Today ends 2013. 2014 is a new year that offers new beginnings to take advantage of. Many Starbucks' customers have been "paying it forward" by paying for the customer's order behind them in the drive thru line. It's amazing to hear how that caught on, but imagine what could happen if the concept broadens?!? Paying it forward doesn't have to be monetary but a small random act of kindness that, hopefully, catches on. In 2014, put down the technology and pay attention to the small things you can do to help if you only allow yourself the opportunity to notice. Get Out Show Support and Inspire Positivity! Most of all, set an example for a child...imagine what the future would be like then.

If you have been holding off buying something for a friend or family member that is hard to buy for, consider making a donation in their name. There are so many amazing charities, I am sure you can find something that has meaning for the person you are buying for. Christmas shopping is really stressful because nowadays everyone already has everything, so your donation will be something they don't have. Get out, go G.O.S.S.I.P, and change a life.

Random Acts of Kindness

In honor of the 26 angels lost in the Sandy Hook tragedy almost one year ago on December 14, 2012, please come together to perform 26 random acts of kindness. From today, December 5, 2013, until December 14, 2013, please reach out to perform as many acts of random kindness possible. Whether you pay for someone's coffee or help a neighbor rake leaves each act will hopefully lead to additional acts by others. Let's stop wishing for peace and start creating it. Get out and go G.O.S.S.I.P.

This Thanksgiving come and join the Branford Rotary & Y Family Run/Walk to support the Soundview Family YMCA and their programs to support children's fitness. The race will be held at Walsh Intermediate School, 185 Damascus Road, Branford.  Registration begins 7:30am, kids carnival and face painting begins at 8:00am, Kids Fun Run starts at 9:00 am, 5K starts at 9:10am, and Post race snacks and awards are from 9:40-11:00am.

There will be a food drive held at the race to sponsor The Community Dining Room.  The Community Dining Room provides 50,000 meals per year to families that are struggling to make ends meet. 

Get out....Go G.O.S.S.I.P...and have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

THIS SATURDAY.....




Come out on November 23, 2013 to Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave,Bridgeport, CT to support St. Jude's Give Thanks. Walk. Check-in is 9:00am - Walk begins at 10:00am. 

Join St. Jude supporters in the Fairfield County community and in more than 75 cities nationwide in the St. Jude Give thanks. Walk. to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. In a single day we will come together to help St. Jude change the way the world treats childhood cancer.

Registration for this family-friendly event is free. All participants are encouraged to raise money to help save kids battling cancer and other deadly diseases. Register today to get started.

Go G.O.S.S.I.P!

TODAY! Community Blood Drive from 12:45-5:45 at the Branford Community House, 46 Church Street.  For more information call 203-733-2767 or visit www.redcrossblood.org

7th Annual Santa Christy's Fundraiser to benefit the New Haven Community Soup Kitchen.
Thursday, December 5th from 5pm-9pm at Christy's Irish Pub, 261 Orange Street, New Haven. 
Hors d'oeuvres, drink specials, prizes, and a a silent auction.  A suggested donation of $15-20 would be greatly appreciated. 

November is National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Month! Please get out and donate to those in need.  In my post below, you will see a detailed list of the items that are needed.  In addition, Bounce U in North Branford, CT is honoring this month with a special offer.  For every one non-perishable food item you bring, Bounce U will take $1.00 of your admission price.  A total of 5 items will be accepted per person (food expiration dates must be prior to June, 2014).  For more information log onto their site or call them at 203-484-9200.  Have fun and Go G.O.S.S.I.P! 

PLEASE be Owen's hero and log onto www.aheroforowen.com today! Owen Hogan is a two and 1/2 year old boy who suffers from Aplastic Anemia.  This disorder stops the body from producing blood cells and can result in fatigue, easy bruising, poor clotting, and impairs the body's ability to fight infection.  But above all, it is life threatening.  Owen has gone through months of failed treatment and his best chance of survival is a bone marrow transplant.  The family has yet to find a match, but the more the word gets out, hopefully a donor can be found.  It is very simple, log on, read, and join the registry which is a painless cheek swab that you can complete at home.  The website also offers detailed information about the outpatient donation procedure. 

