ChiILin' With The March of Dimes MoD Squad #imbornto #MoDSquad #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #ad

Born to Blog

Everyone's born to do something amazing. What's your super power?

 

#TBT Bonnie age 1 

#imbornto be curious & creative

Disclosure: It's our pleasure to partner up with The Motherhood and March of Dimes.We have been compensated for sharing this campaign with our readers. As always, all opinions are our own. 

Back when I was born, in the late 60's, blogging didn't exist. Heck, we didn't even have microwaves, Blu-ray players (or even VCRs). Computers were astronomical and ginormous, and cell phones were science fiction. I LOVE to see the TBT/ Throwback Thursday posts my friends and family put on Facebook and Twitter weekly, so we can time travel like Dr. Who's Tardis. Speaking of Dr. Who, the iconic and still running BBC show predated me, but Facebook and Twitter were decades from development. My daughter recently asked me if cars and telephones had been invented yet, in my childhood. Yes... Yes, they had. I'm not quite THAT old.

#TBT Bonnie age 5 #imbornto be a big sister, always growing, teaching and learning too

Back then I wanted to grow up to be a deep sea diver. And in elementary school when I did a report on wanting to be a reporter or a news anchor, I was told girls couldn't do that! Ditto for drumming. Thankfully my own son and daughter (now 14 & 12) live in more enlightened times-- My daughter's playing drums on stage at Girls Rock Camp for the 2nd year this summer. Still, a startling number of kids in the US are born prematurely, and need extra care, support and funds to reach their dreams and grow up healthy.

#TBT Bonnie now & at ages 1, 2, 3. I can't wait to see what my kids are born to do! Maybe it hasn't been invented yet.

Some of my dreams have morphed and changed over the years. I'm all good not drumming and diving. And I adore writing and using my influence for social good, instead of reporting the nightly news. ChiIL Mama's elated to be chosen as one of just 39 mom bloggers nationwide, representing the 39 weeks of a full term pregnancy. Together we're the Mod Squad, and we're spreading the word about The March of Dimes and how you can help! Check back with us early and often from April through June and follow along on the #imbornto hashtag. 

ChiILin' with ChiIL Mama 
   

Click here to check out our photo filled feature on ChiIL Mama's "I'm Born To" Pajama Party in the Park in Chi, IL.



Our friend, Sandia, lovin' her 
March of Dimes pups 

ChiIL Mama's seriously stoked to be a part of this three-month social media program with a team of 39 “MoDSquad” mom bloggers and a team of dad bloggers, too. The I'm Born To campaign is designed to raise awareness of March of Dimes’ important work and programs that improve the lives of babies and families everywhere. These guys are the pros on preemies and they have over 75 years of staying power.

In our first few weeks we attended a virtual briefing, rocked a Twitter Party, and partied it up in person with our Chi, IL friends and loads of awesome goodies from businesses that have partnered with March of Dimes. 

ChiIL Mama had a blast finding out how our friends complete I'm born to... and giving away lots of adorable goodies from March Of Dimes' partners ALEX AND ANI, Kmart, Mud Pie, & Bon-Ton!! All are donating a percentage of their proceeds from sales to March of Dimes. 

Help Out

Father’s Day, Graduation Season and Wedding Season are great excuses to shop it up and help out. March of Dimes has partnered with businesses that want to help babies. Want to help out? There's lots you can do to help from the comforts of home. 

• Mud Pie – will donate $2 to the #imbornto campaign for every Bella Bar, Mom Bar and Mommy and Me jewelry item purchased for Mother’s Day. In addition, Mud Pie will donate 10¢ from each baby headband or sock purchase to the March of Dimes throughout the year.

• Bon-Ton (and sister stores) – This May, with any $75 fragrance purchase for Mom (or yourself), you can receive a fragrance atomizer for just $1, filled with your choice of fragrance. 100% of the atomizer purchase will benefit the March of Dimes. Starting April 30 when you donate $3, you’ll receive a $10-off coupon for your purchase of $25 or more. Or shop online, donate $3 and receive 25% off!

