Supporting the Original "True Pair"

By Rachel H

Come be a part of the Women's Only Sporting Clays Event! Our friends Trish and MJ at Seek the Triad are hosting this fun event, which benefits "Friends for an Earlier Breast Cancer Test." This will be such a unique way to meet friends and support a fantastic cause. We know you will have a "blast!"

Blastin' for Boobs will be held Saturday, November 6, 2010 at Shane's Sporting Clays in Summerfield, NC. You can preregister now at www.earlier.org for $35. You may also register the day of the event from 9am-noon with a $40 fee. Food and drinks will be served from 11am-1pm.

If you have never participated in sporting clays, it can be described as "golf with a shotgun." Last year, this event had a total of 125 female shooters (a record for Shane’s), 180 attendees, and raised over $7000 in one afternoon to help fight breast cancer! There is no experience necessary to participate in this event.

We hope you will consider joining the fun at this event! If you have any questions, visit www.seekthetriad.com, or call Trish at 202-8546.

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The Women's Fund of Winston-Salem

By Guest Blogger Jennifer Hodges

The Women’s Fund of Winston Salem: A Community of Passionate Women Creating Social Change

A few years ago, I heard someone mention The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem. I didn’t think much about it. At the time as I was very busy with my newborn baby. A few years passed, and last November, I read an article in the newspaper about The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem providing more than $162,000 in grants to local organizations benefiting women and girls. I was inspired to learn more and eventually joined the Fund to help make a difference for women and girls in our community. As a mom, I know it is easy to get caught up in taking care of our families that we sometimes miss important organizations in our community that are really making a difference. I’m sharing a brief snapshot of The Women’s Fund and hope you’ll think about joining too!

The Women’s Fund was founded in 2005 by five local women who were concerned that despite a strong connection between being female and poverty, low self-esteem, domestic violence, and inadequate health care, gender-specific programs are seriously underfunded. They envisioned an organization for women by women. Today there are more than 800 members.

The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem strives to
- Build a community of female philanthropists
- Provide grants to local programs and initiatives that address the root causes of social problems
- Create changes in the knowledge, attitudes, thinking, and practices of individuals, groups of individuals, and the systems and policies of organizations and institutions.

There are many challenges facing women and girls in Forsyth County. Did you know?
- In 2008, the number of pregnant teens in Forsyth County could fill 15 school buses
- Full time women in the workforce in Forsyth County earn 76 cents for every $1 made by males
- 44% of women headed households in Forsyth County live below the poverty level
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death of women in Forsyth County

As members of The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem, we vote on the organizations that receive grants each year. Grants focus on creating social change, not just providing social services.

On November 3, The Women’s Fund will celebrate five years at our annual luncheon, which is open to the public. Over the past five years, The Fund has:
- Awarded nearly a half million dollars to community organizations that address the core issues facing women and girls in Forsyth County: self-sufficiency, health and safety, leadership capacity, and family issues
- Improved the lives of more than 1,300 women and girls who have benefitted by our grants.
- Published first-of-its-kind research focused specifically on women in Forsyth County. Through a Gender Lens: The Economic Security of Women and 
Girls in Forsyth County, April 2009.

By joining The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem, you maximize your gift through the power of collective giving.

Membership in The Women’s Fund is $1,200, which can be a group or individual membership. So your book club, garden club, synagogue, church, playgroup, work, or neighborhood association could come together and if each person contributes, you could vote together on which grant proposals should be funded each year. How fun would it be to meet with your friends, discuss topics relevant to other women living in your community and vote on where you would like to see your money spent?

I hope you are inspired as I was to learn more about The Women’s Fund.

For more information, contact:
The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem
860 West Fifth Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Phone: 336-714-3468
info@womensfundws.org

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"A Home Away From Home"

By Rachel H

Although you will hope to never stay in this house, if fate determines that you do so, it is a place that will quickly feel like home. I had the pleasure of touring the Ronald McDonald House in Winston-Salem this past weekend. An addition was recently put on the existing house and it is nothing short of gorgeous.

