Prayers for Morgan Miller and ALL Brave Children

 

    For years I have climbed my way to the top of skyscrapers in Chicago etc. for Children's Memorial Hospital.  Well, it is now the new Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital and it is spectacular!
"Lurie's," is state-of-the-art and THE hospital for the Midwest. In fact, it is the only hospital in Illinois and for other nearby states which performs life-saving heart transplants.
     This afternoon I, along with the Miss and Teen Illinois International Director Jennifer, spent the day at Lurie's.  We played with little ones who are patients and family members those being treated there. One such family was there as a newborn has just received a new heart and was doing very well!
     Jennifer read a message about a very brave 14-year old who wanted us to visit.  She was in critical condition as doctor tried to figure out why a sudden onset of encephalitis continued. I am so glad they allowed us to visit with her.She is Miss Teen Neoga has the prettiest color of red hair.  Her father asked us to visit again soon when she is able to talk. You can follow her journey on Facebook, through Prayers for Morgan Miller.  A big Thank you to Jessica and Lurie Children's Hospital. Many times the children we serve through CASA have found themselves in a hospital like Lurie's.  It's great to know how well they are taken care of.

https://www.facebook.com/PrayersForMorganMiller

You're on!

This afternoon I spent time talking with the creator of "Best Ever You," Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino. I was thrilled when I found out she wanted to interview me for her radio show. It meant a chance to talk about CASA and Mrs. International.  With over 100-thousand listeners, it is a wonderful way to let others know about both!  And it was made even better when our interview was selected as a Staff Pick of the Day for Blog Talk Radio which means even more ears tuning in to listen and learn.  Thank you Elizabeth!!
www.besteveryou.com

Fore!!!!

This morning was the 2nd of two CASA golf tournaments.  I missed the first one because it was the kids' first day of camp and I wanted to be there as they got on the bus in the morning and to be there when they got home around lunch. It was a good decision.  Still, I was excited to be a part of this golf outing.  The day was spent on a par 5 with a long-drive champion, Mick Yalovich.  He and I gathered donations from golfers and he would in turn, drive a ball about 400 yards for them to then play from. It was a perfect day/evening and a wonderful success for CASA.

CASA Lake County Comm Dir , Joanie and Exec Dir Terri Greenburg.

 

Women Only!

This morning I joined other volunteers from the American Heart Association to help with the Chicago Women's Half-Marathon which benefitted Go Red for Women.  We all were there before 5am, when it was still dark and cool outside.  By the time some of the faster runners were finishing, it was hovering around 90 degrees...in the shade. I was part of gear check and it was the least I could do for these inspiring women who ran 13.1 miles.  It was a really great time full of a lot of laughter and felt like a GIANT "Girls' Day Out!"  I met a small group of volunteers who started BeCause of Beth.  It is a newer org established in honor of a sister who died very young from sudden cardiac arrest.  They're mission is to get everyone of us volunteering for causes that are personally important.  Check them out: www.BeCauseBeth.org.

What Did I Do This Time?

In an effort to get in better shape, I took on a tough trainer a couple of weeks ago. A really tough trainer who makes me push sleds and do wind sprints. (It isn't pretty)  I admit, my thighs were fried when I took a neighbor up on an offer to go run.  And then I took a stumble and not so gracefully caught myself with those fried thighs. I battled on, believing it was just a really back muscle cramp in my quadriceps, and a mile later, I had to get picked up by car. It was no cramp, but a very nice partial tear to my rectus femoris. Which means, a brace for a week, no running etc for 6-8 weeks, no riding Legs for a month AND plenty of physical therapy. The good news is this injury had nothing to do with riding a horse! And for that I am grateful.

Congrats Jane!

I am so very proud of our neighbor Jane.  Last night she graduated from high school and I was excited to listen to her speak about having to overcome and rise above many challenges and SHE DID IT! 

Seeing the Big Picture

Through, CASA, I was approached to train for a program through the State's Attorney General's office this weekend.  The program is called the "Victim Offender Mediation Program."  Through grants, the program works with  juvenile 1st time non-violent offenders. If the case qualifies and the victim/s agrees, they will meet with a facilitator who will act as a mediator.  It allows the victim to voice what the crime meant to them. The offender is able to see the entire picture of what that crime caused so they can understand the fall-out.  Then they design a to-do list for the offender to complete so that the charge is then wiped from their record. It is already proving to be a very effective way to keep these first-timers out of the system for good.

