Grandma's Gifts

Welcome to the Grandma's Gifts News Blog!
Here you can read the most recent and up-to-date news.

Below is an dollar figure donations ticker that is as up-to-date as the most recent blog entry!

Grandma's Gifts reaches Ohio University Academy of Excellence fundraising goal!

Grandma's Gifts will be sending $1100 for 2009 scholarhips and saving the extra $35 towards our goal of $2200 or 20 scholarships for 2010 scholarships!

Grandma's Gifts volunteer Kelsey McIntire, of New Albany, Ohio, raised $418 for school supplies via her bake sale today at the Life Style Communities Home Office. Thank you Kelsey, McIntire Family, DeAscentis Family, and Life Style Communities employees!

American's Helping American's makes a donation worth $80,000 to Grandma's Gifts!

These goods went to a church in Lawrence County Ohio today. On Friday July 3rd, goods will be distributed to local agencies in Ohio and Kentucky who help those in need. PICTURES TO COME SOON!

Grandma's Gifts is lucky enough to be featured in another GREAT newspaper article!

Don’t Forget! Kelsey will also be hosting her 3rd annual bake sale at 230 West Street on June 25 with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Grandma’s Gifts!

------- Sunday, May 31, 2009 -------
Grandma’s Gifts recruits 5 new young volunteers- thank you to Colleen Young, Nicole Chine, Andrew Flannery, Rebecca Berk, and Heather DeSantis! More information to come on these individuals and their responsibilities!

------- Wednesday, May 27, 2009 -------
Tonight Emily spoke at the Worthingway Reception Banquet at Thomas Worthington High School. Worthingway donated school supplies to help with the Rainbow Project.

Estimated value: +$1500, (Life time Donations Total to Date: $12,118,219.88)
Year to date estimated speaking total: +400 = 935

------- Monday, May 25, 2009 -------
The Grandma’s Gifts Facebook cause reaches 794 members!

------- Saturday, May 16, 2009 -------
Today Emily received the Altrusa Award for Literacy and spoke to the group about her passion!

Donation received: + $200, (Life time Donations Total to Date: $12,116,719.88)
Year to date speaking total: +130 = 535

------- Monday, May 11, 2009 --------------
Grandma’s Gifts starts a donor advised fun at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio. Just click the link to donate online!

9/16/2009- Through a referral from a Grandma’s Gifts donor, Grandma’s Gifts made a connection with Lawrence Elementary School in Washington County, Ohio. Grandma’s Gifts has paid to have the “Investigating Energy” unit visit in mid-September.

1/8/2010- Through a referral from a Grandma’s Gifts donor, Grandma’s Gifts made a connection with Eastern Elementary school in Pike County, Ohio. Grandma’s Gifts will be granting them a partial scholarship to have the COSI on Wheels unit “It’s Simply Chemistry” visit.

2/2/2010- Grandma’s Gifts has paid for Chesapeake Elementary School in Lawrence County Ohio to have the “Investigating Energy” unit visit in early February.

------- Sunday, May 03, 2009 -------
Emily and Morgan Speak to Church elementary and middle school youth groups about community service and collecting school supplies!

------- Friday, May 01, 2009 -------
Grandmas Gifts made it possible to bring 126 Appalachian kids and adults to the zoo, with help of a few individual supporters. These students were from Symmes Valley Elementary school. They got to attend an educational class, have lunch, and spend the day visiting all of the animals. We were happy to set-up, provide, and attend the trip.
Pictures will be coming soon!

Donation: +$905 (Life time Donations Total to Date: $12,114,109.88)
Year to date speaking total: +126= 311

------- Tuesday, April 28, 2009 -------
Grandmas Gifts made it possible to bring over 200 Appalachian kids and parents to the zoo, with help from a few individual supporters. These students were from Dawson Bryant Elementary school.

Thank you notes from the students coming soon!
Donation: +$1100 (Life time Donations Total to Date: $12,113,204.88)

------- Monday, April 20, 2009 -------
Rainbow Project:
After the floods that literally washed Appalachian towns down mountainsides in 2002 and the damage was surveyed, it became more apparent that everyone needed help. In years past Grandmas Gifts had worked to provide book bags and school supplies to Appalachian children, yet it seemed that more people needed help. Thus the Rainbow Project was born. Everyone needs markers, pencils, paper, a ruler, and a book bag to go back to school in the fall, yet these much needed supplies are expensive and not every family can afford such items. Originally a Make-A-Difference Day project, Gifts collects school supplies to send to schools and children for their return to school in the fall. These donations were to be the light at the end of the storm.