If you are unfamiliar with the Ronald McDonald House, it is a home where out-of-town families can stay if and when they have a sick child who is receiving services in the hospital. It is a place that it filled with so much love, it is amazing. Everyone who works there is so proud of the House and all it offers to families who need support. Why shouldn't they be? With the new addition to the House, it now has 35 bedrooms to offer to these families. There is always a waiting list, but after this expansion, our local RMH can help twice as many families as they have been able to assist in years past.

I wanted to share with you somewhat of a photo album of my visits to the RMH this past weekend. The first photos are from my tour inside the house on Saturday. I toured the house with some extraordinary local bloggers and we were in awe throughout the entire tour. The second set of photos are from the Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies on Sunday. This was open to the public, and as you can see, everyone had a blast celebrating the good our community can do together.

Tour of the Ronald McDonald House ...















Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies ...











Much of the success of the RMH is due to volunteers. Please consider donating some of your time this year. You cannot imagine the lives you touch through this process. You can also always donate items on the wish list, such as disinfecting wipes, plastic utensils, laundry detergent, cups, word find books, and single serve meals.

For more ways to donate and become a part of this amazing program, visit http://www.rmhwinstonsalem.org/ or visit the blog at http://www.rmhwinstonsalem.blogspot.com/.

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Heartstrings Walk to Remember

By Rachel H

Did you know that infant loss touches the lives of more than one out of every four pregnant women? If you have not heard of Heartstrings, be sure to visit their website at www.heartstringssupport.org. Heartstrings Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support offers group and one-to-one peer support and encouragement to families who have lost a baby from conception to one year of age.

We would like to invite you to join over 500 families for A Walk to Remember on October 9, 2010. Heartstrings is hosting its 6th Annual A Walk to Remember for Bereaved Parents Across the Triad. The Walk will take place at Triad Park in Kernersville, N.C. Bereaved parents, their friends and caregivers whose lives have been touched by the tragic loss of a baby as a result of a pregnancy loss, stillbirth or newborn death will come together to publicly remember their babies and to spread awareness.

The event starts at 9:15 a.m. on October 9, 2010. There will be onsite registration as well as check-in for those preregistered. A Time of Remembrance follows at 10:00 a.m. The service includes keynote speaker Tracey Holyfield, a bereaved parent and founder of Heartstrings. The service concludes with a special ceremony where each family receives an ornament personalized with their baby’s name. The 1.5-mile walk will begin at 11 a.m.

If you, or someone you know would like to participate, you may register online at www.heartstringssupport.org. The registration fee is $25 for couples, $15 for individuals and $7 for children. The fee includes a Time of Remembrance program, a t-shirt and participation in the Walk. Teams are also welcome.

Along with the support and comfort extended to those participating, a goal of the Walk is to raise proceeds which will help support Heartstrings Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support.

President Ronald Reagan decreed October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month in 1988. October 15 is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. One in four pregnancies ends in a loss and another 46 babies die every day in the United States within the first 28 days of life from prematurity, congenital abnormalities, unknown causes or accidental death. You can help spread the word about local and national resources of hope and encouragement for bereaved parents.

If you have questions, or would like more information, please call Mary Easton at 336-335-9931.

Reminder: Don't forget to register for our September giveaway. You could be one of FIVE lucky readers to win a $20 gift card from Invitations Only. Just click here to register. Contest will end at noon on Friday, September 10. Good luck!

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Join in the fun at the Kirkwood 5K Run/Walk/Push

By Rachel H and Guest Blogger Lori Redding

We are thrilled to tell you about an exciting event in the Triad! On August 28th, 2010, we invite you to join the K5K Run/Walk/Push! It begins at 9am in the Kirkwood Neighborhood of Greensboro. The good news is that the course is flat and simple, so anyone can join in the fun and help raise money for a great cause.

Kirkwood is one of Greensboro's friendliest family neighborhoods. Nestled
just north of downtown Greensboro among sixty year old dogwoods, red maples, large poplars, and mixed hardwoods, Kirkwood is home to more than 250 families. Known as a young person's neighborhood, most homeowners are between the ages of 25 and 40 and are beginning their own families. Sprinkled throughout the community, however, are "neighborhood grandparents," couples without children, and single individuals, all of which create a rich diversity.

