Prayer Child Foundation

Many children, by no fault of their own, are in need of help each and every day. They pray daily for a healthier life. The mission of the Prayer Child Foundation is to have a hand in answering their prayers and helping these children have the joys of a normal childhood.http://prayerchild.org/give_playvideo.html

Some Purchases May Still Be Worth the Price

Some Purchases May Still Be Worth the Price
Dan Stefanski
Ron Stefanski of Ann Arbor, Mich., and his family splurged on a 38-foot sailboat, a decision the family does not regret.

In the last month or so, it has become much harder to take out our wallets without feeling guilty.

The Stefanski family's sailboat, the Tres Joli, on the waters of Lake Charlevoix in Michigan.
Enlarge This Image

Dan, left, and Will Stefanski, aboard the family sailboat. Their father sees the boat as an investment in memories.

No single authority figure has told us not to spend. But people are scared, and that fear is showing up in lower sales on all sorts of big-ticket items, from autos to electronics.
Homeowners had already been feeling poorer, and the devastating investment losses have made thrift a necessity for many people. Saving every extra dollar now seems the most sensible course of action, given predictions of rising unemployment and daily mentions of the Great Depression.
But it's easy to forget a couple of important things. First of all, the vast majority of people in the United States are not going to lose their jobs. Second, most of us work not merely for subsistence but so we can spend money on things and experiences that bring us some form of contentment.
So let this serve as a reminder that there may be plenty of good reasons left to spend what you earn.
This is not a call to consumer patriotism, a suggestion that we all go shopping for the good of the economy. Instead, I'm merely suggesting that if you're feeling undeserving of anything special at this particular moment, or think you should help perform some sort of collective penance for our national overspending, you may want to cut yourself some slack.
I was reminded of this about a month ago, when I got a note from a man in Ann Arbor, Mich., named Ron Stefanski. At the time, I was writing about reducing financial risk, and he and his family had recently splurged on a 38-foot sailboat and lowered the 20-year-old vessel into the waters of Lake Charlevoix. The question his message raised was whether spending money on a boat was actually wise, and if so, why?
Money was part of what kept the family from buying a boat for years, even though Ron had long wanted one. Until four years ago, Ron's wife, Kay, had been home raising their two boys, Dan, now 15 and Will, 17. Ron, who is 48 years old, is a vice president at Gale, a reference publisher.
"We don't have trust funds for our kids or oodles of discretionary income," Ron said. "So I was the one who kept saying, ‘Do we really need to be spending money like this when we need to get money in the bank for college?' "
But trying to do the math on buying a boat will often end badly, as it will with many large discretionary purchases. Boats depreciate, vacations are over in a week or two, and you probably won't recoup the entire cost of your remodeled patio.
Instead, the Stefanskis came to realize, the boat was an investment in something much more valuable than money. Ron's mother died when he was 16, and his grandmother helped raise him. Three months before his first son was born, his grandmother was murdered in her Detroit home by her newspaper delivery boy.
"When you look at life from that perspective, it's about creating memories," he said. "Because the good moments can be fleeting and they can be peppered with other experiences that you don't want to be as memorable."
A boat is also an investment in relationships, something that isn't readily apparent until you're on one a lot. Kay, who is 46 and works in textbook sales, helped talked Ron into buying the boat.
"We're getting ready to be empty-nesters, learning how to navigate the space of being alone together, and that's something that's been a little bit sobering," Ron said. "What she helped me to see is that having the boat is an opportunity to connect, to spend time together when the boys are off doing their own thing."
In fact, Dan and Will have been on the boat a fair bit, too.
"As a teenager, I look forward to doing things that teenagers do, going to parties and hanging out with my friends," Dan said. "But the boat was something I really learned to love."
That has been an added bonus, given that the boys will soon be in college or away for the summers.
"This was a window of opportunity," Ron said. "And the fact that we have to put the effort into driving up to the lake, it marks the time as untouchable."
The Stefanskis paid $55,000 for their boat and financed the purchase with a $30,000 home equity line of credit. They earn more than $250,000 each year, though that is a relatively recent development in their lives.
If you make much less and have much less, you may be wondering what all this has to do with you. But not every investment of this sort needs to have a four- or five-figure price tag to be significant.
Perhaps it's buying a better bicycle and taking daylong rides with others (or commuting to work to get in shape and save money on gas). Or it's the fanciest paella pan or pizza stone you can find, which keeps you out of expensive restaurants and at home with friends and family who will appreciate your new skills, the free meal and the conversation.
A sports car probably doesn't qualify here. Nor does a tummy tuck. Instead, it's about investing money tactically in our relationships with one another, building bonds that last beyond ones to any particular employer or a house that we may no longer be able to afford.
For people who find themselves frightened by the possibility of a long, deep recession, well, the Stefanskis know how you feel. Since they bought the boat, the balance in their retirement accounts has fallen by about a quarter. The investments in the college savings accounts for the two teenage boys have hit the skids, and the troubled regional economy means their house in Ann Arbor is worth a lot less as well.
In the last downturn, Ron lost his job two weeks before the Sept. 11 attacks, and it wasn't a great time to be looking for work.
What the family learned then, however, leaves them with no regrets now that they are boat owners, even though their jobs are potentially vulnerable once again.
"If you value family and friendships and experiences, the things that you might lose don't mean quite as much," Kay said. "It puts it all in perspective."
Ron added, "Your job as a parent, a friend or life partner is to create memories with each other. That's what we're here for. And I think in that respect, the decision to purchase the boat was a good decision."

