Last week Cooper of The Motherhood emailed me to see if I wanted I wanted to be spontaneous.  After the week I was having, I jumped on it.  I didn’t even ask what she needed.  It turns out that she wanted me to go to Orlando to help with a great cause.  (Double bonus: my brother lives there and I have never been to his house.)  I was most definitely on board when she explained to me what the project was going to be.

The Motherhood has teamed up with Hebrew National to sponsor Picnics with a Purpose to kick off the summer grilling season.  Now most of you who know me know that I am very brand loyal.  Once I find something that I like, I am sticking with it.  Hebrew National is one of those brands.  So, they had me interested by brand name and had me hopping on a plane with the charity aspect.  But what really touched me is the “purpose” part of this project.  Each city that The Motherhood and Hebrew National visits will be giving back to the community and/or a local charity.  If you know me, I love helping with charities.  Especially those that involve children. 

Saturday afternoon we had a picnic in Orlando hosted by blogger Lee of Theme Park Mom.  She chose to help out the charity Give Kids the World.

Do you know about this great charity? Give Kids the World Village is a 70-acre, non-profit resort that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. GKTW provides accomodations at its whimsical resort, donated attractions tickets, meals and more for a week-long, cost-free fantasy vacation. GKTW has helped more than 75,000 families from all 50 states and more than 50 countries.

I was honored to meet a family who has benefitted from Give Kids the World Village.  Amber and her daughter Gabrielle.  It took me about 2 minutes (if that) to want to be best friends with Gabrielle.  She had something about her that draws people to her.  I was asking to be her best friend after a half an hour.  Gabby has had so many multiple obstacles to overcome in her 7 short years.  She is most definitely a living miracle.  And boy does that little girl live!  She is full of smiles, love and laughter.  I am convinced she has some sort of special angel dust that surrounds her.  I even asked her to sprinkle just a little bit on me to get even a touch of her specialness.  (She did it, too!)

I am over the top excited to be a part of this. Learning about new organizations that need help, supporting a brand, Hebrew National, and working with the amazing women at The Motherhood.  I mean, what is not to love about all of that?

For those of you who want to be a part of the fun we are having, check out the following cities.  (And, no, I won’t be able to go to all of them.  I am sad about that, too.)  Anyway…. Picnics with a Purpose is being held in eight cities: Orlando, Tampa, Atlanta, New York, Virginia Beach, Providence, RI, Detroit and Philadelphia. If you live near any of the eight cities, let the lovely women of The Motherhood  know and they will send an invite (until they fill up). Eight star bloggers are hosting the picnics and along with each, a community give-back project.

And for the record, yes, I am feasting all I want on hot dogs.  Because I can.