The Elmer’s Virtual Bag It Forward is a charity blog meme.  Bloggers are able to raise $10 by writing a blog post and donating a virtual bag of school supplies .

Recently I had the opportunity to participate in the Bag It Forward campaign sponsored by Elmer’s back to school at Walmart.

My own children are now grown and on their own.   Our family was fortunate that we live in a town with an excellent school system, and that we were able to put our girls through college.

However, not all municipalities, school systems or families are able to supply the tools needed to enhance education and give our kids a running start at life.

Through this program I was able to shop at Walmart and purchase school and educational supplies to donate to children and educators for this coming school year.  Walmart offers terrific value and savings for your dollar and has almost  everything you can think of for school – paper; pencils; crayons; construction paper; notebooks; calculators and of course, Elmer’s !

Elmer’s is taking the campaign one step further, and now you, my readers and fellow bloggers, will be able to participate and help out by joining me in a charitable meme!!

Elmer’s Virtual Bag It Forward

All you need to do to help out is:

1. Write up your blog post
2. Send a Virtual bag of school supplies to a bloggy buddy and ask them to join #bagitforward
3. Enter the Link to your post at BagItForward.org

Elmer’s will donate $10 per each post written to Adopt-A-Classroom, up to $10,000.

I received my Elmer’s virtual bag of school supplies from Kim at Crafty Mama of 4, and I am tagging several of my friends, sending them a virtual bag of school supplies and challenging each to help students and classrooms:

Cheryl – The Budge Bunch (a fellow CT blogger, with kids)

Cheryl - The Daily Blonde (many of my friends are named Cheryl, but this one’s from Rhode Island) – she also has a whole passel of kids in all assorted ages

Heather – Home to Heather (Canadian, our friend to the North) (don’t know if they have Elmer’s up  there, but Heather has kids!)

Kaye – SandwichINK (a fellow Baby Boomer Grandmom, who misses school shopping, like me, I’m sure!)

Rachel - Touchd (also from CT, and I was her campaign manager for her recent bath and body products review launch!)

Garden Gnome-Mom’s Cafe Home Cooking (another Canadian who I always thought was from Maine) and who tweets daily about the wonderful things she’s always cooking or growing in her garden!

HOW CAN YOU JOIN? It’s easy.

• Participate in the Elmer’s Virtual Bag It Forward and by giving away a virtual bag of school supplies and creating a blog post with specific rules described below.

• Elmer’s will donate up to $10,000 to Adopt-A-Classroom

• You can give as many virtual bags as you want in your post, but only one post per URL is counted towards the donation. You can post at multiple URLs.

• The Elmer’s Virtual Bag It Forward will officially begin at 12 AM EST on July 22, 2010 and end at 12 PM EST on August 12, 2010. Blog posts submitted to us before or after that time period will not be counted for.

• The blog post link has to be submitted in the comment section below for your participation to be counted.

• In addition copy and paste the following text in your blog post:

ELMER’S VIRTUAL BAG IT FORWARD RULES

• Copy and paste these rules to your blog post.

• Create a blog post giving a “virtual bag of school supplies” to other bloggers or write about your Back to School shopping trip at Walmart.

• Link back to person who gave you a bag of school supplies.

• Let each person you are giving a virtual bag of school supplies know you have given them a bag.

• Leave your link in the Elmer’s Virtual Bag It Forward comment section. You can also find the official rules of this virtual #bagitforward program there.

Elmer’s Supports Adopt-A-Classroom: Virtual Bag It Forward Charity Blog Meme is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. Help a Student in Need! Pay It Forward This School Year, Elmer’s Bag It Forward Project
2. Time Tracker Mini Visual Timer – Manage Time in the Classroom or at Home Review
3. Facebook Friday Meme: I’m So In Like With You

There are many families out there who are unable to afford the additional expense of school supplies.  Fortunately, the “Bag It Forward” Program sponsored by Elmer’s Back to School at Walmart is able to assist those in need!

