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I’m a hairstylist. I know how important hair is to people. Believe me… I know.Back in cosmetology school, part of the definition of hair was to “adorn the head“. There was no other specific physiological purpose of hair, but as many of us already know… hair is part of our identity.
How we color it, cut it, style it, (or shave it all off!) has a mark on our identity and the image we are sending out in the world. Hair can be the first impression you have of someone; or the first impression you give.
Unfortunately, due to many medical reasons such as chemotherapy for cancer treatment, trichophagia, trichotillomania, and alopecia; many underprivileged children facing these conditions simply cannot afford to replace the hair they have lost, through artificial means.
In addition to battling various medical conditions, it is often made worse for children who face these situations without the comfort of looking like everyone else.
Locks of Love has been for as long as I have been a stylist. The unique opportunity they provide for low income families that have children with medically documented hair-loss, is priceless.
Over the years I have cut off many ponytails and sent them to Locks of Love. I know how hard it is to part with our hair…
In order for a donation to qualify for donation, the hair must be:
- at least 10 inches in length
- secured in a ponytail or braid before it is cut
- clean and completely dry before it is mailed in
- placed inside of a plastic bag and then inside of a padded plastic envelope
You will also have to fill out a donation form and mail it in to:
2925 10th Avenue N
Suite 102
Lake Worth, FL 33461-3099
I can say undeniably, the biggest show of support for this cause comes at the hands of other children!
100% of the donations that I have sent in to Locks of Love have all been donated by young children.
Imagine that.
Mothers Fighting For Others
Okay, I’ll admit it… I like MySpace.
In recent days I like it even more since they have spent a lot of their time in recent days promoting the Impact Awards, the Red Campaign and now, the Rock for Darfur Event taking place on November 10th.
On November 10th you can see a concert in a major city in your area, and be assured that a portion of the proceeds from your ticket will go directly to the Save Darfur Coalition and to Oxfam’s humanitarian work in Darfur.
The crisis in Darfur is still urgent. The people are still real.
We need to end the genocide taking place in Darfun in Sudan Africa right now. The devastation on humanity is heartbreaking, the reality is undeniable. America needs to intervene and we need to do it now.
Corporate America listen up… I know where your tax deductible donation will have the biggest impact. I know the kids that your donation will have the biggest impact. There is no middle man. There is not cut off the top. I will take your money straight to the kids who need it most. Every single dollar of every single donation
will go directly to the children of Africa.
Mothers Fighting for Others will be an official non-profit organization within the next few months. When everything is “official” we will make an announcement on where and when to make direct, tax-deductible donations to our organization.
In addition to working with Eric from A Child’s Right, we hope to work with Father Augustine at St. Monica’s Orphanage in Kenya to send ALL of his girls to high-school next year! They deserve it.
You can be the drop in the bucket. We can make a difference!
Mothers Fighting For Others
I sat down this past weekend to read the local newspaper as I always do on Wednesday. It’s filled with usual grand openings, want ads, and local events. I love catching up with what’s going on in the community, but this week something very interesting caught my eye…
In the Around Town section of the Plainfield Sun was an article on Lorelei Blackburn, a librarian from the local Plainfield Library.
Lorelei recently spent a month in Uganda, in Africa, teaching and spending time with the orphans of this war torn country.
One very interesting thing she said in the article that struck a chord with me was:
“You can only change things for one person at a time. Then, that one person can change things for others, and that can multiply.”
No truer words have been spoken, it’s all about paying it forward.
During the time that she spent there she learned that the boys in the orphanage dream of earning enough money to buy a house, (a mud hut with a dirt floor), and the girls all dream of being nurses.
Lorelei now hopes to start a foundation to raise money for the students educations. Of all the things the kids had asked for the two books that topped the lists… Bibles and English dictionaries.
Because the tribes in Uganda are in constant war with one another, the country is in a constant state of poverty. Ugandan culture frowns upon questioning governing authority.
The economy is based heavily on agriculture, and most young men will either become farmers or dig ditches for a living.
“You must speak English well to go to school. If you don’t you are going to be a digger.”
Malaria is a huge problem in Uganda, and as in many, many areas in Africa, and there is very little health care available. Because of this, there are very few members of the population who are over 40, a realization Lorelei came to one afternoon.
The students she taught were amazed by the photos of the stoves that American’s cooked on; in beautiful and clean kitchens.