• Martha Stewart – Join the #THX2U movement and share your appreciation of Mom with the world. Upload a baby picture of your child, grandchild, or yourself using the hashtag #THX2U, and $10 of the Emeril/MSLO/Meredith donation will be recognized for each uploaded photo in support of the imbornto campaign.

• eBay – Visit eBay’s Charity Shop for Mother’s Day gifts where proceeds from your purchase support the March of Dimes. Also, from May 4 – 11 you will be able to make a donation to the March of Dimes at checkout when making purchases on eBay.

• A&E Jewelers – will donate 20% of the price of each twinkling Swarovski encrusted sterling silver March of Dimes Enchanted “Healthy Beginnings” Necklace available in three stone options.

• Alex and Ani – will donate 20% of the purchase price* from each Special Delivery Charm Bangle sold, with a minimum donation of $25,000, between March 2015 and December 2015, to the March of Dimes.

• Kmart – Now through June 20, 2015 Kmart, the #1 March of Dimes fundraiser for more than 30 years, will donate $1 from the in-store or online purchase of each puppy figurine to the March of Dimes (minimum donation of $30,000). Kmart and the March of Dimes are proud to work together for stronger, healthier babies.

We already know many people who have walked for March of Dimes and donated time and/or money over the years. Now you can do your part by shopping at one or more of these merchants, donating, or taking part in partner promotions to support the cause. Visit imbornto.com to learn more about special offers from all of their partners.

#imbornto be a videographer, photographer, interviewer, and agent of change.

I'm born to be a daughter and a mother, and leave the world a better place through my words, influence & actions. My parents were born in 1938 (Just like March of Dimes). Think of the monumental changes, inventions, advancements and innovations that have occurred in their lifetimes!

What are you & your kids born to do? Only time will tell.

About March of Dimes

President Franklin D. Roosevelt founded The March of Dimes in 1938 to combat polio and they succeeded. In the decades to follow, they never stopped protecting the health of America’s children. March of Dimes-funded research has saved millions of babies from death or disability. New research offers hope for treatments and preventions for serious problems, like birth defects and premature birth.

Today, the March of Dimes is inspired by all babies – those born healthy and those who need help to survive and thrive. These babies are the millions of reasons behind our urgent mission and why the March of Dimes:

• supports all important research into the causes and preventions for premature birth and birth defects

• fights for health insurance for all pregnant women and children

• pushes for expanded newborn screening that could save lives and prevent disabilities

• reaches out to women with healthy pregnancy information and services

• provides comfort and information to families with a newborn in intensive care

Disclosure: Once again, it's our pleasure to partner up with The Motherhood and March of Dimes. We have been compensated for sharing this campaign with our readers. As always, all opinions are our own. 

WIN a $25 Gift Card to Pet Supplies Plus, Twitter Party Wed 6/4 and MORE #psp4pets

ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama and Celebrate Pet Appreciation Week With

Pet Supplies Plus & The Motherhood

#PSP4Pets Twitter Party Wed 6/4 at noon 

6 $25 gift cards to Pet Supplies Plus will be given away during the Twitter party.

**ENTER HERE to WIN a $25 Pet Supplies Plus gift card from ChiIL Mama.**
Extended through midnight 6/21!

Disclosure:  We are elated to again be partnering up with The Motherhood to co-host a Twitter party and giveaway, and to spread the word about Pet Supplies Plus. We have been compensated for sharing with our readers.  As always, all opinions are our own.

Didja know, June 1-7 is Pet Appreciation Week? ChiIL Mama is thrilled to be partnering up with The Motherhood and Pet Supplies Plus to celebrate all the things we love about our pets! In our home, pets ARE family so we love a good excuse to shower them with extra love and affection. Pet Appreciation Week is also a good time to re-evaluate their nutrition needs and perhaps pick up a new toy to help them get the exercise and stimulation they need to thrive.

Details for this WEDNESDAY'S Twitter Party

Got pets? Like to Tweet? 

What: ChiIL Mama is co-hosting a Twitter party TOMORROW (Wed 6/4) to talk about our pets and share tips on proper pet care. Pet Supplies Plus is dedicated to helping pet owners find the best foods, treats and toys for each pet’s individual needs. They carry a broad selection and serve as an excellent resource for pet owners on everything from nutrition to how diet can affect pets’ behavior.

