Never Turn Away An Open Hand With Blessing Bags- Day Of Giving, November 28th

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #99YourThanksgiving #DoingThe99 #CollectiveBias

November is a month marked by thanks.

There's an entire holiday centered around the concept of being thankful for that which one has and has been given. However, as the end of the month also marks an entire week dedicated to spending with the intent of giving in the following month, December, the very spirit of giving can actually get quite lost. The slurry of door buster sales and elaborate wish lists can easily make a season of giving feel more like a chore.

It's this season which reminds me most of my mother's mother; a woman who would quite literally give you the necklace off her neck if you complimented her on it. A woman who opened her home to not only her employees and their families when in need, but even strangers on cold holiday nights. She taught me that the clearest way to show appreciation for what one has been given is through sharing it.

As we look forward to the annual Day of Giving on November 28th, the day following Cyber Monday, I find myself heading to my local 99 Cents Only Stores in hopes of stretching that giving spirit jut a little further through incredible savings on a variety of everyday essentials.

A few years back my, then 9 year-old, niece and I were driving around our home town and we passed a man in a frumpy coat with an equally frumpy Labrador retriever and a cardboard sign beside him on a street corner. As I so often did when I had cash on hand I reached into my purse and pulled out a crumpled bill, rolled down the window, and called the gentleman over to hand it to him. An hour later, on a different errand we passed a second out-stretched hand and this time I had only 2 dollars in my pocketbook to spare. As we pulled away my very astute niece had a contemplative look on her face.

"I wish we could do more the just give them (those in need) a few dollars. Sure, they can buy a burger or a drink, but what happens when they are cold or hungry tomorrow?" she explained.

I thought on this for a few minutes before turning the car around and heading back into the shopping plaza. Sabrina was perplexed, and asked if we'd forgotten something on our shopping list. I shook my head no and explained, as we walked through the automatic doors of our local 99, that we were going to do more than give what we had on hand. We were going to give with intent.

We would assemble several kits of daily essentials and food the average individual often takes for granted. We'd stretch our humble budget into a mountain of aid for those who couldn't help themselves, and hopefully touch the lives of those we gave to beyond a single day and a few dollars.

While we called them 'Giving Kits' at the time, it turns out this particular type of organized aid is more commonly known as a blessing bag. You can find all of the necessities to build these kits at your local 99 Cents Only Stores, often at such great prices you can build many for a very small budget of $20-30. The 6 pack of bottled water above will help build 3 blessing bags, while essentials such as antiseptic pads, bandages, and pain relievers can be purchased in individual sealed multi-packs ready to be split up.

Building Blessing Bags has become a sort of tradition in our family. Our car just isn't considered clean and restocked without them, and what we've been able to give back through them has only grown through the years as our local 99 has expanded it's merchandise offerings. This year there is a rather large portion of an aisle dedicated to warm and Winter wear, as well as affordable fleece blanket rolls. For just a few dollars we can add a warm beanie, knit gloves and a blanket to our blessing bags- a gift that continues to give long after our car has pulled away.

While we primarily make these bags with the intent of keeping them in our car to be handed out to needy strangers we might pass on the street you could also make similar kits to donate to a local Woman's shelter, or church pantry. The contents you decide to fill them with will likely be tailored to your local climate needs, and the recipients you expect to share them with.

Consider convenience when choosing items such as food- Food items should have long shelf lives, be easy to open and store, and be shelf stable. Pre-portioned snacks and meals such as protein (tuna/salmon) packs and granola bars help provide sustenance that can easily be enjoyed over time. Make sure any canned foods have easy tab-pop tops, and consider including a few plastic utensils, et naps, and tissues/napkins which may serve multiple uses .

Our local 99 Cents Only Store has a wide variety of items, and the inventory is always changing- we try top pick up essentials for our blessing bags whenever we spot a great deal, especially on multi-pack style items. You never know what you will find when you shop the 99 and amazing finds tend to go fast- so it's important to shop often and snap up those extra-cool finds when you spot them. Of course great prices on the everyday essentials and favorite name brands are always in stock. Our local 99 even has a full produce department and cold food case- so I try to include a $5 99 Cents Only Store gift card in our blessing bags when I can. I can't keep fresh oranges and milk in my car waiting to be handed out- but I can give our bags' recipients a chance to shop for some of those types of things at an affordable place like the 99.