What's the most meaningful thing you've spent money on lately?

Everyone Has A Story!.. Start Yours Today ! Heritage Makers Independent ConsultantBobbi Jo Kelly602-739-0515 cell http://www.yourtreasuredpictures.com/email: http://us.mc316.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=bj@yourtreasuredpictures.com

Southern Living At Home

Not just for the holidays, this card and photo display can be used to showcase mementos year-round. Use it to hold family pictures, party invitations, postcards, or baby announcements, as well as your holiday cards and photos!

Looks great hung over a door or as wall art... You can even split it up to create different displays.

Hang one diamond in each child's room and encourage them to collect cards they receive, both during the holidays and all year round. Put it in the kitchen on a pantry or laundry room door with family and friends pictures on it or in a home office to collect notes and memos.

This is a gift everyone on your list will love... What a great graduation gift for a girl graduating from high school and going to college, it would be perfect in a dorm room! Or for a grandparent living at home, in assisted living, or a nursing home. Load it with special family photos and give it as a gift!


Living at HOME
P: 602-689-3304
E: slahlady@gmail.com
W: www.southernlivingathome.com/jenniferflattre

Want a little? Place an order.
Want a lot? Host a show.
Want it all? Do what I do... Ask me how!

10 Occasions to Send A Card and Fun Card Facts

Did you know that 9 out of 10 Americans say they look forward to receiving personal letters and greeting cards because they make them feel important and special to someone else?

There are actually 2 types of greeting cards - Seasonal and Everyday - and total card sales are split approximately 50 - 50 between the two types.

The most popular Everyday Cards are:

1 - Birthday - 60%
2 - Anniversary - 8%
3 - Get Well - 7%
4 - Friendship - 6%
5 - Sympathy - 6%

The most popular Seasonal Cards are:

1 - Christmas - 60%
2 - Valentines Day - 25%
3 - Mother's Day - 4%
4 - Easter - 3%
5 - Fathers Day - 3%


Fun Card Facts for businesses:

1 - 17% of Business letters are opened. 99% of Greeting Cards are opened!
2 - 3% of our mail is Personal. How do you feel when you walk out to the mailbox and see a personal card addressed to you? Your Clients and prospects are no different.
3 - 68% of clients leave because of "perceived indifference". Customers and clients want and need to be appreciated, remembered and thanked.
4 - When people get a nice note

Karen Kanefsky
Send a free Greeting card today!
www.sendperfectcards.com
Office: 480-657-0562
Cell: 602-570-1096

Join My Walk for Hope Team

Please jion BizEMoms in the Phoenix Walk for Hope to Cure Breast Cancer to support City of Hope 's breast cancer research, education and treatment. Please join me in this great event.

We will be registering throughone of our members Jennifer Flattre. Her team name is HENSLEY.

Register online at www.walk4hope. org/phoenix

During the registration process, just select the 'Register as part of a team' option and select HENSLEY. If you need further help please email creative_jenny@cox.net.

Please feel free to forward this on to your neighbors, friends, and family. Let's make a difference together!

Company Spotlight! Purse N' All Hangers

Purse ‘N All Hangers are the simple yet fashionable solution to an everyday problem of wondering where you should put your purse. You don’t want to put it on the floor where it is covered in filth and germs. The back of your chair isn’t good either. It could get stolen or pick pocketed.