When fall rolls around I usually get a little wistful when the big yellow school bus drives down my street but doesn’t stop at my door any longer, now that I’m an empty nestor. My daughters have graduated college, and my grandkids are in pre-school.

My youngest daughter is an Early Intervention Associate and currently finishing up her Masters degree in Rehabilitation and Disabilities Studies with a concentration in Pediatrics and Developmental Disabilities.

Most people are aware that budgets everywhere are being cut – household, state, municipal, corporate and sadly, education and classroom budgets.

Teachers and schools are relying on the families of it’s students to provide supplies for classrooms. This also holds true for my daughter’s position as an in-home counselor for a non-profit Birth-to-Three program.

I was given the opportunity through the Collective Bias forum that I’m a member of, to shop and purchase school and educational supplies to donate to children and educators for this coming school year.

My daughter and I shopped together this past Sunday, and the shopping trip provided me a first-hand look into my daughter’s chosen profession.

I created my first Whrrl story. I hope you’ll take the time to take a peek at it!

As my daughter and I wandered the isles in Walmart, she kept the specific needs of her clients in mind:

While shopping I decided to pick out certain educational toy items that I believe will help my young students grow and develop in multiple ways.  I chose Playdoh as an item to help my students learn their colors as well as develop creativity.  Playdoh is a toy that is used often because we can create a task analysis to help the children learn to play with Playdoh, and it can also be used as a reinforcer for the children.

Another educational toy item that I picked out were 2 toy dinosaurs because not only do children enjoy playing with the dinosaurs, but they can also be used to teach children actions with objects, such as making the dinosaur walk; hop; and roar.

I picked out a set of matchbox cars and trucks to help develop actions with objects as well because many children with special needs are incapable of driving a car back and fourth, or creating the sound beep beep.  These toys assist the children with developing functional play skills which are important in preschool and their daily lives.

One of the toys I picked out comes with a shape sorter and nesting cups.  This is perfect for developing shape discrimination and object manipulation.  The nesting cups also assist with teaching the children different attributes such as big versus little.

I also chose crayons, construction paper, and Elmer’s glue to provide an arts and crafts lessons.  Coloring is important in a child’s life and it is also great to teach a child how to cut paper along a line to develop fine motor skills, and gluing the paper together with Elmer’s creates excitement for the project, as well as creativity.  This also provides a time for the children to become familiar with many different art projects such as gluing glitter, seeds, paper, and other materials for children who have sensory disorders.

Some other products I chose to buy were stickers to reinforce the children for their great work in order to maintain the child’s attention it is important to reinforce.

I also chose some fun learning tools such as a Lego truck, which came with larger Lego blocks for the children to develop and work on muscle and gross motor coordination by connecting the Legos.  The truck acts as a reinforcer for the child to place the Legos in and drive around once they have completed the task.

I also chose foam letters that connect because they can double as a puzzle to complete as well as an alphabet lesson.  They are very creative to work with and can be used to introduce colors to the children.

I picked out many toys that I feel will be extremely educational and helpful to my young students and many of the toys can double for more than one lesson.  This was a great opportunity to provide me with more educational materials that will benefit my young students and help to provide a new and exciting learning environment.  They will be able to work on functional play skills, fine motor tasks, gross motor tasks and arts and crafts.

Please take the challenge, and if you’re able to purchase school supplies in preparation for the new school year, perhaps you can place a few extra items in your cart to buy and help a family or classroom in need so that all students have access to the supplies necessary for a positive educational experience.

For More Information Visit: www.bagitforward.org

Follow on Twitter: #bagitforward

Elmer’s Supports Adopt-A-Classroom: Virtual Bag It Forward Charity Blog Meme is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. Help a Student in Need! Pay It Forward This School Year, Elmer’s Bag It Forward Project
2. Time Tracker Mini Visual Timer – Manage Time in the Classroom or at Home Review
3. Facebook Friday Meme: I’m So In Like With You

Upcoming FeelGood Twitter Party

Several years ago I was visiting my friend in New Hampshire, and as we spoke she was crocheting infant hats for the neo-natal unit at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital.  They were so cute – and didn’t use much yarn to make.  Several could easily be made in the course of a night while watching TV.