Lorelei donated books that she and her colleagues at the library had collected for the students. The students sent her home with letters to President Bush, which she promised she would mail to him.
They may also become part a book that she plans on writing chronicling her experience.
“It’s a place I can never forget.”
It’s people like Lorelei, Rocky, Juli and our good friend Tracy, that make me realize I’ve only begun to put a dent in the bucket of “change” I plan to make on this world.
So, back to that first quote from Lorelei…. it made me think. I’ve got one chance to do things right by my kids.
If I can do one thing for my kids, now and in the future; it will be to make them part of the “multiplication” Lorelei was talking about. I have an opportunity, as all mothers do, to teach my kids about what is really important in life.
If I can raise these 4 impressionable lives to, not turn their backs on those who can’t help theme-selves… then, and only then, will we see the fruit of the labor here on MFFO. Teaching the next generation to care. That’s something simple we can all start to do right now.
Mothers Fighting For Others
Have you ever had to take a step back from life and think, “how did I get so lucky?” I’ve had to pinch myself lately as I think about all of the good things that have happened in my life over the past few years.
Here is just one example:
You might remember a while back how a little boy named Trevor Kott engraved his name on my heart…
This chubby little cherub had me front and center when I heard about how desperately he needed a bone marrow transplant. I felt compelled to act as did my friends, Rocky and Tracy. We collectively held 3 separate bone marrow drives for Trevor, both in Illinois and California… but unfortunately a match was never found.
Trevor passed away on April 25th, 2007. He was only 6 months old.
To my surprise, I got an e-mail a few months later from Trevor’s mom Angela Kott. She had planned a trip to Chicago for a seminar with her friend Crystal for the last weekend of September. I was so excited to finally meet this pillar of strength; this woman who so eloquently shared Trevor’s life and message with us. Angela is a gem and so is her friend Crystal.
I picked them up from Midway airport at took them to their hotel, during which we were able to talk and get to know one another. It was like talking to old friends, and I looked forward to seeing them again.
We made plans for the next day, but I quickly turned our dinner plans to an early lunch after learning about an event at my kids school that night. Oh, boy… that would prove to be a big mistake!!!
The problem was our youngest son “Bugsy” is a screamer, and by screamer I mean “SCREAMER”!
This kid will kill your ear-drums with one shrill ear-piercing scream. Unfortunately for us, he didn’t just scream once, twice… three or even four times; he SCREAMED the entire meal! People were relieved to leave the restaurant because of him. Nothing makes for faster friends, than the humor in an uncontrollable baby who won’t stop screaming and scares away the other customers! He’s only 13 months old there was no reasoning. I have no idea why he does this, but I was SOOOOO over it by the end of lunch I probably could have cried.
Oh wait, I did…
I forgot about the part when Angela handed me a beautifully wrapped gift.
I immediately asked her if it was going to make me cry, and she quickly said, “no….”.
She was wrong.
Tears immediately filled my eyes when I saw the the beautifully framed photo of Trevor and his mom! Even more difficult were the words that followed… “Julie, thank you for making a difference.”
I have no idea why Trevor tugged so hard at my heart strings. Maybe because someday the drive I held will someday save someone else’s life. Maybe it was to open my eyes to the life that swirls around me. Maybe it was to remind to be thankful for the things I take for granted.
Angela and Crystal were such a pleasure to get to meet in person. I wish I had more time to get to know them both better. Our visit was too short. ( but in so many ways… much too noisy to prolong! ;)
Trevor will always have a special place in my heart. I’ll never stop telling the world all about the little boy who inspired me into action, and made me believe that for him, winning wasn’t everything… it’s how he played the game.
Mothers Fighting For Others
After much talk, and serious consideration; both Rocky and I have decided that our hearts and souls have been poured into the children of Africa. We have decided that in our collaboration with A Child’s Right , that we will now focus all of our attention on the continent of Africa.
I can’t imagine not taking our passion for making changes in this world straight to the vein that feeds this passion for the kids who need us most. Long ago, when I saw the very first episode of Christmas Kindness on Oprah, did I have any idea how much of an impact those 60 minutes would have on my life.
They were not immediate minutes, but rather, very deliberate minutes, that changed the way I thought.
Africa has long been forgotten. Long been ignored.
Is it because racism and bigotry still exist here in America? Or is it because it is a continent so broken, that no one knows how to fix it?