The Motherhood is joining Pet Supplies Plus for this Twitter party to discuss, learn and share more about our beloved pets. Get your cute pet photos ready to share!!!

Co-hosts:

Bonnie, ChilL Mama -- @ChilLMama

Brett, This Mama Loves -- @brettbmartin

Diane, Suburbia Unwrapped -- @suburbiaU

Jennifer, One Mom’s World -- @onemomsworld

Jessie, MomVantage -- @MomVantage

Lee, My Sentiment Exactlee - @TheExactLee

Michelle, Smart Savvy Living -- @savvyliving

When: Wednesday, June 4, at 1p ET / 12p CT / 10a PT

Where: We’ll be on Twitter – follow the #PSP4Pets hashtag to track the conversation. You can see the details and RSVP via this Twtvite: http://twtvite.com/psp4pets   

  

Prizes: Throughout the party, we will give away six $25 Pet Supplies Plus gift cards to randomly selected participants who correctly answer trivia questions tweeted by @theMotherhood25!!  Prizes are limited to U.S. participants only. Check here to find a store near you to use the gift card!  

Hosts: @theMotherhood, @theMotherhood25, @CooperMunroe, @EmilyMcKhann

Sponsor: @PetSuppliesPlus

Check out the rockin' box of goodies Pet Supplies Plus and The Motherhood sent our hairy children!! 

The PS+ brand saves YOU money.

Love the squeaking PS+ tennis balls. They're too much fun and stand up to the roughest chewers.  

Our Easter bunny filled a basket with these and a ton of dog treats and hid it for the kids to find and share. It was a HUGE hit.

Can you believe my human kids were totally enamored with the adorable, squeaking octopus and tried to talk me into letting THEM keep it.  (Note the tail below... sneaking up to snag it!)

 

My kids BEGGED me to give THEM the octopus Pet Supplies Plus sent me for my dogs?! Pups won. I couldn't say no to those blue Husky eyes. At least the dogs AND kids can play with the durable, awesome squeaking tennis balls together. And Igraine the Brave is digging her new 8 armed pal. We'll have a video up shortly.

Nakama, our Akita, never cared much for toys till we got his little sister, Iggy Pup. Now he grabs them all the time just to mess with her. Guess who's got the octopus NOW?!

I drew the line at giving away the dogs' toys to the kids, but I do confess, we DID get the kids "dog tags" from Pet Supplies Plus and put their first name and our cell on them for YEARS. The kids wore them on necklaces from babyhood through early elementary any time we were covering large music fests or anywhere in big crowds where they could potentially get separated from us. Thankfully it never happened but we had a couple close calls and it was sooooo reassuring knowing they were wearing our contact info. (Think that's why my kids are saving their allowance for a dog toy octopus of their own now?! He's just that cute.)

If you've been following along on our blog adventures for long, you've already met our furry family. If not, let me introduce you to them. We have a 105lb Akita boy who just turned 9 on May 16th (Nakama is Japanese for circle of friends) and Igraine the Brave (Iggy Pup-is named for one of Cornelia Funke's characters & a fav of ours). She's a Husky Mix 4 year old girl, and was a rescue we adopted. 

We also have tropical fish and 3 guinea pig girls—Charlie, Bweep (AKA: Chubby G/Big Mama) and Cheekums.  

• Pet Supplies Plus is ChiIL Mama's go to location for all our furry & hairy and scaly friends. It's our home away from home and we end up there at LEAST once a week. They don't blink twice when I ask for 100 meal worms when we're on classroom gecko feeding duty, or leave with a 50lb bag of dog food, bulk small animal bedding, and a bale of Timothy Hay the size of a toddler. They've stocked our tropical fish tank and kept our Guinea Pigs and big dogs happy and healthy for years.

• PSP stores are conveniently located in neighborhoods across the country, with each location big enough to carry everything your pet needs, but small enough to feel like home. The Pet Supplies Plus in-store team is dedicated to helping you find the right products for your pet -- and will likely also remember your pet's face and name after a few visits!

• PSP HELPS OUT!  Believing that every pet deserves a safe, healthy and loving home, Pet Supplies Plus partners with local animal rescue organizations, hosts adoption events at select neighborhood locations, and organizes fundraising activities to support local animal shelters and charities. Visit your local store for the latest event information!

ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Tips:

We're frequent bulk buyers at PSP for our 3 hungry Guinea Pigs... key word being PIGS. We adore them, but those critters can EAT, and bulk is a great way not to break the bank.

Thankfully PSP has their own rockin' line of pet supplies, too. It's shedding season ya know!!  Living with an Akita and a Husky mix in spring & fall is like having a grove of cottonwood trees in your living room. Fluff galore... everywhere!

Yes... yes we do.

Disclosure:  Once again, we are elated to again be partnering up with The Motherhood to co-host a Twitter party and giveaway, and to spread the word about Pet Supplies Plus. We have been compensated for sharing with our readers.  As always, all opinions are our own.

The Stork Brings New Fertility Aid To The Privacy of Your Home #ad #TheStork

Sometimes necessity truly is the mother of invention and this invention just may help millions become mothers!

Sure, in the childhood fairy tales, the stork just effortlessly drops a cute little bundle of joy off in the arms of happy prospective parents. Reality just isn't that easy.  That's why, here at ChiIL Mama, we were excited when The Stork and The Motherhood asked us to spread the word to our readers about a new, less invasive, less expensive starting point to boost your odds of conception.

Many many couples today struggle with fertility issues (7.3 million couples in the US in fact, or 1 in 6, according to The Stork's stats!) We've seen more than a few of our friends go the infertility treatment route with varying degrees of success... or not.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by The Stork and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own.

When you want to start a family, finding out you're pregnant can be one of the most joyful experiences of your life - and we know that getting to that milestone isn't always easy. To that end, ChiIL Mama (via The Motherhood) is partnering with a company called Rinovum Women's Health to spread the word about a game-changing option for improving the chances of conception, called The Stork.

The Stork was designed as a natural, cost-effective option to help couples bridge the gap between natural conception and more aggressive treatments. It can be used in the privacy of the home without affecting daily routine (which we love) - both for couples with no known fertility issues and for those who are experiencing difficulty conceiving. 

We're also pretty excited that The Stork is a new and improved way for unconventional families to successfully have children. This is so timely with gay marriage finally becoming legal now in so many states.  Here at ChiIL Mama, we also have more than a few friends who rocked the "turkey baster" method so two moms could raise a child together or a single mom could have her family without a messy paternity situation, with someone she didn't want as a life partner. They are all WONDERFUL, loving families whose children are thriving and excelling. And we're thrilled there is a private, easier way for ALL types and configurations of loving families to increase the odds of having a much wanted child.

The Scoop on The Stork:

ChiIL Mama was invited to an informative, on line chat with Steve Bollinger, CEO and Founder of The Stork. He personally experienced infertility issues with his wife, Adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon of Pittsburgh. Here's what we learned and we're happy to share the information with our readers. Chances are good, the info will be relevant to you or someone you know and love.

What is Rinovum?

• Pittsburgh, PA-based, privately-held women’s health company dedicated to bringing products into the market that will enhance women’s lives and empower them to take charge of their health. 
• Our first focus is an Rx device – The Stork, driving towards a direct-to-consumer device, for reproductive health to aid in natural fertility and conception in the privacy of the patients’ home.
  Today, approximately 7.3 million couples (1 in 6 couples) in the United States have difficulty conceiving.
  
  Factors That Add to the Era of Infertility 
• Increasing fertility issues related to environmental and lifestyle factors
• Women are trying to conceive later in life
• Limited options available for those initially struggling: 
• Couples over 35 suggested to wait 6 months • Growing population of same-sex couples

Treatments today are slow, invasive and costly!

40% of diagnoses are attributed to the male, 40% to the female and 20% are diagnosed as unexplained

• Male Factor: estrogen levels are higher than ever before resulting in low sperm counts, motility and morphology issues 
• Female Factor: imbalanced vaginal pH, diminishing ovarian reserve, PCOS, endometriosis, etc. 