At this point we have been able to donate OVER $30,012 in school supplies, helping thousands of kids!

Our past partners have included: Rocket Boys, Kelsey McIntire and Family, Lifestyle Communities, Ames, Wal-mart, Hills, Highlights for Children, American’s Helping Americans’, and many wonderful individual donors from all over the world!

From this project we have been honored with: the 2001 Runner-up USA Today Make A Difference Day Award.

Current groups collecting supplies: Church, Headquarters office of Lifestyles Communities, Worthingway Middle School, and Kelsey McIntire will be holding a bake sale to raise funds for supplies!

To collect school supplies this summer contact: Donations Coordinator Jilanne Ottarson at info@GrandmasGifts.org

Seeds for Success!

After receiving a thank you note from an Appalachian group that Grandma’s Gifts works with, Founder Emily Douglas became aware that the needs in the region were beyond even the things she had seen. The group in Eastern Kentucky wrote, “We have had major layoffs at the Coal Mines here and we have added close to 500 families just in the last few months. We now service over 1500 families. We had our "Community Day" early in April. At Community Day we hand out vegetable/herb seeds to families to grow their own food. We served over a 1000 families. Unfortunately, we ran out of seed packets. We do plant a huge Community Garden so we will be able to give out fresh produce later in the summer on our food pantry day's. We also have a Poultry Program where we hand out chickens so that families can raise them for eggs and meat… ”

After many discussions internally volunteers decided to start a new program to provide vegetable and herb seeds to families in Appalachia. One solution to hunger is handing people canned food, another is assisting them to produce some of the food they consume. This program then not only helps feed hungry people but increases their self-sufficiency, self-worth, and self-esteem.

Donation: +$102 in seeds (Life time Donations Total to Date: $12,112,104.88)
Recipient: Manna From Heaven in Myra, Kentucky

------- Sunday, April 05, 2009 --------
More and more people are joining the Grandma’s Gifts family and donating clothing, books, dental hygiene products, and school supplies.
In the past 2 weeks alone, we have received thousands of dollar of in-kind donations from individuals!

Donations: $+ 150 (school supplies), +$650 new baby items, +$1500 in gently used clothes, +$300 books, +$400 in school bags, +$200 in office supplies = $3200
(Life time Donations Total to Date: $12,112,002.88)

------- Saturday, April 04, 2009 -------
Girl Scouts Donate Cookies

Today a Girl Scout Troup from Olentangy School District donated their fundraiser Girl Scout cookies to Grandma’s Gifts. How awesome!

Year to date speaking total: +10= 185 people

------- Saturday, April 04, 2009 -------
SHIPMENT:
TODAY Grandma’s Gifts mailed over 750lbs to dental floss, toothbrushes, and toothpaste to Health Departments and organizations in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania.

Donation: +$585 in shipping (dental hygiene items already in total!)
(Life time Donations Total to Date: $12,108,802.88)

------- Wednesday, April 01, 2009 -------
Today Emily and her friend Chaz attended the Jefferson Awards Banquet at the Wigwam! While Emily was not a finalist, she appreciates the nominations from Chaz, Morgan, and Charley!

------- Tuesday, March 31, 2009 -------
Today Emily, Morgan, and Zach attended the Forging New Link Conference to receive the Ohio Make A Difference Day Award! Emily also gave a presentation on Trick-or-Teeth! And Grandma’s Gifts!

What a great honor and opportunity!
Year to date speaking total: +100 = 175 people

------- Sunday, March 29, 2009 -------
Emily featured in the Columbus Dispatch!

------- Thursday, March 26, 2009 -------
Emily featured on the front page of ThisWeek newspaper for being a Jefferson Award Nominee!

------- Thursday, March 26, 2009 -------
The Grandma’s Gifts Facebook cause reaches 717 members!

------- Wednesday, March 25, 2009 -------
Grandma’s Gifts has had an active week in the news!
Here is an article from the Ironton Tribune: Philanthropist Changes Lives

------- Tuesday, March 24, 2009-------
A WONDERFUL article that appeared in today’s Ironton Tribune: Grandma’s Legacy

------- Thursday, March 19, 2009-------
This morning Emily spoke to Powell Rotary about Grandma’s Gifts and community service! There were around 25 people in attendance.