Friends of Kirkwood (FOK), a community group led by neighborhood residents, helps invigorate the sense of community within Kirkwood. With FOK's leadership, Kirkwood gives back to the community annually by hosting the K5K Run/Walk/Push. All proceeds from this race go to benefit a local charity that is actively making a difference in Greensboro. The last race raised over $3,000 for the ALS Association to honor a neighborhood member fighting ALS. This year, we are thrilled to be raising funds for BackPack Beginnings.

BackPack Beginnings (formerly known as The BackPack Program of Guilford County) is a Charitable Purpose Fund with the Community Foundation of Greensboro. It directly
affects childhood hunger in our county by sending school aged children home with backpacks full of nutritious and kid-friendly food on the weekends during the school year. It is based on The BackPack Program, a national model developed by Feeding America and Second Harvest Food Bank that has been implemented by Second Harvest in many counties in North Carolina- but not in Guilford County. Unfortunately, here in Guilford County, the problem of hunger may be larger than you think.

According to Guilford County School's Nutrition Office, 52.8% of children in our school system qualify for free or reduced lunches. That is approximately 37,000 children. Childhood hunger causes health problems, creates educational problems and leads to workforce and job readiness problems. BackPack Beginnings launched at Wiley Elementary and Shiloh Head Start in January 2010, feeding 50 and 15 children respectively. We plan to feed 100 or more students in the fall. The more money we raise, the more children we can feed. You can be part of the solution! Learn more about this program at www.backpackbeginnings.com.


We hope you will join us on August 28 at 9am for the K5K Run/Walk/Push. Details can be found at www.k5k.kirkwoodlive.org

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Lemon-Aid Stands to End Duchenne

By Guest Blogger, Allison Greiner

Last Spring, my son Matthew got this note in the mail:

Dear Matthew, I had a lemonade stand. I made $24.26. I hope it helps. Love, Jack.

This note is one of the most special pieces of paper that has ever been placed in our mailbox and it not only tells a beautiful story, but has become an inspiration.

My four year old son Matthew (pictured above) has a muscle disorder called Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Children with this disorder lack the protein that allows muscles to regenerate and therefore over time, the muscles weaken, stripping boys of mobility, independence and a long adult life. It is a genetic disorder that affects one in 3,500 boys but, as in Matthew’s case, can occur as a spontaneous mutation. It is 100 percent fatal and for now, there is no cure.

Jack learned about Matthew and his struggle from his parents who had attended a fundraising event. Jack took it upon himself to set up a lemonade stand to raise money. Little did he know that this one act of kindness and generosity would turn into an entire campaign of kids helping kids in an effort to end Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Lemon-Aid Stand was born.

On the weekend of May 22-23, kids from all over Greensboro will be holding lemonade stands to raise money for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, a not-for-profit that is dedicated to funding research worldwide to end this tragic disorder.

Pictured right is Jack, who has already begun selling this year in his home-made stand, made by his grandfather. He's already raised over $100!

The process is rather simple. Kids can go online at www.lemon-aidstand.com to register their stands. On this site, they can create their own fundraising pages that they may send to family and friends. They will choose a location to pick up their own lemon-aid kit. Kits include Kool-Aid lemonade, a Lemon-Aid sign, information about Duchenne and Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, balloons, Dear Neighbor letters, tips for sellers and a thank you note from Matthew and Jack. Once their stands are registered online, they will print out their registration to turn in when they pick up their kits. With this information we will be able to collect their earnings at the end of the weekend.


We invite you and your child to participate in this event by either registering and hosting your own lemon-aid stand, or by visiting these stands during the weekend of May 22-23rd. On the website, you will be able to find locations of the stands so you and your family can support others!

Although this event is taking place city-wide in Greensboro, if you are in another Triad city and want to host a stand, please contact me, Allison, at greinerr@mindspring.com or call 292-0644. We definitely want this to grow! In addition, if anyone would like to be an organizer for your area next year, please email me!

The beauty of this event is that children will feel the joy doing something significant to help others and hopefully, they will become a lifetime supporter of the cause. But, of course, we hope that they will be able to say that they helped cure Duchenne muscular dystrophy with a little Lemon-Aid and a lot of heart.

