"Stuff The Bus" Rides Into Town Again, Making a Difference in Our Schools!!

Each year, Communities in Schools partners up with First Bank, the UPS Store, Walmart, Staples and Star 102.5 to collect school supplies for the needy children if Moore County. I have been a small cog in the big wheel for 3 years now, a proud volunteer and supporter. We were truly worried that this year would be diferent than most, due to the economy, but we raise almost $17,000 in cash and supplies in 3 days. Our focus is to give kids the tools they need to succeed in school. I believe working with organizations like CIS gives my community action platform the strength of combined effort. Team work makes the difference! I am proud to be part of the CIS-Moore family!

Be The Change: www.bethechangeleadachild.org

Wondering how I could make a difference in my community, I came across Gandhi’s words: "Be the change you want to see in the world." I realized I have the power to lead a child to success and in that way change my community forever! You can “Be The Change” as well! Any caring adult can “Be The Change” that can inspire a child to success! Through my own efforts I’ve compiled easy ways anyone can become a hero to a child:
*Affect Children In Your Community By Setting An Example
* Believe in a Child By Becoming A Mentor
* Combine Your Efforts With Others To Provide Resources!
If you would like to learn how YOU can be the change,
visit my website at: www.bethechangeleadachild.org

Be The Change: Combine Your Efforts!

You've heard the saying by author John Donne: "No man is an island". The meaning is the same when it's related to making a real difference in a child's life: No one person makes a difference completely alone. It may begin that way…one person may have the idea, or the desire, or the knowledge, or the resource, but to quote the African proverb: "It takes a village to raise a child". When we combine our efforts and resources, we succeed with greater ease! One example of my own collaboration with others is the Keep Moore County Beautiful Clean & Green Contests. I team up with KMCB to provide monetary rewards to schools who encourage their students to take pride in their surroundings and environment. I am pictured above with Principal Riley and the custodial staff at Cameron Elementary School who won the contest at the elementary level! KMCB and I agree that as with every major change you want to see, it begins small…we start with teaching one child to take pride in his school, then the whole class follows suit, followed by the school. Then before you know it, the change has spread throughout the community. Next? Possibly the state, the country, the world. Think globally…act locally!When you pick a partner to help you help a child, you share the load of providing all the resources needed to make a difference for children. You can begin the change you want to see in the world, and let your partners help make that change last!

Be The Change: The A-B-C's of Leading A Child To Success!

Being a mentor is an amazing experience for me personally. I get to help make a difference in a child's life! But you know, anyone can do it. You don't have to be a mentor for CIS-COMPASS Program.
There are simple steps you can take to make a difference:
Affect Children In Your Community By Setting An Example! Assume they see and will imitate everything you do. I speak to classes about the importance of literacy and recycling, walk in the Relay For Life, and help coordinate children’s events for my area in order to set an example for children! Adults can also act as a conduit between children and the organizations that fire them up! I introduce children to groups like Animal Advocates and Recycling Rangers to encourage volunteerism!
Believe In A Child By Becoming A Mentor:
Bring direction to a child's life through mentoring! As I mentioned previously, I mentor at-risk students and teach them the skills they need to succeed as adults. Any adult can be a hero and teach a child something they didn't already know! For example, I teach English as a Second Language to help children in the same situation I was once in (i didn't l;earn English until I was in grade school).
Combine Your Efforts With Others To Provide Resources:
Create fundraisers that help fill the needs of schoolchildren! I have partnered with SandhillsKids and wrote a book about my area that the PTA’s used as a fundraiser to fund sorely needed programs! I have also teamed up with Communities In Schools to raise $23,000 for needy children to receive school supplies, food on weekends & field trip money.
Making a difference in this world isn't easy, but it is possible, and we can all make an impact. Yes, you must committ your time. However, make it a family project like I do: my husband and two children are also involved in all of my community service. Making a difference is a family affair for us...my daughter is a Youth COMPASS Mentor who won the COMPASS Award for Excellence last year from CIS and my son and husband are Communities In Schools volunteers!

"Be The Change": Sisterhood of the Traveling Crown!

