i want to thank everyone for the awesome comments and your amazing efforts! i recently joined the littlest heroes project (thanks natalie!) and just donated my first session! i am very proud to be part of this organization.

also, as a follow up to this post – i donated $50 (150 MEALS!) to the capital area food bank in katie mitchell’s name – a worthy and deserving cause right here in dc. thanks katie and congrats on helping make a difference!

keep on doing good everyone!!

-jaime

When I was in high school, there was a Downs Syndrome kid in my class named Matt. He had a huge crush on me and I, in turn, had a huge crush on him! He was hysterical and could usually be found dancing in the hallways with his Walkman on his head. I spent a lot of time with Matt and eventually with his family, and I learned that just because someone seems less fortunate than you doesn’t mean they are living their life any less than you are.

I have grown up and moved away, but I think of Matt often and continue to visit him when I go back home. Matt is a continuous blessing in my life, and any organization that helps people like him live as normal a life as they can is just spectacular in my book.

You can give to the CT Special Olympics by clicking here: https://ssl.charityweb.net/specialolympics/?DonorIntent=Local&Custom4=Connecticut

Thank you so much for raising awareness not just of this important cause, but of all volunteer efforts. Making the difference in the life of an individual is the greatest gift there is.

Happy New Year!

In addition, this year I decided to volunteer a Saturday of my time to the Children’s Life Saving Foundation (http://childrenslifesaving.org) Holiday Program. I was inspired by a friend of mine who volunteers so much of his time to tutor and help children through these programs.

I agree with so many people posting here that any time or $ that you can give at this time of year is so generous. We all get caught up in our own lives and getting gifts for those that are close to us, giving back anything or any time to someone that is in need is an amazing gift of sacrifice.

Happy Holidays to all!

for the past 3 years, i’ve been helping raise money for the down syndrome network of montgomery county (http://www.dsnmc.org) and the national down syndrome society (http://www.ndss.org). my sweet nephew vinnie was born with down syndrome, and my family and i want to do everything we can to help spread awareness and to promote acceptance and inclusion. we participate in our local buddy walk every year, and it’s always a blast: http://www.buddywalk.org/. i’m also an advocate for banning the r-word:http://www.r-word.org/. i hope that moving forward, this word will not be a regular part of people’s vocabularies.

oh, and we’re also participating in the polar bear plunge for special olympics this january. maybe we’ll see you there? :)

(can i soak you for an extra buck for donating my time to write this?)

I’m a senior at Penn State University and I donate my time to Penn State’s Dance MaraTHON (known to everyone as THON), the largest student-run philanthropy in the world! The money donated to THON supports the Four Diamonds Fund which provides financial and emotional support for children with pediatric cancer and their families. THON takes place once a year in February, when over 700 PSU students dance without sitting or sleeping for 46 hours. It’s really a great event because the kids and families supported by the Four Diamonds Fund come to THON every year where everything is kid-friendly!

This is my fourth year donating my time and money to THON. This year I’m an entertainment captain at THON and our job is to provide the entertainment and music throughout THON weekend (we bring the fun!).

I could go on and on about THON because I love it that much but you can find out more about it at http://www.THON.org. Thanks!