15o Kids

As of this writing Kids Are Heroes features 265 children from 9 countries. We featured approximately 100 kids in 2011. Taking that up a notch seems reasonable as our profile becomes a little higher.

6 More Countries

Currently we have kids from the USA, Canada, England, Scotland, Kenya, Australia, Indonesia, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago. Two of the countries were added recently. I think 6 new countries is a reasonable target.

3 Radio Interviews per Month

Our first one of 2012 is with Denise Brown this coming Saturday that will be aired at a later date. (And yes, this is a hint to all of you radioheads reading this.)

5 Hosted Events

So far Kids Are Heroes has had at most two events in a year. However there are three on the horizon for 2012 and why not shoot for two in addition to that?

$15,000 Raised

In 2011 we raised approximately $8000 that paid our bills and hosted a great reception for Kids Are Heroes Day, among other things. It also helped us to build up a bit of a reserve which is something we have never enjoyed before. But if we want to establish programs to fund our youth initiatives, sponsor heroes to Kids Are Heroes Day 2012 and fund a mobile website we’ll need more. We are realizing new initiatives that will gain donors outside of our social media influence which is also new for us.

5 National/International Mentions/Features

In 2011 MaryMargaret was featured in two international magazines: Discovery Girls (10th Anniversary Issue) and Girl’s Life (Dec/Jan issue). Although there are no current irons in that fire I see no reason why we shouldn’t achieve this goal.

3 Major Speeches

In September of 2011 were invited to Richmond to speak in front of 500 entrepreneur types. We hope to be invited back this year and also plan on expanding our outreach as much as we can.

25 More Relationships

In the past we have enjoyed great strategic relationships with folks who have helped us raise our profiles. We have also helped them as best as we could. This strategy may be the most important one for us to achieve our global recognition. I so look forward to meeting and working with these new people, whoever they are.

So what is the meaning of all this goal-setting? Our everyday goal is to “tell the next family about Kids Are Heroes®”. We do not sell it to anyone. Either people understand it and think it’s a great idea or they don’t. But the ones that do take advantage of what we offer end up with kids who prosper from it immensely. If we weren’t making any impact what would be the point? Having seen the impact we have made with so few resources, I expect to go on to much bigger and better things in 2012.

Yesterday I came across the following tweet delivered by John:

How to create Facebook covers for your nonprofit (template included) aweber.com/t/IsLJ8

— John Haydon (@johnhaydon) December 30, 2011

Now always being the last to upgrade my stuff, I hadn’t even adopted the new timeline in Facebook yet. But after having read his post, I felt I had better do it quick and also offer some covers of our own. The post discusses not only making covers for one’s own page, but offering a variety of them to fans so they can display them proudly and help us get our message out. This is a great way to promote our organization in a really fun way.

Not actual size. Get original from kidsareheroes.org/fbcovers

Now word has it that these covers are not supposed to be too “pushy” as far as selling anything goes or even asking for donations. And according to Facebook’s terms and conditions you cannot sell this space to anyone. I can understand the latter part but find it kind of odd that what you put on your ‘personal’ cover is anyone else’s business. However we are up to this challenge to create covers that are attractive yet as John says, “lightly branded”.

So we were off to the races yesterday. Our “so far” list of covers that are free for all to use is here on our website. If you know us well enough you will know that Michelle Maritz, an amazing artist from South Africa, has been helping us design posters and calendar pages. I took the graphic from her January calendar and made a cover out of it. I can’t wait till she and her daughter Margot send me some more original covers. Their works are so whimsical and wonderful.

Not actual size. Get original from kidsareheroes.org/fbcovers

So we would love it if you let us know what you think of our new covers. And if you use one of them let us know about it in the comments and we will “brag” about you on Facebook and Twitter. You can even vent about what you think of the new Timeline feature. Like everyone else I really get annoyed with Facebook when it consistently gives us sweeping changes like these. But this new Timeline feature is growing on me. I just hope they keep it around for more than a month.

Not actual size. Get original from kidsareheroes.org/fbcovers

As you would guess our main focus has become the Kids Are Heroes movement which has also been our passion for the last four years. We often get asked to support other causes. It’s not that we turn a blind eye — we simply cannot solve all the world’s problems and if we support too many other causes then ours will indeed suffer. So to be fair we politely recuse ourselves from all of these types of requests so that we can remain focused on the task at hand.