Put it On the Calendar and join everyone in Libertyville.

Run or Dye trying!

Although I set TWO alarms on my phone, I still found myself worrying about getting up in time for this morning's event.  Therefore, I was up at 3:11, 3:46, 4:05 and finally I gave up trying to go back to sleep at 5 am.  That is of course when I really could have gone back to sleep.  But not this morning.  It was time to Run or Dye.  I was asked to help volunteer for this new event and so I recruited some others to join us.  The event chose Prevent Child Abuse America as one of the three organizations it would support through the 5k run.  Although it was listed as Run or Dye Chicago, it was actually about an hour away from my house (and that is without traffic) in Bridgeview.  My friend Angelica and I drove down together at 6am to help out as they needed.  Runners pass through starting gates and then run a 5k while onlookers throw colored powdered dye on them.  By the end of the race, every person looks like a living rainbow.  More than 1600 runners helped Prevent Child Abuse America, which in turn, helps CASA. The more abuse and neglect that can be prevented, the less children we have in need of a volunteer advocate and the less strain on the already overwhelmed Child Welfare System.

Angelica and me pre-race. She is such a trooper.

Post-race for these Run or Dyers. 

Happy Mothers Day!

Oh, how I wish my mother lived closer.  We talk at least once a day and she is truly my best friend.  However, my parents live hundreds of miles away. If only she lived just down the street. Anyway, Happy Mother's Day.  Whether you are being celebrated or are celebrating someone, I hope you have a wonderful Sunday.  The four of us woke up and headed downtown for the Komen Race for the Cure.  We opted out of the run and did the walk instead which was smart because with two young curious minds, there was a lot of stopping and looking around as we made our way along the streets of downtown Chicago.  I always love the sea of pink at these events, but it is hard because I know on this day many walk in memory of those who lost their fight with breast cancer and seeing their pictures on shirts and signs reminds us there is still more research to be done. My hope is by unlocking one mystery, we can then solve the other cancer puzzles. 

 After the walk we headed home and then to a late lunch/brunch with my MIL and FIL who just returned from spending the Winter in Florida. Given the Winter here in Chicago, I don't blame them! We are so fortunate they are able to spend time with the kids and see them grow and the kiddos always love spending time with them too.

Casa gala 2013 "Seeds of Hope "

Well...it was a HUGE success and a smoothly run night, in spite of many last minute unforeseen changes.  The annual fundraising benefit for CASA Lake County means we can now serve an additional 20-children in need of an advocate. While we have more than 200 county volunteers in Lake County, we only have 75% of the kids in needs covered by advocates. That statistic is sadly lower everywhere else. To serve more children, we must have a new CASA manager for every 8 children our country is assigned by a judge. It's an undertaking we hard for and tonight, 20 more children will have a voice in court. 

CASA Meet and Greet

Today I was back at Takeda.  This time it was for a meet and greet.  It was more of a one-on-one opportunity to answer questions from employees looking rewarding to dedicate themselve to being a part of. We know that 90% of those who would love to help CASA are simply not aware of us. Every time I meet with a group or corporations like Takeda, we reach out to atleast a few people who will then become child advocates! They tell me how they have wanted to do something like this but they weren't sure how or with which organization. Well, Welcome to CASA and to an expereience that will forever change your life.

CASA and Takeda U.S.A...a beautiful partnership!

This afternoon I was able to participate in a lunch and learn at Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA. They are an enormous corporation with their U.S. operations headquartered in Deerfield. Their large buildings line I-294 and offer their employees Starbucks, on-site dry-cleaning, day care, a gift shop and an even an innovation room! This is their inaugural Volunteer Week. And we were thrilled to be invited to speak with everyone about the work we do through CASA on behalf of our abused and neglected children who find themselves now in the child welfare system. I along with our Executive Director and advocate trainer met with Takeda to explain more about CASA and answer questions about our organization.

