THANK YOU!

A MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER VANESSA ECHOLS:

Compassionate Hands and Hearts had an amazing Pink October. Now that Breast Cancer Awareness Month is coming to a close, I'd like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU for supporting us throughout the month. To every person who donated, to every church and business that held a fundraiser for us and organized an event to support us, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. 100%, every penny you raised for us will stay right here in Central Florida to help local warriors battling breast cancer. And to the volunteers who truly are the HEART of Compassionate Hands and Hearts, THANK YOU for your tireless work, commitment and dedication this month and throughout the year. Without you, there would be no Compassionate Hands and Hearts. So volunteers, take a few days to relax......because our next event is Saturday! :) Our work never stops until cancer is defeated forever!

BEST. DAY. EVER

Or at least pretty close.
     We got quite a surprise this week, courtesy of FUN SPOT America.  They chose us as their charity of choice for October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  They raised money through a portion of admissions, pink cotton candy sales, donations from employees and the corporate staff.  And it was obviously VERY successful.  
     Thursday, they surprised our founder Vanessa Echols, at Channel 9 where she works.  FUN SPOT is a partner with the station's community service arm called 9 Family Connection.  Anyway, the COO John Arie Jr., presented us with a big check.  $12,500!!!  Check was not just big, it was HUUUGE.  If you know anything about FUN SPOT,  you know that's one of their famous slogans.  
     We are truly grateful for this partnership for many reasons.  The folks at FUN SPOT believe in our mission.  We are humbled and grateful.  They are a locally owned and operated theme park.  Like us, they believe in local people helping local people.  And they are a very generous business partner in Central Florida, helping many organizations.  They recently hosted the St. Jude walk to raise money to find a cure for childhood cancer.  
      Because of them, we will be able to continue to do what we do, give breast cancer warriors here in Central Florida one less thing to worry about when we help with rent/mortgage, utilities, food for the family or whatever else the family needs.
     Thank you FUN SPOT AMERICA!!
http://fun-spot.com

IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN

And so it begins tomorrow.  It's October...Breast Cancer Awareness Month...Pink October....Pinktober.  Whatever you call it, it's the month when breast cancer awareness takes over the world.  :)
     Almost everything you see will be pink, turn pink or have a pink ribbon stamped on it.  BUT PROCEED WITH CAUTION!  Just because it's pink or has a pink ribbon doesn't mean it's supporting the cause.
    So before you buy something with the intention of supporting the breast cancer fight, we offer these suggestions:
     1.  Find out if a portion of what you buy is going to the breast cancer fight.  (Check labels, signs around the product, etc)
     2.  What portion is being donated to the cause?  (If you're spending $100 for the item, are you comfortable with only a dime being donated to the cause, or a dollar from your $100?)
    3.  Which organization will benefit from what you buy?
    4.  What do you know about that organization?  (Is its focus research, direct help to patients?  How much of the organization's donations are used for administration, salaries, etc? )
     As you know, we are grateful for research, but we also believe in supporting LOCAL organizations right in your own community, which are helping patients in the breast cancer battle.  
    You can help make a difference, just remember....THINK BEFORE YOU PINK.
    

REALITY BITES

It's been a tough week for our organization.  It's such a wonderful experience for us to celebrate our clients who make it through the treatment battle.  We love seeing them months later and often not recognizing them with hair and health.
     This week has been a lot different, a week that reminds us of the nitty gritty of the breast cancer battle.
    One week ago today, one of our warriors completed her journey.  She was only 33 years old, a wife and mother of three young children.  
     Unfortunately, she died without life insurance.  For the past week, her family has struggled to raise enough money for her funeral and burial expenses.  
      Today we took care of that.  Because of generous donors, we were able to pay the last nearly $2000.00, so her family can now schedule her service.
      It indeed has been a tough week, but it's the reality of what we do.  Not every one of our stories has a happy ending.  But our commitment to the cause continues.  We fight on through our tears and disappointment...until there is a cure.
       Shatrice, we love you and we'll never forget you.

THINK BEFORE YOU PINK

And so it begins tomorrow.  It's October...Breast Cancer Awareness Month...Pink October....Pinktober.  Whatever you call it, it's the month when breast cancer awareness takes over the world.  :)
     Almost everything you see will be pink, turn pink or have a pink ribbon stamped on it.  BUT PROCEED WITH CAUTION!  Just because it's pink or has a pink ribbon doesn't mean it's supporting the cause.
    So before you buy something with the intention of supporting the breast cancer fight, we offer these suggestions:
     1.  Find out if a portion of what you buy is going to the breast cancer fight.  (Check labels, signs around the product, etc)
     2.  What portion is being donated to the cause?  (If you're spending $100 for the item, are you comfortable with only a dime being donated to the cause, or a dollar from your $100?)
    3.  Which organization will benefit from what you buy?
    4.  What do you know about that organization?  (Is its focus research, direct help to patients?  How much of the organization's donations are used for administration, salaries, etc? )
     As you know, we are grateful for research, but we also believe in supporting LOCAL organizations right in your own community, which are helping patients in the breast cancer battle.  
    You can help make a difference, just remember....THINK BEFORE YOU PINK.
    
     

DESIGNER DOZEN SUCCESS !

Once again, we are overwhelmed by the kindness of friends and strangers.  Our Designer Dozen Purses & Prizes event was a smashing success.  We are grateful for all those who came out to the event and bought tickets in our handbag game of chance.
     We are truly indebted to the generous businesses and individuals who donated new, designer bags for the event.  A special thank you to: Bloomingdale's at The Mall at Millenia, Stanley Steemer of Central Florida, Dr. Craig and Susan Murray, Dr. Dawn Hill, Events Unlimited by M, Magi Hodges of Seminole Masonry, Jeffrey and Monica Campbell of State Farm Insurance Oviedo, KRS Wealth Management, Cool Way Direct, Mercedes Benz of South Orlando, Carmen Steffens at Mall at Millenia, Donald J Pliner at Mall at Millenia, Neiman Marcus at Mall at Millenia and Dillard's Florida Mall.
      And topping off the evening, we had some fabulous handbag models.  Thank you to on air talent from WFTV Channel 9:  Anchors Greg Warmoth and Jamie Holmes; and meteorologist Brian Shields.

      

     

GENEROSITY ROCKS...TOTALLY !

Today we were reminded of just how blessed our little organization is.

A business in Altamonte Springs opened on its day off, to host a fundraising event for us.  The folks at SHREDDER EXPERTS agreed to shred documents for free, if people made a donation to us !
How cool is that?!

So anyone who wanted personal or business documents shredded just came to the business, made a donation and received the service.

We were honored to have Mrs. Windermere, Amy Santiago, join us for the day.  She helped us greet the guests and was a wonderful addition to the day.

Thanks to everyone who came out to support the effort !