Something has touched our lives however, that makes us want to make an exception in this particular case. We were not asked to support this cause in this way, and that is another reason why we want to do it. Let me explain.

A few months ago, two of our heroes from Indonesia, Farah Amalia and Fara Muntu, asked us if MaryMargaret would like to become involved in a pen-pal program with orphans from their country. MaryMargaret happily agreed. How it works, is that Fara and Farah recruited youth volunteers from around the world to be involved in this program. The children from the orphanage would select their pen-pal from that group and write their letters.  Fara and Fara would translate them all into English and disperse them to their pen-pals. Now when the pen-pals wrote back, the two heroes would translate them and deliver them to the children.

I thought that this was a wonderful exercise on so many levels. MaryMargaret got several letters and she corresponded back to all of her kids. If that wasn’t enough Fara and Farah made a wonderful scrapbook of all the letters for all the pen-pals. I printed it out for MaryMargaret and my wife Michelle to see. When Michelle arrived home she saw this packet I had left for her and started reading it. The tears started flowing immediately. She said to me, “I know what I want for Christmas: to send a package to these kids!” After having read all the letters I couldn’t have agreed more.

So this is what we are going to do. So why are we telling you this? We have no interest in applauding ourselves in public. We could easily just do it and shut up about it. The reason I thought it should be shared is because of the efforts put in by our heroes in Indonesia. This is just such an innovative idea that makes a world of difference to these kids. I also wanted to share MaryMargaret’s portion of the scrapbook with our readers so you can be touched by that as well. I did get permission to do that.  Here is the link to MaryMargaret’s correspondence with the orphans.

The Al Mansyuriah orphanage in Tangerang Selatan, Indonesia has 70 children aged 7-17. The common themes in their letters are wanting to improve conditions in their own country and making their parents proud of them. Despite being orphans it doesn’t necessarily mean that their parents have died. Many of the parents gave up the children so the kids could have better lives — so that they didn’t have to live in squalor and could get an education. The letters also prove to me that kids are indeed heroes no matter where they live or what conditions they live under. All of these children have the desire to help others and their country.

So if you have taken the time to read the letters and are inspired enough to want to help us with our efforts, we offer a Donate button below. Please bear in mind that this will be done with our own money and NOT Kids Are Heroes’ as we are unable to send monies overseas as a non-profit. So in interest of transparency your donation would not be tax deductible and it will go into my personal Paypal account. But also rest assured that less the PayPal fees ALL the funds collected from this effort will go towards these orphans. We plan to send them notebooks, pencils and other school supplies, and maybe even some clothing. And if we get no donations whatsoever, we will still send them something (hopefully by Christmas), so please only donate if you are moved as much as we are. If you would rather send material things, email us here. Thank you.

Please note: We have learned that the most expensive part of this operation will be shipping charges. If any company would like to sponsor those charges, we will give them an equal value of “bricks” on the Kids Are Heroes Corporate Wall.

So we really hope that all you locals (and those within an hour’s drive or two) will make the effort to come out on Saturday (10/29/11) to the Francis Scott Key Mall, center court between 1-3PM, and check out the wonderful cupcakes and support Kids Are Heroes at the same time!!

To learn more about Moxie here is a quote from Elin the founder: “Moxie Bakery & Café combines classical European pastry art with a vision for providing young people in the Frederick community with real job skills in a real work environment.  Operated by the non-profit organization, Cakes for Cause, Inc. this small restaurant in Frederick’s historic downtown bakes a mean cupcake (among other things) with a purpose…to provide employment and skills training to young people who are transitioning out of the foster care system. Apprentices in the bakery work for six months and develop not just their job skills in a food service environment but also learn critical lessons about how to realize success in all aspects of their lives once they reach adulthood. Everything at Moxie Bakery is made from scratch in small batches and our chefs take pride in their craft and in the life lessons they teach every day. For Moxie Bakery & Cafe, it’s about much more than the cookies!”

