#Win your dream #wedding, & help others get theirs as well

So Cal Officiant is proud to be a donor for Wish Upon A Wedding and Bid Your Wish For Wedded Bliss. We’ve donated a free Fun & Romantic wedding package, valued at $375. The auctions begin on October 1, 2010. Hundreds of products and services in 46 cities throughout the country will be auctioned off, all to help couples create the perfect wedding or event, all at incredible prices! All proceeds raised will help grant wedding wishes for terminally ill individuals. As a cancer survivor, my boss felt it was very important to help organizations like this.

Couples planning to be married can bid for wedding-related auction items online starting in October or at a Blissful Wishes Balls Nationwide in November, with all proceeds benefiting Wish Upon a Wedding. This new organization is the world’s first nonprofit that provides weddings for individuals facing life-threatening illness.

Blissful Wishes Ball, our first ever cross country Galas, will take place during November at 12 locations across the country (tickets go on sale on August 15th at http://wishuponawedding.eventbrite.com)

The purpose of both events is to raise crucial funding for Wish Upon a Wedding. While it’s true vendors from the wedding and hospitality industry help us grant wishes by donating their products and services to couples facing terminal illness, there are many other costs associated with being a brand new, grass-roots nonprofit organization.

Imagine how much MORE we could do for these wonderful couples if we just had the funds to:
* Reunite families by flying up to four people to and from the weddings we provide!
* Put those friends or family up in a nice hotel for a few nights, further enhancing the experience.
* Allow them to enjoy a nice meal the day before the wedding, or perhaps a day after brunch?

About Wish Upon A Wedding: Making Wedding Dreams Come True Across America

As the World’s first nonprofit wedding wish granting organization, Wish Upon a Wedding provides weddings at destinations across the United States for individuals facing life-threatening illness, regardless of sexual orientation.  It is a chance for couples to enjoy a very special day, without any thoughts of existing health issues, while surrounded by their closest family and friends.

By celebrating the courage & spirit of these couples, we help create lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come. It is our hope that others facing similar situations will find hope, strength, and the promise of eternal love.

Officially launched in January of 2010, Wish Upon a Wedding currently has over a dozen chapters to serve Wish Applicants. We service couples residing in or wishing to get married within 300 miles of any one of our chapter locations

Wish Upon a Wedding ™, Blissful Wishes Ball ™, and Bid Your Wish for Wedded Bliss ™ are registered trademarks of Wish Upon a Wedding ™.

Most donated items are tax-deductible, however we recommend that you speak to an accountant for clarification. Wish Upon a Wedding is operating as a nonprofit organization, incorporated in CA. We are recognized as a 501 c 3 organization, as the IRS received our 1023 application in February of 2010, and it is currently being reviewed.

RFL needs your talents!

I’m volunteering for Relay For Life Long Beach, and I’ve been given the honor of making the Survivor Goody Bags. So I’m looking for a few people who are willing to donate some of their talents!

#1 I’m making 50-75 bags. So I need items to put in there!
Cookies
Jewelry
Cards
Spa items
Chocolate
Etc etc etc
Anything that can be used to pamper them.

#2 I need 3 centerpieces. Floral, anything decorative.

If you can help us out, please email me at heathercrownelson{at}gmail{dot}com to discuss details.

The event is July 30, so it’s coming up soon. THANK YOU!

This supermommy needs YOUR help!

The Long Beach Press Telegram Amazing Women Awards program is looking for Amazing Women to recognize in the following areas:
Arts and culture ~ Education ~ Community Service ~ Health and Wellness ~ Business ~ Family ~ Youth ~ Sports ~ Environment

And I’m actually asking you, my friends, family, and readers, to nominate, but not for reasons you may think 🙂

Getting nominated, not even winning, would bring big publicity and help expand all of my charity work. I’ve donated over $500 to 15 organizations in 2010 alone. I’m a Kids Are Heroes Ambassador, HUGS Program Rep, & Bears On Patrol supporter. I’m also starting the monthly Kids Craft & Charity Corner at the Sunday Market to show kids they can be creative and crafty and volunteer. AND I’m starting the Friends Like Us HUGS Program in collaboration with the LB Depot For Creative Reuse and LB Creative, benefitting Miller Children’s Hospital.

For a mom of three, full time office manager, and someone dealing with health issues, to be able to do all of this is wonderful. Getting nominated would be HUGE because then people would pay more attention. They’d see that you don’t have to be a superwoman to be a volunteer. You can have many outside situations to deal with, AND still make an impact. People would realize even small acts help.

So I’m asking you guys to nominate me, if you’re so inclined. If I’ve helped your organization, if I’ve donated time and/or money, if I’ve inspired you, then please nominate me. If not, at least wish me luck 😉

The url to nominate is http://www.presstelegram.com/women

I thank you in advance 🙂

Kids #Craft and #Charity Corner: Coming To The #LongBeach Sunday Market!

COMING AUGUST 1: Kids Kraft Korner!

Starting on August 1, Brianne’s Basics will be hosting a Kids Kraft Korner at the Long Beach Sunday Market.

Every first Sunday, the Market has an Arts Theme. So for our kick-off event, we’re having the kids make Summer Journals, which are pretty  cute and easy. We’re asking all the kids to bring photos and mementos to make the books. We’re also taking pictures for them to put in the books.

