Running for St. Jude

Recently, I got to write an article about a fundraiser for St. Jude that is being held in my area. It is so amazing what some of these people do to raise money for the children. When people do something great to help others, it really can light up people's lives.... Below is the article that was submitted to an area newspaper that I write for... 


Perhaps maybe you can think of some ways that you can raise money for the children of St. Jude too...


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St. Jude Fundraiser

According to the St. Jude Hospital website, about 7,800 patients are seen each year. It takes around $1.7 million a day to operate St. Jude Hospital. Donations from the public provide more than 75% of the hospital's funding. For the past 50 years, the hospital has increased the rate of survival in children. In 1962, the rate was only 20%. Because of their efforts today, children have an 80% chance of surviving.

A very special group of people are doing their part to raise money for St. Jude right here in Moultrie county. Last year, the group raised over $42,000 by running for St. Jude.

This year, their dedication is still just as strong. The runners hope to beat the $42,000 that was raised last year. With even more people signing up to join the cause, there's a possibility that it could happen.

“There are approximately 45 runners along with drivers and other volunteers that have sacrificed two days of their time to raise money for the kids of St. Jude,” stated Kali Taylor, coach of the Sullivan H.S. Girls track team, who is organizing this year's run.

The second annual St. Jude Mattoon-Peoria run is set to take place Friday, July 20 through the 21^st. “We will leave Riddle Elementary at 8 a.m. sharp. The public is invited to send us off on our 140 mile journey towards Peoria. We will be traveling on five motor homes along with an emergency vehicle equipped with EMT's, a music vehicle from WMCI 101.3 out of Mattoon and a chase vehicle,” informed Taylor.

In order to participate in the fundraiser, each runner is required to raise $750. 100% of the profits will go to St. Jude. The group of runners are a variety of individuals from all walks of life. “Our runners range from seasoned veterans with marathons under their belt, weekend warriors, rookies just getting started and long time runners looking to use their gift to help others. Some are strangers, some are long time friends but by the end of the run we all become family,” Taylor stated. There are 29 other cities, along with a team from Memphis, who also participate in the run to Peoria too. The team from Memphis make the 465 mile trip by foot to join in.

Taylor explained how the run for St. Jude worked. “St. Jude rules require that two runners be on the road at all times, always wearing reflective vests and staying to the side of the road. An emergency vehicle follows the runners the entire way to Peoria. The first 9/10th of a mile will be run by all runners and volunteers as well as the last leg across the bridge into Peoria. The motor homes travel ahead to the next stop while the runners are out on the road.”

Taylor is very grateful to be part of such an amazing event. “This was such a life changing experience for me personally that I can't imagine not being a part of this for the rest of my life. After running the Boston Marathon twice and reaching the 'Olympics' or holy grail for runners, I was looking for a new challenge. A friend mentioned the St. Jude run and after hearing about it, I immediately said yes without hesitation. Two of my cousins underwent bone marrow transplants and I was at the hospital for both to witness them getting their 'bags of gold'. It is amazing to see new life.”

Angie Del Ponte who participated in last year's event, will also be running this year. There's only thing that inspires her to run each year. “The kids. You get all cranky and hot from running and all you want is a shower. You are also hungry and you just want to eat. But once you see the kids, you appreciate everything that you have done. They all treat you like movie stars... It's amazing to see the kids and how happy they are to see you.”

Del Ponte's husband, Marc, also takes part in the fundraiser for St. Jude. Last year he was a volunteer and helped navigate. This year, he made the decision to become a runner. What inspired him to become a runner? “The kids,” he simply answered.

If running isn't something that comes easy to you, there are other ways to raise money for St. Jude too. Amber Righter, organized a quarter auction to raise money for the event on June 28^th at the Sullivan Methodist Church. “Over $600 was raised. A retail value of $1,100 of products were auctioned off,” quoted Righter.

While Righter honestly admitted she wasn't much of a runner, she did say what inspired her to hold an auction for St. Jude. “Its' for the kids. I wanted to be able to help with the run in a different way.” Righter's six year old daughter, Hannah, also took part in her own way too. “She drew pictures and people were buying them at the auction. Hannah even asked me, 'Mommy, do you think $6 is enough to pay for their medicine?' After that, I knew that as a parent, I was doing something right! I don't think there is anything that can make your heart smile more than kids helping kids,” beamed Righter.