Females age 20-25, 25% chance per month of conceiving Females age 30-35, 15% chance per month of conceiving Females age 35-40, 10% chance per month of conceiving Female age 40, 5% chance per month of conceiving

Long waiting periods given by physicians before further assistance for help

• Under 35 years of age suggested to wait 12 months before seeking medical treatment.  Only 14 out of the 50 states require reimbursement by insurance (many of which are partial).

Introducing the Stork:

Risk factors of other pregnancy methods:
1. Multiple-births: one third of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) result

in multiples

1. Genetic risks to offspring 
2. Increased health risks to female 

•  Women are placed on intensive hormone medications 
•  Increased rates of breast and ovarian cancer 
•  Treatment options are stressful which actually reduces the women’s chance  of conceiving 

The Stork Conception System is indicated for assisted insemination in instances where low sperm count, sperm immobility, or hostile vaginal environment has been diagnosed. The system (cervical cap in a condom-like silicone sheath) is used to collect semen into a cervical cap, and then deliver the cap to the outside of the cervix as an aid to conception. It is to be used at home following physician instructions. You can see a full video for how to use The Stork kit here.

Because of the low price on The Stork, many physicians are prescribing couples to do this process three times during a women’s optimal ovulation cycle.

Approach	Cost/Attempt*
The Stork®	$210.00/cycle
IUI	$1,000-$5,000/cycle
IVF	$12,400-$20,000/cycle

*national average

Cost: $79 for one or $210 for a one-month supply of three individually- packaged Stork devices.

Pre-natal vitamins are also available for both the male and female on The Stork store website.

Benefits of The Stork:

• Proven technique: Physician technique now available for use in the privacy of
  home 
• Safe: FDA Authorized prescription product. Non-reusable device 
• Natural: Drug-free product that requires no drugs 
• Non-invasive: Requires no injections or surgery 
• Easy –to-Use: Condom-like in collection, tampon-like in delivery 
• Cost-effective: Compared to “next-step” treatment options 

How to Purchase The Stork

1. Contact healthcare provider for prescription 
2. Purchase The Stork from the website
3. The Stork ships directly to your home

Coming Soon for The Stork:

• The Stork will soon be available over the counter at Amazon and at CVS in the family planning aisle for their new category of aiding in conception 
• Follow The Stork to stay updated on news!
  Facebook Twitter

Common Questions/Answers:

Will a prescription be required when it is available over the counter at CVS? What is the anticipated timing of when The Stork will become available in CVS?

You will no longer need a prescription when it is available at CVS. We are shipping product to CVS in July and it should hit the shelves in late August or early September. 

Can you use The Stork with Clomid?

What we do is mechanically make sure that all of the swimming sperm can make it into the cervical mucus and can get as close to the cervix as possible. OB-GYNs will normally give infertile couples Clomid. And if you are already going on a pharmaceutical therapy to increase your egg production and consistency, then it makes sense that you use the mechanical options as well. So you are trying to reduce the additional hormones in your system.

Many physicians now who are prescribing The Stork will either start with just The Stork or The Stork and Clomid, depending on the timing of the couple. We seem to find a lot of OB-GYNs match these two together because they believe it makes the most sense.

Should The Stork be tried before trying other medical intervention, like Clomid? The Storks offers the most natural way of conceiving. The female hormone system is a fragile system. If you don’t need to alter the female hormone system, then I would recommend first trying The Stork before going to the next step!

If CVS doesn’t carry it in the fall, can we order it online without a prescription?
In the summertime, once the FDA gives us final approval, you can purchase online through Rinovum or on Amazon, even before it hits the shelves of CVS in the fall.

After the semen has been collected into the cap, do you have to insert the cap into the vagina right away or can you wait?
We only recommend that immediately after collection, you insert. We have not done the studies for delayed inseminations, but in the future we are looking into a product that will allow for this.

When do you typically suggest someone start using the product?
When sex is no longer for fun, but for propagation—that is your moment to try using The Stork!

If a couple doesn’t have insurance, can they still use The Stork?

This actually isn’t an insurance-based program. The product costs $79 for one device, and we thought this would be a reasonable price for most people. Most couples trying to conceive are spending so much money on other ways to conceive, so this is a small moment to give them a true chance at conception.

Does this product work on woman with a tipped uterus?