From Lindy Angel the owner: “Sisters Lindy Angel and Jolynn Wright combine the best of flavor and artistry. In the world of cake, anything is possible and all is only a sketch away. And, did we mention cupcakes? Stop and smell the buttercream.”

Angel Cakes and Cupcakes
319 East Church Street
Everedy Square and Shab Row
Frederick, Maryland
301.898.2666
Visit website 

Check out these pictures!!

This first one we are featuring is Sister’s Bake Shop. We read about JoJo in the newspaper and really liked her fresh attitude and down-to-earth persona. It was so nice to meet her and see how willing she was to help out her community. We are so thankful that she agreed to do this. Here is more about Sister’s Bake Shop, from JoAnn the owner:

“Sisters had their grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on September 14th where JoAnn Maguire owner of Sisters Bake Shop received- a certificate from the Board of Frederick County Commisioners, The State of Maryland- Governor’s Citation, certificate from the Maryland Aviation Administration, Proclamation of Recognition from the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition- from Congressman Roscoe Bartlett, The City of Frederick certificate. In attendance were Mayor Randy McClement, Director of Department of Economic Development, Richard Griffin, Chamber of Commerce. Sisters Bake Shop is a local bake shop who recenty opened their doors 5 days a week July 6th 2011. Sisters is located at Westpointe Plaza, 1450 W. Patrick Suite #5, Frederick MD 21702• Hours of operation- Wednesday thru Sunday 10 am until 6 pm. We are also available by appointment Monday & Tuesday. You can contact JoAnn or Samantha at – 301-379-6353 or 240-629-8036 • E-mail- sistersbakeshop@gmail.com• Website- sistersbakebyjojo.com“

“Originally from the Midwest, Michelle Lindsay found a home here on the East Coast back in 2001 when she moved to Boston to study Graphic Design and Photojournalism. After working as the Director of Marketing for a small Portrait Studio, she founded Michelle Lindsay Photography LLC in 2006. In 2008, she relocated her business down to the DC area. Located in Northern Virginia, Michelle photographs around 20 weddings a year, as well as children and family portraiture. She is available for commissions anywhere in the US and abroad and has enjoyed working in various locations including New England, the Midwest, the Bahamas and London, England. Known for her fresh viewpoint in wedding photography, Michelle’s work has garnered her recognition in various bridal publications and blogs, including Washingtonian Bride&Groom, theKnot, Brides, Get Married, Southern New England Weddings, United with Love and Capital Romance. An active member of the photographic community, Michelle also thoroughly enjoys being an educator. She has presented on a national stage at Imaging USA and in 2010, Michelle Lindsay Photography was named one of the Top 10 Up and Coming Studios by the Professional Photographers of America. Michelle continues to work on personal photography projects and her personal work can currently be viewed at Dulles Airport as part of the International Gateway Gallery.“

Robin Fay Massie is the founder and director of Musicians for Mercy. I hear she also plays a mean viola. I couldn’t have discovered a more enthusiastic, gracious and welcoming partner. I was hoping she would send a string quartet. Instead she asked for the dimensions of the stage. “If it holds 16 people then that’s how many I’m sending!” she said. We are so lucky to have met Robin and can’t wait to hear the performance. It’s so cool that she’s also sending gifted young musicians to highlight which I’m sure will inspire our heroes. Check our schedule to see when the Musicians of Mercy will appear.

Here is a complete description of them as offered by their leader:

“Musicians of Mercy (MOM) is a collective of over seventy musicians and artists based in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area. Founded and directed by violist Robin Fay Massie, the group was formed in January 2010. Our mission is to support victims of natural disasters and other humanitarian causes throughout the United States and other countries. Our volunteer members are professional musicians who have performed with various orchestras such as the National Symphony Orchestra, National Philharmonic, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Maryland Symphony Orchestra, U.S. Air Force Strings, The President’s Own U.S. Marine Band, Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, as well as other freelance musicians, gifted high school musicians and music teachers. MOM concerts showcase gifted solo performing artists, chamber ensembles, jazz combos, and a full orchestra.

Since January 2010, our concerts have generated large funds from generous attendees which were donated to charitable organizations such as Save the Children, American Red Cross, Youth Frontiers, GLSEN, World Vision, and most recently, FIRN. We are very much looking forward to participating in Kids Are Heroes Day 2011! Truly, kids are the lifeblood of our community!

