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Spring Spotlight
It's always amazing to me how those first purple crocuses popping up in my yard can nearly bring tears to my eyes. These small flowers, so fragile and fleeting, bring with them the hope that sunny days and beautiful weather is around the corner. This winter has been a long and difficult one for us and for many in the world. It was cold, bitter, and for many, full of stress and worry for their families, for their jobs, and for the world at large. As we begin the road towards Spring, I wanted to share some inspiring stories that I have heard recently and encourage you all to think about the wonderful opportunities to do something meaningful-- even if it seems small and inconsequential-- do something good for yourself, for the world, and for your family if you can. It certainly always helps me to put my problems into perspective.
I received an email from a reader recently stating..."Four years ago at the age of 10, my son set a goal of raising $18,000 for charity by using his swimming ability. He wanted to do this for his Bar Mitzvah project. He surpassed that goal by swimming across the Hudson river each year, and was Bar Mitzvah'ed in 2007. He has continued to swim for MS, and this year, with the passing of his Grandmother to cancer, he has decided to participate in Swim Across America in support of the American Cancer Society."
Her son, Alex says of his efforts: "On February 3, 2008, my Grandma Marlene passed away from cancer. She was only 68 years old and I'm sad that she will not be around for my brother's bar mitzvah in 2011 and my high school graduation in 2012 as well as all the rest of our family's happy occasions. We loved her very much and know that her warm and generous spirit surrounds us daily. This year, in memory of my Grandma, I will swim the Long Island Sound of New York with Swim Across America, a nationally recognized organization dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming related events. This is an ideal choice for me as the net proceeds of this particular event benefit my local area of Westchester County, NY as well as Sloan-Kettering Hosptal in NYC."
EssentialMom.com congratulates Alex and his efforts -- find out more, donate (even a little bit helps), or check it out with your kids to think of exciting projects to inspire them!
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Tuckahoe Family Preparedness Day
On March 28th, Conor McNamara, a senior at Tuckahoe High School has organized the Tuckahoe Family Preparedness Day. A Life Scout with Boy Scout Troop 353, Conor is aiming to obtain Eagle Scout status; the most prestigious level within the Boy Scouts. Conor fully understands the power of an informed and prepared community which has driven the creation of this event.
The American Red Cross in Westchester and The Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe will be co-sponsoring the Tuckahoe Family Preparedness Day. This event is geared towards families of school aged children preparing them for disasters in the home and community through the American Red Cross's "Be Red Cross Ready" training. Stations will be set up with interactive activities revolving around preparedness. Discussions will be led by representatives of the Village of Tuckahoe as well as Superintendent, Dr. Yazurlo. The Eastchester Fire Department will be giving demonstrations with their smoke trailer. Learn how to prepare your family for disasters in your home and community with fun activities for kids, prizes, giveaways, informative discussions, and much more!!
March 28th, 2009, 10:00am - 3:00pm. William E. Cottle Elementary School, 2 Siwanoy Blvd, Eastchester. Email: TuckahoeFamilyPrep@gmail.com. Visit the www.westchestercounty.redcross.org.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, collects and distributes nearly half of the nation's blood supply, teaches lifesaving skills, and supports military members and families. The American Red Cross is a volunteer-driven organization, not a government agency and depends on charitable contributions of time, money and blood to perform its humanitarian mission. |
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It is a tragedy to lose the one thing in life, which is ours and ours alone - our memory. The ability to open the book of our own lives only to fumble through missing and blank pages of memories, stories, and experiences we may never be able to recall. It is a tragedy to lose our sense of self-reliance. It is a tragedy to lose the recognition of those people nearest and dearest to us in a sea of nameless faces usually reserved for one looking upon a busy street in a city one has never been. Anyone who has known a person with Alzheimer's knows first hand the devastating affect it ultimately has on the individual and his or her family.
Likewise, the unkind stares from strangers watching as a person with Parkinson's Disease struggles against his or her own body. They watch in curiosity as it tremors and jitters uncontrollably, or alternately slows almost to a halt, and becomes captive to the ice-like stillness and rigidity of a body frozen in slow motion. The simplest of tasks become almost impossible. All the while one recalls in complete lucidity a time not long ago, when the same hands and feet they now battle to control, moved with utter grace and steady conviction.
There are 30 million families world wide experiencing Alzheimer's Disease & Parkinson's Disease right now.
"The Regulars" plan to climb 10 mountains in 10 years and by virtue of our efforts, raise awareness for both Alzheimer's Disease, and Parkinson's Disease. Our vision is for a team of men and women to converge upon a new mountain top once a year, every year, over the course of the next decade. A victory in reaching these summits is symbolic of overcoming the many challenging milestones in medical research needed to find the cause and a cure for Alzheimer's Disease & Parkinson's Disease.
Our hope is to tell people, teach people and enlighten people with the thought that they can also play an important role in conquering these diseases. William Glover of Westchester County will be joining The Regulars this year to climb Mt Kilimanjaro and we wish him the best of luck!
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 New to EssentialMom.com: SavATree. The green choice for tree shrub and lawn care in Westchester County. Arborists provide expert service to enhance beauty, preserve health and maximize safety within your landscape. Services include tree pruning, organic tree and lawn care, hybrid program options, tree fertilizer, safety audits, removals, insect and mite treatments, disease diagnosis and treatment and more! Read more in our Home Care Section>> |
 Essential Event: Milk `N Cookies Playhouse. Chocolate Chip Chamber Music- A Pirate`s Treasure Of Trumpets. Mar. 21, 10:30AM. Children join the Baker, transformed as Bobbie Blackbeard, and a quartet of musical pirates for an exciting adventure at sea! Young listeners leave with milk and cookies and an opportunity to meet the musicians and try their instruments. Riverspace Arts, 119 Main Street, Nyack, www.riverspace.org. Visit our Events Calendar >> |
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Essential News: Spring is right around the corner...and so is the 2009 Easter & Passover Project at Friends of Karen. Please help if you can! Wish List: Easter Chocolate Bunnies (wrapped & sealed), Cash donations for fresh fruit for Passover, Gift cards to A&P and cash donations are also appreciated. Deadline: March 27. Drop off at 18 Titicus Road, Purdys. Denise Tredwell, volunteer coordinator, 914 617 4052. Read more about this and other news >> |
Join in and take advantage of our many wonderful features such as the ratings and reviews section and the forums. Give yourself a good alter-ego and ask anything you want-- simple questions, silly chatter, or if you must...things you actually want the answer to! Have FUN! | |
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