These fancy yet simple gadgets are compact and lightweight so they can be kept in your purse and taken with you wherever you go. Use them in restaurants, at bars, in public restrooms, out at the clubs or even in your closet to organize your purses.

Every woman should have one and they make for a fabulous, unique gift. Here are just a few of their benefits:

-keeps purse clean and away from germs that can be transferred to your home's surfaces.

-keeps purse in sight to prevent theft.

-always have a place to put your purse rather than your lap, so you stay comfortable.

-Fashion Statement! - chic and trendy. All your girlfriends will want to know how to get one too!

-stay lucky! - in some countries, it is bad luck to put your purse on the floor.

Kerry Williams
Purse 'N All Hangers
http://www.pursenallhangers.com

Helping our Dear Friend Tamara and Family

Please take the time to read below about a fundraiser for our dear friend Tamara and her family. Her daughter was recently diagnosed with cancer and her family could really use all of our support! We love you Tamara! Stay strong!

Hello Friends and Family of Malia Hight,

My name is Lisa Lange, and I live in Glendale , AZ. I am part of a large group of women who are lucky enough to know Tamara. I would like you to know the great things that we are doing to assist Malia and her family in this time of need. I have organized a fundraising event on my website www.Reading-About-Me.com to raise much needed money for Malia’s family, as well as another little girl here in Phoenix name Sophia. I have enlisted organizations that are affiliated with me, BizEMoms, Our Milk Money and other networking groups to come together at one place, on my website.

So far, we have 17 organizations that are donating profits that will go directly to Malia’s and Sophia’s families. There are more than 80 items listed including jewelry, T-shirts, make-up and skin care, handmade hair clips, baby products, personalized music CDs, and the list goes on. We still have some organizations that are interested, and will be posting their items soon.

Click Here and scroll down to see all the generous people/organizations who are more than willing to participate in this event.

Click Here to view many of the products. There are almost 8 entire pages of unique items available.

Click Here to view many more products. We have so many people getting involved, that we had to create a second tab of items!

Click Here to read Malia’s story and Sophia’s story.

So, here’s how it works!
Search through all the items. Choose items that you may use anyway, and purchase them all at once. Think about all the wonderful people on your “birthday” list, “holiday” list and “just because I love you” list! Each item lists how much of the purchase will be donated to these two loving families. Also, the prices all include standard shipping!

When you are finished shopping, you will check out at one place, and pay for all your items at the same time. The orders will be directed to the company that is participating, and your order will be shipped. Please be advised that Reading About Me will only be sharing your shipping information. Your order history, payment information and other personal information will be kept confidential.

We truly appreciate your support, and we know that these two blessed families thank you from the bottom of their hearts. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

Also, please pass this opportunity along to all your families and friends. Together, we can all make a difference!

With loving thoughts,
Lisa Lange

BizEMoms Helps - August - Singleton Moms Raffle

Most moms feel like they are just as busy as they can possibly be and when any major life event comes our way, WATCH OUT, we just can’t balance one more thing on our plates. But then imagine being a single mother and the stress and time restraint just increased significantly. Well, now imagine being a single mother and finding out that you have cancer.

How do you pay the medical bills on top of the already surmountable monthly bills, balance treatment and work and laundry and meals? How do you play and spend the quality time with your children when all you can think about is how am I going to make it through the day? These are questions many of us are so fortunate that we don’t have to answer, but there are many women out there who unfortunately are constantly seeking answers to those questions and many more.

Fortunately, there is an amazing organization in Arizona called Singleton Moms. There mission is help single mothers with cancer be able to look forward to recovery and a bright future without feeling overwhelmed by financial and/ or household obligations. Obligations, if left unattended, would otherwise affect the well being and future of them and their children. This organization is run by two amazing women who do so much for the women and their families, but they need help. Since they are a non-profit organization, they look to the community for assistance.

The members of BizEmoms felt the heartache of these mothers and decided we wanted to do more to help Singleton Moms. So, we are conducting a raffle to raise money so Singleton Moms can continue to provide assistance to these amazing mothers in need.

