This Holiday Season grew to a very busy one here at Momma Findings, not only because of the reviews and giveaways we planned, but because I vowed to give more to my family than I have in years passed. The only way to do this was with my time. So, while I wasn't here blogging as usual, I was, instead traveling to see family in Oklahoma, baking with my girl, seeking ways to give back to those in need, all while teaching my children the reason for the season.

That being said, one particular event in the Momma Findings household came in the form of 100 tiny toys. You may know them as Zhu Zhu Pets. I was very blessed to be chosen as 1 of 100 bloggers to participate in the Random Acts of Zhu charitable campaign for 2010. Sounds so prestigious, huh? Well, to me, it was. We were able to bless a charity of our choice with these Zhu Zhu Pets and my children got their first dose of how it feels to bless others in need.


How We Chose Our Charity:

Well, this was quite difficult to do. I wanted to keep my charity local, as in my small town of Baytown or a surrounding area. I live just miles from Houston, where there is an array of charitable organizations, but I wanted to make a big impact on a small community like my own.

So, I turned to Facebook to ask for suggestions:


I wish I had room to include all the deserving charity suggestions my friends informed me of on Facebook, but the list was just so long. Have I mentioned how much I love Social Media? It was because of Facebook and an old High School friend that I found our charity of choice, Bridgehaven.

About Bridgehaven:

Bridgehaven Children's Advocacy Center is a nonprofit organization that was created to help minimize the trauma associated with child abuse investigations. Bridgehaven CAC is an organization that offers programs to help victims of child abuse and neglect. Their missions is to give hope and care to the children of Liberty and Chambers counties who are victims of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and foster a working relationship with the government agencies of the two counties assigned to protect and defend victims. The physical and emotional well being of the young victims are the priority of Bridgehaven and the governmental agencies involved and a unified effort to sustain this program is supported by all involved.

Preparation:


Thanks to Cepia LLC, the makers of Zhu Zhu Pets, I was sent boxes and boxes of these cute adorable toys. We finally decided who we were giving them to, but now the preparation begun. The wrapping of the toys, the effort to involve more people to help deliver, and the kicker? Prepping my children on what we were doing exactly. My 3-yr-old just didn't understand why we'd give all these brand new toys away, instead of keeping them.

So, with the help of a dear friend, Damian, we wrapped and organized our Zhu Zhu Pets in preparation for our donation.

Delivery Day:


After we wrapped our day arrived, in which we asked our neighborhood friend Jordan to help pack up our SUV and deliver with us. With Damian to help, I rounded up four kids and 100 Zhu Zhu Pets and headed to Bridgehaven in Dayton, TX (a surrounding community) to deliver our goodies.

Pictured from left to right is Damian Brum, Zachary, Abby, Rudy, Jordan, and myself, Sara Patterson. Standing behind is Paula Barron, Executive Director (and old High School Friend) of Bridgehaven.

Throughout the Holiday Season children often get caught up in the receiving gifts and usually don't understand the true meaning of Christmas. This year, my children and I spoke often of our Savior's birth and how we can give to others and spread Christ's love, especially around the Holidays.

I'd like to thank Cepia LLC for helping me give back to a well deserving child advocacy center and a community in need of love and Random Acts of Zhu.




This post made possible by Cepia LLC and representing PR agency, who provided me with 100 Zhu Zhu Pets to give to my charity of choice. Opinions stated are of my own and not wavered or compensated in any other way.

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