Join Other Mommy Bloggers: Fight for Preemies on Nov. 17th

Anyone who is pregnant or already is a mom should care about this topic because we either know from experience and/or know someone else who has had a premature baby (or babies, if multiples) with potentially serious health problems.

As a mom of triplets and another child born within a year, who are now Tweens, not a day goes by when I don't stop to think about the miracle of birth.  Thank G-d for me, my oldest child, as well as my triplets (the later who were born a few weeks early) all came home from the hospital in less than a week, healthy.

Unfortunately, as March of Dimes point out, too many newborns are not so lucky.  "Every year 20 million babies are born too soon, too small and very sick ― half a million of them in the United States," this high profile organization reminds us.  "November 17 is when we fight.  The rate of premature birth has never been higher. In half the cases, we simply don’t understand what went wrong. We need to fight for answers. And, ultimately, preventions."

November 17 is dedicated to raising awareness of the crisis of premature birth through blogging.  The March of Dimes invites bloggers like you to get involved.  I hope you will join me in this valiant battle to make a difference in the lives of unborn children.  For more information see the special site set up by March Of Dimes  To sign up to join other women in spreading this important message see this post on Twittermoms

Estee Lauder FREE Influencer Makeovers Photos

Influencers

Complimentary Makeovers, Professional Headshots

I love sharing great opportunities like this that I'm invited to that other women in the influencer community can take advantage of.

Influencer Opportunity Details

Estee Lauder is offering FREE makeovers and digital professional photos for those who'd like a great new headshot  for their social network page, website, or blog during November and December.

Available on select dates at select locations in Dallas (TX), Chicago (IL), and in cities throughout California (San Francisco, San Diego, Pleasanton, Arcadia, Cerritos, Newport Beach, and Brea). Here's the schedule of locations where Estee Lauder is offering these free professional makeovers and photo shoots.

Not only will you get a makeover at the Estee Lauder counter for this promotion, this well-known cosmetic company is also providing a professional photographer to capture your look on the same day which they'll upload to your choice of one Internet location as well as send you home with a 5" x 7" photo print.

In addition, Rick DiCecca, Global Makeup Stylist, will be there giving his expert advice in person at two locations only in Dallas (November 19 - 20) and in Chicago (December 3)

Appointments, are necessary so check the schedule to find the location nearest you and call to book your makeover now.  Supplies limited, so hurry.

See the Estee Lauder website for more information about their products, promotions and free samples

Looking forward to seeing everyone's Estee Lauder makeovers and beauty headshots soon!

VOLUNTEER as a Family & Teach Kids To GIVE BACK TO COMMUNITY this Holiday Season

2009 Holiday Season Family-Friendly Volunteer Opportunities
Links to all the ways you and your kids can help, nationwide!
Compiled by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert as a community service

Now that the holidays are approaching here's your chance to give back to the community that doesn't cost any money -- all you need to do is give your time.

In these challenging economic times, it is especially important for parents to teach our children about helping those less fortunate than ourselves.  And what better time than during the upcoming holiday season that includes Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzsa, and New Year's would lending a hand to others give those who benefit more hope and happiness?

Volunteers Are Needed Everywhere

Los Angeles Volunteers Needed

Big Sunday - Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years Volunteer Projects Available Throughout Los Angeles & Southern California.  Click on Gift Package for a downloadable list of Big Sunday Holiday volunteer opportunities to help in November and December in Los Angeles and the adjacent counties surrounding it. Includes all the details and where to sign up.

New York Volunteers Needed
And in New York City, check out this opportunity for you and your kids can visit a nursing home on Christmas Day.

The community ops below are Nationwide and via the Internet so Everyone Can Participate

• Help spread holiday wishes with  Operation Holiday Cards for U.S. Soldiers 
  

• For every free e-card you send, Kraft Foods will donate 10 meals to Feeding America

  Just visit kraftrecipeforjoy.com from November 16 through December 31 to participate

Volunteers (both adults & kids, depending on the project) Are Needed Throughout the U.S.
If you don't see opportunities to help in the city you are closest to in this blog check VolunteerMatch 's site for your local area.  Their website providing a free matching systems and lists a huge array of community service ideas that you can search by region.



Why Our Family Volunteers -- Especially Between Thanksgiving and January 1st
My own family -- DH, all four kids (including triplets, plus one more all born within a year) and I -- have been volunteering for Big Sunday, an awesome non-profit that involves 30,000+ volunteers each year, annually since our now-tweens were 3 years old.  We've always helped at both the Nov/Dec holiday volunteer projects and every May for the original Big Sunday.  Thanks to our involvement with this organization, we've helped with many different community projects, including packing holiday care packages for the homeless, decorating a big hall for a Christmas dinner for the homeless, walking dogs at Boxer Rescue of So. Calif, and painting the stables at a Horse therapeutic riding center, just to name a few.  The pictures in this post show my family helping on various volunteer projects.

We've also written letters to U.S. troops to show our support, made potholders for the solar cookers used by the people of Darfur, and made cards and flower arrangements which we delivered to residents of old age homes.  We'll be there again both to help out around Thanksgiving and for all the December holidays -- it feels so good to give back to the community we live in and our kids are learning to help others naturally, not as something they are forced to do.

Please leave a comment if you know of other holiday community volunteer opportunities, giving us the link and we will be happy to add it to this list.

And most important - Bookmark this site and keep checking back as I hope to add many more volunteer projects from across the U.S. and will post details, time permitting.