We have some wonderful prizes, including a 2 hour mini petting zoo, Mary Kay Time Wise micro-dermabrasion kit, Shaklee Get Clean gift basket, jewelry from Stella and Dot and Latasia, gift certificates for dinner, jewelry, and many more wonderful prizes that can all be won by purchasing raffle tickets. The raffle will be conducted on September 3rd, 2008, and all proceeds will be donated directly to Singleton Moms. So hurry and pass the word the along and get your tickets today, at . . .

http://www.bizemoms.com/singleton-moms-raffle.html

Any questions related to the raffle should be sent to: HelpSingleton@BizEMoms.com

A New Found Friendship and Inspiration

We have been keeping busy lately, with planning the East Valley Bridal Affair, regular group activities and our own families, but last week we had an opportunity we felt we could not pass up, and we are glad that we didn't!

Ally Loprete from Our Milk Money came to Phoenix to speak with our group. We were excited to have the opportunity to meet with her. We met Ally for dinner at P.F. Chengs in Scottsdale and it was soooo much fun! Angie, Tamara, me and little Jasmine (my three month old), had a great time! We instantly felt comfortable with her, as Ally said "we are her people". We talked about everything, our husbands, our businesses, the time just flew by and I think we could have easily chatted for much longer. Ally had soooo much to share and her story is truly amazing and inspiring. The idea for OMM was born in January, and the site was just launched in April. They now have 3000+ businesses listed! How cool is that! The concept is great, which is why it is catching on. Ally also talked about the importance of shopping with parent-owned companies, and how we can revolutionize the economy. A dollar goes so much further for many of us, then it would if we were part of a corporation. What's $50 to them? Now, what's $50 to you? That's diapers for a month, a tank of gas, tickets to a game, a movie night with the family....Ally talked about a lot of different topics that really got me thinking. One thing that really hit home with us was scheduling your time. There is so much that can be done in a day, but what is really important is taking time for yourself and your family. It's not that we don't enjoy what we do, but many of us who have work from home businesses tend to pile the workload on just as if we were still in corporate America. Let's revolutionize this thinking. Stop apologizing for being a parent. If someone calls and my three year old is in the background asking me to sing 'Happy Birthday' to Optimus Prime, well, that's OK. Doing business with me is good for you and for me. I can give you personal service that you wont get from a large corporation, my products are just as good, and your dollar will be re-circulated in the local economy.

This is the start of something big, I can just feel it! It is exciting to be involved with OMM, and if you haven't checked out their site yet, then please do! http://www.ourmilkmoney.com/

Thank you, Ally. You have truly inspired us!

-Laura W.

Our Milk Money in the News!

Web site aids stay-at-home parents
Their businesses are promoted on Our Milk Money

By Tammy Marashlian
Signal Staff Writer

tmarashlian@the-signal.com
661-259-1234 x525

With the cost of living continuing to rise, Ally Loprete and Kelly Shand want to make sure the money paid to a business goes into the right pocket.

The Stevenson Ranch residents have started a online business directory (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001sn5_TjdGfY7ss9dBda4sTDkyrs3aUajQzUK-TITxyvAoJRWkK2Q7itExESqomorT91D_zV7BxGz0EMAJaP2xgbiS8L8hSVhLCzOPnSZRq6QLTEMQ1Tz3wA==) that lists hundreds of business owners across the country who are all self-employed parents.

As self-employed parents themselves, the founders believe that while their idea is a new concept still taking shape, it offers numerous benefits to not other working parents, but also to the everyday consumer.

How it works
Our Milk Money was launched at the end of March after months of planning between Loprete and Shand. (The two got the idea after organizing a playdate for their kids.)

The directory currently has around 1,500 listings and represents nearly 80 industries, ranging from party planning services to clothing stores. Businesses from all over America and even Canada are posted.

Locally, nearly 30 businesses run by self-employed parents in the Santa Clarita Valley are listed.

In order for a business to be listed, its owners need to pay $25, which Loprete said goes toward funding the Web site.

The founders hope that at some point, every self-employed parent's business will be available for users to browse.

"I want it to be a household name," said Shand, a mother of two with another baby on the way. "I see it as a Craigslist for parents."

After users find the businesses they are looking for, they are able to read a brief description of the services offered and can connect to the business person via the company's Web site or e-mail.

Because every business listed supports its owner's family, users can find out more about the families behind the business as they learn about what the "milk money" goes toward.

Why 'Our Milk Money?'
Loprete said a service like Our Milk Money is necessary, especially with the cost of living on the increase.
"It takes two incomes to support a family," said Loprete, who is the mother of a 2-year-old son.