People often think that competing means you can't be friendly with your rivals, or support them. How wrong they are! Sure, when you are competing--whether it is at a sport or in a pageant or in the corporate world--you want to win. But that doesn't mean you can't encourage your rivals as well. After all, you are only as strong as those who compete at your side, and the real competition is in bettering yourself! I'm very lucky that several of my fellow competitors feel the same way and joined me at the Keep Moore County Beautiful Christmas Tree Recycling Event. We helped turn 335 trees into mulch that will be used to help gardens and parks in Moore County grow! These trees would otherwise rot in a landfill. Mrs Raleigh International, Shawna Goins and Mrs Cumberland County International, LaTeacha Coleman worked very hard to take apart wreaths, trim branches to be put in the mulcher and shovel mulch into giant bags. I know they were feeling it the next day because I was sore! Keep Moore County Beautiful is a non-profit organization that became an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful in 1988. The purpose of the organization is to provide education to the citizens of Moore County in ways of improving the appearance of the county by offering programs, and establishing and maintaining litter and solid waste programs. Keep Moore County Beautiful promotes educational programs in Moore County Schools, government, businesses and community organizations. After several hours of hard work, we then lunched at my favorite Moore County lunchplace...Corfu's Greek Restaraunt. We re-ingested every calorie we burned shoveling mulch, trust me! But we had so much fun chatting and sharing goals for our platforms. These ladies are truly amazing and I consider myself lucky to know them and count them as part of the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Crown"! Thanks, ladies! You ROCK! I would consider our state lucky to have either of these beautiful, accomplished women crowned Mrs. NC International!

"Be The Change": CIS Mentoring Makes A Difference!

Communities In Schools COMPASS mentoring Program is designed to provide at-risk students direction in their lives through use of the Covey 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens materials and the guidance of a caring volunteer. We begin by asking the students about their dreams and aspirations. Every student involved in our program has been able to articulate a specific idea of what they wanted to do when they become an adult. Of course, there are a good number of boys who want to become professional athletes. My mentoree, Saul, wants to become a professional footbal player. We discuss the steps it takes to reach this dream and how his decisions can effect that future. First, he must make good grades and practice good health and fitness habits in order to play middle school and high school football. He must be dedicated to practicing long hours in order to achieve excellence and to display the character traits desired by college coaches. Then, he must play well enough to garner the attention of a college recruiter. From there, he must continue to excel in the classroom to maintain his eligibility while distinguishing himself on the playing field. While most children never recognize their dreams to play professional sports, the effort that they put forth in reaching this goal will benefit them regardless of their ultimate career destination. It is in REACHING for the moon that you land among the stars!
The photo above is my personal "Band of Brothers & Sisters", fellow mentors carefully selected to make this Pilot Program work! The training and time committment to become a mentor is strenuous and not to be taken lightly, and we lean on each other ALOT! Now in it's second year, COMPASS has a diverse group of students and mentors, and we hope that by year 3 this will be a state-wide program!

"Be The Change": Evening of Glamour Is A Chance To Be A Role Model!

Most of my appearances as Mrs. Moore County will always be "in the trenches" wearing a tee-shirt: I will either be running in a relay, or passing out brochures at an event or speaking in a school. But every once in a while, I get to get all "dolled up", put on my crown and sash and have fun being glamorous while I work! Naturally an outgoing person who has never been afraid of the stage, I have found my schedule full of emceeing opportunities. The chance to share my platform on stage in between sportswear competition and evening gown was something I always took for granted until a little girl told me she is so happy I am helping mentor children and that she'd like to do that some day! I realized at that moment thate EVERY CHANCE you have to speak about your platform is a chance to make a difference! And to Hailey (Little Miss NC AllAmerican), who says her mom is the best mentor she could ever have: I can't wait for YOU to become a mentor. Until then, never forget you are ALREADY a role model for other kids your age. Continue to take it seriously!

"Be The Change": Be Grateful To Sponsors This New Year

I am always touched by the kindness and support my community has offered me. My sponsors understand what my cause is, and support the work I am able to accomplis, with their help. I try to show an "attitude of Gratitude" and would like to take a moment to thank the following people for their support and dedication:

Andi Korte of Communities in Schools,

Robin Moore & Anna Harris of COMPASS Mentoring (CIS)

Rollie Sampson & Monica Zimmerman of Sandhills Kids,

Jack Schultz of Kidsville News, Brad Bullock of Moe's Southwest Grill in Aberdeen, Emily Matthews of Pinheurst Montessori, Melanie scercy of Teddy Bear Cottage. Those re just a few of the people who have supported my work as a Mentor and my time as Mrs Moore county! Thank you for all you do! As the year ends I encourage all of you to take minute to thank the people who made your platform shine in 2008! While your passion & dedication may be yours and yours alone, none of us can succeed alone!