That whole winter I occupied my time making the hats for charity, and shared the pattern with my coworkers.  I sent up bags full for my friend to bring to Dartmouth.

I’d like to let you know about the Lands’ End FeelGood Campaign.  This initiative is a terrific way to shop and feel good about giving to homeless individuals and families across the country.  For every Lands’ End FeelGood sweater purchased, the company will donate signature FeelGood yarn to One Heart Foundation’s Warming Families, a nationwide knitting charity.  Lands’ End expects to donate thousands of pounds of yarn to the charity where volunteers plan to knit up to 25,000 hats and other items to warm the homeless and displaced.

One cone of FeelGood yarn is enough to make 28 hats.

Help us spread the word about the campaign and the FeelGood collection.  For every blog post  about the campaign from now until September 16th, we will donate a cone of FeelGood yarn to volunteer knitters at Warming Families.  One cone of FeelGood yarn is enough to make 28 hats to be donated to homeless individuals in communities across the country.

Embed Video – We’ve also created a knitting “how to” video you can embed featuring Vickie Howell, best-selling craft author and host of TV’s Knitty Gritty.  It can be found on the Lands’ End YouTube channel here: Lands End.

Send a Link – Once your post is complete, please send a copy to TwitterParty@landsend.com.  We will update everyone on how many cones of yarn were contributed as a result of your efforts at the FeelGood Twitter Party on September 16th.

Your Chance to Win
When you send your post to TwitterParty@landsend.com you will automatically be entered for a chance to win the FeelGood collection including two sweaters and coordinating accessories (valued at $200).  Three winners will be chosen at random and contacted on September 17th.

Join Lands’ End and Vickie Howell, host of TV’s Knitty Gritty for a Twitter Party to celebrate the kickoff of the FeelGood Campaign.  The party will feature more than 20 fun giveaways ranging from the FeelGood sweater and Vickie Howell’s books to Lands’ End Gift Cards and FeelGood yarn.

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Time: 7pm until 9 pm CST

Location: #landsend

Elmer’s Supports Adopt-A-Classroom: Virtual Bag It Forward Charity Blog Meme is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. Help a Student in Need! Pay It Forward This School Year, Elmer’s Bag It Forward Project
2. Time Tracker Mini Visual Timer – Manage Time in the Classroom or at Home Review
3. Facebook Friday Meme: I’m So In Like With You

Diana Birch – Bible Belt – Debut Album

Discover the critically acclaimed debut album from new artist Diane Birch. Donate $1 to charity. Automatically.

S-Curve Records and Diane Birch are proud to present Discover & Donate. You discover Diane Birch’s soulful debut album, Bible Belt,then you choose one of six charities to receive a $1 donation from your purchase.

PLUS, who ever raises the most money for charity through their widget by June 23, 2009, will win a FREE PRIVATE PERFORMANCE in the winner’s hometown!! (We’ll even throw in a few  refreshments.) More albums sold means more money donated. How cool is that?

Singer-songwriter Diane Birch has already captured the hearts of everyone from Rolling Stone to David Letterman and her recent iTunes Single of the Week called “Rise Up” was downloaded over 500,000 times. Her debut album, Bible Belt, was released on June 2. Diane kicked off her touring at the South-by-Southwest conference this past March and she’ll be hitting the road presenting her piano-playing virtuosity and easy-going soul all summer long.

Diane’s upbringing exposed her to a variety of locations and cultures around the globe. She had the chance to see people who are experiencing the best of life but also those in need.

Now, with her debut album being released, Diane wants to give something back. For Discover & Donate, Diane personally chose SOS Children of Zimbabwe as one the charities.

Diana adds:

“Having spent many years in Zimbabwe as a child and much time there since, I have a very deep love for the land and its people. I feel a moral responsibility to try to help ensure that the youth community are provided with the tools and support they need for a bright future.”

