“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi


Our organization relies heavily on our volunteers. We are unique in that we require daily support from our volunteers. Nearly everyday of the weekend, there is an FGP volunteer doing something in the community. He or she might be delivering a meal, doing clerical work, recruiting volunteers for events,  snapping photographs, finding sponsorships, planning an event or mowing a lawn. Because of all these jobs, our organization needs as many volunteers as possible!

To that point, we want you to know that if you fill out our application and do not hear back in a timely manner, please let us know! I received a call today from a very enthusiastic, giving woman who is eager to volunteer. Due to a technical glitch, her application never made it to our database. Not sure how or why this happened, but it did. I am so thankful that she called to follow up rather than thinking, "FGP must not need volunteers that badly if they don't even get back to their applicants." Believe me, we do get back to our applicants and our Volunteer Coordinator does an amazing job of keeping all of that running, but sometimes things happen that are beyond our control.

I also received an email this week from an interested volunteer who expressed that she was disappointed she had not been welcomed more into the FGP community. That made me sad to think that someone would feel that way, but it also prompted me to figure out what to do about it. We are going to start offering our volunteer trainings at different times to fit more people's schedules. We also are more than willing to talk to volunteers who want to know more about us. We have many volunteers who would be willing to share their experiences and what they have gotten out of being an FGP volunteer.

My point? Just ask or reach out. If you haven't heard from us, there is definitely an error of some sort! We are trying our best to keep it all running smoothly but sometimes we hit bumps and may miss something or someone along the way. Please email us at info@fairygodmotherproject.org if you find yourself in a position of wanting to know more or because you haven't heard from us. We will be so glad you did!

One morning, I mentioned to a friend that I was heading to a funeral for a 6 year old. Her eyes filled with tears and she said,  "No one should ever have to go to the funeral of a 6 year old." and I know she meant  that no 6 year old should die which I agree with but after attending the service, I realized that EVERYONE should have to attend the funeral of a child who lost a battle to cancer.

Everyone should have to face the mother of a child as she walks gracefully across the vestibule of the church looking both beautiful and brave and greets them with a hug which, of course, leaves them speechless for fear they will break down.

Everyone should have to witness the number of people impacted by this loss as indicated by the large number of people dressed in green (the child's favorite color)  filling the pews of a large church.

Everyone should have to witness a mother declaring that she is very shy but because her boy had been so very brave as he fought cancer, the least she can do is speak about him. And as she stands there and shows her own bravery, in front of all the people there to honor her sweet boy, and shares that he was so much more than a boy with cancer,  Everyone should have to feel that pull as their heart breaks for this brave young mother who will never hold her son again. 

And everyone should have to come to the realization that the audible sobbing they hear is their own as  the father speaks  to his son with so much love and passion and tells him, "No more blood  draws, No more chemo, No more meds,  No more MRIs, No More Cat Scans, No More Doctors, No more Nurse Practitioners,....and  No more  doing what you don't want to do."

Because then maybe EVERYONE would realize that pediatric cancer, the number one non-accidental killer, is stealing the childhood of too many children in our communities,  is breaking the hearts of mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors, friends, children, teachers, and perfect strangers. Don't wait until it is a child you love. 

Find out what can you do to make a difference with our organization   and keep in mind there are so many other ways to help including spreading the word by talking about pediatric cancer,  raising money for research through amazing organizations like Alex's Lemonade Stand or 46 Mommas, by writing to your congressman about the lack of funding for pediatric cancer, and so much more.
Imagine if  EVERYONE did something.

A few weeks ago, I received a phone call from Tawnia Brown of Jack Brown's Tattoo Revival explaining that each year, they select a local nonprofit to benefit from their event called Tattoos for Community. She told me that they found FGP and loved that we were truly grassroots and helping families facing cancer. She talked about the success of the past events and then asked if we would be interested. I wanted to jump up and down and shout, "WOULD WE BE INTERESTED???YES YES YES." but I tried to remain calm and giddily said yes, please!

Since then, I have had the pleasure of meeting Kenny and Tawnia Brown and going to their shop. Last week, my kids came with me to meet them and pick up flyers. Everyone was really friendly, kind and professional. My kids got lollipops (the little stinkers even got second ones since they weren't thrilled with the flavor of the first) and we all got a little tour. Some of my kids observations will give you a vision of Jack Brown's:

1. My 7 year old said, "It smells like lemonade in here." Jack Brown's is clean; so clean that it smells like lemonade.
2. One of my 5 year olds said, " There is art everywhere." Yes, there are amazing, colorful displays of art for you to go through to get ideas for your tattoo. I am talking true artwork. Being there made me develop a true appreciation for tattoo artistry.
3. While looking at the flyers from past events, one of the kids said in an amazed voice "He drew that?" I felt the same way when I saw all the talent in the shop and you will, too.

Some things to know about the event.....First, all proceeds come back to FGP. YEP all! Not 10 or 20% but all. Every last bit! It is first come first served and the word is there is often a line. It takes place August 11 and 12 beginning at 12.

Some things to know about the owner.... Kenny Brown is inspired by photography in National Geographic. How do I know this? Well, because a friend told me and then also because I found the article online where he is quoted IN National Geographic.


Some helpful links:
FB Event Page
Jack Brown's Tattoo Revival
Articles from FLS start about them


We hope to see you there!!!