"Be The Change" Reaching Out To Your Community

I enjoy local festivals, always have. I love watching a hometown girl get crowned Watermelon Queen, buying homespun Cotton Candy from the local "candy lady" and bumping into my neighbors as I move from booth to booth looking at the wares of the local artisans in my area. But I have to fit all of that into short breaks in between my volunteer time at booths that support local organizations like Communities in Schools, Keep Moore County Beautiful and Sandhills Kids. The volunteering is the fun part...letting kids see you making a difference by utilizing your time to help a worthy cause is a great way to encourage THEM to volunteer. Recently at our Fallfest in Southern Pines (where the weather made it seem more like Springfest), Sandhills Kids and Communities in Schools partnered to promote a book I helpd write for families enjoying our area: "The Sandhills Family Fun Guide". Hundreds of families stopped by our booth to purchase the book (the money benefits Communities In Schools Mentoring Program, my platform). We had so much fun, and we were able to get across a truly important point: The family the plays together stays together, and the best mentor a child can have is mom and dad!

"Be The Change": Why A Crown & Sash Are Sometimes Inappropriate!

Everyone struggles from time to time, and it is in those struggles that others see who we really are...but it is in other people's struggles where WE see who we really are. As most of you know I grew up with very little, so when I see or hear of someone struggling I am reminded of being that needy child who had fears only a grown up should have. I don't live with those fears anymore, but I do live with a determination to help other children going through that.
The Hand-Up program concentrates on helping families who are facing major struggles. One particular family has 6 children and school is right around the corner. Mom was laid off her job, dad is not present, and the family has nothing. It doesn't mean they aren't capable of great things...they just need a hand-up, not a hand-out.
So how does a beauty queen help? Do I put on my crown and sash and go cheer them up? That's just inane--who cares that you have a crown and sash when they are struggling to get the very basics in life?
So I found a way to make a difference. I got a list of what the family needed and went out as Mrs Moore County to solicit help. I found people were more than eager to help Mrs. Moore County be of help...Kidsville News of the Sandhills donated a Wal-mart gift card. The Pilot Newspaper donated school items and Li'l Branch's Children Store donated school clothes. Communities in Schools helped with the schools supplies. All in all, with the help of others, I made a small dent with my crown and sash. But when it was time to deliver the items, there was no crown and sash in site.
Why?
Mrs. Moore County is a servant of the community she represents. She was never meant to truly reign as a queen...so I used the crown and sash to solicit others' help, and that was the crown's sole purpose. Queens don't need gratitude, and if you wear your crown on your heart it is visible for everyone to see.
No need to wear it on your head!

"Be The Change"-- Carolina Performing Arts: Building Kids' Confidence Onstage!

There is very little I actually fear. Spiders, sharks and nuclear war are probably my only real fears. I haven't been afraid to compete, share my opinion or get up in front of a group and speak for many, many years. I can't give the credit to Tony Robbins or some other great motivational guru...the credit should go to Kandy Kane, the first character I ever played on a stage. I stole the show right out from under the lead in the 6th grade play...and learned the true meaning of "there are no small parts, only small actors". That was the day that I discovered ME...through the eyes of a school play character!
Carolina Performing Arts Center offers children in the Sandhills Area the chance to perform in the fields of dance and drama. Study after study shows that children who perform in the fields of art, dance, music and drama do better in school...and with our schools' musical arts programs quickly disappearing, children need an outlet or extra curricular activity that encourages the positivity and confidence-building of performing onstage.
I was excited to be invited as a special guest along with Truman the Reading Dragon to CPAC's Open House, an introductory party to help introduce the children of our community to the Performing Arts. Truman and I danced with the girls, painted faces, and ate lunch al aire fresco with the staff at CPAC. Thanks to CPAC, many small children in the Sandhills Area are on their way to building confidence and growing as individuals and forgetting all their fears of failure. I hope they get a chance to meet their very own inner "Kandy Kane" and steal the show at least once in their lifetimes!

