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

2 Million Dollars for REFUGE CHURCH

When I was young, I had the chance to meet

Krystal Stewart

She lived down the street from me.  

A few of my memories of her include figure skating together, walking to 7-11 for slurpees, and then swinging on her front porch, trying to touch our toes to the ceiling of the overhang.  She also had a huskie that could say "I love you".  So awesome!

Her father, York Ash, was a Pastor at a church in our neighborhood, WestWayne Christian Academy, and her home was always 

full of love and Jesus.  

She was one of my first "gateway friends" to the Lord.  

Later on I became a believer and found her again on Facebook.  
She is married and has three beautiful children.

I now have the pleasure of following her through the process of growing the church her and her husband, Ronnie, started just two years ago, in New Port Richey, Florida.

Refuge Church

In the following video you'll "meet" her husband, 

Pastor Ronnie Stewart

and hear his prayer for funding for their new church.  

Yes, you heard that right; 2 Million Big Ones!
In our day, that is not much at all.. reallyIf we can pay athletes to play games (even when they, *ahem*... drop the ball..)Build skyscrapersDrive luxury carsand so on..
We can help Refuge Church meet their markto build a church and serve GOD!
My challenge for all of you is to simply share the heck out of this video and donate if you can!
Help Pastor Ronnie and Krystal meet their goaland build a church that can grow their communityand serve the entire world!
If you have any questions, please refer to the above linked Refuge Church site, or message Pastor Krystal through her blog, facebook page, or her twitter
God's Best, and God Bless!

2012 Memory Walk; walk to end Alzheimer's

Join The Princess Posse 
our team leader, Maegan Bartell,

and thousands of Michiganians 

this year for the 

Memory Walk; Walk To End Alzheimer's

Held at the Detroit Zoo on Saturday August 25, 2012

People of all ages will walk with one great purpose:

To raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's.

courtesy of

If you are unaware of Alzheimer's, it is a debilitating disease that claims not only one's life, but their mental quality along the way.  Memory is lost, comprehension fades.. families and friends become strangers.  People change so drastically before the worst happens that it is difficult to keep up.  Just like all terminal illnesses, it takes its toll on the entire family.  

In raising this awareness, we can better serve the Alzheimer's-stricken members of our community and learn more about how to treat and prevent Alzheimer's in the future.

How you can help:

1. Start a team!!

Click Here to enter your information

and start a team of your own

2. Join the Princess Posse in the walk!

Click Here to learn how you can join our team and walk with us Saturday August 25 at the Detroit Zoo

3. Donate!

Click Here to donate to either the Princess Posse's goal

or to the walk, in general!

You'll see the "Donate" button on your lower right

4. Share This Post to raise awareness!

You can repost or email this post in order to share the information and bring awareness to your friends and family

If you have any questions or suggestions, 

comment and we will discuss together!

Thank you all ~

Identity

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