Arbonne Angels ASAP Women and Children's Shelter Barenaked Ladies Bikes for Buddies Braveheart Callee Connon Christmas Bones Christmas gift Cindee Connon Clouds Connecticut School Shooting Costco Empty Bowls Feeding America Tampa Bay Florida Powerball Fly A Little Higher Gingerbread Bones Homemade Dog Treats Hunger Relief Jeff Patterson WFLA Jenerosity John Gray Kindness Day Tampa Bay Laugh at Funerals Leave a Legacy Lottery Hope love NBC Kindness Day One Week osteosarcoma Pilot Dog Rescue Pilots N Paws Sandy Hook Suncoast Animal Rescue Sword Ultimate Mix Tape Valentines Day waiting in line WFLA Kindness Day William Wallace Winn Dixie Charity Young Entrepreneurs Young Philanthropists Youth Volunteers Zach Sobiech

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Arbonne Angels ASAP Women and Children's Shelter Barenaked Ladies Bikes for Buddies Braveheart Callee Connon Christmas Bones Christmas gift Cindee Connon Clouds Connecticut School Shooting Costco Empty Bowls Feeding America Tampa Bay Florida Powerball Fly A Little Higher Gingerbread Bones Homemade Dog Treats Hunger Relief Jeff Patterson WFLA Jenerosity John Gray Kindness Day Tampa Bay Laugh at Funerals Leave a Legacy Lottery Hope love NBC Kindness Day One Week osteosarcoma Pilot Dog Rescue Pilots N Paws Sandy Hook Suncoast Animal Rescue Sword Ultimate Mix Tape Valentines Day waiting in line WFLA Kindness Day William Wallace Winn Dixie Charity Young Entrepreneurs Young Philanthropists Youth Volunteers Zach Sobiech

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Home » Archives for December 2012

Archives for: December 2012

Kindness Day 2012

Time…Talent…Treasure.  These are the three ways we can all GIVE to make the world a better place.  Circumstances often shape which method is more challenging at any given time.  For example, a single mom who is working night shifts at the hospital may find Time and Treasure the most challenging, but she coordinates having four surgeons attend Career Day at her children’s school.  It is likely that we can all give in at least one of the the three ways if we put the excuses aside.

Now that we have the Jenerosity smackdown out of the way, I want to share my experience on Friday. I was humbled to see the Jenerosity of so many people who showed up at Tampa’s WFLA News Channel 8′s Kindness Day event.  Thousands of people came out to donate food, teddy bears, toys and blood for those in need.  One man was carrying toys and food as he navigated through the parking lot on crutches.  Another woman came out to donate blood for the first time since she has the rarest blood type, which is always in high demand.  Everyone had a story centered around either Time, Talent or Treasure.

These two girls delivered three large boxes of food to Feeding America Tampa Bay during WFLA’s Kindness Day in Tampa. Those boxes were HEAVY!

Sacrifice is a key component of generosity.  It is one thing for Donald Trump to offer to stroke a $5 million check to President Obama’s favorite charity, but it is something different when somebody driving a vehicle being partially held together by tape donates a trunkload of canned goods.

“Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.”           —  Kahlil Gibran

The Donald should have also offered to shave his mane since he can’t part with that odd, yet signature tress.  Now that would have been a real sacrifice which may have yielded a different result!  But leaving his eyebrows “au-naturale”  against a bald head would be way too Groucho Marx for me!  Let’s just stick to the $5 million, even though it is only a drop in the bucket for Mr. Trump.

Time...Talent...Treasure.  These are the three ways we can all GIVE to make the world a better place.  Circumstances oft...

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Jen December 09, 2012 No Comments 0 Organizations & Causes

Over the Lips and Thru the Gums…

When you want to make people feel welcome, sometimes all it takes is some good ol’ comfort food.  My uncle Jerry is visiting from California and he happens to be a big fan of my cooking.  His “life partner” Doug (no, they are not gay) is staying at a nearby resort, so Jerry asked if we could invite Doug over for dinner.  I think “life partner” is code for two single guys who play golf together and one is always responsible for footing the bill.  If any of you know my uncle Jerry, then you know who is who.

First, whipped up a tender pot roast, creamy mashed potatoes and sauteed asparagus.  Then, opened a bottle of Showket Vineyards Sangiovese.  Next, put “White Christmas” on the sound system.  Finally, dimmed the dining room lights.  Call me ‘Norma Freakin’ Rockwell!’  Doug groaned and grunted as he put each bite of food in his mouth.  If I had closed my eyes, I may have thought I was watching an adult film.  He began to share how much he misses his ex-wife’s cooking.  So glad I could help him yearn for his prior life.  Culinary experience is clearly big on his list of “ideal mate” qualities.

