Sharing & Caring

Writing..Sharing..Speaking and Connecting...several things I'm extremely passionate about.  If I had to add a fifth, it would be 'Serving'....let's just add that because that is the essence of who I am.

I've enjoyed speaking on behalf of the many organizations we love and who have loved and supported us over these last two years (Faith and Family Church, ASK, Connor's Heroes Foundation, Starlight Foundation, Make A Wish Foundation, Give Kids the World, Children's Miracle Network ,Children's Hospital of Richmond) and the Miss Chesterfield Organization.

I love sharing our story, the goodness of God and the collective beauty of the human spirit.  As a result, I believe it has become a part of my mission and assignment to educate and bring awareness, participation and partnership to Organizations that are making a tremendous difference in the lives of others.

I've had the pleasure of partnering on several occasions over the last year with Children's Miracle Network and Children's Hospital of Richmond to speak with/to their local and national partners in an effort to allow these partners to 'see' and 'hear' the difference they are making.  As a result other avenues and opportunities have been birthed or opened up.  The Foundation contacted me last week to share they are launching a new group starting with #TeamBolton.

an excerpt from that message...

"This spring, we will initiate a new group within our Foundation and we’d like to begin with you. Families with Heart will be a group of involved, passionate and motivated patient families who want to continue to be involved and support our efforts to help CHoR through event participation, story-telling and at times, speaking opportunities"

I was truly humbled to receive this.  Don't ever underestimate the 'Power of One'...how far reaching one voice, one experience, or one decision can make or the impact/imprint it can have.

Ambassador.Champion.Advocate.Spokesperson.Supporter...stay tuned for more!

Family Fishing Fun

The Starlight Foundation is an organization that provides entertainment, education and family activities for seriously ill children in the United States and their families.  Starlight sponsored an event this weekend entitled "Go Fish" for any of the Hemoc Familes that wanted to participate.  Each family was assigned a Fishing Professional for guidance, instruction, baiting hooks, releasing the catch and ensuring you had a good time.  Anyone that knows me well, knows that I heart fishing. The event was held at a well stocked private pond in Hopewell.  There were about twenty families in attendance and drinks, snacks and lunch was provided for everyone.  The weather called for rain most of the day, but 'Go Fish' was a go, rain or shine.  It did rain, but the fish are already wet so it didn't matter to them.  Mr. Stewart was the Fishing Professional assigned to #TeamBolton.  He runs a Charter Fishing business down in the Chesapeake Bay area.

Mere minutes into the fishing excursion, Jalen caught his first fish, a Sunfish (Bluegill/Bream). Mr. Stewart taught him how to bait the hook, cast and retrieve the fish.  The rod was a big as he was but Jalen caught on to reeling them in. We're so glad Mr. Stewart encouraged Jalen to try a regular size rod as opposed to the kiddie rod.  He believed Jalen could handle it and as a result wouldn't have to relearn using a new rod as he got older. Mr. Stewart was awesome.  Jalen is not a big fan of worms, but by the end of the day he was a pro worm handler and a pretty good angler.  He caught about eight fish (Crappie and Bream) in total and was so excited about his fishing adventure.   Daddy didn't do so bad either, he caught about six fish (including one deemed photo worthy by the coordinators).  We'll have to see if that photo shows up online or if we can get a copy of it. Quentin really had a good time too.  As for Mommy the fishing enthusiast, she'll have to wait until next time to catch a fish.
 
Starlight and the sponsors of this event gave each little angler a bag of goodies and their very own fishing rod.  Jalen woke up this morning asking if we could go fishing.  I love it!!  Thank you Starlight Foundation!  Thank you to Fishers of Men and the Parks and Recreation Professionals that made this happen.  Time to get fishing poles and licenses for everyone so we can go out and enjoy doing it again and again.  One step closer to camping and the Bolton's Great Outdoors Adventure.