Southern Blondie: 31

Thirty-ONEderful Charity Donation: The Van

December 5, 2017 10 comments

It's the SIXTH month of "Thirty-ONEderful Charity Donation" and this month I am donating $31 to The Van in Arkansas. I, for one, cannot believe that it is December. Today is also my half-year birthday, which means I am half-way through my year of Thirty-ONEderful! 
December for most of us means holiday parties, presents and time off work. But for a lot of homeless in Arkansas, it means colder nights without a lot of resources. That's why for my donation this month, I am donating to a group called The One, Inc., who has a program called The Van. This group works to find those who may be homeless to help provide them with basic human necessities. Here's what their website says: 

Many of the wonderful people who help support The One, Inc through The Van program!


"The One, Inc.’s mission is simply to locate and love our unsheltered homeless neighbors, wherever they may be.

We primarily serve these needs by going to the people. We visit current homeless camps, search for new camps, comb alleyways, check under bridges, and seek out people deep in the woods, etc. We take supplies such as food, water, clothing and hygiene products to people where they are. The One, Inc. seeks to build relationships with members of the homeless community so that we may then identify barriers to obtaining income and housing, and help our friends move beyond their homelessness. We are dedicated to be relational, as opposed to programmatic."

Because the colder weather is coming, they are also looking for donations of blankets, tarps, coats, flashlights, etc. You can find the full list here. 

If you'd like to learn more, check out The One, Inc. website here. Follow The One, Inc. on Facebook or The Van on Facebook! And as always, you can DONATE here. 

 Thank you for reading this post. 

 Thirty-ONEderful Charity Donation:


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Thirty-ONEderful Charity Donation: Moms Demand Action

October 5, 2017 19 comments

So here's the thing... I am a gun owner. I have my concealed carry permit. I think guns are OK to own. Being from the South, guns were part of growing up. My dad had several guns, my friends owned guns, and it was a usual Sunday activity to go out and shoot tin cans or old signs. Guns do not scare me, but I also grew up in an environment where I understood how to use them responsibly. 

 HOWEVER, I think it's time that all responsible gun owners stand up for stronger gun regulations. 

 On Sunday night I was in Los Angeles at dinner with colleagues after a really successful workday raising money to end hunger and poverty. (I work for a nonprofit.) It was a pretty long day, so it was a pretty late dinner as well. When I got back to the hotel and turned on the TV, every channel was covering the tragic events of a shooter in Las Vegas. 

 At midnight, two people at died from this shooter. When I woke up at 5 a.m. after falling asleep with the TV on 25 people had died, and by the time I was checking out of the hotel, over 50 people died due to gun violence. It's just too much. I love outdoor concerts, music festivals, and living life. I don't want to live in a world where it becomes normal to be paranoid in large groups of people. 


 That's why there has to be a better way. There has to be a middle ground to say, it's OK to own a gun, but let's just be responsible about it. I am not going to get rid of the guns we have in our home, I am not going to be afraid of them (because I understand that they are weapons, not toys), but what I  am going to do is become more vocal that we need stronger regulations. No one needs to own a fully-automatic weapon. 

 In my opinion, no one should be able to walk into a gun and knife show and purchase a weapon without any sort of background check. I have to go to a doctor, then a pharmacist and have to have insurance to get birth control, but anyone can just go to a gun store (depending on the state) and buy the equipment it takes to create a fully-automatic rifle? SERIOUSLY? 

 I understand if this post is a little too political for a lot of people who read this blog, and that's OK if you don't agree, or if you think all guns are good or all guns are bad. Hopefully, we can all find a middle ground to agree that we need stronger regulations, but that there are responsible gun owners out there who also agree.

Gun Violence by the Numbers: 

1. On an average day, 93 Americans are killed with guns
2. SEVEN children and teens are killed by guns in the US on an average day 
3. In an average month, 50 women are shot to death by intimate partners in the US 
4. Background checks have blocked nearly 3 MILLION gun sales to prohibited people 
5. America's gun homicide rate is more than 25 TIMES the average of other developed countries. 

So what do we do? Where do we go from here? 

 We use our voices. We join causes. We show that there IS such a thing as being a responsible gun owner and believing in stronger gun regulations. 

 For those of you who don't know, I turned 31 on June 5. I am calling this, "The Year of Being Thirty-ONEderful." It's about making this year... wonderful. Part of making anything wonderful in life is to give back to others where you can. So, on the 5th of each month, I am donating $31 to a charity and highlighting the work they do in a blog post.
This month, I am donating to Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Here's what they do: 
  • Pressuring lawmakers to improve our gun laws
  • Raising awareness about gun violence
  • Educating the public about common-sense gun laws and responsible gun ownership
  • Mobilizing grassroots supporters
  • Connecting and amplifying the voices of survivors of gun violence
Moms Demand Action supports the 2nd Amendment, but we believe common-sense solutions can help decrease the escalating epidemic of gun violence that kills too many of our children and loved ones every day.

