore the Pink Wig to training. You were the third donation, but I have a lot of faith that you won’t be last.

And then Cheryl sent another note in regard to me passing on her email:

This gives me perma-grin and tears me up. So very special of you Paige. Your mom will help me get through those 26.2 miles on January 10th. I will definitely keep you posted on my progress and get ready to see me in my pink wig soon.

To which I responded:

Hi Cheryl,
It would be my fondest wish to do the 3 day in honor of my mom one day, and so I figure until I can make that happen I will do everything I can to support you and your efforts to eradicate this cruel disease. I hope my email can bring you even one donation that you wouldn’t have had. If anyone donates PLEASE let me know, so that I too can thank them.
Thank god for the power of Facebook, for friendship and memories.
Xoxox
Paige

And then 3 more emails followed; one from my brother who also made a donation in honor of our beloved mother, one from my EXTRAORDINARY, friend Dawn who plans to make a donation and the last of the night from Cheryl, which said "Thank you – this means the world to me! Heading off to bed. Assured to have wonderful dreams now."

What more can I say? Silly question coming from me. But I guess I could quote my brother who just wrote to me and said "feels good to donate!" And you know what... He's RIGHT!! This donation has made me feel useful in a completely different way. I feel like I am contributing in hopes that others will not have to suffer the way that my beautiful mother did, or the way that my brother and I did or the way that Cheryl's dad or her family did AND since you too are my friends, I am asking for your help as well. After all, if THIS isn't about THE GREATER GOOD; what is?

I meant what I said in my email to my friends; ANY AMOUNT will due; so please help Cheryl to make this run / walk her most memorable and profitable yet. Your contribution would mean the world to us.

Till next time...

Queen of EVERYTHING