 November 1st is just a few days away, or should I say Movember 1st?!?  Movember is a global organization started back in 2003 that encourages men to begin growing their facial hair on November 1 and refuse to pick up a razor until December 1.  Why?  To raise money for Prostate and Testicular Cancer.  If interested, go onto www.movember.com, read, register, and then get out and raise money for growing out your facial hair for the entire month. 

COAT DRIVE...Saturday 10/26 and Sunday 10/27 at St. Mary's Church, 731 Main Street, Branford, CT.

Temperatures are dropping, and the holidays will be here before we know it.  There is always a need for personal care items, toys, and food donations.  However, the need becomes greater this time of year.  The following donations are always needed:


Food Items Most Needed

• 100% Fruit Juice (cans / bottles / boxes)
• Canned vegetables & fruit
• Chunky soups & beef stew
• Gluten-free products
• Macaroni & cheese
• Peanut butter
• Powdered milk
• Rice / dry & canned beans
• Spaghetti & sauce
• “Sugar free,” “low sodium,” & “no salt” items
• Tuna & other canned meat

Personal Care Items Most Needed

• Shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes
• Diapers, detergent and deodorant
• Shaving cream, razors and hairbrushes

For a drop-off location near you, or to find out about additional ways you can help, log onto cfb@ctfoodbank.org

To find a Toys For Tots drop location in the New Haven County area, log onto www.toysfortots.org or contact

Name:    Sergeant Harper
Phone:   203-645-8020
Fax:        203-467-2347
Email:    t4tnewhaven@gmail.com
Twitter:  @NewHavenT4T

The Light the Night walk had a great turnout last Friday.  It's amazing to see how many survivors were there as well as those walking in memory of a loved one and additional supporters.  Hoping that one day the survivors outnumber the others. 

LOOMS FOR LOVE....If your child loves making Rainbow Looms, log onto www.loomsforlove.org.  It is a non-profit organization established by an 8-year old who loves making these bracelets and wanted to donate them to children who are hospitalized and battling various illnesses.  They are also currently collecting completed bracelets and Rainbow Loom supplies & kits.  If you want to make a monetary donation...$15 provides 30 bracelets or 1 Rainbow Loom Kit / $30 provides 60 Bracelets or 2 Rainbow Loom Kits.  

Please send donations to:

Looms For Love

c/o The Link Agency, Inc.

38 Talcott Street

Barrington, RI  02806

(401) 289-2600

DON'T FORGET! TOMORROW NIGHT......

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Light the Night Walk - Kickoff is 5:00pm  - walk starts at 7:00pm- Location: Calf Pasture Beach, Norwalk, CT .  Go G.O.S.S.I.P!

Until January 31, 2014, log onto smilingitforward.com and share a photo to help a child feel better.  Each photo that is posted will trigger a $1.00 donation from Tylenol to Children's Health Fund (CHF).  CHF was founded back in 1987 and is a fleet of "medical clinics on wheels" that brings healthcare to children in need.  It's simple....log on, upload a photo, customize your picture, and submit! Go G.O.S.S.I.P!

Come out on November 23, 2013 to Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave,Bridgeport, CT to support St. Jude's Give Thanks. Walk. Check-in is 9:00am - Walk begins at 10:00am. 

Join St. Jude supporters in the Fairfield County community and in more than 75 cities nationwide in the St. Jude Give thanks. Walk. to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. In a single day we will come together to help St. Jude change the way the world treats childhood cancer.

Registration for this family-friendly event is free. All participants are encouraged to raise money to help save kids battling cancer and other deadly diseases. Register today to get started.

Go G.O.S.S.I.P!

