Day 239: Duck Races For Rotary

Every year, the rotary holds a Duck Race to raise money for local projects. Volunteers sell rubber ducks for $5 each. On the set date, the ducks are released and the race is on. The first rubber duck to pass the finish line is the grand prize winner. The grand prize is just that too...GRAND. If you are the lucky duck, you are awarded a 2013 Toyota Camry! You are not 1st place ducky?  Have no fear because there are still 55 incredible prizes to be won. For example, a $250 mall gift card (I will accept that!). My fingers will be crossed on October 5!

                                       

For as long as I can remember, the Duck Race has always been a fun and popular event. It wasn't until this year that I realized what the event was for and how to buy a duck. A co-worker of mine was selling them at work today and I became very intrigued. You can buy ducks at several locations including Toyota of Tri-Cities and Ranch and Home. For a full list of places, click here. The event takes place on October 5 at noon! Go buy your duck today and test your luck! 

God bless,

Kailee

Day 137: Raised Money For A Child With Cancer

Cancer sucks, period. Together we fight, strive to find a cure and raise money for those in need when we can. This afternoon I was able to fundraise for a 8 year old girl from Pasco who is battling rhabdomyosarcoma. Never heard of it? Neither had I. After learning a little more about it, I found out that it is a cancer that usually develops in skeletal muscles. Specifically, this young lady has alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, which forms typically in older children's legs or arms.

A few girls and I staked out at Walmart and asked for donations for Sarah's medical bills and traveling expenses. In return, the donor would receive autograph cards from the three Miss America titleholders there helping and a wristband. The band is like the one below and read, "charity never faileth." The phrase was chosen by the young girl fighting cancer and the coral colored bands are her favorite color. Overall, we raised over $300 and received donations from people from all walks of life.

Why I love events like this is because I am fortunate to meet incredible people and listen to their stories. Several people today donated because they had lost someone, or had battled cancer themselves. How incredible it is to see everyone stand as one and fight for a common goal. The best part of the day was when a young girl walked up to the table and said, "how much do I have to pay you for an autograph and bracelet?" (For both we were asking $5) When Janae explained, the little girl said, "Oh, what can I get for $1? That is all I have?" Of course we were not going to turn her away empty handed. I purchased a bracelet minutes before hand and took mine off and gave her mine and Janae and I gave her autographs. She lit up and I just knew that meant so much to her. God bless eveyone who stopped to learn more about Sarah and who donated!

On a side note, Austin and I also ran the Glow Run 5K this evening. The registration fee went to the American Cancer Society. It was so much fun and they raised over $30,000! Together we are all fighting to kick cancers booty!

God bless,

Kailee

Day 107: Wore a Race Shirt For Boston

Yesterday while scrolling through Facebook, I saw a picture that said "wear a race shirt tomorrow in honor of Boston." Right when I saw that I thought how great of an idea this was, yet so simple. I went back to my room and scrambled through my closet to find all of my races shirts. When I found all my shirts my first thought was, man I have a lot of t-shirts, which was shortly followed by the thought that I should not wear one tomorrow, but one each day for the rest of the week.

When I woke up this morning I was getting ready for my internship and was trying to get creative with a business casual outfit and a race shirt. Luckily, I had one that only had print on the chest, small enough to be covered by my blazer. I'm sure it did not look fabulous but it didn't matter, as a friend of mine said, "because somethings are more important than dress codes." Each time I looked down at my outfit it constantly reminded of those in need and it kept them close to my heart. 

Tomorrow it will be a different shirt and a different one the next day. It may be nothing immense, but it's the thought that counts, right? There is no such thing as too many prayers and thoughts for those in need. Keep it up world. 

God bless,

Kailee