BeadforLife...

Good things, good people, good times all rolled into one...the Community Partner gathering for BeadforLife.

Those of you who know me, know that I am a volunteer with an amazing organization called BeadforLife (yes, all one word!). We recently had our semi-annual gathering in Boulder, Colorado and it was wonderful to see all of the lovely women (and one guy) who are community volunteers. (The photo is all of us on our last night together.)

If you don't know BeadforLife, please check us out. The organization was founded by three ladies who wanted to help the women in Uganda. (The photo above is me with one of the founders, Torkin). We empower these women by providing them with a viable way to earn a living while teaching them lifeskills to lift themselves and their families out of extreme poverty.

When you start looking for holiday gifts (no it isn't too early), I urge you to look at gifts that give two-fold such as BeadforLife.

And why you are at it, why not volunteer in honor of someone you love as well?

BeadforLife goes to the prom...

Good things...I have written about BeadforLife in the past (and will in the future). As a Community Partner Volunteer, I have had the good fortune of working with the students of Hampton High School Interact Club (Rotary) for the past three years hosting a BeadforLife sale at their school. We have raised over $4,000 in our sales for this wonderful organization!

Good people....one of the young ladies at the school asked me if she could buy some beads to go with her prom dress. Knowing how important prom is to high school girls, I was honored to show Ellen several necklaces. I think you will agree that Ellen made the right choice. What a beautiful photo of a wonderful young lady wearing her lovely prom dress, the BeadforLife necklace and Pittsburgh in the background.

Good times...Ellen said her prom was fantastic - and she received several compliments on her necklace including even some from young men. Here's hoping every young person has a wonderful prom!