Women have always been told they have anteverted or retroverted uteruses, which is inside of the back of the cervix. So the cervix is like a golf ball, and the uterus is behind it —up, down, or tilted in many ways. I tell people to picture a golf ball (the cervix) glued into a back of a balloon (uterus). As long as you dilate the balloon with The Stork device by pushing it in all the way, the device still reaches that golf ball. This is helpful, because The Stork places the sperm right next to the uterus.

How many months does it normally take to be successful with The Stork? How does it compare to IUI?
IntraUterine Insemination (IUI) gives about a 10-20% success rate. To be successful, typically you will need four or five attempts over five months. The Stork product has the same statistical value as IUI. It may take a couple months, but it may not. Infertility is a multifactorial, and every couple is different!

If you leave the cervical cap in longer, does it equal better results?
It really doesn’t. That six-hour window is really interesting. When you leave it in there for six hours, the sperm gets released into the cervical mucus and it actually gets longevity to its path.

Are there side effects?
Because we use implantable grade silicone, the same thing used for body implants, it is the least reactive material and we have had no complications or issues with the device. The only time you shouldn’t use it is if your physicians advises you as such.

Are you marketing to alternative demographics, for instance in place of surrogate mothers or for gay couples?
We love helping people with alternative lifestyles build their families! The Stork really caters to non-traditional couples because all you need is a donor and a recipient.

The crazy, invasive trials and tribulations of infertility treatment can be barbaric and painful.  Two strong, amazing women I know who went through the experience, turned their physical and emotional travails into two incredible plays! We highly recommend you check them out if you ever have the chance. They're painfully funny productions and have been a great, cathartic, healing process for the performers and the audience! 

Journey to the Center of the Uterus by Kathleen Puls Andrade 

Click here for ChiIL Mama's past coverage of her show

Click here for a YouTube video of the show in it's entirety.

www.journeytouterus.com

This original show takes you on a roller coaster ride through the fertility fray with differing doctors, "supportive" friends who declare "you'd get pregnant if you weren't so fat!", adventures in the "special man room", and so much more. Through entertaining characters, animation by Andrew Eninger, interviews with men and women ages 35 to 85, and funny inventive music by the talented singer/songwriter Marshall Stern, the show promises to make the audience laugh while giving them perspective on the whole conception conundrum. This universally appealing show will make both men and women laugh, gasp, and think.

"Kathleen Puls Andrade's one-woman comedy recounts her taxing, marathon efforts to get pregnant despite being over 40 and having a uterus roughly the size of an "over-roasted cashew." One countrified musical number features... "Goin' down the hoo-ha highway" (...in another song she rhymes "tutor us" and "uterus," which ain't half bad). ...the handful of quiet, truthful moments are incredibly moving. A scene where Puls Andrade receives a hope-dashing phone call while standing in line at a Circuit City store had me wiping away tears."
--Zac Thompson , Chicago Reader

Danielle Mari’s one-woman show, Inconceivable: Adventures in Reproductive Endocrinology and Other Absurdities, traces the bizarre and often funny rides at the Infertility Amusement Park. The message, however, reaches beyond personal experience, speaking to anyone who has, in the attempt to attain a dream, little by little, found herself acting like a crazy person.

I've seen both shows performed live, and as fabulously funny and poignant as these two are, we hope that the advent of The Stork age will mean far less invasive, painful, and expensive tortures are in store for more women than ever!  I wouldn't wish the battery of infertility tests and the treatment regime on my worst enemies, let alone my best friends.

Disclosure: Once again, this post was sponsored by The Stork and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own.

HELP OUT: ChiIL Mama Is Thrilled To Be Co-Hosting The Champions for Kids Twitter Party With #SIMPLEGiving #spon

Disclosure:  It's my pleasure to partner up with Champions 4 Kids and The Motherhood. I've been compensated for sharing this informations with our readers.  All opinions are my own. 

TOMORROW:  ChiIL out with Co-host ChiIL Mama, The Motherhood, and a host of awesome bloggers, and find out how you can help out! 

Here at ChiIL Mama, we love Chi, IL and are raising 2 children here in the public schools. We've taught them to volunteer, give back and help their community.  We live in Chicago, a school district with 681 schools (2012-13) and a stunning 87% poverty rate!  (*stats via CPS)  It's difficult for children to learn when they're lacking basic resources and necessities and that impacts EVERYONE. SIMPLEGiving makes it easy to change lives!

