hArt for Haiti; The Day After

They say community is important. Cultivate a community. Give to your community.

I was always pretty happy with Matt and our little family.

Now, I know differently.

The community that we have built in this small town that I mock so mercilessly on the border of Idaho helped us raise $1474.03 for God's Littlest Angels Orphanage in Haiti. (Make that 1499.03, thank you, Casey!!)

Communities really do give back what you put into them and more.

The astonishing community of Manito Cooperative Preschool turned up in mass to play and show their support and donate to our cause.

The tight community of close friends that I have somehow been lucky enough to find circled around us and helped us with every detail.

Meggan turned beautiful hand prints into works of art.



Elise handled details for the day and thought of things that I didn't even know I needed.

Amy and Kristina arranged for donations of treats and snacks.



Then, they all paid and/or begged someone else to deal with their kids so that they could be there with me for the entire four hours.

New friends gave their talents freely.

Meghan M. poured her endless energy into leading the dancing and music for the entire day.

Lisa M. made stunning cards with a heart theme for us to sell.

Brenda B. made pretzel rods dipped in chocolate with hearts on them.

Marietta E., our preschool teacher, designed and carried out the gorgeous art project that the kids did especially for our event.



Max and Ben L. donated all of the change in their piggy bank - $12.03 - to GLA.

Christy F., a blog reader, sent a donation from Colorado.

Lisa G. drove to my house to drop off a grocery gift card so that we could buy snacks and water.

Laurie C. helped so much, donated to GLA, and donated five dozen gorgeous pink heart-shaped cookies.

The wider community responded to hArt for Haiti, to God's Littlest Angels, and to Saige with generosity. Great Harvest Bread Company, Costco, Safeway, and Albertson's donated food and drinks to our event. Kid Sports donated time and expertise and helped us get the word out. Erik Loney and KXLY News featured the event and told our story.



Theresa, the general manager of Kid Sports got up at 4:00 in the morning to open the facility and let them film the interviews. She stayed all day, she put our event on their web page and sent emails to all of their contact list.















Friends and friends of friends and family of friends and strangers who are now friends came with their kids and donated to GLA. They jumped. They danced. We had a blast.

Margaret F., Ben L., Richard & Virginia B., Max L., Randi & Cody F.

Megan R., Basil & Gail L., Amy & Kathleen & Leo S., Jarod & Rachel D.

Elise R., Hayden & Zeni G., Kassio & Dylan & William S.

Patrick & Meghan M., Paula & Andrew A., Steven & Jane & Luke S.

Betsy P., Ivory & Ella & Alice C., Lynn T. of Premonitions

Jennifer T., Lisa M., Kerry & Justin & Liam R., K. Thomas & Laurie C.

Christi, Lucas & Mikey, Leigh B., RaeAnn & Faith & Aaron N.

Noah & Yvette M., Pamela G., Kristina M., Linnea & Ty & Nari K.

James & Patricia C., Ann & Perry & Reese C., Christy S.,

Thyra & Teagan & Grayden, Amy & Brian & Kendal & Kai W.

Janet F., Heidi & Wilson H., Nancy & Dr. Robert B., Rich & Jacob W.

Michele D., Rachel D., Action Moving Services, Ashley B., Daniel H.

Jenny & Emilia D., Maureen & Sam S., John, Sara, Lily & Kylie J.

Amy & Abby K., Melissa & Abby G., Mark B., Randi & Ty F.

Lisa & Isabella & Sophia R., Marietta E., Teri T., Hayden & Owen A.

Lukas & Erik L., Meggan & Ralph & River H., Lisa & Paige G.

Northwest Business Development Assoc.

Thank you to everyone who helped. To everyone who came. Thank you for all your donations, for your time, for your enthusiasm. I realized yesterday that we don't just have a community in Sp****e, we have an extended family. I am so grateful to be a part of it.

Tight hugs, many kisses, with tears in my eyes,
Stacey, Matt, Saige, Garrett, Quinn & Nate