Once you've made blessing bags for the first time you'll likely have some of the staples in excess to get you started the next time. It's a form of giving that is easy to facilitate a little at a time if you are smart and shop the 99 throughout the year. One of the things you'll need to get you started is some form of bag to put all of your items in- we buy 2 Gallon zipper bags at our 99 that hold quite a bit of stuff, and are fairly weather resistant.

Building a great Blessing Bag is a little bit like playing Tetris- if you're including a fleece blanket roll figure out where that is going in your bag first. You'll either want it to go in first, or last as it will dictate how much space you have to play around with in your bag for extras. I like to then pack any liquids, such as bottled water or V-8 juice cans in the bottom. This helps put the bulk of the weight on the bottom and also give the bag, itself, some structure. Next you'll want to thoughtfully layer food and essentials as they fit. If your bags have special themes, such as feminine hygiene products for a woman, or pet food for someone who may have a pet, be sure to face those items outward so you can quickly identify those bags.

Blessing Bags can come in all sizes- You don't have to fill a 2-gallon bag (which on average costs us about $10 to fill at our local 99), a bag with a fleece blanket, some water, and granola bars is certain to be just as appreciated. This is something we prefer to do year-round, so we build our bags based on our budget and what we can afford. This means we usually buy a few things here and there for our Blessing Bags with each 99 shopping trip- though the everyday value of shopping the 99 means you can start with nothing and have several bags built for under $10 if you shop right.

November 28th is the National Day Of Giving, the day after Cyber Monday (as everyone knows it)- and it's the perfect day to start a new tradition in your family. Why not shop 99 Cents Only Stores and make a few Blessing Bags you can hand out to those in need throughout the season? Children love getting in the giving spirit, and building a thoughtful bag helps foster a sense of appreciation for everyday essentials. You may even choose to add a special touch such as a handwritten note, or hand crocheted hat- and you'll find supplies for both at the 99!

If it weren't for 99 Cents Only Stores I, personally, wouldn't be able to afford to give so much, or so generously through these Blessing Bags. The fact that I can shop for such a wide variety of essentials, from quality name brand products really helps stretch my ability to give not only this season, but year-round. If you're looking for a little more inspiration on how to give back this season check out the 99 Social Hub and discover how others are Doing The 99. You can see what my local 99 is up to, and has hitting shelves by following them on Facebook, or discover more great 99 finds and ideas on the brand's YouTube channel and Instagram page.

Now, tell me, how are you planning on giving back this Day of Giving (November 28th)?

How To Run A "Flocked" Fundraiser Event (With Free Printables) #RaiseLove

When I was in high school I stunk at Fundraising.

No, seriously, I couldn't even get to the first tier of prizes- you know, the little pom pom 'Weeble' pretty much anyone who sold a single item would get just for showing up and turning in their sales sheets?

Part of the problem was my lack of social skills, severe introvert anxiety, and a simple lack of care for the items I was selling. I mean, why should I sell something to raise money for a good cause when more, or all, of that money spent could go straight to the source that needed it most? It's something I've struggled with all of my life- raising funds without asking people to shell 9x more than the proceeds out on generally worthless junk.

Don't get me wrong- bake sales, and such, are awesome to get kids involved in charity- but there HAD to be a better way to have fun, get a charity talked about and seen, and generate 100% of the proceeds directly to the charity of focus.

So, when RMHC (Ronald McDonald House Charities) sent me a set of juggling balls with the challenge to #RaiseLove through a FUNdraiser that was uniquely mine, and clearly fun, I went searching for something different.

Somewhere on Pinterest I spotted a few poor quality snapshot collages of pink plastic flamingos in yards, while searching the term 'unique fundraiser ideas'. I clicked through to a few of the originating posts and found some really old content, and some intriguing content but no real directions on how to fund raise with this process. It couldn't be that hard, right? Buy some yard flamingos and start dropping them in yards, easy-peasy. I was sold.