With so many people feeling like they are "slaves to their jobs," Loprete said, working and having a family becomes difficult.

"It's just a very stressful situation for many people," she said.

With that, Loprete said Our Milk Money gives families a way to understand where their dollar actually goes.
Shand added that the site is beneficial for parents, too.

"It gives parents some hope that other people care and know what they're going through," she said, adding the site also gives them a voice.

Shand said supporting a self-employed parent makes her feel different than when she goes to big-box stores.

"When I go to a mega store, it doesn't feel personal, I just don't know where my money is going," she said, adding that she wants consumers to feel good about the purchases they make.

Self-employed parent Sandra Beck has listed her two businesses on Our Milk Money.

"It is a way for work-at-home parents to network with other work-at-home parents and share services," said Beck, who owns Motherhood Incorporated and a real estate Web library.

The Acton resident said the difference for a consumer browsing the Web site is that he or she supports an "alternative lifestyle" when making a purchases.

"A parent's directory is vital because there's no other way to know which kind of service is a parent-at-home business versus a traditional (business)," she said. "It allows the consumer to make a choice."

In June BizEMoms Helps Finding Fido

Many of the organizations BizEMoms is working with this year are from member recommendations. Someone has either donated to that organization before, or is directly affiliated with them, in that they have received some type of service from that organization before. In this case, Finding Fido has helped me.

I am usually hesitant to share this story, but I think that it might help give a better understanding of just how caring and wonderful this organization truly is. In November of 2004, just a week before my son was born, my husband and I happened upon a lost dog wandering near the apartment complex we lived in. It was cold and raining. He had no collar on, and looked pretty miserable. We took him home with us, shot a few pictures on our camera and posted signs around that we had found a missing dog. I had no idea what type of dog Charlie was, only that underneath that bad hair-do he was super cute and just a sweet little guy. I asked my husband if we could just keep him, knowing full well his answer would be no. It just didn't make sense. I was very pregnant, and our son was due to be born in one week. We had a scheduled induction in Tucson-what would we do with the dog? The next day, Charlie was licking his paws non-stop and just seemed down right miserable. We had gone to the pets store and picked up some food and let him sleep with us in the bed. Since no one had responded to our posters yet, I suggested we take him to the vet. My husband said OK and gave me a $100 limit to spend on him since we did not plan to keep him. I called around and Banfield was able to get him in that day, so off we went.

The vet had a whole list of concerns about Charlie, besides the licking which was caused by allergies. She was quickly able to see that his eyes were cloudy, and determined that he was going blind, and at that point had only peripheral vision. He also had a heart murmur, teeth that needed to be cleaned and treated, he needed shots (who knew when he had them last if he ever had?) and treatment for an upset stomach. She didn't feel a microchip under his skin, but did identify him as a Maltese. He weighed a whopping 7.2 pounds.

My heart broke for Charlie, I couldn't believe anyone would treat their dog this way. Perhaps he had ran away? But, if that were the case, he have to be lost for a while to justify being in such poor shape. The very least of his issues was that he desperately needed to be groomed.

I knew that the $100 I was allowed to spend would not cover the cost of his treatment, and I also felt angry, so angry that anyone would treat their dog this way. I called my husband and explained our dilemma: here was this very sweet dog that we had found who really needed a lot of help and a loving home. Could we please, please keep him? He said yes, and I used the $100 as my money down on the health plan that Banfield offered. It was a bargain considering the costs of all of the treatment Charlie would need. No one ever called to claim Charlie, and if they had I would have been heartbroken about giving him up.

The week after Charlie came home with us, we went to Tucson to deliver our son. Charlie stayed at my mom's ranch and loved it. He met his new friends, Clyde a terrier, and Princess, a Shih Tzu. He came back to Phoenix with us and our new two-legged baby boy, Taylor. Over the next few years, we went in to the vet several times. Each of the three rounds of shots that Charlie got each year were divided up into two visits. He was so small the vet didn't want to give them to him all at once. He received antibiotics for his stomach, we also went through many different allergy treatments, including one prescription called into a compound pharmacy. He also received an x-ray to determine if his heart murmur would prevent him from being put to sleep for his teeth treatment. At that time, they found pins in three of his four shoulders, which made his history even more mysterious. Something pretty bad must have happened to cause him to need surgery to place pins, which could not have been cheap. If someone loved him enough to do that, why was he in such bad shape when we found him?