Discover Diane’s timeless debut that Billboard magazine calls “2009 Ones to Watch.” Her CD just released recently and is already #10 on iTunes!

Want to start sharing? Besides  SOS Children’s Villages, you can choose a widget that supports Autism Speaks, March of Dimes, Keep A Child Alive, Share Our Strength or Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Visit: Diana Birch Donate

Grab the Badge!

CONTEST RULES
Winner must be located within the Continental U.S. S-Curve Records will work with the winner of contest to determine best place for a performance in their locale. If winner declines a performance, the runner-up will be offered the prize.

Elmer’s Supports Adopt-A-Classroom: Virtual Bag It Forward Charity Blog Meme is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. Help a Student in Need! Pay It Forward This School Year, Elmer’s Bag It Forward Project
2. Time Tracker Mini Visual Timer – Manage Time in the Classroom or at Home Review
3. Facebook Friday Meme: I’m So In Like With You

For the last two Tuesday nights at 9:00 pm. Eastern Time, I’ve been participating in Girl’s Night Out on Twitter over at Mommy Gossip.  You can do a Twitter Search using #GNO to see all the posts.

It’s so much fun and I’ve met some terrific new Twitter friends and connected with current friends.

The topic this past Tuesday night was Holiday Dishes and Drinks.  There’s some wonderful new recipes posted that I’m going to be trying.  I had several requests for my Bacon Cheese Roll Up Appetizer and Chocolate Mini Marshmallow Velvet Fudge recipe (my Mom’s, and my favorite when I was a kid) that Mommy Gossip was kind enough to feature this week after the event.

GNO is also sponsoring a Virtual Food Drive ~ GNO Gives Back.

Please join me in supporting this worthwhile cause so all American families in need can indeed, have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Visit Mommy Gossip~Cares at http://mommygossip-cares.blogspot.com/ for more information.

Follow me on Twitter on Tuesday November 18 for discussions on Charities we love and how we We Can give back.

Need To Create A Fulltime Income From Your Online Business But Can’t Seem To Figure It Out?
Work At Home Mom Blueprint Has The Answers You’re Looking For.

Elmer’s Supports Adopt-A-Classroom: Virtual Bag It Forward Charity Blog Meme is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. Help a Student in Need! Pay It Forward This School Year, Elmer’s Bag It Forward Project
2. Time Tracker Mini Visual Timer – Manage Time in the Classroom or at Home Review
3. Facebook Friday Meme: I’m So In Like With You

In Memory of Jimmy 1950-1982

Do you know someone who lost a battle with Leukemia or Lymphoma?

My DH had a first cousin who was just a tad older than us.  Handsome, charming, out of high school and destined for a full-ride on a football scholarship to a well-known college.  He was diagnosed with Leukemia and passed away in December, 1982.  I remember the date well, as I was pregnant with DD #1, and couldn’t attend the services down-state as I was overdue, and stayed home to babysit my then 3-year old niece (the now world-traveler.)

If you have a blog or a website, please help promote “Blogging for Blood Cancer” Event. The first annual “Blogging for Blood Cancer” event will take place from August 11-18, 2008. This first time event will bring bloggers from across the United States together to raise awareness for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and its mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

The event is being hosted by Goodies for Mom in conjunction with the Friends of Heroes (FOH) National Light The Night Team.

All bloggers participating will have the opportunity to be entered to win prizes donated by event sponsors by leaving a Mr. Linky link on the Goodies for Mom post for the event. The event post will go up on August 11, 2008 at 8:00am. Even if you do not have a blog, visitors to the Goodies for Mom and Friends of Heroes blogs during the week will also have opportunities to win as they learn more about the importance of LLS’s research and patient services in the fight against blood cancer.

Elmer’s Supports Adopt-A-Classroom: Virtual Bag It Forward Charity Blog Meme is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. Help a Student in Need! Pay It Forward This School Year, Elmer’s Bag It Forward Project
2. Time Tracker Mini Visual Timer – Manage Time in the Classroom or at Home Review
3. Facebook Friday Meme: I’m So In Like With You