------- Wednesday, March 18, 2009 -------
We donated $1000 to help build this park! It’s great to see that the project was successful!
Ironton Tribune: Etna Park Gets New Equipment

------- Wednesday, March 18, 2009-------
This Week! Newspaper mentions that Emily/Grandma’s Gifts is a Jefferson Award Finalist!

------- Monday, March 09, 2009 -------
People Magazine Follow-up!
You need to read a great People Magazine follow-up, "Emily's Gifts", that appeared in the MailBox Section. Thank you People Magazine and Alicia Dennis!

------- Sunday, March 08, 2009 -------
The Grandma’s Gifts Facebook cause reaches 681 members!

------- Friday, March 06, 2009 -------
Dr. Stephen Brown of Highbanks Family Dental Donates toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss!

Donation: +$200 (Life time Donations Total to Date: $12,108,217.88)

------- Thursday, March 05, 2009 -------
Emily speaks to the employees at her new work about her passion!

------- Tuesday, February 24, 2009 -------
The Grandma’s Gifts Facebook cause reaches 635 members!

------- Saturday, February 14, 2009 -------
Miami University students create Valentines for Veterans!

Donation: +$600 (200 Valentines at $3.00/piece) (Life time Donations Total to Date: $12,108,017.88)

------- Saturday, February 07, 2009 -------
Jilanne Ottarson joins the Grandma’s Gifts team!
She is the new Director of Donors and Donations. She will be answering donation questions and helping to get things sent to the right place. We are excited that Jilanne has decided to join us!

------- Monday, February 02, 2009-------
Grandma’s Gifts donates to the United First Methodist Food Pantry!

------- Sunday, February 01, 2009 -------
Thank you to Lucas for donating 412 hat, scarf, and glove sets to Grandma’s Gifts! Many children will appreciate these beautiful gifts!

Donation: +$2879.88 (All items originally marked $6.99) (Life time Donations Total to Date: $12,107,167.88)

------- Wednesday, January 28, 2009 -------
We made it on Incubus’s Foundation- the Make Yourself Foundation’s facebook and MySpace page! Click here to check it out!

------- Thursday, January 22, 2009 -------
The Grandma’s Gifts Facebook cause reaches 537 members!

------- Tuesday, Jan 20, 2009 -------
Emily was just named a finalist for Sally Hansen Best of You Award! Voting begins soon, stay tuned for more information!

------- Saturday, January 17, 2009 -------
The Grandma’s Gifts Facebook cause reaches 512 members!

------- Thursday, January 15, 2009 -------
ConKerr Cancer Donates Pillow Cases!

After meeting Cindy Kerr, the founder of ConKerr Cancer, at the L’Oreal Women of Worth Awards in 2008, both Emily and Cindy knew that they could work together to help Appalachian children have warm bright bedding. While Grandma’s Gifts had worked to supply people with blankets and pillows in the past, they had never created a project around it. After speaking with Cindy, the two organizations decided to partner to help children in Appalachia.

ConKerr Cancer now provides brightly colored pillow cases to Grandma’s Gifts. Grandma’s Gifts then works to distribute pillows and blankets (purchased or hand-made by donors) along with ConKerr Cancer pillow cases.

Donation: +$1000 (200 cases at $5.00/piece!)
(Life time Donations Total to Date: $12,104,288.00)

------- Thursday, January 08, 2009 -------
Koz Berger creates a video about Grandma’s Gifts Make A Difference Day Project!
Check out this video on YouTube!

------- Tuesday, January 06, 2009 -------
The Grandma’s Gifts Facebook cause reaches 470 members!

------- Saturday, January 03, 2009 -------
$33,500 in goods to United First Methodist Church!

The church’s food pantry received a donation of 200 boxes of coats, 200 boxes of blankets, 192 boxes of athletic shoes and 80 boxes of diapers as well as school supplies in backpacks and toys from Grandma’s Gifts. These wonderful gifts were given to Grandma’s Gifts by American’s Helping Americans. We were overjoyed with this donation!
“All of the items are new. Food pantry director Colleen Massey said this is the largest donation the food pantry has ever gotten. It was over 1,000 boxes and we’re overwhelmed. We hope this gets to the right people,” she said. –Colleen Massey, Ironton Tribune

Donation: +$33,500 (Lifetime Donation Total to Date: $12,103,288.00)

To see a photo and read the Ironton Tribune article:
Grandma’s Gifts donates to First United Methodist

To read more about American’s Helping American’s click here!
http://www.helpingamericans.org/

------- Tuesday, December 30, 2008 -------
Grandma’s Gifts featured on Channel 10!
Here is a copy of the broadcast on YouTube!