We're looking forward to Wednesday's Champions for Kids #SIMPLEGiving Twitter party.

Sponsor: @Champions4Kids

Your fellow co-hosts:
Bonnie, ChilL Mama - @ChilLMama
Christine, From Dates to Diapers - @YoungMommy
Danielle, We Have It All - @We_HaveItAll
Dwan, MommaDJane - @MommaDJane
Esther, Laugh With Us Blog - @LaughWithUsBlog
Heather, Living on Love and Cents - @loveandcents
Jennifer, Jenn's RAQ - @JennsRAQ
Kathy, A Mom's Impression - @amomsimpression
Kelly, Kansas City Mamas - @KCMamaKelly
Kristy, Mommy Hates Cooking - @Momhatescooking
Liza, Views from the Ville - @LMC502
Mel, Mama Buzz - @MamaBuzz
Mellisa, Mom Luck - @funsavingmoney
Rachel, Yellow Tennessee - @YellowTennessee
Rachel, Following In My Shoes - @Rachel_L
Sara, Sensibly Sara - @SensiblySara
Stephanie, And Twins Make 5! - @andtwinsmake5
Tiany, Social Savvy Mom - @socialsavvymom

About Champions for Kids and SIMPLE Giving 

Champions for Kids

• Champions for Kids makes it simple to give children in local communities the resources they need to thrive.

• Helping others does not have to come in large doses. Champions for Kids seeks to ignite generational change by fostering a ‘habit of giving’ among youth and parents in America. 

SIMPLE Giving

• Did you know every year students in the United States miss more than 51 million hours of school due to dental-related illness? In fact, tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, and if left untreated, it can affect children’s ability to eat, speak, learn, and play. 

• SIMPLE Giving is a Champions for Kids program that makes it simple for you to help kids in your community. To help children stay healthy and avoid missed school days, Champions for Kids is teaming up with Colgate for a SIMPLE Giving program to spread the importance of healthy oral care habits. Colgate will be donating $100,000 of oral care products to help children in need. 

• You can participate by simply purchasing and donating toothbrushes, toothpaste and hand soap at your local participating Walmart from March 22 through April 7. If your Walmart store is participating, simply purchase personal care items (such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and soap) and place them in the purple donation bins at the front of the store after checkout. To see a list of participating stores, click here. 

• All of the donations go to children the school district where the Walmart store is located.

Details for the Twitter Party

What: The Motherhood is honored to team up with Champions for Kids to help spread the word about their SIMPLE Giving program that helps keep kids healthy! From March 22 through April 7, Walmart stores in communities from across the United States will feature purple bins for shoppers to purchase and donate personal care items (toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand soap etc.) to be given to kids in local school districts. 

Champions for Kids will provide $10,000 to four school districts who collect the most donations from a single store in each Walmart division. Additionally, Champions for Kids will award $1,000 to ten school districts that collect the most donations from a single Walmart store in each region and $1,000 to four school districts that collect the most donations from a single Walmart Neighborhood Market store in each division. This money can go to providing additional oral care treatment, education, and items in the school district. For a full list of participating stores, school districts, Walmart Divisions/Regions, and official rules, check out: http://www.championsforkids.org/simplegiving

Join us as we talk about this wonderful program and other simple ways that you can get involved in your own community!

When: Wednesday, April 2, at 1p ET / 12p CT (Chicago) / 10a PT

Where: We’ll be on Twitter – follow the #SIMPLEGiving hashtag to track the conversation. You can see the details and RSVP via this Twtvite: http://www.twtvite.com/championsforkids

Hashtag: #SIMPLEGiving

Prizes: Five prizes will be given to randomly selected participants who answer the trivia questions correctly. Each prize includes a $50 Walmart gift card. 

Hosts: @theMotherhood, @theMotherhood25, @CooperMunroe, @EmilyMcKhann

Join us and show you care!

Disclosure:  It's my pleasure to partner up with Champions 4 Kids and The Motherhood. I've been compensated for sharing this informations with our readers.  All opinions are my own.