Heart Association's Health and Wellness Fair

Today I found myself in old stomping ground at the House of Hope where I had once covered several stories. This is not a normal house though. The mega-church on the far south side of Chicago can seat over 10-thoudsand members. It is a predominately African America church. And for the American Heart Association, it is one of the best places to reach out to those who are more likely to become afflicted by stroke and heart disease. I, along with our Miss Illinois International and Miss Teen International,  we invited to help.  The AHA held a huge Health and Wellness Fair during the day which was followed by a gospel concert. More than 4 K people came out and Season, Megan and I had the chance to meet with them and hope they will leave with a bit of heart health knowledge.

Details, Details...much ado about CASA

Tonight I met up with our fantastic CASA Executive Director Terri Zenner Greenburg and the fabulous Communications Director,Joanie Bayhack.  These women are beyond words and so dedicated. Joanie spent years fundraising for the Chicago PBS. I feel like we are old friends. We met with the auctioneer for the upcoming annual fundraising event and went over the many last minute details of auction items and how to let the evening unfold. Details, details!! Fingers crossed we made some good decisions for the kids of CASA and those who will spend the night helping up help them..

Here is Terri and our Gala Auctioneer

Making Plans

First meeting! This afternoon, I drove to one of the Illinois International director’s home for our first title holders meeting. Miss Illinois International, Season, was under the weather so she Skyped in while Miss Teen Illinois, Megan and her mom, and I met with Jennifer and Beverly. Jennifer directs the Miss and Miss Teen and Beverly handles us Mrs. contestants.  This was their first year directing, but they have a wealth of experience. It was a fabulous afternoon as we talked about our goals and expectations for this year and both Jennifer and Beverly are behind us in helping us attain those goals. I think it says a lot about how well we will be getting along this year and I look forward to all of the plans we are making.

I like to call us the Fab Five!  Season, Jennifer, Megan, Beverly and me.

 

Put my foot where? Is that even possible?

Tonight the area primary schools held a fundraiser which multitasked as most of us parents do. We raised money for the schools through The Dailey Method. It's a combination of yoga, pilates, ballet etc. It was my first time. They play great music while you are put through a routine which in non-impact but gets to the core of major muscle groups in an effort to exhaust them. Afterward, we had appetizers and cocktails while shopping. Well deserved, right?

Mrs. Illinois International 2013!

This weekend I, along with other ladies from around Illinois, found ourselves in Wadsworth.  We were competing for the job of Mrs. Illinois International 2013.  We each took part in personal interviews with each judge.  Then we later answered on-stage questions and competed in fitness and evening gown.  The International system celebrates women around the globe and our work in our communities. The work each of us does on behalf of our "platforms," is of great importance.  I got to know this system several years ago when I would go to cheer on friends of mine from around the country who were competing in it. I live near where they have held the pageant, so it has been a tradition to bring boxes sent to me from contestants to the hotel in an effort to help save them the hassle and expense of flying with all of it. (I've been a groupie of sorts!) Last year my husband (who has gone to the Mrs. International pageant before with me) suggested I give it a try, so I listened.  To me, the support of my husband it crucial and I know with the International system, there are so many opportunities to do big things for my work as a CASA so I knew his encouragement was necessary as with the job comes a lot of responsibility. Jennifer Naida (a dear friend) is the new director for the Miss and Miss Teen Illinois ladies and Beverly Turkowski is the new Mrs. Illinois director.  Together, they are already a dominant force. Everyone had a great weekend and it was well organized. Mrs. International 2013, Sarah Bazey, even made the trip in for the weekend.  She is extraordinary! On Sunday night,  I was thrilled to have won fitness and evening gown. And I am extremely ecstatic to be the new Mrs. Illinois International 2013.  I was able to get to know the other contestants during the weekend. Any one of us would truly do an excellent job.  So, I dedicate my year to these incredible women.  I want to do as much as I can on behalf of CASA and the abused and neglected children we serve as I know that with this title comes more opportunities to create awareness.  Here are a few candids.  Paula Preston is an amazing photographer and I can't wait for her pictures to arrive. 



We are about to head in to out one-one-one interviews.

Miss Teen Illinois, Megan Riesner; me,;Mrs. International, Sarah Bazey and Miss Illinois Season ,Winesburg

With my sweet babies who are soo proud!



Signing our contracts and given these shirts which are an Illinois tradition.