Recently, I’ve had the pleasure of promoting Fairy Godmother Project in the media.  I say it was a pleasure because I’m happy to do anything to get the word out there about what FGP does.  However, that doesn’t mean I wasn’t nervous!  I am not a huge fan of public speaking and the thought of thousands of people watching me on t.v. and listening to me on the radio is not high up on my list of favorite things to do.  But really, who DOES like that?  Probably not too many people.
My first stop on the media tour was with Channel 8 news.  One of our volunteers, Kim Ludwig, had a connection with the news station that helped get a spot for us on the noon segment.  I was able to drag Kim along with me, and she helped calm my nerves a little bit.  After sitting behind the scenes watching the reporters and weatherman, it was our turn to get miked up and stand in our spots.  The reporter had prepped us, telling us what she was going to ask so that we could prepare our answers.  We knew we would only have about two minutes, but boy did those two minutes go fast!  There was so much more I wanted to say!  Once it was over, and before I could even get in my car, my cell phone already started ringing with requests to help families.
My next stop on the tour was with Kat Simons from Lite 98.  She had helped me with another event previously so I wasn’t as nervous this time.  She decided to take a video on her flip camera and posted this on her blog.  She was trying to help us promote our gift card drive that we had going on in May.  Kat has a big heart and always wants to help people in our community.  She even stated that she would love to help make meals for our families!  Again, my phone was ringing right after the interview with another request to help a family.  
The radio interview also happened because a friend of a friend of a friend happened to know Kat.  We are doing everything we can to tell our Richmond and Fredericksburg communities about FGP.  If any of our supporters happen to know somebody (or know somebody who knows somebody) in the media that could help us promote FGP, we would love to hear about it!  Newspapers big or small, radio stations, magazine articles, bulletins, etc.  They all help to tell our communities about the service that is here for families battling this beast and for potential volunteers and sponsors who would like to be a part of our movement.  Email us at info@fairygodmotherproject.org with interest in helping with marketing and media contacts. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer in Richmond email richmond@fairygodmotherproject.org or

A few days ago we got word from a family that they were in need of more support. Of course, they didn’t ask for help because asking for help, even when facing pediatric cancer, is really hard.  Immediately thoughts went to their exhaustion and stress and how feeding their family has to be an afterthought. So, as the parents and hospice care for this amazing child battling cancer, it was agreed that we would reach out to our volunteers to help take care of the meals.

(So you can understand how amazing our volunteers are, follow this timeline)
1.     Email went out at 3:51 Wednesday requesting a bit extra for this family.

2.     Within a few hours we had commitments from 10 people to bring both breakfast and dinner items.

3.     Less than 24 hours later, my freezer looked like that.

4.     At 3:00 PM Thursday, this was stacked in my foyer and the generous volunteer who brought this also brought iTunes gift cards for the kids in the family.

5.     Some time after 3, a cooler arrived filled with fresh fruit, a meal, food for lunches and breakfasts plus a large bag of bread and goodies from Panera.

6.     While at my son’s football practice, I got a text from a volunteer saying that she was amazed at the amount of food in the cooler on my front porch."Food?" I thought. I had just emptied the cooler.  So, when I returned I found that the cooler was full (AGAIN).

7. Then another volunteer dropped off food AND paper plates plus a bracelet that says, "Say it! Fight it! Cure it" which she gave me in honor of this family and the others we know fighting brain cancer (May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month).

8.     And today was more of the same filled with deliveries and generosity and, as a result, <that is my freezer now.

9. And just now movie tickets were put in my mailbox to give to the family so they can get out.

Today, when I went to drop off the things pictured above after number 4, I was greeted by the family  with so much appreciation for the volunteers and the items given. She talked about how much the siblings appreciated the iTunes cards and how the berries that were dropped off (# 5) were mouth watering and how they were playfully fighting over them.  I handed her the paper plates and she said, “OH Yes! That is just what we need!”. They commented about the other paper products and how much they need them and now they don’t need to run to the store for them.  It felt so good to know that our volunteers brought some joy to this family when they need it most and FGP eased some of their stress.

 And then, the dad said, “It makes a difference.” These words and that moment are permanently etched in my heart. I joked with him a bit about it because the alternative was crying and this family doesn't need my tears right now. And so, when I got in the car I cried. They were not sad tears but tears of joy. Joy that FGP exists, joy that all these people, strangers to this family, just dropped their own stuff and showed up to help, joy that these people had wonderful suggestions for ways to help this family that we hadn’t thought of and carried them out and joy that this man who is facing the unthinkable is feeling that FGP's support IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE!  I guess some of the tears  were sad tears, too...sad tears that pediatric cancer exists.

Everyday throughout our community, these little acts of generosity and kindness are happening. In Fredericksburg, our volunteers make and deliver 14 meals – 2 for each family- each week. While I know all that is going on with FGP,  these last 24 hours made the reality of FGP and all that it is accomplishing feel more real. I am so proud of all we have accomplished in Fredericksburg and  now in Richmond. The hard work of our board, business partners and volunteers (in no particular order) that help make it all happen is beyond description.  Each and every one of you is making a difference  (DO you hear me??We are making a difference!!!Isn't that awesome? Isn't that what it is all about???).   Thank you for helping strangers as they face the most difficult of times and thank you to our families for opening your hearts and homes to us.
Andie

PS . As I prepare to hit publish (the second time, the first time, I lost the whole post). one of our volunteers just pulled up and dropped a meal. AMAZING!