Tuesday, April 2, 2013

On your mark, set,... crawl!

April is setting out to be a busy month! My daughter, Jess, is due to have a baby girl on Earth Day. How appropriate is that? But there's a lot of other wonderful things happening, too. Including the Diaper Derby!


The Baby Steps Diaper Derby & Toddler Trot is a new and widely anticipated event for the Women's Choice Network of Pittsburgh. It was my honor to serve on the Board of Directors for the WCN for nearly five years, when it was known as the Pregnancy Care Centers of Pittsburgh. My family has supported this ministry for years, both while I was on the Board and beyond. One thing we did, without fail, was participate in the annual Walk for Life. Last year, I was the 2nd highest fundraiser for the event, thanks largely to an anonymous gift of $4,000, which I strongly suspect came from one of you. That gift was more appreciated than I can express.

Winning is in the air... I can just feel it!

This year, the WCN is trying some new. Rather than adults walking and pushing strollers, there are going to be lots of toddlers and babies "racing." Little ones up to age 36 months will walk, toddle or crawl their way to the finish line while raising funds for needy families in Pittsburgh. The baby-sized "races" will take place at Jump Zone, an indoor play park in Allison Park. There are fun give-aways for all contestants. And, of course, as with the Walk for Life, event winners and top fundraisers will win some fabulous prizes. 

The Diaper Derby will highlight the ongoing work the WCN does with families. Almost all of their "Baby Steps" families were once clients who faced unplanned pregnancies and were considering abortion. In many cases, they saw abortion as the only viable option. But the staff and volunteers at the Centers showed them there were other options which involved giving their children life. Of course, it's not much good to convince a woman to choose life, if you don't offer the help she needs along the way. That's what these women and their families find at the Women's Choice Network.

Women like Stacey, who gave her consent for her story to be shared:

Hi, I am Stacey and I am raising money for local families that are in need. Not every family is the same, sometimes there are struggles and they may need to seek out the help of others. Our family went through a few hard times and needed a little help with food and baby supplies. We were blessed to be able to find the support and help we needed. I want to give back in whatever way is possible. Just as we were blessed, I hope that other families can be equally blessed, too. Please support me and little Ray Jay as we raise funds for local families in need. Even a small donation can make a giant change in someone's life. 

You can support Stacey's son here, or help my grandson, Lincoln, finish the race in first place by donating to his fundraising page here. As of today, he's in second place. I mean, seriously, how can you resist this face? 



Support my grandson in the Diaper Derby!



Here's how you can participate:

WIN -- Enter your baby (up to age 3) and compete for great prizes

PLACE -- Place your "bets" by sponsoring a contestant and be part of the action

SHOW -- Show up on April 20, 2013 at the Jump Zone to watch the pint-sized competition! All are welcome!


Registration is FREE. Register here.

All proceeds go directly to programs benefiting needy moms through the Women's Choice Network, Where the Choice is Life!

As a bonus, if you donate at least $10 to the Diaper Derby and let me know about it, via a comment below or on Facebook, your name will be put in a drawing to win a signed copy of my book, Vinegar Fridays, and a Norwex Envirocloth! Winner will be announced on April 22 (my 3rd grandbaby's due date!).


On your mark, get set,... crawl!

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