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Weekly Pick: Maria Pinto

September flew by and I neglected to post who I was giving back to as part of my 101 in 1001 list. Since September was centered around New York Fashion Week I wanted to use this opportunity to give back to a local Chicago designer.

Maria Pinto is an extremely talented designer who has dressed some incredible women including Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey. Her designs are contemporary, but they have a timeless design that make them last season after season. Maria has launched her latest collection M2057 on Kickstarter as a way to explore new and innovative ways to excel in the fashion industry. This M2057 collection consists of dresses, jackets and wraps that are made from quality Italian fabric (and machine washable). I love how each piece is versatile and ideal for the office or a night on the town.

xoxo

PS

Weekly Pick: 101 in 1001 Update

My vacation in northern Michigan was definitely relaxing, but I was also busy crossing off items from my 101 in 1001 list. It feels awesome to accomplish these goals, and I really want to thank my family and friends who continually support me in making these dreams a reality.

1. Parasailing in Traverse City (A huge thank you to my sister Kelli for braving this with me and making it a memorable experience)

2. Drive-in move at the Cherry Bowl 

3. Learning the alphabet in sign language

4. Harry Potter (a work in progress)

5. Paddleboarding Little Glen Lake

Also, as part of my 101 in 1001 list to "give back" each month I ran the Dune Dash 4 mile race where all proceeds benefit the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.

The winners of the Black Sheep Emporium vintage flatware giveaway are Ani and Lisa Newman! I'll be emailing you later today to get your address. Thank you to Black Sheep Emporium and everyone who entered the giveaway.

xoxo

PS

Weekly Pick: American Cancer Society

This month I'm giving back to the American Cancer Society and supporting my friend and fellow blogger Cait from pretty and fun as she's training to run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon (for the second time). Despite a few injuries this season I'm so impressed that's she's decided to run another 26.2 miles this year for the American Cancer Society's DetermiNation team in honor of her grandmothers.

I can't wait to cheer you on this October!

xoxo

PS

Weekly Pick: Open Books Ltd.

Since I obviously love reading books I decided to give back this month to a local Chicago organization Open Books Ltd. A fellow book clubber gave me the scoop on this nonprofit social venture that operates a bookstore through book donations, provides community programs, and mobilizes passionate volunteers to promote literacy in Chicago. I'm really excited to donate to this organization and also volunteer next month!

xoxo

PS

Weekly Pick: The Gwendolyn Strong Foundation

As part of my 101 in 1001 list I'm giving back each month by donating $25 to a different charity or organization. This month I'm giving back to The Gwendolyn Strong Foundation which is an organization dedicated to increasing global awareness of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). My cousin has a daughter living with SMA so this organization hits close to home. 

Most babies with SMA are born after a normal pregnancy, are seemingly healthy, and pass all current newborn screenings. The disease is caused by an abnormal or missing gene known as the survival motor neuron gene (SMN1), which is responsible for the production of a protein essential to motor neurons. Without this protein, lower motor neurons in the spinal cord degenerate and die. As the motor neuron network breaks down, the ability of the brain to control muscles diminishes and with less control and use, muscles weaken and waste away.

I'm excited to donate to theGSF this month in order to increase awareness of SMA and accelerate research on the disease.

xoxo

PS

Weekly Pick: PAWS Chicago

One of my 101 in 1001 goals is donating $25 each month to a charity/organization, so this month I decided to donate to PAWS Chicago where my donation will help give Chicago's homeless pets a second chance. PAWS Chicago is the city's largest No Kill humane organization, focused on implementing solutions to end the killing of homeless pets. Since PAWS Chicago's founding in 1997, the number of homeless dogs and cats killed annually has dropped more than 69%: from more than 42,000 homeless pets killed in 1997 to less than 18,000 killed in 2011.

PAWS Chicago’s four part approach to No Kill combines an accessible spay/neuter program geared toward low-income communities where the majority of unwanted animals are born; a progressive adoption program that gives an adoption guarantee to the animals taken in; a comprehensive volunteer program, training and utilizing volunteers in every aspect of shelter operations; and lastly, an advanced shelter medicine program in which all sick and injured pets are treated.

I'm also considering running the Run For Their Lives 8k on June 9 here in Chicago. If you're a runner in Chicago and want to join me let me know!

xoxo

PS

Weekly Pick: Sea to Sea

This month I'm giving back to Sea to Sea which is a nine-week, 3,900-mile cycling trek across North America designed to raise awareness and funds in support of those living in poverty around the world. The tour begins June 22, 2013, in Los Angeles and ends August 24, 2013, in New York City. 

 

Funds generated through the tour will be used to support new or ongoing initiatives in the areas of business and community development, and will provide people around the world with access to clean water, immunizations, and other vital medical services. Additionally, 35 percent of the tour proceeds will be distributed to local programs that assist the poor. Both my aunt and uncle will be participating in Sea to Sea and I couldn't be more happy to support them and this awesome organization.

xoxo

PS

Weekly Pick: 20 Liters

This month I'm giving back to 20 Liters which is an organization that provides clean water to residents in Masaka, Rwanda. In June of 2008 a cholera outbreak caused over 500 people to die due to contaminated water in the area, and from that moment 20 Liters has set out to make clean water a reality for some of the most vulnerable members of the Masaka community. 20 Liters works closely with World Relief Rwanda to leverage their expertise at mobilizing local churches to bring change and empower local church members to make a difference in their communities through the installation of household water filters and rainwater harvesting systems. As of 2012, 20 Liters has provided clean water for over 14,080 people in Masaka, Rwanda and they are now beginning to expand into 4 new regions of Rwanda.

For more information about the filters used in Rwanda check out this video and visit their website. Donating $20 to 20 Liters will create access to clean water for one person for up to 10 years....pretty awesome.

xoxo

PS

Weekly Pick: Operation Smile

I set a goal for 2013 to donate to a different charity or organization each month that holds a special significance or value in my life. This January I chose the international children's medial charity Operation Smile. Every three minutes a child is born with a cleft lip — often unable to eat, speak, socialize or smile. In some places around the world these children are often shunned and rejected. And in too many cases, their parents can't afford to give them the surgeries they need to live a normal life.

Since 1982, Operation Smile — through the help of dedicated medical volunteers — has provided more than 3.5 million comprehensive patient evaluations and over 200,000 free surgeries for children and young adults born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. My grandpa and uncle were among these medical volunteers that provided these services to children around the world. A donation to Operation Smile helps transform lives, teach and train healthcare professionals, and build awareness and leadership.

xoxo

PS