------- Monday, December 29, 2008 -------
L’Oreal Women of Worth Video posted on our YouTube Channel!

------- Monday, December 15, 2008 -------
People Magazine Feature!
To read the article and see the photo, click here!

------- Saturday, December 13, 2008 -------
Toys for Tots contributes to Grandma’s Gifts! Toys for Tots is a wonderful organization. Thank you for your help in making Christmas great for Appalachian children!

------- Tuesday, December 02, 2008 -------
Grandma’s Gifts donates for the holidays to United First Methodist Food Pantry!

------- Wednesday, November 26, 2008 -------
Send out information card with information about our achievements in the past year! Oh the places we’ve seen!

------- November 19, 2008 -------
Grandma’s Gifts founder Emily Douglas interviewed for an Associated Press Article that appeared online and in print across the USA! Here are a few to look at:

------- Saturday, November 15, 2008 -------
Thanksgiving canned food drive is a success!
Thank you to Morgan Webb for personally driving the food to Appalachia. We appreciate your dedication!

------- Thursday, November 13, 2008 -------
Grandma’s Gifts donates $316 to EIF for Project Pink!
Grandma’s Gifts was lucky enough to recruit 632 people to wear pink for Project Pink! At 50cent/participant, $316 was donated to EIF for cancer research!
Donation: +$316 (Life time Donations Total to Date: $12,057,628.00)

------- Tuesday, November 11, 2008 -------
GG donates $400 to Big Creek People in Action for holiday gifts for those in War, WV

Donation: +$400 (Life time Donations Total to Date: $12,036,500.00)

-------Monday, November 10th, 2008 9:10:0 AM---------

Emily has been chosen as a finalist for the 2008 L'Oreal Women of Worth award!

Emily has been chosen as a finalist for the L'Oreal Women of Worth award. The winners of the award will be chosen by an online vote which will start on the 10th of November and end on the 24th of November.

We are asking all Grandma's Gifts followers to vote for Emily to help raise awareness about our cause and for the chance to win the $25,000 award to help our cause.

You can vote for Emily by by visiting their website at www.womenofworth.com or click This Link.

On April 28th, 2009 Grandma's Gifts will be hosting the 5th grade from Dawson Bryant at the Columbus Zoo!

On May 1st, 2009 Grandma's Gifts plans to take the 2nd grade of Symmes Valley Elementary School to the Columbus Zoo!

Dentist Donation!
Dr. S. Jerman made an AWESOME donation of approximately 144 tubes of toothpaste! Thank you!

Jerman Family Dentistry
510 High Street
Worthington, OH 43085

Thank you Wedgewood Dental for your great donation-
Dr. Norman Straker
10401 Sawmill Parkway, Suite D
Powell, OH 43065

Volunteers:
-133 people signed up on Facebook to be a part of Grandma's Gifts Project Pink!
-26 people TEXNIKOI from Ohio State University (Undergrad Engineering Club)
-Dawson Bryant Elementary School in Lawrence County Ohio (Over 700 students Enrolled!)
-Worthingway Middle School in Worthington, OH (439 Students Enrolled!)
-Hastings Middle School in Upper Arlington, OH (742 Students Enrolled!)
- Employees from Emerson Network Power Liebert Division

(Above: Emily's Kappa Delta Sorority Sister, Rachel Raker, Celebrating Grandma's Gifts Project Pink!- thank you for your support Rachel!)

Grandma's Gifts pledged to donate 50cents/ person who dressed up in PINK or JEANS on Friday October 3rd!

-Olentangy High School (Olentangy Schools)- 1468 students
-Olentangy Orange High School (Olentangy Schools)- estimate 800 students
-Worthingway Middle School School (Worthington Schools)- 439 students
-Worthington Hills Elementary School (Worthington Schools)- 429 students
-Riverside Elementary School (Dublin Schools)- 418 students
-Gables Elementary School (Columbus Schools)- 252 students
-Bluffsview Elementary School (Worthington Schools)- 408 students
-McCord Middle School (Worthington Schools)- 369 students
-Wickliffe Progressive Community School (Upper Arlington Schools)- 407 students
-Hastings Middle School (Upper Arlington Schools)- 742 students
-Whittier Elementary School (Westerville City Schools) - 316 students

Last week we sent our 38 letters to local dentists asking for their donation of goods or time for Trick-or-Teeth! The packets also went out to the schools who are signed up to join us! We are expecting 8 schools and hope for 10 dentists to donate goods!