As it turns out there were many questions I immediately found myself faced with when putting this fundraiser together. Questions such as; "How do I go about getting a yard sign that is weather resistant," "what's the best way to acquire a flock of flamingos without spending a small fortune?" "Since I am an individual, and not an organization with a charitable address, what's the best way to coordinate the donation process versus the flocking arrangements?"

Thankfully organizations, such as RMHC, have their own online fundraiser portals any individual, or organization, can set up to work as a landing page and direct donation portal for funds. It's as easy as visiting the RMHC landing page and registering yourself or organization as a "participant." From your participant portal you can set up a profile with information about you, why you're fundraising for RMHC, and how you plan on collecting funds. You can also set up a direct donation URL to send your donators to, where they can make a secure donation to your specific fundraising goal/efforts from a secure portal. Those donating love this because it provides them with peace-of-mind and an immediate record/receipt of their donation for tax purposes.

If you have those who wish to donate, but do not have access to the internet, or would rather do so by cash in the moment you can easily place a donation on their behalf through your RMHC portal.

If you are collecting your fundraising money directly, in person, through a physical organization or location on behalf of a charity or event, such as RMHC you will want to provide physical receipts for money exchanged.

Having the online portal to send your donations to is a wonderful tool, but you'll also need flyers to help spread the word, and to educate those you 'flock' about what you're doing.

This is where I found the least amount of information, in regards to running this type of fundraiser.

For your convenience I've gone ahead and turned my flyers into easy worksheets you can download for FREE here, as a printable PDF file. You'll find my Flock Fundraiser Advertising Flyer and You've Been Flocked Announcement Flyers already have RMHC logos on them (but can be easily edited if needed, or used for reference.)

On your flocking advertising flyer you'll want to clearly identify the different tiers of donations, and what your donators will receive in exchange for them. I chose to split my flock into 5or 10 flamingos for $25 and $50 donations, respectively. Just keep in mind, if you choose to offer 'smaller' flocking brackets you will need multiple signs to accompany your flocks.

Next, clearly outline how those interested can make a donation. Try to keep your flyer precise and to the point. Provide a direct address web,  address, or clear method of donating the money. Remember that donations made directly to the organization they are befitting, rather than being funneled through a third party, will make potential donators feel more confident in the legitimacy of your fundraiser.

Repeat, exactly, what your donator will receive for their donation- EX: "A donation of $25 will send 5 flamingos to the address of your choice for 3 days."

If donations are being collected remotely (online) give your donators a way to contact you to arrange the delivery of their flock. In my case I provided a secondary phone line we use mainly for data and various event/junk sign ups.

Another big question I had when planning my Flock Fundraiser for RMHC was how to get a hold of a large quantity of yard flamingos without investing a fortune.

You'll indeed find flocking 'kits' on sites such as Amazon, ranging from $175-$300. These kits will include your flamingos and a sign, or two, with generic information. The signs are pretty plain and you're paying a lot for the convenience of buying these things together, and to ship the bulky flamingos to your house.

I spent less than $50 for my sign, various supplies (pink printing paper, envelopes, fake feathers), and 10 yard flamingos.

I bought something called a 'Headline Yard Sign (18" x 24")' on Amazon in a 3 pack for just over $11, some 'poster alphabet stickers' for $5 at the local craft store, and drew/wrote the rest of my information in sharpie to create my Flocked Yard Sign. On the front of my sign I put my direct fundraising link, my fundraising phone number, and the organization I was fundraising for (RMHC). On the back I taped a plastic zipper file folder to hold extra copies of my flyers for the flocked family to pass out, or for neighbors to grab and take.

The flamingos were a bit more tricky to find- I found them everywhere for about $8-10 a piece. Be careful, there are some cheap sets but they are flat and made of corrugated cardboard. As it turns out a major home improvement store was selling the same flamingos they sell for $9 a piece in a 10 count for $32, so long as I was willing to wait about a week to have my order delivered to the store for free pick-up. You CANNOT beat that price.

