Sunday, September 27, 2009

It's been too long!

Hi everyone,

I can't believe it's been nearly ten days since my last post! Things have been very busy this week beginning with a quick stop in NYC on Monday for Pamela Ptak's (of Ptak Couture) fashion show, meetings and more meetings for school on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Back to School night on Thursday. Friday, we had my mother-in-law and her boyfriend over for dinner (which was just lovely--what a nice time!) and Saturday was complete with my friend Sarah's bridal shower, a quick stop at the Celtic Classic, and a viewing of the Penn State game at Mark and Sarah's house. Today Jimmy watched the Eagles while I rested and did some schoolwork.

Life isn't slowing down over this next month, either! This Friday, I am helping Susie launch her Pampered Chef business with a Pampered Chef fundraising show to benefit Operation Smile at my home at 5 PM. I know I've been harassing a lot of you to join us Friday night, but even if you can't, you can still buy your favorite products and support Operation Smile by just visiting the Pampered Chef link and entering my name as the host when you checkout.

For the following weekend, we have Penn State v. Eastern Illinois tickets; the weekend after that, my five-year reunion at Lehigh University. I am very excited for this event because the Class of 2004 is dedicating the new garden area at the University Center as our class gift, and many of us will get a chance to see our engraved bricks that indicate our contribution to the garden. We have one free weekend after that followed by Halloween, then Mark and Sarah's wedding on November 7th! Before we know it, we'll be into the holidays and welcoming 2010! Yikes!

Through it all, my new mantra: How will you give something beautiful to the world? As silly as this sounds, I saw this sentiment on a notepad for sale at Starbucks (of course I bought it) and am now reflecting and attempting to act on it daily. My very sincere hope: That you will, too!

Dream big,
KAM

Visit my OneSmile page to donate to Operation Smile now!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Flyers, Letters, & Forms

Sounds so bureaucratic, eh?

Actually, it's not that bad. I just want everyone to know I've completed a sponsorship/donation request letter and sponsorship/donation procurement form in case anyone knows of any generous businesses willing to sponsor a hole or donate a raffle prize. Additionally, I also have two flyers that people can post in random places where they know prospective golfers may frequent.

If you think you can help in any way, please e-mail me at katemack7508@gmail.com so I can send you these materials! :)

Dream big,
KAM

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Updates

Hi everyone!

I haven't posted in a while and that is because I am working feverishly (literally--the temp is 100.6 right now) to lay more groundwork for the tournament. I've also gotten back into the full swing of things with school, which makes juggling the schedule a little tougher.

Nonetheless, I am making progress and felt I'd keep everyone updated by posting my "done" list, as well what I've yet to-do.

DONE--yay!
  1. Submitted proposal to Dick's Sporting Goods for raffle grand prize of a Diablo Driver, as well as six gift cards for special contest winners--awaiting response
  2. Submitted proposal to Golf Galaxy for raffle prize of three lessons, as well as six gift cards for special contest winners (see how I'm not putting all my eggs in one basket!)--awaiting response
  3. Submitted inquiry to Aardvark Sports Shop, Schuylkill Valley Sports, and Sports Authority regarding proposal process for donations/sponsorships--awaiting response
  4. Secured raffle prizes from GolfTEC, Sunsations Tanning Salon & Boutique, SaraLiz Photography, Kuhnsville Car Wash, Body Elite Personal Training, and Center Valley Club
  5. Submitted volunteer event agreement to Operation Smile headquarters, allowing permission to use logo on promotional materials--approved!

TO DO
  1. Make up in-kind donation receipts for donors
  2. Create flyers and post in Golf Galaxy, GolfTEC, Dick's, Center Valley Club, Aardvark, Sports Authority, Schuykill Valley, Sunsations, Kuhnsville Car Wash, & Body Elite.
  3. Make up a sponsorship request letter and submit to Emeril's Chophouse & Shula's Steakhouse.
  4. Create a registration form.
  5. Obtain promotional materials for sponsor bags, once donations are secured
  6. Gather Operation Smile info for sponsor bags, including before/after patient stories, fact sheet, and interest form for prospective volunteers for an Operation Smile Lehigh Valley chapter.
So as you can see, things are moving forward pretty steadily. I've also been blessed with some wonderful volunteers who will help me with registration and collection for pot of gold, mulligans, and raffles the day of the tournament. Nonetheless, if you don't necessarily want to golf but still would enjoy a nice day out, feel free to contact me--I will find something for you to do! :)

Click here to visit my OneSmile page and donate now!

Dream big,
KAM

Friday, September 11, 2009

Charging forth...

How fitting to post on Patriot Day, the day set aside to remember the lives lost amidst the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the compassionate souls who elicited what was left of their strength to help those in need, and the brave serviceman who continue to fight for our freedom today.