Charlie fit right into the family. He loved hanging out with us at home. He didn't care for dog toys, or the dog park, but slept with us in the bed and had his routine around the house. He would travel with us when possible, and loved going down to Grandma's ranch. Things were going really well and we were all happy. But, there was one big change happening- our sweet little baby boy was growing up and was becoming a rowdy toddler. Charlie was small, and old, and needed to be left alone to do his own thing. Taylor just kept getting bigger and more energetic, and as heartbreaking as it was we realized this was not a good fit. As much as we loved Charlie, being in a family with small kids was not the best placement for him. And, at this point I was pregnant again with our second child. My parents could not take him, and neither could my sister. Charlie needed to be somewhere where his health conditions could be cared for, and somewhere where there were not little children. I was finding my two year old playing way too rough with him, and I felt I was fighting a losing battle. Taylor did not understand that he needed to be gentle, and I couldn't watch Charlie 24/7 to protect him. I could keep him closed in our room all day, but that was no way for his life to be. I put a posting out on a forum I belonged to, but received interest only from other homes with small kids, which I knew wouldn't be the best mix. Then I was referred to Pam with Finding Fido. I hated to do it, I didn't want to give him up. I felt like the worst dog owner in the world, but ultimately came to realize that I was being a good dog owner by realizing my home was not the safest place for Charlie anymore.

Pam was great. We met and sat and talked for an hour about the other dogs she was fostering, and their stories. I knew she would love Charlie just as I had. Before I turned Charlie over to Finding Fido, I noticed an "owie" on his leg. That previous weekend, my son walked out of the room holding Charlie by one leg, and after that I found a red, swollen spot. I thought it was something Taylor had done, and Pam said no problem, she had planned on taking Charlie in to the vet anyway for his teeth. I emailed Pam to check on Charlie and received the news: that spot was more than an "owie", it was a tumor. Charlie would need immediate treatment for the cancer, and no questions asked, Finding Fido provided it. Now I felt really horrible. I had turned my dog in because I could no longer care for him and not only that, he had cancer and I was leaving them to take care of it.

I could make a donation myself, but that hardly seemed to be enough to Finding Fido for all they were doing for me and my Charlie. At this time, BizEMoms began discussing our BizEMoms Helps Program and I knew exactly who I wanted to help.

Finding Fido has been a blessing and I cannot thank them enough for helping me. I am sure many of us know that love that a dog gives. Dogs are truly wonderful, and Finding Fido has done so much for us by helping our Charlie. As much as I wanted to just call them and ask for Charlie back, I really couldn't and, I really shouldn't. They are wonderful people and loved and cared for Charlie just like we would have. They also help many others by helping to find lost dogs. I ask you to please visit their website http://www.findingfido.org/ to learn more and to donate directly to this great organization.

Laura W.

Summer Travel Alert

U.S. State Department Issues Alert on Hurricane SeasonPublished on: June 2, 2008

The State Department issued a Travel Alert to U.S. citizens concerning the Hurricane Season in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico. The official Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June through November. The Travel Alert expires Nov. 30, 2008. According to the Alert, the National Weather Service officials at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predict a 65 percent chance that activity during the 2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season will be above normal this year, forecasting 12 to 16 named storms, with six to nine becoming hurricanes. Additional information on hurricanes and storm preparedness may be found on the Hurricane Season 2008 page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs' website at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/hurricane_season/hurricane_season_3795.html. For more information, call 888-407-4747 or visit http://travel.state.gov/.

This article was contributed by Erika Villanueva with Viajes To Go.
480-293-4689
http://www.viajestogo.com/

June's Big Name

Imagine how psyched we were to find out that BizEMoms had been selected by another business as a resource for their members!

OurmilkMoney.com selected BizEMoms has one of only five links published on their website! We were genuinely honored to receive this designation. OMM and BizEMoms have very similar goals-creating a community of businesses that support one another.

So, as if that was not cool enough, we heard from Ally Loprete, the co-founder of OMM, after we sent a thank-you email, and she wanted to come speak to us as a guest speaker! We have had some really great guest speakers so far this year, and some others that we are super jazzed to have scheduled, but WOW! Ally lives in California! How cool it is that she is coming to Phoenix to talk with us! You guys are not going to want to miss this! We allow guests to all of our meetings, as long as you register ahead of time. If you've got a business or are thinking about it, come to our meeting on June 11th and talk with Ally about what she has learned and discovered and how we can all do the same. It will be interactive, fun and motivational.