In addition to your advertising flyers, yard sign, and flamingos you will want to have some sort of 'You've Been Flocked' letter to leave for or present the flocked household with. Something briefly explaining what it means to be 'flocked', how to continue the tradition with a donation, and what exactly you are raising funds for. Again, you can reference or use our FREE Printable. We included one of these letters, plus an advertising flyer, in an envelope with a few hot pink faux feathers, just for fun. Ideally you'll catch the 'flocked' home when you stop by to flock them, and present them with the envelope and an explanation, but you can also 'flock and run' and leave the envelope and your flyers tucked in the door.

Once you get rolling the signs in yards not only advertise your cause, and your program, but the people you flock tend to 'flock it on' and make a donation to send the flock onward. It's a fun social experiment and fundraiser, all-in-one.


My personal Flock Fundraiser is benefiting RMHC, Ronald McDonald House Charities, an organization that hopes to #RaiseLove through it's efforts to provide transportation and lodging to families with children who are undergoing an illness or medical treatment. This organization is near and dear to my heart because I was a child with a mother who was chronically hospitalized and know directly the strain intense medical treatments can put on a family. While RMHC helps support families with sick children, as a healthy child with a sick mother (Hodgkins Lymphoma) I remember the pain of my family's separation, and the financial strain of having to travel to her specialty hospital just to visit and support her during her times of treatment.

When a family member is ill, especially a child, it is every so stressful financially and emotionally and RMHC aims to help ease that strain by keeping families close together during these times.

When people set out to raise funds it's usually for a disaster or urgent cause that isn't very cheery. In the case of Ronald McDonald House Charities the organization wishes to inspire others to #RaiseLove by doing that which they love, whether it's a bake sale, juggling pledge contest, or pretty much anything else light-heated and passion driven. I've chosen to help raise funds for RMHC by spreading smiles all across my county, from one friend or family member to the next with a Flocking Fundraiser. I do hope this post has inspired you to look at fundraising in a new way, and hope you will reach out with any questions on Flocking Fundraisers (Also known as 'You've Been Flamingoed'). If you wish to learn more about RMHC please visit their direct hub, donations can also be made to my direct fundraiser on our #FlockVC RMHC Fundraising portal.

Small Dog, Big Heart- What I've Learned From My Dog #PedigreeGives

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PedigreeGives #CollectiveBias

Momma Told Me: Size means nothing.


It's no secret my childhood was filled with wayward animals. Momma would take in the sick animals from the street and the shelter and give them the only thing left for a human to give; a comfortable home and love. Pets never stayed long. Some might say that's harmful in the grander scheme of a childhood- it certainly did stand out to me. But the takeaway, for me, was that all animals deserved love and a home; not just the kittens and the specialty breeds.

At the same time, I've always been a sensible woman.

That's good because, without my senses and a strong amount of personal restraint, I could have easily become a Crazy Cat Lady. Instead, I was driven to find ways to love and help; even when I was renting a room in a stranger's home with no home to give a pet. That's how I learned about the volunteer opportunities at the county shelter. I highly encourage anyone who cannot open their home to an animal in need, yet feels compelled to connect and benefit from a bond with animals, to seek out a similar opportunity. Our local shelter requires a commitment of just 6 hours a month; scheduled on your own time, working with the types of animals you feel most comfortable.

Few people know that you can walk into a shelter and volunteer your time with no previous experience, and such little obligation. Yes, you will have to go through a mandatory orientation of basic procedures and safety- but it absolutely work it for the return you will feel from helping like-minded people and animals in need!

Worried you wouldn't be able to handle the environment?

I was antsy about being around animals that were primarily kept caged, it's not ideal for any animal to be housed at a shelter. However, I quickly realized that my job, as a volunteer, was primarily to interact with and engage the wayward animals. That's right, I spent most of my time taking the dog's out to the dog run for walks, offering a warm lap to a nervous cat, and holding kennel-mates while the kennel's were cleaned. Even better, my interactions with these animals provided direct insight into their unique personalities that later went on 'sell sheets' to help prospective families find the right pet!