I am an average woman. I live an average life. I come from an average family….but no matter how ordinary my life has been, I feel compelled to do extraordinary things. I’m nothing special, and Rocky isn’t either. Our militia is comprised of ordinary moms who know that the power of making a difference begins by taking action.
What will you do today, to make difference in the world?
Mothers Fighting for Others
We got an extra newspaper last month.
The Chicago Tribune sent a complimentary issue, and as usual, the reason we only subscribe to the Sunday paper, I didn’t have time to read it. I put it with the newspapers we recycle and happened to glance at an article that instantly caught my eye.
“Desperation Spurs Poor Pakistanis To Sell Kidneys”
After reading the article I was shocked.
I was utterly stunned to learn that human beings were actually selling their organs to escape poverty. Mothers, Fathers, and grown children, were willing to risk their lives and their health to give their families and children a chance at a better life. Free from slavery. Free from debt. Sold for less than $1500, or less!
I was also shocked to learn that there was now some documented truth to having your organs stolen for transplant by someone who profited from the donor / recipient relationship.
We have progressed as human beings in so many ways.
Sometimes I wonder how our humanity lags so far behind our technology?
Ever since I met Rocky 8 months ago on CafeMom, I feel as though I’ve caught a fire. It’s hard to explain all the ways I have changed in what I think and how I believe. I owe all of that to Rocky and Oprah… of course!
We have moved forward in our plans for Mothers Fighting For Others because of the unique way in which we volley ideas off of one another. Much like our idea for American Express Members Project was born, today we have been driven and inspired to take on our first official independent MFFO project.
The idea for Underwear for Africa was created this week after Rocky called me and told me about she raided the underwear bins at Gymboree for children’s underwear, so she could take them with her on her trip to Kenya. She wrote about it in the post, I Met an Angel Today… Actually Two.
Now, Rocky and I have already both discussed how silly the name of this project is. But underwear is a topic that is always good for a giggle. ESPECIALLY with kids. Can you imagine the smiles on their faces and the laughter in the room when two crazy white ladies from America come bearing gifts of UNDERWEAR???!!!
We started talking about her experience at the store, and how underwear is always on the list of needs in most orphanages. We also talked about the kind generosity of the Moms on Cafe Mom who have been supporting her in preparing for her trip to Kenya.
Undergarments are a fairly inexpensive items that are needed in nearly all of the facilities that are caring for the children that have been orphaned in the world.
I’ll have more details on how this project will work in the weeks to come. I just wanted to share the very first independent project that we are taking on at Mother Fighting for Others. I believe this will be a springboard for implementing our BIG IDEA; the Members Project that we had a few months back.
Good things happen when you dare to dream. I think we’ll be able to cover a few thousand bottoms with this project. And that my friends will cause more than a few giggles!
Mothers Fighting For Others INC
Underwear For Africa
27943 Seco Canyon RD # 533
Santa Clarita CA 91350
I got this letter in the mail back in mid July while Rocky was away on her cross-country trip to West Virginia. I have meant so many times to write a post about this… today, the obligation to the people of Darfur finally became too much.
Today is the day I become the voice of Fatma, and share with you what American companies like Fidelity Investments does with it’s money on our behalf.
My husband was a Jewel Food Stores, (now Alberston’s) employee for over 6 years. We now have investments and money investments involved in stocks associated with Fidelity Investments. The story that follows in the letter that I received from “Save Darfur” will break your heart. This story also makes me ashamed to know that we hold stock in Fidelity Investments.
Money does not matter enough in my life.
My money is being used to fund a Genocide to kill my brothers and sisters in Africa. Human beings that deserve the same rights to life that I enjoy here in America!
You will read for yourself why holding stock in a company that funds war and terror on the men, women, and children is contributing to the death of hundreds of thousands of lives in Africa.
No matter the color of our skin, or the roots of our heritage, human is human. The blood from our hearts bleeds as red as the sun on a summer night. No one deserves to suffer in silence. Help me give Fatma her voice when the powers that be try to silence her. (Click on the letter to enlarge)
Ignorance is bliss my friends. We cannot defend what we do not acknowledge!
If you or your spouse currently hold stock in Fidelity Investments, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE demand that Fidelity Investments Inc., no matter what the return on the investment is, does not invest your money in the loss of human lives. I know I am.
I will not tolerate their business practices as an informed stock holder any longer!