3 Easy Things to Do to Support Gun Safety  


  1. Text 'REJECT' to 644-33 to tell your member of Congress to reject the NRA's radical agenda. 
  2. Join Moms Demand Action local chapter in your area. 
  3. If you do own a gun, make sure it is locked, unloaded, and put away.


Thank you for reading this post. 

 Thirty-ONEderful Charity Donation:
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Thirty-ONEderful Charity Donation: Houston Food Bank

September 5, 2017 16 comments
Embed from Getty Images

 After Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, there was absolutely zero question of where I would donate this month for my year of Thirty-ONEderful charity donations. This month, I am donating to the Houston Food Bank.

 For those of you who don't know, I turned 31 on June 5. I am calling this, "The Year of Being Thirty-ONEderful." It's about making this year... wonderful. Part of making anything wonderful in life is to give back to others where you can. So, on the 5th of each month, I am donating $31 to a charity and highlighting the work they do in a blog post.

 Between the news and social media, it's been heartbreaking to see so many lives affected by this hurricane. Homes destroyed, families being displaced, lives being put on hold for the upcoming days, weeks and even months. It's truly, truly heartbreaking.

 Embed from Getty Images

What is incredible though, are the volunteers that have gone to help, rescue, and do what they can to help the lives of those affected.

 Embed from Getty Images

 That's what has really touched me the most, volunteers like the guys who drove their boats to Texas to help rescue others. The people who have lost everything but are still out there helping others. The mattress guy who opened up his businesses and let people stay there and sleep there without asking for anything. 

I've seemed to have a theme of my monthly donations, so I kept with my theme and donated to the Houston Food Bank. During disaster times, I think it's better to give money then send things that a volunteer has to sort through to figure out logistics. I'll trust the staff at the Houston Food Bank to see that the money is best used however it best serves those in need. 


If you're interested in donating to those affected by Hurricane Harvey, NPR has a list of reputable organizations: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/08/28/546745827/looking-to-help-those-affected-by-harvey-here-s-a-list 
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Thirty-ONEderful Charity Donation: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas

August 7, 2017 16 comments

Families Going Home Photo

It's the third month of "Thirty-ONEderful Charity Donation" and this month I am donating $31 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas (RMHCA). I can't believe it's already August! That means back to school for many, and much more traffic for me in the mornings to work. However, it also means that there are children and families who are not going back to school yet this year because they are currently staying at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas. 

About two years ago, I visited and toured what the RMHCA of Arkansas provided here in Little Rock. It was incredibly humbling.  They've really created a 'home-away-from-home' for more than 33,000 families who have traveled here for pediatric care from all over the state. 

Here's how they describe their home: 

"While RMHCA cannot make medicine taste better or take away painful treatments, we can provide a place to stay each night and the little things that are otherwise easily taken for granted: warm meals, a hot shower, play spaces and friendly faces to come home to after a long day. We are not a hotel, but a warm "home-away-from-home" with a sense of community and support."

Each family is given a private bedroom, bed and bath linens, free laundry facilities, access to common areas with tv's, outside play areas, and access to two kitchen areas. It costs the house around $80 per room, per day to operate. 

No family is ever turned away because of inability to pay. 

As August rushes by, and the traffic begins to increase, and school supplies are aplenty, think about the children and families who are not getting ready to take their first day back to school photo this year. Those are the kids that I want to support this month by helping their families find a little comfort wherever they can during their stressful time. 


 And I cannot forget to mention one of the most important jobs at RMHCA. The Director of Smiles, Mac. How could you not feel a bit better about life getting a hug from him?



If you can't give monetarily, but you can give your time, there are LOTS of ways to get involved with volunteering. Or, keep up with them in the news.  You can also buy house necessities off of their Amazon WishList and have the items sent to the house! Shop here. And if you do want to give, go here. 


July - Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance 
August - Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas
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Thirty-ONEderful Charity Donation: Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance

July 5, 2017 15 comments
It's the second month of "Thirty-ONEderful Charity Donation" and this month I am donating $31 to the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. July in Arkansas means long, summer days, taking vacations from work, and enjoying all that summer has to offer. For many kids in Arkansas, that means not having enough to eat. Did you know that 60% of Arkansas Students depend on schools meals? Hunger doesn't take a school break or a vacation. 

The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance works to reduce childhood hunger. They aren't just providing temporary food assistance, they are also working to create sustainable programs in communities across Arkansas and empowering Arkansansans with nutrition education and skills. To me that is SO important because it doesn't matter how much healthy food you grow or are given if you don't know how to cook it or why it is important, it will not become a priority. 