Bowling League for Special Needs Children - Age 25 and under - Plays on Sundays from October thru April at 10:00am at Circle Lanes, 525 Main Street, East Haven.  The cost is $3.10 per game which includes shoe rental.  There is special equipment available for wheelchair-bound children.  For more information call 203-927-0404. 

Did you know:

If you are allergic to	Birch pollen	Ragweed pollen	Grasses	Mugwort pollen
You may also have a reaction to:	Apples Carrots Celery Hazelnuts Peaches Pears Raw potatoes	Bananas Melons (cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon) Tomatoes	Tomatoes	Apples Carrots Celery Kiwi fruit Peanuts Some spices (caraway seeds, parsley, coriander, anise seeds, fennel seeds)

For more information on food related allergies, go to www.foodallergyfoundation.org.   Check it out and Go G.O.S.S.I.P!

A five minute self exam can add years to your life and many more memories with your family and friends!

Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013 9:00a to 1:00p - 2013 Team Hope Walk for the Cure of Huntington's Disease.  Hammonasette State Park, Madison, CT . Join friends and supporters of the CT Affiliate of the Huntington's Disease Society of America for a day of fun, food, raffle/auction items and helping to make a difference. HD is a devastating, hereditary, degenerative brain disorder that results in a loss of cognitive, behavioral and physical control that is fatal and currently has no cure.Phone (860) 558-8847 / Price $25 sponsorship gets you a T-shirt and lunch.

We had a great time at Animal Awareness Day! This annual event held on the Branford Green, Branford, CT seems to get bigger and bigger each year! So many great vendors and helpful information.  There are so many animals in shelters and rescue/foster homes that need a good home!  If you are looking to add a furry friend to your family, please consider adoption. 

A couple of pictures from the Walk to Defeat ALS this morning at Lighthouse Point Park.  As you can see, there was face painting, but there was also breakfast, a DJ, and amazing energy from all of the participants.  The organization had a great turnout and I was so happy the heavy rain held off!  Unfortunately, I had taken a video I wanted to share of the opening announcements and the countdown to the walk, but I am unable to upload it. It was announced that they have raised over $83,000.00 which brings them close to their goal of $125,000.00. 

TODAY...Animal Awareness Day sponsored by the Branford Compassion Club. 12:00-5:00pm at the Branford Green, Branford, CT.  A great family day filled with games, contests, raffles, food, live music, pet parade, and adoption event.  

KATIE

 Katie is a four year-old Golden Retriever mix we rescued two years ago from Texas.  She was in a kill shelter because her original owner abandoned her soon after finding out she was pregnant.  We were lucky to get her in time, all because of a chance meeting with a woman we met at an animal awareness day.  She is an amazing, sweet dog!

October is BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH! Go G.O.S.S.I.P and check your boobies!

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Light the Night Walk - Friday, October 18, 2013 at 5:00pm - Location: Calf Pasture Beach, Norwalk, CT .  For more information about this special event or to find a walk in your area, please visit www.lightthenight.org.  This event is very dear to me.  It is an amazing night! Come and meet other great Gossipers as well as incredible survivors! Go G.O.S.S.I.P!

Walk Like MADD 2013 - Saturday, October 12, 2013 - Location: Branford Town Hall, Branford, CT  - Registration begins at 8:30am - Opening ceremony is 9:30am - Walk begins at 10:00am.  For more information visit support.madd.org (Branford link).  Go G.O.S.S.I.P!

Walk to Defeat ALS - Sunday, October 6, 2013 - Check-In at 10:00am - Walk starts at 11:00am - Location: Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven, CT - Distance: 3 miles. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease which is a disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.  Go G.O.S.S.I.P!

This blog began as an idea my fourteen year-old daughter and I had to inspire people to get out and get involved! It will be updated regularly with events across Connecticut to help raise awareness for numerous charitable organizations.  Feel free to post something positive, whether it's about a lemonade stand organized by kids who donated all of their proceeds, a person who made a difference in their community, or someone who made a difference in just one person's life....we want to hear about it!