Chopped it for Children!

are you next?

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chop it for children

I've been contemplating cutting my hair for years.  This time last year I cut off 7 inches without hesitation or noticing much of a difference.  I wanted to donate it, but I failed to go through with the motions to do so.  Plus, we were out of the country and it was sort of a day-date to the salon for Thomas and I.  I just cut and went along with my day.  

It has since grown back and I plan to be not only deliberate in donating it, but adding to the event by making it into an entire project.  

The 

Chop It For Children Project 

officially starts today!

first:

For the next 6 weeks I'm going to ask for pledges.  

Each dollar I raise will be pooled into a fund 

to handoff to a local family with a cancer-stricken child.  

second:

if I reach my goal..
I'll cut off my hair!

and donate to

 Children With Hairloss 
so that a wig can be made 
for a child who is losing their hair to cancer.  


third:

In celebration of my new short 'do, 

I'll be treating myself to this headband 

from the amazing shop of 

Much Love Illy

MuchLoveIlly~Etsy Shop

Gorgeous, right?? 

Her items are just lovely, 

totally handmade, 

and she has incredible style.  

  

Sounds awesome, right?

Well I'm not done.

I want YOU to join me!!

Right now I'm asking each woman, or man, reading this to consider joining my effort to provide a cancer patient with the gift of a head of hair.  

The commitment is 8 inches, but they definitely accept more.  

The benefit is a child who can receive a wig if they desire one.

The sacrifice is a teeny bit of pride and a year to grow out your short style.

The reward: UM, YOU TOTALLY ROCK!

Ladies.. we love our hair.  We fuss with it, we curl it, we color and texturize it, we straighten it, we goop it and swoop it and stick it with pins until it (hopefully) makes us look beautiful.  

But think about the young women who cannot do this.. 

By donating your hair you are giving a young girl or boy the opportunity to choose a wig that can make them feel good again.  Though many children choose to embrace their skin, some children wish desperately for a fun head of hair during their time.  

Added bonus? 

I'll be giving a Much Love Illy Headband

to one of the few, or many, who decide to join in!  

Rules:

The day the cuts are made, send pics of 

1. your new 'do!

2. the process going from long to short

3. your hair with the form to go to Children With Hairloss

Once all of the submissions are in, I'll pick a winner and send you your headband :)

Let's do this!!

If you decide to join in, 

please email me at 

theechomission@gmail.com 

for more details!

Sole Hope!

Inspired by this post 

by one of my fave Blogtresses, 

Alissa Circle over at Rags to Stitches 

I decided to round up the Princess Posse 

and anyone else who's willing, 

to join me in a shoe cutting party for 

Sole Hope.

courtesy of

An amazing organization, this is..

Spurred by the video I have attached, 

Asher Collie, Founder of Sole Hope, 

courtesy of

decided she wanted to make a difference in the lives 

of those affected by the terrible effects 

of contact with jiggers (chigoe fleas).  

This is a parasite that lives in the sand and soil 

and burrows deep into the skin, 

infecting and paralyzing the body.  

this video is graphic in contact, 

and shows you exactly what is happening right now 

to residents of areas contaminated with this parasite.

Sole Hope works to provide shoes for these people,

as well as equipping them with a trade: sewing shoes!  

courtesy of

By hosting a "shoe cutting party"

you simply cut the pattern for the shoes

and Sole Hope mails your material to these areas

where workers are paid a fair wage to construct

closed-toe shoes for residents

Such a simple act 

and it provides comfort on many levels.

courtesy of

Think of all of the times you 

waltz into your yard to get the mail...

Or dance around the yard with your children...

Or decide to try running...

BAREFOOT

Where we have the choice of shoe-style,

or to wear them at all,

these people have none.  

Many are forced to put their 

precious skin into contaminated soil

and risk this awful result

If you would like to join 

our shoe-cutting party please email me at

theechomission@gmail.com
There is not a date, yet.
I'll be organizing this based on our current
philanthropy schedule!

If you would like to start your own Shoe Cutting Party, 
follow this link and read on for details

You can also purchase shoes, or simply donate to the cause

'Tis the season to go barefoot

with fresh-painted toes into fresh cut grass...

Let's help those who dread 

something we take for granted everyday!!

courtesy of

Blessings in a Backpack

Our very own 

Valerie Ramsey 

contacted the girls about donating our time and money to 

Blessings in a Backpack

courtesy of

for our June philanthropy.

(each month, the Princess Posse donates time/money/energy/service to a selected philanthropy)

This is definitely one that is easy to share with all of you!!

Their Mission:

What better gift to give children 

than the assurance they will be taken care of, after Friday?

Working all across the country, 

Blessings in a Backpack provides 

over 59,000 students who are on the 

free or reduced lunch program 

with nourishing food for the weekend, as well.

How you can help:

Donate and feed one child for the entire year
Adopt a school in your area
Or simply Volunteer your time to distributing or fundraising!

Their vision is of a generation of children, 

healthy and ready to learn.

This one thank you letter from a student

shows that a lot more than that is happening

courtesy of

Can you believe that an elementary school student

who receives less than most on a daily basis

could only think about giving that little bit away?

Blessings in a Backpack 

not only provides children with 

what their physical body needs,

but their spiritual body as well.

They know how good it feels to receive and so

they want to give that back

Check out Blessings in a Backpack today

and see what you can do to feed, love and motivate a child, today!

Questions?  Let's talk in the comments :)

Warrior Dash for St. Jude's

Meet: Christine O'Bryan

A special lady friend of The Echo Mission

who has a heart to serve 

and found a way to stay active while doing so.  

She is currently registered for the 

2012 Michigan Warrior Dash on July 29th

and is taking donations for 

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Here are a few words from Christine:

Here you can find Christine's registration page

You can donate on her behalf

or simply on behalf of the entire cause

Either way, you will be adding to the

fantastic reputation St. Jude's holds

as the only pediatric cancer treatment center 

where families do not need to worry about the bill

Donate today and help a child by cheering Christine on!


If you have a question, post it in the comments 
and Christine can respond with more information