 In 2009, Arkansas ranked #1 in the nation in childhood hunger. Since then, the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance has worked to make inroads to turn the tide on childhood hunger, going from 1st to 5th nationally with the program os the No Hungry Arkansas Campaign. 

 Here are some of the programs that are helping Arkansas kids: 
School Breakfast Program. The Alliance’s Arkansas No Kid Hungry campaign works with school districts and individual schools across the state to introduce Breakfast After the Bell programs that make breakfast part of the school day so children start their days focused and ready to learn. As of January 2017, the Alliance has helped more than 500 Arkansas schools―through technical assistance and grants―offer Grab & Go, Breakfast in the Classroom or Second Chance Breakfast to their students. According to the Arkansas Department of Education, we have seen a 3.6 million meal increase since Breakfast After the Bell became a priority in 2011.

Afterschool Meals Program. It’s a long time from lunch one day until breakfast the next. Our staff helps connect churches, schools, Boys and Girls Clubs and other organizations with the resources they need to provide evening meals to children when school is out. Additional capacity building grants from Share Our Strength help sponsors develop successful, sustainable programs that serve more children and provide enrichment activities after school.  In 2016, 3.7 million afterschool meals were served to children who might not have otherwise had dinner. That is an increase of 21,185 meals over the previous year.

Summer Meals Program. Over 63 percent of Arkansas kids qualify for a free or reduced-price school lunch. When school is out, these children are at high risk of not getting the nutrition they need to remain active and healthy. Our staff helps organizations interested in feeding children to participate in the USDA-funded Summer Meals Program that provides free meals to children in safe, supervised locations. In 2016, the work of the Arkansas No Kid Hungry stakeholders resulted in 182 sponsor organizations serving meals at 1,044 sites across the state. More than 2.4 million meals were served to Arkansas kids during the summer of 2016.

Cooking Matters and Cooking Matters at the Store. These unique nutrition education programs teach low-income adults, teens, and kids the skills they need to plan, shop for and prepare nutritious meals on a budget.  Participation in a Cooking Matters course decreases an individual’s chance of remaining food insecure by 50%. In 2016, Cooking Matters classes and grocery store tours reached more than 9,000 Arkansans and remains an active partner in the Arkansas Governor’s Healthy, Active Arkansas 10-Year Plan to improve the health of every Arkansan.



 It's hard to imagine being hungry with the amount of food and consumption that we have today, but it does still exist. So this month, my $31 donation will help provide food for children of Arkansas, education for Arkansans, and hopefully, provide more awareness to this issue that we are still facing. 

 How can you get involved? You can donate here. You can volunteer here. You can learn more here. 
Thirty-ONEderful Charity Donation:
June - Heifer International 
July - Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance 
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Here's to Giving Back to Thirty-ONEderful Years!

June 5, 2017 26 comments

Today is my 31st birthday! It feels good being thirty-one. Actually, It feels the same as thirty. In all honesty, I wake up and still feel like I am seventeen most days. 

 In honor of my birthday, I am calling it, "The Year of Thirty-ONEderful." In my first thirty years, I have had a lot of wonderful people, moments, and experience so it's time to focus on giving back. This year, in order to make it Thirty-ONEderful, I want to make life wonderful for others as well. I want to start by giving $31 to a charity/good cause on the 5th of every month. 

 I've already decided on my first charity because it's REALLY personal to my life... First, let's take a look back at my wonderful year of being 30!

Last year I turned 30 on the beaches of St. Marten!

I also got to see Dolly Parton perform.

 I will always love you, Dolly.



 Let's not forget... bought a house!


 And, we kept the fun going all year with concerts, Arkansas Derby Day and hanging out with friends.

My Thirty-ONEderful Charity Donation Goal

I am so lucky in the life that I have that I feel like it's time I do more in giving back to things that are important to me. Because what's the point of being on this great big planet if I don't give to help others have the lucky life that I do?

Here is my personal declaration: For the next year, on the 5th of every month, I am going to donate $31 to a charity/good cause that I believe in. 

My first birthday charity is Heifer International. 


This is really personal to me because this is where I work full-time. The mission of Heifer International is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. The reason that I chose this charity (besides it being where I work) is because I actually have SEEN the work in Kenya and Zambia and know how it impacts families in need.  

We just started a new School Milk Feeding program in Tanzania. Now you can provide fresh milk to students in need. If you want to learn more about this program, check it out here: http://hefr.in/2skIidN

I can't wait to see what Thirty-ONEderful will bring. If you have any suggestions for future charities, let me know! 


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