Visit http://www.bizemoms.com/ and send us an email. We'll fill you in on the info and while you're at it, check out http://www.ourmilkmoney.com/ and see all the cool resources that are available.

Love and Planning!

BizEMoms will be hosting the second annual East Valley Bridal Affair on Sunday, September 28th. We are very excited about this years event and are now in the midst of filling up our tables with the valley's best exhibitors. We are super excited to be the only Bridal Affair to be located in the East Valley. I remember when I was planning my wedding and driving into downtown Phoenix to check out a big bridal expo. It was a little overwhelming and kind of stressful!

When we first started thinking that this was an event we wanted to take on, we did a lot of research. We checked out other shows, brainstormed for ideas, and talked about what we liked as women, brides, shoppers, and community residents. Our intentions were to create something that was intimate, not stressful, and genuinely fun!

We are so excited about this years event, because we have really taken many ideas into consideration and tried to put together the best of everything. Last Years event had about 70 vendors, this year we can accommodate up to 100, and have found a beautiful location to hold it in. We'll have some of the best of everything, and will feature vendors that will help in making your wedding day or special occasion truly memorable.

Check out http://www.eastvalleybridalaffair.com/ for more information. We hope to see you there!

Laura W.

In May BizEMoms Helps The House of Refuge East

For the month of May, BizEMoms Helps the House of Refuge East. House of Refuge East is a social service program assisting homeless families while working on the root cause of each individual’s situation. BizEMoms will be conducting a toiletry drive on behalf of HR East. The items they are in most need of are: feminine hygiene products, deodorant, toothbrushes and lotions for both adults and babies.You may drop these items off to House of Refuge East directly, or BizEMoms will have a collection box through the month of May at Chicago Avenue Hair Studio, 393 W. Warner suite 111, Chandler 85225. The salon is open Tuesday through Saturday.

Walking For a Cause

Last Saturday we woke up bright and early to participate in the Walk to End Domestic Violence, which went through downtown Phoenix. Our small but cheery team consisted of me, Angie R., Tamara H., Kristie B. and Shannon G. We made sure to stop at Starbucks on the way to fuel up, a necessity for us moms. The weather was great, and it felt good to be up and active. The walk began at 7:30, and the set up was really nice. There was lots of water, fruit and some booths set up as well. It is always fun to get together and we managed to keep a good pace as we chit- chatted and made our way through the streets. We are all very excited about the BizEMoms Helps program, but I don't think the full gravity of the situation really hit us until we were actually on this walk. Like I said earlier, at first it was great to be up and active that early. I know in my case, I probably would have otherwise been at home still in my pajamas and busy cooking breakfast or changing a diaper or two. But, somehow on this day, the group of us were walking amongst others for something that was affecting so many people around us in a very profound way. We saw lots of other groups with signs, banners and even t-shirts with the faces of their loved ones printed on them. It seemed there were so many people who knew someone who was a victim of domestic violence. It was a little sad, but more than that it was very profound. Occasionally in life, there needs to be these moments where we have a check point of where we are in our lives and what we can do for others. Don't get me wrong, a lazy morning in my pajamas spending time with my cute little kids and husband makes me tremendously happy. But, on this day I got up early, walked a 5K and helped to raise money for an organization which is providing shelter, hope and truly saving lives. And, I still made it home by 9:30. And in the end, what little bit of time we were able to give will hopefully give someone else a morning that they can spend doing something for someone else.

Laura W.

In April BizEMoms Helps...The Arizona Foundation for Women

BizEMoms Helps is a program in which we align with one charity or organization each month. BizEMoms has been able to grow through the support of our membership and our community, and we felt it was important to give back. In April, BizEMoms will be participating in the Walk to End Domestic Violence, which is organized by The Arizona Foundation for Women. Please visit http://www.active.com/donate/2008walktoendDV/bizemoms to donate to this great cause. You can also visit the BizEMoms website to learn more about the BizEMoms Helps program www.bizemoms.com

Welcome!

Welcome to the new BizEMoms blog! We are a networking group based in the Phoenix metropolitan area with the dual mission of providing support and opportunities to our membership, as well as becoming a resource to the community. In essence, a place where commerce and community join together.

Please check back often for updates about events we are holding, charities we are working with, as well as tips, ideas and writings from our officers and members.