Day 243

My apologies, everyone, for the delay in posting our blog for tonight!

Wow, where do I start... Giselle (our friend), approached us less than three weeks ago with a desire to do a 'cocktails for a cause' event for the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge, where her grandparents stayed. For patients suffering from cancer, the Hope Lodge hosts and tends for their needs for FREE!

After speaking to the administrative staff of the organization, we just KNEW they needed a little spark from the girls of Project 365. So after several conversations, innumerable emails, and nights after nights of planning we decided to have a Fundraiser for the Hope Lodge.

Tonight our weeks of planning came to fruition! And we couldn't have been more ecstatic with the turn out tonight!

We had lovely little melange of diversity tonight.
We had patients and staff from the Hope Lodge, families and friends of patients, colleagues and co-workers, our close friends and family - all out to support our cause tonight.

Chandni drove all the way out from Milledeville, Giselle took a half day, Raksha from RaRaw Candles cleared her afternoon - and we all came together to put together an amazing event.

And The Nook? They were outrageously understanding and supportive. I've not seen such heart-felt and community oriented group of individuals within one business in a very long time.

Our guests bought drinks, candles, and then donated in addition to that! We'll have a total amount for all of you soon after The Nook reviews their sales report for the night.

I cannot begin to express my gratitude towards everyone that lent us their support for the night. Not only did our friends and family go out of their way to support us, but you all came out with open hearts and open wallets!

This is where we (and I can speak for Chandni) draw our inspiration from. From you. From all of you who continue to inconvenience themselves, and make an unselfish move towards our mission to give back each and every day.

A 'THANK YOU' is probably not enough. But we mean it with the utmost respect and sincerity. Thank you... Thank you... THANK YOU!

RaRaw Candles

Day 127

Finally made it back to SafeHouse! And had an amazing evening there - as always!

I spent some time in the kitchen this evening, helping today's group get started. They are an awesome group, they really make you feel like a part of their group, and they have so much fun while getting the meal ready.

I also spent time outside - of course! Had some great conversations and an opportunity to hear one of the SafeHouse guys play the drums. The gentleman who told me he was going to donate his hair to Locks of Love was there and he got his hair cut and donated it Thursday! Proof that no matter what your situation, there's always a way to give back! He inspires me to keep giving back and for that, I am grateful.

Day 126

Money, leadership, time, labor, things...

When non-profit organizations list their needs, they generally fall into one of those categories up there.

Chandni's proven that it's possible for the average being to donate their time, efforts, and money in a manner that will still fit your lifestyle while continuing to make an impact.

It's SACRIFICE. And it doesn't have to be painful, or a grand gesture.

Today, I made a HUGE sacrifice... or a lengthy one at least.. hehe.

Raksha had planned for us to head over to Aveda so she could get highlights, so I decided to tag along... ENOUGH SAID.

Lubna was originally supposed to tag along and had an appointment made, and Raksha convinced me to take it.. to at least get a trim, or do something with my hair..

Well, they did something with my hair alright!

Today, I donated 10 inches of my hair to Locks of Love.

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. They meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses provided help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.

I feel good! I could've sold it to make some really nice tracks for someone's weave. For those of you who do not know, watch Chris Rock's, "Good Hair"... but I donated to a great organization and it's for a good cause!

So ladies, thinking about chopping off your hair? Keep Locks of Love in mind!