Have a full home and cant quite dedicate the time to help out on site at a shelter? Most shelter's also survive solely on the material donations made by everyday citizens and generous pet companies. Some of the most needed supplies include, blankets, unwanted newspaper, old kennels, and leashes. I bet you didn't know you could take your unused newspapers and drop them off at the local shelter, did you? But even more importantly you can help a dog in need right now just by shopping for your own pet's favorite PEDIGREE® treats and food at Sam's Club in the month of October. Buy any PEDIGREE® product such as PEDIGREE® Adult Dry Dog Food (55lb bag,) PEDIGREE® DENTASTIX® dog treats, or PEDIGREE® Choice Cuts Dog Food at Sam's Club this October and PEDIGREE® will donate a bowl of food to a dog in need!

Since October is National Adopt A Shelter Dog Month, we always do something a little extra special (on top of our regular shelter visits) to help out. This year we continued our tradition of donating PEDIGREE® dog food by dropping off a 55lb PEDIGREE® Adult Dry Dog Food bag and PEDIGREE® Choice Cuts Wet Food multi-pack we'd picked up while re-stocking Nora's PEDIGREE® Small Breed Dry Dog Food. I'm especially excited to point out that our local county shelter is proudly displaying their 'No Kill' banner for a successful year without having to put a single animal down, due to over-crowding, in 2014. This is an immense goal realized for our county and the shelter and I couldn't be prouder.

Of course this wouldn't be a fair discussion without talking about the tiny dog that helps my heart to continue on growing, Nora. It may be hard to believe, but I was never a 'small dog' kind of girl. In fact, in college my boyfriend had the most lovable 62lb red pit bull and there was a time I couldn't imagine not falling asleep with him nestle between my legs. But this dog, people- let me tell you. I have yet to meet a person that was not shortly won over by the enthusiasm this dog carries for life itself.

When I was sitting down to write this post I contemplated how I would stage the photos, and what imagery I would use. It's no secret I take hundreds of photos of my fur-kids daily- and Nora is quite photogenic. But, with this month being all about adoption, and pets in need of homes, I was driven to look deeper into the individual that is my dog. Sure we've made dog furniture and shared D.I.Y. costumes and training tips, and we'll continue to- but these candid snapshots, they're Nora. Yes, these photos, they sum up my 4 and a half pound ball of fluff. Not only does she greet each and every day as a new, magical, opportunity, she NEVER stops smiling. It is physically impossible to look at this dog and maintain a bad mood- she is my leveler, folks.

And every morning and evening when I pick up her food dish her floppy ears perk up, her nubby tail wags, and she spins in circles until I finish scooping her PEDIGREE® and put the bowl down. Can you imagine how much richer our life would be if we could look at the world through her eyes for just one day? If we could take a single meal and turn it into an occasion worthy of flips and dancing? Yes, it's just that sentiment, and that tiny dog, which remind me just how grateful I am to have her n my life- and just how much every pet, and pet-to-be, truly has to give.

I could write a thousand more words reminding you how special Nora (and let's not forget Truffles) really is, but the truth is, if you've ever had a pet, you already know. Help give back to 'pets to be' this month when you purchase any PEDIGREE® product at Sam's Club, and keep the good vibes going when you upload a photo of the dog you love to Twitter with the hashtag #LaterShelter- PEDIGREE® will donate yet another bowl of food to a dog in need! I often joke that Nora is one of my 'co-workers,' since she appears so often here on the blog, and is constantly at my side. The truth is, I'm the one working for her. If I can learn to be just 1/10th as grateful, accepting, and brave in my life as she lives hers, then I will always remain in her debt. Does your dog, or a dog you've previously parented, have unique traits that make them stand out? If so, we'd love to hear all about what makes your canine friend special!

What Daughter Says: When it comes to pets, all shapes, sizes and breeds can move mountains in the world of a pet parent. Every pet deserves a home, and a fully belly.