While I am deeply saddened by the lives changed forever as a result of the events of this day eight years ago, I can't help but look to the present day and embrace how we've grown together as a nation and recalled the importance of helping one another through humanitarian efforts around the world. With that in mind, we charge forth...and so despite my melancholy, I couldn't have asked for a better day to meet with Lauri Catena, National Chapters Director of Operation Smile.

Lauri is just a sparkling woman who has inspired me further (and I didn't think it was possible) in my efforts to support Operation Smile. In short, I just e-mailed my principal about starting a student club at the school where I teach, then made my first contact for a motorcycle benefit ride. I completed four proposals for prize donations for the golf tournament today, and learned what it will take to accompany a student team member on a mission trip--my ultimate goal. Finally, we discussed the prospect of a benefit trunk show for a fashion designer with which Lauri is acquainted (details might be announced VERY soon regarding this!) and brainstormed for a Pennsylvania Ambassador Board and Lehigh Valley chapter of Operation Smile.

The take-home message is this--among the abundant blessings I count daily, today I especially treasure the doors which have opened before me through just a small sincere effort. The resulting challenge--to poise myself for the great journeys which lay ahead.

Dream big,
KAM

Visit my OneSmile page to donate now!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

World Journey of Smiles

Hi folks! I found a great video on the Operation Smile website about what I believe is their largest mission trip to date, the World Journey of Smiles. It is just under nine minutes long and will give you a small glimpse into what the organization is all about.



If you're feeling inspired to get involved, please visit my OneSmile page and sign my guestbook or make a donation. You can also contact me at katemack7508@gmail.com if you want more information on how you can assist in my efforts, including the capstone Charity Golf Tournament, to be held April 17, 2010 at Center Valley Club.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Raffle Prize Announcement AND Operation Smile LEHIGH VALLEY news!

Hey folks!

Today has been VERY exciting, as I received my first prize donation from the Allentown location of GolfTEC. As a part of the raffle contest at the Operation Smile Golf Tournament, GolfTEC has donated a gift certificate for a swing evaluation session, a $165 value. I'm thinking raffle tickets will probably go for one for $3 and two for $5. Given that I obtain other prizes similar in value, this is really quite a deal when you think about it!

Additionally, I completed a donation proposal to Golf Galaxy for gift certificates which would be used as special contest prizes, and I am awaiting the verdict there. I'd like to use these certificates to offer men's and women's prizes for longest drive, straightest drive, and closest to the pin.

Finally, the SUPER folks at GolfTournamentsIn.com have posted my event and gave me the great idea to offer registered foursomes the opportunity to tee off closer to the pin at a long par 5 for a mere $20 per group. What a great way to automatically improve your group's score AND benefit a great cause!

NOW--drumroll please--the MOST exciting news of the day is definitely that the wonderful Lauri, National Chapters Director for Operation Smile, caught wind of my efforts with the charity golf tournament and we've set a date to discuss establishing a Lehigh Valley chapter of the organization AND to discuss the possibility of joining the Ambassador Board for Operation Smile! HOW COOL IS THAT?! I am really quite thrilled at this opportunity and couldn't feel more blessed at the doors which have opened through a very simple, sincere effort to honor a friend (see 8/21 posts).

I would, nonetheless, be remiss if I did not honor the aforementioned original goal to raise $500 through my OneSmile page, ...for the Love of Liam. Therefore, I am making a call to anyone who reads this to please consider even just a $5 donation to help me reach this goal, which would provide two cleft lip/palate surgeries AND the specially designed bottles necessary to help newborns and infants feed more effectively pre-surgery. Your donation can be made anonymously, is of course tax-deductible, and would, from the bottom of my heart, mean a great deal to me. Even more importantly, your support would mean the world to the children it benefits, so please consider changing a life today...http://support.operationsmile.org/goto/katemack.

Dream big,
KAM

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

SAVE THE DATE! Operation Smile Golf Tourney Date & Location Announced!

Today I decided to book Center Valley Club for the charity golf tournament to benefit Operation Smile. Center Valley Club is an absolutely gorgeous, upscale public course located off of Center Valley Parkway, across from the Promenade Shops. The tournament will be held Saturday, April 17th, 2010. I've tentatively set the entry fee for $90 to include bag attendants, practice balls, discounts in the pro shop, and a buffet of burgers, pulled pork BBQ, mixed veggies, macaroni and fruit salads, coleslaw, and beverages at the turn and at the buffet. My goal is to register 25 foursomes so if you know anyone who enjoys golf, please tell them they'd be supporting a great cause by entering this tournament!

Look forward to more updates regarding prizes, special contests, and other news as it becomes available! In the meantime, please e-mail me at katemack7508@gmail.com if you are interested in registering.

http://support.operationsmile.org/goto/katemack
 

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