We truly live in an “American Bubble” sometimes. I am so thankful that I don’t believe every NBC, ABC, or CBS “by-line” shoved down my throat. The media, no matter how much we want to believe in “free speech,” does not deliver the truth. I know that things happen every day that would shock the average American.
Stop the power of the “American dollar” from destroying lives across the globe!
Keep our friends in Sudan and Darfur safe by saying NO to Fidelity Investments! Tell them it’s NOT okay to destroy lives to protect American investments!
Mothers Fighting For Others
My phone rang mid morning this past Friday. It was Rocky. I was surprised to hear from her since she should have been on her way to the airport for a weekend trip to Vegas, and I wasn’t planning on talking to her until Monday. She was out of breath and sounding inspired, I should have known that no matter where Rocky is, her heart is never far from finding ways to help the children of Africa.
She had come across a copy of Vanity Fair at the airport entirely devoted to Africa. It is part of a special issue guest edited by Bono. The cover of the edition that I picked up, featured a photo of Condoleeza Rice and Bono together, one of 20 historic covers photographed by Annie Leibovitz. The 19 other covers include: Muhammad Ali, Maya Angelou, Warren Buffett, George W. Bush, Don Cheadle, George Clooney, Bill and Melinda Gates, Djimon Hounsou, Iman, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Madonna, Barck Obama, Brad Pitt, Queen Rania of Jordan, Chris Rock Archibishop Desmond Tutu, and Oprah Winfrey. You can see and purchase all 20 by clicking here to go to Amazon.com.
I haven’t had a chance to read it from cover to cover yet, but everything I have read so far makes me think it should be required reading for all Americans. There is a world crying for our help, and all that most of us are willing to do is shake our heads and sigh… “poor Africa”.
Inspiration is a funny thing. It’s contagious.
Thank you, Vanity Fair, for shining the spotlight on the suffering of this continent, and all the corruption that fuels it. I pray for the inspiration that usually follows initiatives like these, and hope that the tiny seed that gets planted in the minds of those who hear these truths, will grow inside their hearts.
Some people in this world are just born to do good things. I believe this statement with my whole heart.
I talked to Rocky quite a while back about showcasing stories on Mothers Fighting For Others about real people doing real things to make a real difference in the world.
The following story is from the Joliet Herald News and is an example of just that:
Jill Sperling is the dean of students at Drauden Point Middle School, here in the town I live in. My cousin Nikki Knights is a graduate of that school, as of last week here in Plainfield, IL. I took this story from the Herald News newspaper in hopes of showcasing the life and inspiration for her dedication to the children of Southeast Africa.
Jill will be leaving for the city of Malawi, which has been devasted by AIDS, and more than half of Malawai’s 13 million people live in poverty. She will be spending 17 days with her brothers, Joel and Jon Van Dahm, in Malawai to complete their mission there. Jill and her brothers will be helping the missionaries Will and Pam Phillips, who care for 120 children, which includes 29 infants.
“My heart is with the babies” Sperling is quoted as saying. “I just want to go to Africa and rock the babies.”
Jill lives in Lombard, IL and will distribute 3,000 of the 5,126 books that Drauden Point Students collected this past year. To pay for the $3,000 mailing cost, the student council donated the money necessary to ship the books, as well as teachers and friends! Jill (32) and her husband Bruce had a dream of traveling to Africa for many years. Two years ago they decided that 2007 would be the year they made trip.
On Memorial Day weekend, 2006 Bruce Sterling, and his brother Mark ,tried to rescue a kyaker on the Fox River in Yorkville, IL and he, his brother, and the kayaker all drowned. Bruce was youth minister at their church in Lombard.
After Bruce’s death she continued on her quest to go to Africa, and her brothers Joel and Jon decided to join her. “They saw an urgent need there and felt they were in a position to help. That desire was reflected in Bruce’s life.” said Joel.
Joel Van Dahm has a degree in engineering and is interested in water systems. Jon will offer his expertise in running a small business to the children. “We can be a symbol of hope in place that appears hopeless”, a quote from Jon Van Dahm.
This my friends is what is it all about… Inspiration and Action!
I remember hearing the story of Bruce and his brother on the news last year. I know now, that Jill and her husband Bruce are a testament to those who were born to do good things!
Thank you to the Sperling and Van Dahm families for raising such a wonderful family of caring children. And to Bruce and Jill for choosing to be a part of the solution!
I plan on attempting to contact Jill directly in the next few days, but in the mean time I wish her and her family a safe and meaningful trip to Africa.