I enjoy cooking for people.  Preparing a meal that matches their style and preferences is a great way to show you care. It is always so much more enjoyable to sit around a comfortable table and eat food that you know hasn’t been dropped on the floor and prepared by hands that have been washed.  More importantly, ending the meal with a relaxing glass of port rather than an obscene balance due and a husband whose eyes are bugging out in sticker shock is always my preference.

So…if you come and visit and all I serve is Sloppy Joes, BEWARE!  But if I serve them with a bottle of Opus One, then you know my retro soul cares.  Anything with Opus One…now that’s Jenerous!

When you want to make people feel welcome, sometimes all it takes is some good ol' comfort food.  My uncle Jerry is visi...

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Jen December 05, 2012 3 Comments 3 Food & Beverage, Friends & Family

A Ruff Rescue

There are three types of people in the world: cat people, dog people and those who can’t decide.  I am a dog person.  My only daughter, Daisy Mae, is a 5 month old Valley Bulldog.  Since she came into my life, I can’t imagine it without her.  She is such a blessing!

I believe that dog people attract other dog people.  Most of my friends have dogs.  One of my friends even rescues them in the most unusual way.  Like Superman, he flies in and saves the day.  Meet John Gray, pilot extraordinaire and puppy savior.

17 dogs were piled into John Gray’s plane to get them safely to Florida to start a new life.

John is a volunteer pilot for Pilots N Paws, a non-profit organization that provides an environment for pilots to learn about opportunities to transport animals that need to be rescued, sheltered or fostered.  Last week, John picked up the second leg of a rescue effort at a North Carolina kill shelter.  In NC, it is still legal to use the gas chamber to kill unwanted animals.  John picked up 17 puppies that were spared death and transported them from St. Augustine to St. Petersburg, where they were finally sent to Suncoast Animal League to receive necessary medical attention prior to being adopted.  Many of the puppies were emaciated or infected with Parvo.  Thanks to the Jenerosity of John and other pilots, they will have a chance to bring new joy to families during the holidays.  They will still be small enough to fit under the Christmas tree.

There are three types of people in the world: cat people, dog people and those who can’t decide.  I am a dog person.  My...

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Jen December 04, 2012 1 Comment 1 Animals, Organizations & Causes

Bikes for Buddies

Callee's Bikes for Buddies

Some kids are born entrepreneurs, some are born philanthropists, but few are both.  Meet Callee, age 8.  She lives on my street and sets up her lemonade stand every weekend from noon-3:00 (and even some days after school) to raise money to buy Christmas bikes for children at the ASAP Women and Children’s Homeless Shelter in St. Petersburg, FL.  I don’t drink sugary beverages so I must admit that I snub the lemonade every weekend, driving by with a simple wave and a smile.  Today, I decided to walk down and pay a visit to the growing operation.  Sometimes Jenerosity is simply stopping to support your local lemonade stand.

I learned a lot about Callee’s home-grown charity.  She accepts cash donations and used bike parts/accessories.  $10=1 Helmet; $50=1 new tricycle, 12″ or 16″ bike; $60=1 new 20″ or 24″ bike.  Last year, she donated 27 new bikes, 2 used bikes, 14 new helmets, 2 used helmets and 9 ride-on toys.  She often has friends join her to assist by waving at cars and pouring beverages.  Today, Eva (also age 8) was assisting.  Eva’s birthday is next week and she has asked that her party-goers bring items for needy pets at the local shelter in lieu of gifts.  How many kids do you know who would forfeit their birthday gifts for a chew toy?  Not many.  I, for one, wasn’t about to give up my Rick Springfield tickets at that age!

My husband and I just had to make a donation…how could we resist?  Unfortunately, while we were making the transaction, Callee’s banner (with heavy wooden poles) collapsed and hit her in the head.  She was really shaken up but, fortunately, not seriously injured.  I know firsthand how difficult it is to secure unrestricted donations for capital improvements; I hope she puts our $20 toward a new sign.  Next week, I will take my 10-year old down there to meet her in hopes that her Jenerosity will rub off on him.  And he won’t know that I have already targeted her as potential daughter-in-law material.  Smart, cute, generous and 8 years old.  She is perfect for him!

All kidding aside…if you would like to donate to Callee’s Bikes for Buddies, please let me know and I can assist with facilitating your donation.  Or…you can donate to the wedding fund if you prefer <wink, wink>.

Some kids are born entrepreneurs, some are born philanthropists, but few are both.  Meet Callee, age 8.  She lives on my...

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Jen December 01, 2012 11 Comments 11 Children, Organizations & Causes, Sports

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