A number of vendors took part in the quarter auction held by Righter. The vendors included: Gold Canyon Candles, Mary Kay, Norwex, Pampered Chef, Tupperware, Longaberger, Just Jewelry, Thirty-One, Argonne, Shabby Chic, Tastefully Simple and Jamberry Nails. Two businesses also made donations to the auction as well. The Flower Pot gave a $10 gift card and I Tan & Fitness donated 10 Session of kettle bell classes.

Righter couldn't have been more pleased with the turn-out of her auction. “It was a huge turn out and very successful. I was overwhelmed at the turnout and couldn't have been more excited to raise the money.”

Donations for St Jude are still being accepted. If you are interested in making a donation, write your check out to St. Jude and get in contact with any of the St. Jude runners. You can also contact WMCI 101.3 and listen to any announcements regarding the fundraiser for St. Jude.

Need Web Content? Special Article Package

Every website needs updated content. 


It is what keeps your visitors coming back. A website doesn't need a major overhaul-it just needs a little bit of change every now and then. I would like to provide your website with fresh content each week. 


Currently, I have a web special for content. 
You can order 20 articles from me for $100. 
With this package, you will get 5 fresh articles per week. You can take time to promote your website instead of having to write content. I'll take care of keeping your website fresh while you do your marketing or create products. 


Although, if you are unsure about ordering a full package, 
you can test me out first. 
I will write an article for your website (400-450 words) for $5.50. 


For more information about my writing services, check out my webpage at:
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My Sign from Signs on the Cheap

I received my sign from Signs on the Cheap the other day. It's pretty snazzy. The photo is on the left of this blog post. It will be used to just advertise my writing business. I will probably sit it out in my yard somewhere. 

The crew does a really good job and they really care about the quality-as I exchanged a few emails with them until the photo was just right. 

If you need many signs, you can order 99 of them for $100 (that's a little less than $1 per sign!).....

You can check their website out at: http://www.signsonthecheap.com/ for more information on designing and ordering a sign (or two...or more)....

Arthur, IL Freedom Celebration: Saturday, June 30th: Spectacular Firework Display!

Arthur, home of the largest firework display in central Illinois, will be lighting up the sky with colorful fireworks this Saturday, June 30. In past years, Arthur has had thousands of people come to town to see the popular firework show.

“Last year was probably our best show. There were probably about 20,000 people in town,” quoted Tim Singer, the Arthur Fireworks Chairman. “We hired a new contractor, Central States Fireworks of Athens, IL last year, and they will be returning again this year. I hope for another good show from them ,” Singer stated.

John Weitekamp, the lead designer of Central States Fireworks, is a 12 year veteran of fireworks. He carefully crafts the design and implementation of each show. The Arthur Rotary Club, The Village of Arthur, CBM Plastics Inc, Tri-County Welding and The Arthur Park Board will be sponsoring the fireworks and Freedom Celebration this Saturday.

Not only is the Freedom Celebration popular for launching fireworks, but it's also a big day for business in Arthur. “We have been told the restaurants, service stations and some other businesses have their best day of the year the day during the Arthur Fireworks. Any time you bring people to Arthur for an event, it is an opportunity to showcase the town and people always come back,” Singer explained.

The Freedom Celebration will kick off the day with a parade beginning at 1pm. Parade line-up begins at noon at the Old Progress Tank Facility at 402 East Progress Street. The parade's theme is “United We Stand.”

At 4pm, in Jurgens Park, (south of the high school off Route 133), events throughout the evening will feature an air show with skydivers, helicopter rides, and, possibly, a World War II aircraft. Helicopter rides will cost $20 per person. Food and drink stands, as well as inflatable games will also be available. Handicapped parking will be accessible to those who are in need.

Crowd members gathered at the park will have a chance to catch 2012 Arthur Firework T-shirts that will be launched by the Arthur Fire Department. The rural aviator will also be dropping t-shirts from a powered parachute over the country roads (weather permitting). Between 5 and 6pm, the WWII aircraft is expected to make its appearance. Then, about an hour before the fireworks, sky-divers from the Mid Illinois Sport parachute club will fall from the sky onto the football field. The National Anthem will be played as the last sky-diver lands, carrying the American Flag.