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All for A Good Cause

By Rachel H

I have recently learned about a few inspiring stories and generous ideas going on in our area. I have fundraisers, charities, and events listed below taking place in all areas of the Triad. I know these stories will touch our readers and that you will want to become involved! The first event takes place tomorrow, and the rest are within the next month. The 1.1.11 mission will continue throughout the year. Please take some time to read these remarkable stories below and show your support where possible!

Warriors for Wells - As mentioned, this first event is tomorrow, Wednesday, April 21, 2010. You can go out to eat and raise money for The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at the same time! Plan to eat lunch, dinner or BOTH at The Loop Pizza Grill in W-S and 10% of the revenues all day will go to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in honor of Wells Clark and the Warriors for Wells team! Wells Clark is a nine year old boy who was diagnosed at just three weeks old with Cystic Fibrosis. Wells demonstrates tremendous courage and hope as he fights daily against this life threatening disease. Wells stays active playing soccer, basketball and baseball, but this disease is still wreaking havoc on his young lungs.

There is currently NO CURE for Cystic Fibrosis and the median life expectancy is 37 years of age. Warriors for Wells was formed when Wells was six months old, and the team participated in the first Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides Walk to raise funds towards a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. Warriors for Wells will not stop the fight until the cure is found.

Please help spread the word! Visit The Loop tomorrow and be sure to tell the cashier you are there for the Warriors for Wells event so they can keep track of the donations. Visit the Warriors for Wells Facebook page here. You can also learn more about this year’s Great Strides Walk here, which takes place this Saturday!

America’s Most Wanted All-Star - On Oct. 7, 2009, Sgt. Mickey Hutchens of the Winston-Salem Police Department was shot in the face while he was backing up two officers who were doing a domestic violence warrant service.
Mickey died just five days later. During the domestic dispute, this man who shot Mickey, also shot Officer Daniel Clark. Although Daniel was wounded and knocked to the ground, he was able to return fire, killing the suspect. Many of you remember this incident and can agree that we may never know how many lives Daniel saved that day, because the suspect had already tried to enter the nearby Bojangles Restaurant. Thanks to these two officers, the public was kept safe.

Daniel Clark has been nominated for America's Most Wanted All Star. We would love for all of the Triad to help honor him by voting for him here. You can vote once a day until May 3rd. Wouldn’t it be wonderful for Daniel to get the recognition he deserves for all he has done to protect the public?



Drake Naylor Invitational - Drake Naylor was born on August 24, 2005. He has a rare chromosome abnormality which has left him deaf/blind and severally multi-handicapped. After realizing how many families were affected by different disabilities, Drake’s parents, Shane and Trish, wanted to help those who had helped them. In May of 2006, the Naylor family and Shane’s Sporting Clays decided to host the Drake Naylor Invitational, an event to help support the
Greensboro Cerebral Palsy Infant/Toddler Association housed at the Gateway School.

They had hoped to raise around $5,000, but at the end of the day, on May 27, 2006, they had raised almost $53,000!!! It showed everyone, including Drake, what a difference we can make TOGETHER. This year is the 5th Annual Drake Naylor Invitational. It will take place on May 29th. The event is held at Shane’s Sporting Clays and is held like a golf tournament, but instead you will be shooting clay targets! And for those who don't shoot, there will be lunch by Sagebrush (please reserve your seat) and a fab silent auction!!! You can learn more about the event here.


The 1-1-11 Mission - This is a worldwide campaign started by two women – Debby Yennaco and Carolyn Flaherty. We have 1 world, we are blessed with 1 life, you are 1 person, and 1 person can make 1 HUGE difference. YOU are instrumental to the mission. Together as 1 we will raise $1,000,000 for charity by 1-1-11.

The mission will be accomplished by selling 1,000,000 tee shirts for $11.11 each. The tee shirt looks great, as you can see, and is printed with water based inks on organic cotton grown to be friendly to our 1 world. You can purchase your mission shirt at www.1-1-11mission.com .