"Be The Change"--Recyclefest 2008: Teaching Kids to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The new Keep Moore County Beautiful slogan is: "Think Globally. Act Locally." I created this slogan and the campaign to back it up for the Keep America Beautiful affiliate because in order to save the planet we will have to do our part here at home! The Recyclefest at our local Wal-mart was designed to offer electronic recycling and paper-shredding for sensitive documents, and to offer information as to how a household can do their part to save the world.
My job at the event was to run the KMCB booth (in the 90-degree sun!) and make sure that everyone got information on Moore County's recycling program. We also had gifts for the kids and visits from Truman the Dragon, The Anti-Litter Ladybug and Dottie the Recycled Bottle. The kids LOVED it! What a blast! Over 200 kids passed through our booth in 4 hours...and my lovely daughter got to play The Anti-litter Ladybug! Too cute!
YES, it was hot out there! YES, it was a busy day. And YES, I could've been at home in the air-conditioning, or even inside the Walmart shopping. However, if we are going to save the planet we have to start right here at home...and I love Moore County, the place I call home!

"Be The Change"--Stuff The Bus: Over $23,000 in Supplies in One Weekend!

I remember the sweat that formed on my upper lip as I got ready for my first day of school in the 6th grade. My father had just left the military with a medical discharge and money was tighter than ever. I had to start school with an old, ugly book bag full of holes, a few pencils and a notebook with last year's work in it. I was terrified the kids would pick on me and I wasn't dissappointed. The busstop was like a fashion show, and though I tried to make myself invisible, one little girl just had to point me out. I will never forget that day because it was the first time I realized we were poor.
In order for children to succeed in school, they have to have a sense of belonging and acceptance, they have to have the tools necessary to do the work. They need the very basic supplies that many parents in Moore County can't afford. When the decision needs to be made between fuel for the car in order to work or a new lunchbag for school, the fuel wins out, but we all lose. Communities In Schools fundraising effort, "Stuff The Bus" Raised over $23,000 in cash and supplies for needy students in Moore County. Final figures aren't in...the number may be even higher. We can be proud of all of our hard work as we struggle to supply kids with the supplies that will make their year more successful.
Sierra will never have a book bag with holes in it, and her pencils are the fancy mechanical kind, but what about other people's children? I want to make sure all the children of Moore County have the opportunity to attend school with all the tools necessary for success. It takes a village to raise a child...and when that child succeeds in school, we all succeed!

"Be The Change"--US Kids’ Open: Awestruck & Inspired!

July 30, 2008 is not a day my daughter (Sierra) and I are likely to forget.

Acting as Communities In Schools Representatives, we were asked to be Ambassadors for the many children and families attending the Kids' US Open from all over the world. The event, held this weekend at the Pinehurst Resort, brought over 1200 people from 67 countries to Moore County!
Sierra and I were asked to "adopt" the delegates from Puerto Rico for the day. These 8 beautiful young men ranging from ages 5 to 13 were so handsome and funny, we fell in love! I am originally from Puerto Rico so my Spanish came in handy when dealing with the younger ones, and I think the parents felt at ease knowing their kids were entrusted to me. All 8 made their way back to their resort rooms safe and sound!
The opening ceremonies were a big success. We found ourselves quite busy--Sierra carried the Puerto Rico sign, I helped one of the wee ones carry the Puerto Rican flag and my husband Gary was asked to ride in the parade as Truman the Dragon in 90-degree heat! Bless him! He will do just about anything I could ever need him to without hesitation or complaint (except take out the garbage)! The fellowship and camaraderie I saw exhibited at this event was amazing... thousands from my county cheered on as each country walked the village of Pinehurst...they cheered for Japan and Southa Africa and Puerto Rico and Peru alomost as loudly as they cheered for our very own US delegates!
Despite the evident fun and friendship, there was ONE defining moment that made the event unforgettable. I was most awestruck as I stood in the middle of the Village of Pinehurst, where I had stood probably a hundred times, and heard a dozen different languages being spoken around me. Time stood still for a moment as I realized that not yards from where I have coffee with my girlfriends, people who had never stepped foot on this continent milled around and commiserated with the "locals". Around the corner from the bank where I patiently wait in line at least once a week, small Japanese children patiently waited in line to taste homemade ice cream from the same place my kids devour theirs. And every visitor I spoke with told me how lucky I was to live in one of the most beautiful places they have ever visited...Moore County, NC. I am indeed a lucky girl!