Central States Fireworks will begin launching off their fireworks at approximately 9:30pm in Jurgens Park. “The giant fireworks display will feature an exceptional array of shells from around the world, including many American specialties,” said Mark Jones, the Rotary Club Fireworks Commissioner.

Some of the featured fireworks this year include a “Cube Shell’ that forms a three-dimensional cube, the wall of fire and the ultimate fireball. The show will also be bringing back the popular-requested rural patriot, who will ride his horse through the “Niagara Falls” while carrying the American Flag. Those watching the firework show, will enjoy music broadcast by the 106.7 radio station team. They simulcast the music in time to the fireworks. This year's display is expected to last about 24 minutes long.

Singer, (Arthur Fireworks Chairman), believes that Arthur puts on a memorable firework show that encourages people to return year after year. He explained the key ingredients to putting on such a successful event: “We have built a reputation of providing a first class show over the 15 years the Rotary Club has sponsored the show. There is no other show that has the flame effects built into their show like ours and none as entertaining. Add in the WWII aircraft, skydivers and powered parachutes, there is something to watch from 4:00 until the show begins. Families can come and enjoy the show for free and not spend a dime. Or they can enjoy the concessions and helicopter rides. It is a family oriented event that kicks off the celebration of the birth of our great nation.” 

ACEO Art on eBay

I have enjoyed drawing since I was a little kid. 


My grandma always said, "keep it up!" and always advised me to keep practicing so that I would get better. 


Recently, I see that there are artists selling their art in a neat little collectible way. They call it ACEO (Art Cards, Editions and Originals). It is art that has been put on little cards that are about the same size as a sports card. 


You can buy blank ones that have been designed for mixed media, drawing, oil painting, pastel and water-color.  I have purchased the mixed media, because I like to combine pencil, markers, pen and whatever else I can get my hands on. 


My favorite thing to draw are cartoon figures. I can draw a person, but I have always had trouble drawing the human anatomy. Drawing cartoons allows me to draw simple bodies without having all of the extra detail.

There are many people who are creating and trading their cards on eBay. Many of them are drawings, while others are oil and water-color paintings too. If you would like to see what eBay has, simply type ACEO into the search, and it will bring up many of the listings. 


I have started to place some of my own ACEO on eBay. You can check out my auction listings by clicking HERE.

Need a Sign? :) Check out Signs on the Cheap

We use signs for many things throughout our daily lives. Signs are used for selling items, promoting businesses or sharing our political party choice. Signs are great for advertising.


http://www.signsonthecheap.com/  offer affordable choices to help you create your own personal sign. Currently, they have a special package that allows you to order 100 signs for $99!



You can create your own sign by using their online website template or use one of their starter templates that will help inspire your design. They offer signs in categories such as business, contract, political, real estate and bandit signs.  Once you have finished your design, you can also order your stakes and frames for your sign too. It's an online one-stop sign shop for all of your needs. 


The Rural Freelance Writer here-will be using their services soon too :) Once I receive the finished sign, I will be posting a photo of their work. I can't wait to get started and post it out in my yard! :)


If you have a need for a sign that will work for your budget, check out http://www.signsonthecheap.com . They will be happy to assist you. 

Cheap Yard Signs

A Guide to Using Pinterest

Social networks are developing all over the web at a rapid rate. As technology has evolved, we have become social creatures of the Internet.

We crave social interaction...on the Internet. Many of us already spend hours on the popular social network website, Facebook. Sometimes, newer networks may take some time to rise above the more popular ones, so they go unnoticed for a while. Recently though, one network has working hard to join the high ranks of the Internet social revolution: Pinterest.

The Pinterest Network allows users to share and repin images with their friends and other followers. Members of Pinterest can create boards organized into different categories such as my life, for the home, design, art, and a number of others too. Within the categories, a member then "pins images" to a specific board. Pinterest is similar to "window shopping," -only it's on the Internet.

 

Participating on the social network, Pinterest is pretty simple... Point, click and then "pin" your image... Then type in a URL and description of your image. Not only is Pinterest simple to use, it is a useful tool for writers...Click here to continue reading....