Yahoo!!

We are finally back online again!!!

To get you caught up, we have only received $25 in donations since March! That means that I am still operating on my own extra money (which is basically non-existent) and donated items! HOWEVER, we HAVE received enough donated items that I have given away almost TEN baskets!!! whoo hoo! And I need to get a couple more up to the hospital because I took 3 last week and they were all used in the same day!

My next project is to create a Movie Night Bucket. I need donations of movie theater popcorn buckets and if you can't find that, please ask your local KFC for a couple of clean buckets. I can cover the outside with black movie paper or filmstrip designed paper (thanks to cool scrapbook stores) and then I also would ask for donations of new DVDs and movie-style candy. You can get a lot of those at Dollar Tree Stores, just please check the expiration dates. I want to have candy, a new DVD for the whole family, but with the child in mind, and popcorn and a 2-liter of coke or something like that. Wrap it up and it is a great thing to look forward to just to make that one night a little bit different.

Another thing I have done is to create a ChemoMoms Supply Box. In it I included chapsticks, shampoo/conditioners, feminine items and a few other things and decorate the storage box with our name and phone number. Now the nurses keep it stored in their personal area and if a mom is inpatient and needs something in the middle of the night, or whenever, the nurse can give her whatever she needs until she can get home or have someone run to the store for her! I have one box at USA Children's & Women's and I plan to take one to Birmingham when we return there June 25-27.

Sadly, I did have one family ask for help and I couldn't help them. Their son recently relapsed here in Mobile and will be traveling to Bham for transplant in the next month. The mom asked for some help with gas, but unfortunately, I didn't even have anything to give her. That really frustrates me because I told her nearly a month ago that if she needed anything to call, and she did, and I couldn't provide what she needed. Why?! Believe me, if I had an extra $20 or so, I would have definitely sent it to her, but I don't. I don't think the public understands how simple it is for someone to pick up an extra bottle of hand sanitizer, or one more container of Lysol wipes. That makes a HUGE difference to me and to these families! Put it all together and you are not only saving the family money, but also a trip to Wal-Mart or the grocery store on the 2 or 3 days that the family is actually at home! Plus, you can't take your child with you in public places, usually, so either grandma or aunt/uncle will also have to come over to babysit so Mom can go to the store!!

Please do what you can and help spread the word about what we are trying to do. I am currently working on throwing a July 4th Celebration at the hospital on July 4th. Two years ago, Colette and I were inpatient on July 4 and it was miserable, knowing that everyone around the country was celebrating with fireworks, hot dogs and watermelon, and she was not even able to see a single fireworks display!!! I am working with Child Life at the hospital to throw a party and try to make it a special night for the kids. Please let me know if you would like to help with this effort. Right now, it is just me!!

Thanks for reading!
With HOPE,
Tammy