Camp Hope: Donations Needed!

One of the benefits of being a frugal shopper is being able to give back. Since most of my readers are also thrifty shoppers, I thought I would share with you this awesome opportunity to give back!

Camp Hope is a day camp for under-priveledged kids in the Triad. Many of the kids that come to this camp are those in foster care. Camp Hope is filled with volunteers that love and minister to these children for 5 days! They have the chance to play and just be kids.

I've had the opportunity to serve in this ministry when it was called Royal Family Kids Camp. I was counselor for 2 summers and it was life changing. One of the best things about this camp is that they have a BIG Birthday Party for all the kids on the last day. Some of the kids there haven't ever had a birthday party. Watching them getting birthday presents and eating cake was so rewarding.

As a mom, I realize that we have to invest love and faith into our children's lives, unfortunately not all kids get that opportunity. That's why this one week is so important. Even though it seems like 5 days isn't enough time to even make a dent, you would be suprised at the changes you see. All it takes is one seed to grow a garden. Or one day of building self worth to grow a college graduate instead of high school drop out!

This year, Camp Hope will be held July 11-15. While we all can't volunteer as camp counselor's there is a way that you can help!

My good friend came to me with a vision of being able to give the kids a gift bag when they leave camp, that's not only for them but their families. Nothing major, but again a blessing. So, we thought we would reach out to our community and our readers!

For those that are local (Piedmont Triad, NC area), we are looking to supply 100 kids with bags. Here's some of the things we are looking to collect:
-toothpaste
-toothbrushes
-deodorant
-popcorn
-mac & cheese
-small packs of chips or pringles
-candy
-gummy/fruit snacks
-juice boxes

Basically, things that can be for kids, siblings, parents, etc.. If you have other ideas, please feel free to share.

If you would like to donate any of these items, please fill out this form:

Help Tornado Victims With Items From Your Stockpile!

This post was written by one of my fellow blogging friend, Saving Towards A Better Life. I thought this was so great, so I had to share! If you're stockpile is busting at the seems, then now's a good time to thin it out and give to those affected by the tornados. Please read below:

So I quickly scanned through my stockpile to see what I could pull out to donate.  Personal care (deodorant, body wash, toothpaste, feminine products, cough syrup, baby wipes), cleaning (wipes, hand sanitizer, dish soap), some snacks and clothes.  Technically, the clothes weren't in my stockpile - they were some of Bug's that were going to the donation bin anyway.

I live in one of the areas struck by Wednesday's tornadoes so I don't have to go far to donate my items.

But what if you live across the country?  What can you do?

Flat rate shipping boxes are available at the post office.  Medium boxes ship for $10.95 regardless of what you have in them.  Large boxes - $14.95.

I thought I had a large box here but all I have are medium ones.  I wanted to show you how much you can fit in a medium box and send for just $10.95:

I packed 3 body washes, 1 deodorant, 1 hand sanitizer, 1 lysol wipes canister, 1 dish soap, 1 toothpaste, 1 cough syrup and 4 toddler shirts.

Now, these were all items that I got for nearly free (or clothing I was going to donate anyway).  And they can all be sent for $10.95.

I could donate $10 for the relief effort or I can send $20 worth of items (plus the clothes) for $10.  Which way would my $10 be better spent?

I tried it again with different items:

This time I put in the Stayfree pad and baby wipes - they are larger items so they took up more room but I was still able to get three body washes, 1 deodorant, and 1 toothpaste in there as well.  Again, items free to me already in my stockpile, worth close to $20 that I can send for $10.95.

And the large boxes ship for only $4 more.  I could probably get it all in one of those!

So, if you feel like you can help, our church is having an online donation drive and will accept whatever you can send!

Send your donations to:

Disaster Relief
c/o First Baptist Church of Moody
902 Church Street
Moody, AL 35004
See a full list of items needed on this post.

Local: Lillie's Friends 5K Run/Walk 4/23!

One of my co-workers told me about this really great event that's happening this Saturday, April 23rd at BB&T Ballpark!

Lillie's Friends is having a 5K Run/Walk and Festival to raise money to find a cure and provide families with awareness of Neuroblastoma. This is a rare cancer of the sympathetic nervous system - a nerve network that carries messages from the brain throughout the body. Each year there are about 700 new cases in the United States. It is usually found in young children under the age of five, though it may rarely occur in older children and adults. These solid tumors - which take the form of a lump or mass - may begin in nerve tissues in the neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, or, most commonly, in the adrenal gland. They may also spread to other areas of the body, including bone and bone marrow.

If you would like to help support this cause head out to the Ballpark this Saturday. The race starts at 9am and runners will run through historic downtown Winston-Salem, NC!

After the race families and friends are welcome to come to the fun festival which starts at 10am and ends at 1pm! Admission is $2 per person and they will be having an Easter Egg hunt!

For more information, please checkout their website!

Thanks Heather!

Local Giving Opportunity!

Local Giving Opportunity: Crisis Control Ministry in Winston-Salem, NC

Meredith emailed me regarding a need at the Crisis Control Ministry. They are are in great need of Laundry detergent. If you have a huge stockpile, then I would encourage you to give some of it to this ministry. One of my main purposes for couponing is the opportunity to get cheap/free things to give to others, that I might not otherwise be able to do.

Here are several deals on laundry detergent this week if you would like to purchase some to take to them.
1. CVS
    Buy (1) Xtra laundry detergent, $1.49
    Use (1) Xtra laundry detergent coupon, printable
    =$0.49!
2. Harris Teeter
    Cheer Detergent, 40 oz. $3.99
    -$1.00/1 Cheer Laundry Detergent, 1/16/11 PG
    =$2.99
3. Lowes Foods
    All Laundry Detergent $2.99  
   -$1.00/1 All Laundry Detergent, 1/16/11 SS
   -$1.50/1 All Laundry Detergent, 1/16/11 SS
   =as low as $1.49

Contact Information:
Winston-Salem Office
200 East Tenth Street
Winston-Salem,  North Carolina 27101
Administration - 336.724.7875
Client Services - 336.724.7453
Hours of Operation:Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. to noon, and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday evenings from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Expired! Free Save Haiti Bracelet (expires in 25 minutes) Hurry!

Last minute deal, offer expires in 25 minutes, but I thought I would post it anyways! Join Beyond the Rack and get $10 added to your account (this offer doesn't expire in 25 minutes)! But, they have this awesome bracelet for $10, so you will get it for free. The best part is that 100% of the proceeds go to help rebuild Haiti! Go here to sign up!
1. Add the bracelet to your cart
2. Click checkout
3. enter your shipping/billing address
4. enter your credit card info. (won't be charged)
5. the $10 deducts automatically
6. hit complete order and your done!
If you miss this deal, save your $10 credit for another deal!