For more information, please visit our website: www.musiciansofmercy.org
Contact us at musiciansofmercy@gmail.com.”

Amanda Rodriguez is a Maryland blogger, writer, and professional photographer. As owner of Then Again Photography, she specializes in snapping pretty pictures of pretty people and loves when those pretty people are pint sized the most! Amanda is a self-taught photographer her always had a love for photography, particularly when it comes to snapping photos of faces (she is not into the nature-y stuff at all!). Her love of all things photo blossomed when she became a mom herself in 2001, right when digital photography was really starting to take off. After snapping more than 6,000 photos of her own children she realized that, she possibly had a picture related sickness, and that her skill with a camera had developed quite a bit! Her first client came in 2008 and she has not looked back since photographing everything from religious ceremonies to blogging conferences! In addition to being a photographer, a freelance writer, and a mom to three handsome Dudes, Amanda is a humor blogger with a rapidly growing online following. Her blog, parenting BY dummies, is filled with not only funny stories of Dude Mom Life, but photos to prove the awesomeness. Rather taking pictures of her own children or those of others Amanda can always be found with a camera in her hands an a smile on her face! She is more than smiling to be a part of the Kids Are Heroes photography team!

The Grand Ballroom at the Richmond Convention Center

Last Thursday we headed to Richmond for the #DSRPT11 conference as we were invited to speak to a group of 500 business entrepreneurs. The hash tag represents “disruptive thinking” as all the speakers and especially the headliner, Sir Richard Branson, have a reputation of thinking outside the box. As we arrived at the Richmond Convention Center we were a bit taken aback by the size and grandeur of the room. Two giant screens were hung adjacent to the stage and one other larger one above it. When we arrived our slides were on all screens which made it a bit surreal. This was really going to happen. Our speech coach told us that we should see the venue beforehand, learn every aspect of our entrance and get the feel for the whole thing so we knew what to expect. I can’t tell you how important this was to us. We both got miked up and went through the entire presentation to an empty audience. This was critical for us to get through the next day.

We delivered our speech on Friday after lunch. MaryMargaret showed no sign of nerves throughout the entire day until she realized we were on next. “Now I’m nervous!” she said. But she never showed it. I on the other hand had very little sleep the night before and was almost hyperventilating that morning. It wasn’t so much because of nervousness about speaking in front of people, it was more about the fact that the material was so important to me and I wanted to deliver it the right way.  I really didn’t want to mess it up. But when I arrived at the venue I saw how relaxed everyone was and interested in the content of the other speakers. This made me realize that we were really in the right place at the right time.

So then it was our turn. I still had a bit of the jitters but MaryMargaret was flawless. I didn’t really realize that until I watched it back later. We had a bit of a gaffe in the middle which turned out to be funny. I’m not sure if people thought we scripted that or not. I think the biggest surprise we received was the crowd’s reactions. Both the speech and the video we presented sparked several rounds of applause during, and MaryMargaret got a rousing standing ovation at the end. I also heard later that a few tears were shed, including some by my wife who was working the Flip video camera. The results of her efforts are seen below.

So after having completed the speech it was time to finally breathe out and enjoy the rest of the day. Many of you know that I credit Sir Richard Branson when I talk about the genesis of Kids Are Heroes. MaryMargaret is the flame but Sir Richard was at least a big part of the spark. We watched his presentation which included a fascinating look at the upcoming adventures of Virgin Galactic, which is the company he formed to take “ordinary” people into space. Thanks to the WONDERFUL folks at Richmond Unite, the company that hosted this entire event, we did get the opportunity to meet him, not once but twice. We did a “meet and greet” that night and were also invited to a brunch with him the next morning. I finally got to give him the acknowledgment I’ve always wanted to about how his words helped us start the organization. Talk about a surreal experience.

Hero Ethan from VA on left, Sir Richard and MaryMargaret

So I really must thank the folks from Richmond Unite for offering this opportunity to us, as we hope it acts as the launching pad for similar future events. I must also mention again our speech coach Mike Boyd, who helped us gain the confidence we needed and also improved our delivery tenfold.