An Olivia Sighting!!!!

I am here........

.......and here!!!!

Spending Time At Speedway

 At Speedway, Tuesdays are known as "Miracle" days.  And in May, I traveled to four Speedway locations to visit on those special days!!  Each store had a theme for the day!!  They decorated and dressed accordingly!!  The Speedway teams were very enthusiastic and it brought out the best in everyone.  The customers were extremely generous and a great time was had by all!!!  The four Tuesday events raised a total of $11,909.80!!!!!!  Thanks you to everyone who stopped by or just drove up to make a donation!!!  And here are a few photos of the events!!  Remember......it's FOR THE KIDS!!!!!

Miracle May is turning out to be HOT! HOT! HOT!!!

Stop in to any Speedway & grab a Speedy Freeze or fountain drink!!

Proceeds benefit Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals!!!

Stay cool and help kids!!!  Yep....it's that easy!!!

Filming A Commercial To Make A Difference

I was lucky enough to spend my Spring Break with Speedway President Tony Kenney in Dayton, Ohio.  After enjoying a few splash-tacular days at the Great Wolf Lodge, it was time to get to work filming the commercial.  My co-star and I got along extremely well and it was a real treat to share the screen with him.  We both knew that our commercial would be helping kids in Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals all over the midwest.  It was an honor to work on such an awesome project!!  I know it is important to raise funds and awareness for CMNH.  Even more important is letting people know that it is helping kids just like me right in their local community.  So stop by your local Speedway and grab a Speedy Freeze or fountain drink because proceeds benefit CMNH!!!  Thank you Mr. Kenney & thank you Speedway!!!  Visit http://www.makeadifferencewithspeedway.com/ to see the commercial and for more ways to donate!!

Super Party for Super Baskets

 In honor of Super Baskets of Hope and the completion of assembly day, an evening cocktail reception was held to celebrate this awesome project.  In the days prior to the Super Bowl, Super Baskets of Hope had already made such an impact that the NFL made it its official charity.  Super Baskets of Hope was even given a spot in the Super Bowl pre-game show, highlighting the events of the week.  The reception was attended by approximately 75 guests who had played a big part in Super Baskets of Hope.  I was lucky enough to be include with this elite group of outstanding individuals and was both honored and humbled to be there.  Seriously, I was the only one in attendance who was under five feet tall.  It was a very grown up party!!! :)  The three men in the photo below are all great members of the NFL, but for me, more importantly, they are people who care about doing kind things for kids that make a difference off the field.  Coach Tony Dungy, Kurt Warner, and Mike Furrey are all huge supporters of Super Baskets of Hope and are personally involved in every aspect of it!!  Thanks to them and all who had a hand in Super Baskets of Hope.  It was a huge success.  Here is a video clip from Super Baskets: 

www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NdLNv1m-dnE

Super Baskets of Hope

250,000 items

1,000 volunteers

7,000 SMILES 

Super Baskets of Hope Assembly Day has arrived!!!  We are at Banker's Life Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Pacers, to start packing up the baskets for this amazing project!!!  Everyone knows that the work done here is going to bring happiness and joy to kids all across the U.S. and that makes it worth it.  FOR THE KIDS!!!!!  The day was jam packed with celebrity speakers and Riley Kid Heroes.  We were joined by Indy Mayor Greg Ballard, first lady of Indiana Cheryl Daniels, Coach Tony Dungy, Colts player Gary Brackett, Pacer player George Hill, as well as many others.  It was an honor to be part of such a powerful project that I know will make a difference for so many kids.  Thanks to all the incredible sponsors who donated items and their time to come out and make Super Baskets of Hope such a huge success!!!  These are just a few photos of the days events!!!

 

Indianapolis Hosts Super Bowl XLVI

 

Tebowing at the Super Bowl Village

Your 2011 CMN Indiana Champion Tebowing!!!

Warm Winter & A Cold Drink

Our January has been insanely warm!!

Speedy Freeze anyone??!!??!!

Blue teeth, blue lips.........all smiles!!!

Riley Hospital Annual Luncheon

 The Riley Annual Luncheon has become one of my favorite events of the year.  This year I got all dressed up in my "Riley red" dress because I was going to help Riley Childrens Foundation President & CEO Kevin O'Keefe make a "super" announcement.  The luncheon included the introduction of the eight new Riley champions and the program also highlighted the Child Life Specialists and how they are an important part of the healing process.  I love the Child Life Specialists and they are always bringing smiles to patients faces.  Whether it's through music or art therapy, the Child Life Department is an important part of treatment.  Who knew games, music, and dancing could be so therapeutic??!! 

After a couple of presentations and live entertainment provided by Jon McLaughlin, it was time.  Kevin & I took the stage to announce the Super Baskets of Hope program.  As the host city for Super Bowl XLVI, what a better way to show kids around the country a little Hoosier Hospitality!!!  The program, inspired by Angela Brunette's Baskets of Hope, was marketed to all 32 NFL cities to deliver 7,000 baskets to sick kids in each NFL city's local children's hospital.  The baskets would contain games, books, puzzles, pillow pets, jewelry, stationary, and NFL gear.  Once the baskets were assembled and delivered, NFL players & coaches would personally deliver the baskets.  I made a card which included my artwork and a special message that was going to be placed in every basket so that each child knew that we were thinking of them here in Indiana!!!  For more information, visit www.superbasketsofhope.org





 

Enjoying the State Capitol

I LOVE INDIANAPOLIS!!

Ceilings & Floors

As a parent, we want the best for our children.  This song embraces the hope that our children will be able to achieve their dreams regardless of circumstances.  The video includes more highlights from the 2011 CMN Champions trip!!  www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW6GksH9fTo&lr=1&feaure=watch

Champions Time To Shine

Check out this video recap of the 2011 CMN Champions trip!!
www.youtube.com/cmnhospitals#p/u/6/7qqH8KOuBcA

Indiana or Bust!!

 
The next day I said good-bye to all my new friends before heading home.  ORANGE BUS ROCKS!!! (inside joke) And thanks to the fantastic Delta crew for giving me the rockstar treatment on my flight home!!   

Champions Farewell Party Cruise

Our last evening together as Champions was spent on the Spirit of Washington Party Cruise.  It was a night to celebrate friendships and accomplishments.  Each of us has overcome our individual challenges and  obstacles. Those challenges do not define us; they have shaped who we are and who we will become.  We celebrate life because it is a gift.  There was laughter, tears, dancing, and singing!!!  The friendships that were made IN those 8 days will last forever!!! 







New Friends in DC

One of my favorite parts of the DC portion of our trip is meeting new friends Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlon and country singer Mark Wills.  Both are ambassadors for Childrens Miracle Network.  Teresa is only 18 and she is a great role model for me and all young girls.  Mark is like the biggest kid I have come to know!!!  I am so lucky to know them both!!!