We’re also kicking off monthly charity drives! For August 1, we’re collecting both school supplies and items for the  troops, benefitting Love In The Mirror and Soldier’s Angels. (To see exactly what we’re collecting, click on the links). Each month, we’ll have a different theme and we’ll be collecting different items.

Each craft is a $1-2 donation, depending on the craft.

I am very very excited to be taking on this project for this awesome Sunday Market! It’s a very family-centric place. I have  three kids, and I obviously do a ton of charity work. They say charity  begins at home. So I’m trying to do more in the Long Beach area.

I was also inspired by Kids Are Heroes. Kids can change the world, one event at a time.

If you’d like more information on sponsoring a craft, or having us collect items for your charity, please contact Heather at heathercrownelson {at} gmail.com

Teddy Bear Picnic @ Paint The Park Pink!

July 10 was just a fantabulous joining of things I love! First I had to work, then my boss let me go early to get to the Acres Of Books fundraiser. I met my best friend at the OC Flyers Paint The Park Pink game, a fundraiser for St. Jude’s Hospital. AND it was Teddy Bear Picnic Day, sponsored by Bears On Patrol.

So I took a few of my furry friends with me to the game! I took Pink-Beary of course 🙂 I also took Dancing Bear, who was a staple at the LB Armada games.

It was such a fun event, and hopefully they schedule more days soon! LOL

@briannesbasics NEW logo!

Brianne’s Basics now has a new logo. I wanted something cute, fun, and angelic. I’m big on angels. I fully believe that we all have guardian angels, guiding us to where we need to be and what we need to do.

So I chose this logo. It’s everything I wanted, and every time I look at it, I smile. That counts for something!

EXCITING #blog developments!

We now have a blog button. How cool is that?! So if you’d like to link back to our blog, go for it! Just leave a comment, grab the graphic, & link it back here to https://heatherinsocal.wordpress.com

Thanks for the support!

Ryan’s Going “Coasting For Kids”!

I found this link on Twitter today. I mentioned it to Ryan, and he was onboard immediately! He’ll be doing his best to raise money for this event, and with any luck he’ll be one of the 30 top fundraisers. Those top 30 will be chosen to ride Jaguar for 10 HOURS!!! He’ll be participating for Mikk’s Kid Krusaders. So exciting!

LOCAL VOLUNTEER GOES “COASTING FOR KIDS”

LONG BEACH — July 12, 2000 — Ryan Nelson, a Lakewood/Long Beach resident, will be participating in Coasting For Kids at Knott’s Berry Farm on Thursday, July 29.

This unique and fun event has roller coasters enthusiasts riding the Jaguar roller coaster for 10 hours to help raise funds for Give Kids The World Village, a nonprofit organization that provides family vacations for children living with life-threatening illnesses. Knott’s will join with 10 other Cedar Fair parks in hosting this event making “Coasting for Kids” a national event.

“I’m definitely interested in this. I’m pretty sure there’ll be higher earners than me, but it’s worth the donations though. This event is definitely good for the charity”, said Ryan Nelson. He will be riding for Mikk’s Kid Krusaders, a family charity team started by the Nelson Family.

To be a part of “Coasting for Kids”, he must raise a minimum of $50 through http://www.firstgiving.com/ryantnelson by July 28. Participants can raise the money themselves, or can have friends donate to the cause. The top 30 fundraisers will earn a seat on the Knott’s Jaguar coaster. The marathon ride will begin at 7:00 am and will include a light breakfast, as well as a Mrs. Knott’s Chicken lunch at noon.

“Knott’s Berry Farm is proud to join with our sister Cedar Fair Parks in hosting Coasting for Kids,” said Knott’s General Manager, Marty Keithley. “Knott’s welcomes children from Give Kids The World everyday and we are committed to providing memorable and magical experiences to children with life threatening illnesses and their families. We feel that Coasting for Kids will give others the satisfaction of helping such a deserving community.”

For more information on Give Kids The World, visit http://www.givekidstheworld.org

For more information on Mikk’s Kid Krusaders, visit http://heathernelson.webs.com

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For more information, press only:

Heather Nelson, (562) 325-7182, heathercrownelson@gmail.com

#Support The #Troops: The #Craft Way!

We had a few items out today to raise funds for our adopted soldier from Soldier’s Angels. Our best seller was the foam yellow ribbons! One lady bought 5 to put on her fridge, tree, & desk LOL We raised a few dollars, so we’ll be using that to shop for items for our soldier. We’re sending him a box in a few weeks, so hopefully we can raise even more next week!

#LongBeach Sunday Market

Today, we were a last minute addition to the Long Beach Sunday Market @ Longfellow Elementary in California Heights. I’ve been to the Market quite a few times. Justina from Shortnin Bread is there nearly every week, and Charlene has a booth for the LB Depot For Creative Reuse.

I had a FABULOUS time! It’s a nice market, very family friendly atmosphere. I met lots of great people, some of whom are donating to us!

We were invited to come back next week, July 18. There’s going to be a Pie Contest, Live Jazz Band, & more. Looks for us near the picnic benches!

To learn more about Brianne’s Basics, go to http://briannesbasics.webs.com

To learn more about the Sunday Market, go to http://www.longbeachsundaymarket.com