Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Nashua, NH

Article about joining forces with Big Brothers, Bis Sisters of Greater Nashua

http://www.bbbs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=efILKXOBJsG&b=3984463&content_id=%7B6F30EADE-D8AD-47E4-9878-567BBEF5D74F%7D&notoc=1

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Nashua, NH

I had first heard about Big Brothers Big Sisters by Michelle Sharpe, Mrs. New Hampshire United States 2008. She was a HUGE supporter of their mission. Today, I had the incredible opportunity of meeting directly with Joy Barrett, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Nashua, NH. She and her staff welcomed me and my daughters with open arms. JOY was a "joy",what a wonderful woman with a true passion for what she does!

What is Big Brothers Big Sisters? It is an organization whose mission for over 25 years has been about making a positive difference in the lives of children. This mission is accomplished through professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships between caring, committed volunteers and children who are in need of a positive role model. BBBS of Greater Nashua provides mentoring programs to children living in 13 different towns. In 2008, volunteers mentored 369 children and provided 26,568 hours of friendship to children in their community. As Joy stated, "mentoring can have a life changing effect on a child - improving their ability to relate to peers and other adults and assisting them in becoming confident, caring and competent members of our community".

Taking a moment to pose for a picture with Joy Barrett, CEO-Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Nashua, NH with my daughters (future Big Sisters).

Mrs. New Hampshire named NH Spokesperson for VolunteerMatch.org

VolunteerMatch.org named Irene Raissis Alton,

Mrs. New Hampshire United States 2009

New Hampshire Spokesperson!

What an honor!!

I am thrilled to have been named a "Spokesperson for VolunteerMatch.org". They are a national non-profit that strengthens communities by making it easier for good people and good causes to connect. It's award winning online service, helps visitors find local volunteer opportunities by location, interest area and/or keyword. The VolunteerMatch network regularly welcomes more than 6 million visitors each year and has become the preferred volunteer recruiting service for tens of thousands of participating nonprofits. They have 1.8 million registered members and 3.7 million volunteer referrals since 1998.

Volunteermatch - bringing good people and good causes together to make a difference. Find a volunteer opportunity in your area:

http://www.volunteermatch.org/

Mrs. New Hampshire Photo Shoot

Well, the preparations have begun and are in full force for Nationals in Las Vegas with less than 1 month to go! I had a "Fantastic" Photo Shoot with my "Amazing" Photographer, Robert Daniel of Robert Daniel Photography in Amherst, NH! He truly has this incredible ability to capture a person at their best and bring out who they really are in pictures! LOVE HIM and his staff - they are F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S"...... These were some of my favorites!

THANK YOU........THANK YOU........THANK YOU - YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!

Junior Achievement

This is my second year being involved with the Junior Achievement Enrichment Program at Clark School in Amherst, NH. I absolutely love this program! It teaches such great skills per grade level and it allows for parent volunteers to carry out the program in the classroom setting. In First Grade, the program is all about "Our Families". I had the privilege of being the volunteer for my daughters First Grade class with Mrs. Morse. My crown goes off to all the teachers that do what they do everday to enrich, inspire and educate our children - you are true angels!

Here with my daughters First Grade class and their teacher, Mrs. Denise Morse showing how proud they are as they received their Junior Achievement Certificates once all five lessons were completed - GREAT Job Class - I'm so proud of you!

Pantene Beautiful Lengths

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

Kidz Cuts in Milford, NH

You Can make a Difference, Donate your Hair

http://www.beautifullengths.com/

The Pantene Beautiful Lengths program began 3 years ago in 2006 and in April 2009, they reached their milestone where they have received more than 1 million inches of donated hair to make free, real-hair wigs for women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment.

That's alot of hair, in fact it's enough to:

-Stretch beyond the height of 66 Empire State Buildings

-Cross the Golden Gate Bridge nearly 10 times

But most importantly, it's enough to help thousands of women get back something that cancer has taken form them and help them fight this devastating illness.

The Before look.

As a Girl Scouts Leader to Brownie Troop 20910 (total of 10 girls). My daughter decided she wanted to cut her long hair and donate it to help someone who has lost their hair due cancer. I have to say, I was a bit reluctant to let her do it because I love her long hair and I wanted her to really understand what doing it would mean. I wasn't sure if she would grasp the entire process and that was important to me. Boy, did she surprise me! Here's a 6 year old deciding that she "absolutetly" wants to do something because she really wants to help someone else feel good about themselves when they are sick, how does a mother say no to that charitable action?

So, after looking into the different hair donation options, we decided on Pantene Beautiful Lengths. They need a minimum of 8 inches. She also wanted to see if anyone else in her troop would want to do it with her. There was only one other Brownie that had long enough hair. So together, they went to Kidz Cuts in Milford, NH and got their hair cut. They donated 16 inches of their hair (the hair cut is free when you donate).

I am so proud of these girls! At such a young age they understand that they can give something of themselves to help another person and make a difference in their lives - my heart just melts. It's the essence of Girl Scouting. Hair is parted and separated - one last pic with my baby girl who has had long hair all her life. I ask her "are you really sure you want to do this"? She says "mommy, you can't talk me out of it, someone out there needs my hair and it will make them feel good and strong again". Bless her sweet and gentle little heart. It's getting CUT!!! Oh my gosh! Brownie Evmorfia (my daughter) after the 8 inch cut and her new look. Brownie Simonne donating 8 inches with her new look. The After look.

My proud and charitable Brownies who donated their hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. They also earned a special "We Care" Brownie Patch for their amazing hair donation!

Summer Run for Fun 2009

Saturday, June 6th, 2009

Greeley Park

Nashua, NH

Today was the "Kick-Off" to the Summer Fun 2009 events going on all summer long at Greeley Park in Nashua. We started the morning off with a 5K Summer Run for Fun race and then went all thru the day with other fun and exciting events - it was a beautiful day for families to come on out for some good summer fun!!!

All done with registrations and I snuck a moment with Jeff, the organizer for the Summer Run for Fun Race - he's a doll!

Runners and Walkers taking their positions to start the race - GO!!!

The Top 3 Men and Women women medals!!

The Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

Presenting....

"A Night of Souhegan Stars" Way to Go - Little Einsteins - Congratulations!!!

Little Einsteins Owners and Teachers, Darcie Sylvia and Monique Medeiros receiving their award for "Small Business of the Year" from Rick Boyd, Chairman of the Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce

With many Little Einsteins Parents thru the years. We are sooo very proud of our Teachers, Darcie and Monique and their accomplishment! Our children have been forever enlightened and blessed to have had you in their lives!

I also had the opportunity to meet some wonderful folks from the Chamber of Commerce. Thank you for a wonderful event honoring so many incredible people, students and businesses!