Janna Audey: 12 Month Project

Located in Old Town, Alexandria, the Food Pantry for the Soup Kitchen at Christ House is in urgent need of affordable canned and boxed food items.  They will even take $10 and $20 gift cards to Safeway and Giant Food that you can mail in to 131 S. West St, Alexandria, VA 22314.   They are also in need of winter clothing items, as well.  No gift is too small...opening our hearts to others in need helps us become more compassionate human beings.  Click here to learn more.

We've known many people who have died from this specific cancer, and our friend, Amanda, whose father passed from the disease, has decided, along with the Kingstowne Striders, to channel the energy toward progress and action.  All proceeds go toward Pancreatic Cancer research.  Visit the website to learn more, volunteer, participate, or simply donate. 
http://www.kingstownestriders.org/FilltheShoes5K.html

This month's charity spotlight is on NEDA-- a friend of ours continues to fight a very personal challenge as she has been living with an eating disorder for most of her adult life.  She has the courage to now speak up, help educate us as a society, and take a bold stand by walking on October 2 in NYC to raise awareness, and to help elevate our consciousness, so that all boys, girls, women and men can be content with who they are as individuals.  Click the link to make a donation and to learn more!  http://neda.nationaleatingdisorders.org/site/TR/NEDAWalk/General?px=1002345&pg=personal&fr_id=1480

The spotlight is on Lucky Dog Animal Rescue for the month of August.  This organization is committed to saving the lives of dogs placed in high-kill shelters, from South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.  They are an all-volunteer, non-profit organization, and Rob and I were "lucky" to have found our sweet Mysti through Lucky Dog back in July of 2010.  Please consider donating to this organization, and if you are in the market for a new dog, take a look at their online list of adoptable dogs! 
To donate online specifically to their critical care fund, visit http://www.luckydoganimalrescue.org/donate/critical-care-fund, or to donate to a general fund visit http://www.luckydoganimalrescue.org/donate/donate-online.
To visit their online library of dogs-- with pics!-- visit http://www.luckydoganimalrescue.org/adopt/adoptable-dogs. 
My wish is that we begin to think outside of ourselves, and understand that every little bit helps.  Often [...]

As many of you know, I am a cancer survivor-- a lymphoma survivor.  What a journey it has been, and because of funding the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) provides for blood cancer research, and tremendous support it extended during the treatment stage, I am able to write these words and share my story.  Of course, there will be others to formally thank in the months to come... :)
July is also my birthday month...yay!  I love celebrating life each day, but this is the day I get to give thanks to my parents for bringing me into this world.  And what better month to partner and serve the LLS with my 12 Months, 12 Charities: Bridging Music and Service initiative! :)
There are three ways you can help and make a difference...no amount is too small...I really cannot emphasize this enough.  It's about our *collective* effort. 
* Donate directly through the LLS website. 
* Donate through my Happy Heart Yoga website. All purchases [...]