These ladies are so certain that this challenge will be successful that they are offering back to the members of our mission. The 111th person to purchase a tee shirt will receive the shirt for free. The 1,111 person to purchase will receive $111. The 11,111 person to purchase will receive $1,111. The 111,111 person to purchase will receive $11,111. If the goal is surpassed and sales reach 1,111,111 the purchaser of that shirt will receive $111,111. This is how they commit to make a difference in your 1 life and thank you for making 1 HUGE difference in lives around the world. Visit the website to read more about the charities that you will help out, along with personal stories from those who can directly benefit from this mission.

High Point Firefighters Association 5K Charity Run - The purpose of the High Point Firefighters Association Charity Run is to assist those who give of themselves selflessly. This is a way to support the people who put our lives before their own each and every day. We would love for you to visit this website to learn more about this event, take part in it, donate, or simply spread the word. This first year, they are supporting two different charities, the fire department and the police department. Both are all donation charities and both are tax deductible! The event takes place on May 8, 2010 - Rain or shine! 5K Run Start time at 08:30am, Entry Fee: $25.00, 1 Mile Fun Run Start time at 08:00 am - Until the day of the race $10.00.

Strollers for the Cure- Now you can get involved in the Race for the Cure event even if you have little ones in tow! Participants of the 11th Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure can register to take part in a free event called Strollers for the Cure. The race will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2010, at Salem Academy and College. The start line will be at the Old Salem Visitor Center across from Old Salem in W-S. In case you missed our blog on Race for the Cure, you can find it here.

Infant/toddler t-shirts will be available for purchase the day of the race at the Strollers for the Cure tent. There will also be juices and kiddie food at the tent. Join in and decorate your stroller, because prizes will be given to the most creative and unique decorations. Decorations will also be available at the tent once you arrive. We hope some of our Smarty Mommas out there will choose to participate and show your children how you can make a difference! find out more at www.komennctriad.org.

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Race for the Cure!

By Guest Blogger, Kelly Melang, Forsyth Family magazine

If you've had the urge to do something great for yourself and for others, now is your chance! On May 1, 2010 you can participate in Race for the Cure with one of the coolest teams in the area! There are teams participating in the Race For the Cure, and then there is the Forsyth Woman/Forsyth Family/Fleet Feet Sports team! Why sign up for our team? Here are 5 good reasons! ...

1.Our Premier Sponsor-Thruway Shopping Center has generously opened their stores AND their parking lot to our team! Team participants will enjoy discount coupons at social events and race day from the great stores of Thruway Shopping center! The convenient location of Thruway Shopping center centrally locates our social run/walk AND the ride to the starting line on Race Day!

2.We have OUR OWN t-shirt. Not only do you get the cool Komen T-shirt for registering, but you get our ULTRA COOL team t-shirt with our own customized logo. Not to mention the extra goodies some of our advertisers are adding to your bag of swag!

3.There’s beauty in numbers - become part of our 200 person team and really make a presence at the race! Enjoy the day with family and friends as everyone is easily recognized in their ULTRA COOL team t-shirt. (Did we mention it was ultra cool?)

4. Two fun social walks/runs are planned as a build up to the race – one on April 15th at Fleet Feet Sports (where we’ll unveil our ultra cool t-shirt) and one on April 22nd at Thruway Shopping center. Both events not only include getting together with friends, BUT also great giveaways and drawings! We finish with a pre-race carbo load celebration at Big Shotz Tavern the night before the race. Gather with us as we celebrate the cause we are supporting and the end of training!

5.If you’ve run the race before, you know how much FUN it is to try and get down to Salem College on race day. Our team is providing a ride direct to the starting line! Exclusive for team participants, you can board the bus at Thruway Shopping Center and have a low-stress ride right to the start. Enjoy lunch and post race shopping at Thruway after relaxing on the bus ride back with your friends and fellow race participants - rather than fighting traffic!

There are teams for the Race, and then there is OUR team! Go to www.forsythwoman.com or www.forsythfamilymagazine.com and click on the Pink Ribbon to join our team!

Smarties, don't forget to register for this month's give-away with Whitebox Photography. Just be sure you are a Triad Smarty Pants newsletter subscriber, then click here to enter your name in the giveaway! We will choose a winner through Random.org on April 9, 2010 and will contact you that day!

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