Last week was a pretty cool wee for us. We love to help promote good causes ans support businesses that raise awareness as well as funds for various things. One of our favourite things to do every September for Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month is to eat at our local Chili's Restaurant. During the month, children can colour a chili pepper however they please and the staff hangs these around the restaurant. Each year they select a handful to frame and display. Every year, Caramon puts that he's a cancer survivor and how many years clean he is at. They display each one! So our local Chili's has a pepper marking years 5, 6, and 7! This year, Caramon gave them one for his year 8! Isn't that awesome?
You are asked to pledge money to then go to St Jude's. St Jude's is a wonderful hospital just for kids with life threatening illnesses. The hospital does a whole lot of research to try and find cures. The really great thing is that NO child is turned away because they cannot pay. One day, usually the last Monday of September, the restaurant then offers all of their proceeds to St Jude's. That is when we go. We always make sure to thank the staff for their awsomeness! This is nationwide at any Chili's restaurant!
Above, you can see Caramon with the staff of our local Chili's. When we told them about his story and his Eagle project, we asked if we could get a photo. The entire staff wanted in! Thank you Chili's for a wonderful dinner and for helping St. Jude's!
If you are looking for another venue that supports St. Jude's, look to The Melting Pot. They will run special deals and money goes to St Jude's. They even give you a $20 gift card for a future visit. Caramon's father and I always watch for those nights and attend. The manager at our local Melting Pot always greets us! The last one was a while back, so nope, no photos.
Another really great organization is Make A Wish. This organization asks those with life threating illnesses/condtions if they could have any wish in the world, what would it be... then they grant it. A lot of kids choose to visit a Disney Theme Park. I've seen kids choose to go to sets of TV Shows they like, meet singers they adore, go skiing, whatever. The organization works with the medical teams to ensure everything is safe and in order for the children. Some kids get better, some earn their wings. All I know is that Make A Wish is truly an awesome organization.
Every year, Cold Stone Creamery hosts an "Ice Cream Social" at all their locations. They call it the "largest". They offer a special treat, generally created by a child they select. This year Cold Stone Creamery got to grant a wish because one girl wanted to make her own ice cream treat! At the ice cream social you get a free scoop of whatever the creation was. This year was something much akin to apple pie a la mode. Talk about YUM! While there, you are asked to donate to Make A Wish and they give you a star to sign. Caramon made sure to label his that he is a survivor and how long he's been cancer-free!
Above, you can see Caramon with the staff of our local Cold Stone. Once more, when they learned about Caramon's story and his project, they were more than happy to nab a photo. Take a close look, they are having loads of fun! That's just part of the Cold Stone experience! I love to hear the staff sing and stuff!
Thanks to the great staff at both Chili's and Cold Stone for posing with Caramon, being joyful and excited to help out good causes, and agreeing to let me post pictures to my blog! You guys are the best!
What a wonderful way to wrap up the month of September! Watch for Caramon's next video! It's coming up soon and it's going to be a real treat. Here's a hint: *Someone* heard about Caramon's project and mailed him stuff! I'm not giving any more spoilers, you'll have to check back later!
--Lady O and Caramon, the Million Pillowcase Kid