Betting on Making Money

Tonight John and I went down the street to our neighbors for a pre-Casino night kick-off.  Then we all drove over to the Casino night to raise money for school science labs and specialty programs. That, of course, meant blackjack and bidding. I won a sesson for Crossfit, but we lost out on the Zamboni ride at a Blackhawks game, which Johnny would have loved.  It was a successful night with more than $55, 000 raised.  But it was a early night.  I had to head up to Wadsworth in the morning for the start of the Mrs. Illinois International pageant

Not sure who loved whom more.

Mac has been my big boy for 15 years.  He and his brother Sammy were with me when I was young, single and nearly broke as a reporter in Nashville. The 3 of us made to the move to a bigger job in Indianapolis. They were there after tough days of covering devastation and there when I couldnt get home for the holidays because I had to work. Sammy passed from cancer when I was first pregnant with Johnny.  Mac was never quite the same.  He spent weeks roaming our home and opening up various doors (he was talented like that) looking for his lost brother.  Then came Johnny and later Ali.  Those changes were stressful on him as my time with him changed too.  Mac has not been the best cat. He would occsionally opt out of the litter boxes. He would only drink running water from a faucet, preferred cooked chicken, tuna, or treats. And for the last several months at night,  he would howl, waking everyone up. The vet said he was perfectly healthy, physically. But at 15, he was anxious. So I had to give him a daily anti-psychotic.  Very quickly after that he dropped a ton of weight, stopped bathing and would just stare in to space. But you can't suddely stop those meds. So, back at the vet, I prayed to God that he make a decision clear about what could be done.  Nothing could be done. I will always wonder if it was the medication or the stress of having to take it that caused him to go in to renal failure. I was with him as he went on to be with his brother and other childhood pets. He has been a part of my history and so that has been difficult to handle as my history is all over the country with no true home, until now.  It's so strange how  little beings come in to our lives, we love them and end up doing whatever is needed for them and then we suffer the heartache when they go.  Yet, we somehow step up and do it all over again.  I am not there yet.  I still cannot manage to get his ashes from the vet, so John will have to do that. And the kids seemed to be fairly resilient about it at first. Answering their many questions was not fun, by any means.  But Ali has her moments too.  Out of nowhere it hits her.  Last week I found her in a bathroom crying because she doesn't know how to stop missing him and neither do I.

Glammed Up!

This weekend John and I attended the annual and very lovely Cove Gala benefitting the Cove School. The amazing facility works with children from several surrounding counties who have various types of behavioral or learning disabilities. It is truly magical how Cove transforms a child’s life and future by helping them learn in unique ways so they can reintegrate into “regular,” schools and even continue on to college. We were there to celebrate our neighbors who were honored with the, “Prism Award.”  They've done outstanding work on behalf of the school and the benefits are helping so many children and their families now and in years to come.   My favorite girl, or I should say, young woman, Jane, is one of those students and I've known her as long as I have lived here.  We’ve watched her grow in to such an incredible person.  I can't wait to see what lies in store for her as she will begin college in the fall.  So proud of you Jane!
1) Jane and me
2) Our neighbors, the Prism Award recipients. 

The Future's So Bright...

Picture of panel I was invited on behalf of CASA to take part in an innaugural event with the Schuler Scholar program. The program was started by a former CEO of Abbott and his daughter. It focuses on high schools along the north shore from around Evanston



The students preparing for our panel discussion about internships and non-profits.

to the Wisconsin line. In junior high, they begin searching for the brightest students who may not have the means to access a higher education. (I was told last year Standford accepted 4 students from Waukegan H.S.-a first for ANY H.S.) They help them prepare for the top colleges and universities in the classroom and out in the real world. It could be working on the applications, attending leadership camps or a briefing on which fork to use when out to dinner. They began this when they found many of the under-resourced students would get to college and drop out because they felt overwhelmed by the social details. So, now the program makes sure that when the students do get in to the Ivy Leagues etc, they feel like they fit. The hope is that someday these scholars will return home and help another student in need of access. So today I, along with a dozen other reps from organizations, met with 60 of these scholars. It was a chance for them to work on their networking and interview skills with us. And it was a chance for US to find some possible interns looking for connections. They were so kind and interested in what CASA does for abused and neglected children. Several had their own personal stories to share with me about being placed in foster care. Every one of these scholars is proof the future is looking bright.