Lastly, Delaware and Franklin County in Ohio experienced serious storms. Sadly, over 300,000 people lost power and there are still individuals in and around town with no electricity. Many trees were lost and some individuals were in fatal accidents due to severe winds and fallen electrical lines. We wish everyone the best recovery possible and would like to thank EVERYONE who gave a helping hand to a neighbor or friend. It's amazing what small acts of kindness can do to literally save someone's life.

6 schools are officially signed-up for Trick-or-Teeth!
-Olentangy High School
-Worthingway Elementary School
-Riverside Elementary School in Dublin, OH
-Gables Elementary School
-Bluffsview Elementary School in Worthington (waiting for confirmation)
-McCord Middle School (The middle school I went to!)

We would like to remember all of those lost 7 years ago today. Additionally, we would like to thank the fire, police, volunteers, and military workers who helped victims and their families.

We ask that everyone perform a simple act of service today, by observing a moment of silence...

Website gets a little cleaning... Thanks Dhwanit for making the site MORE awesome!

4 schools are officially signed-up for Trick-or-Teeth!
-Olentangy High School
-Worthingway Elementary School
-Riverside Elementary School in Dublin, OH
-Gables Elementary School

3 schools are officially signed-up for Trick-or-Teeth!
-Olentangy High School
-Worthingway Elementary School
-Riverside Elementary School in Dublin, OH

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Thats a startling statistic.

While a startling statistic the Douglas and Ackison families know just what breast cancer is capable of. In 1989 Norma Ackison of Ironton, Ohio was diagnosed with breast cancer. Three yrs later, on October 12, 1991, Norma lost her battle.

Norma left a legacy behind that her grandchildren have worked to fulfill for the past fifteen years. Norma was born the twelfth of twelve children in 1932, & her father died, leaving her mother, to raise the kids in Depression Era Appalachia. Emilys grandma learned the humiliation & challenges of poverty. After finishing school Norma married Odell Ackison and as owners of a business helped families in need.

After her grandmas passing Emily Douglas began to see that the stories of her grandmas childhood were not fairytales. Emily knew that the lessons her grandma had taught her and the stories she had shared COULD NOT be silenced by cancer. Thus, in her grandmas memory, Emily Douglas started Grandmas Gifts (GG) in 1993 at the age of eleven to help Appalachian families and children and educate kids about service.

Since 1993, GG has donated over $12M in goods and opportunities to Appalachia. GG has also reached out to MILLIONS of kids to teach them about why it's awesome to volunteer. GG is run completely by volunteer youth so 100% of donations go to the cause! Supporters live all over the world and the organization has been rewarded by Presidents and even featured on Oprah! In conjunction with Denim Day, Grandma's Gifts is proud to honor the memory of Norma Ackison (Oct 6, 1932- Oct 12, 1991) with PROJECT PINK! on her birthday, October 6th.

Volunteer Project Manager Morgan Webb says, "While the idea of this project started in honor of Emily's grandmother, it is really much more than that. Many of Norma's siblings died from cancer as well as Emily's other grandmother, Betty Douglas." Foudner Emily Douglas added, "Morgan, Konstantin Berger (Marketing Director), and Peggy Green (advisor) have all lost family members to cancer. Appalachia shows some of the highest cancer rates in the country and the Center for Disease Control notes that Kentucky and West Virginia have the first and second highest percentages of cancer related deaths in the country. We want to remember all of those individuals as well as all of the families touched by cancer." "Supporting cancer research is our way of honoring those who have in any way been touched by cancer," added Konstatin Berger. "I think it's great that Grandma's Gifts is willing to work with other nonprofits is this way, to change the world."

OUR PROJECT:
On Friday Oct. 3, Denim Day®, for PROJECT PINK! (Norma Ackison's birthday), GG volunteers between the ages of eight and eighty will wear jeans, pink, and/or have the ability to donate money to go towards cancer research. We want to help out National Denim Day® and show our support for all of those touched by cancer in memory of Norma Acksion by holding PROJECT PINK!

Emily Douglas interviews Konstantin Berger, Volunteer Director of Strategic Marketing, about his involvement with the organization. "Koz" talks about his childhood in the USSR, being a political refugee, and what it was like for him growing up in the US. In this call he shares why he personally gives back through volunteering. For this call Koz is calling from India! We even lose him for a few minutes... but he returns to share with us why he thinks it's great that he can help out while anywhere and how Grandma's Gifts has volunteers from ALL over the world!

"Make A Difference Day is the most encompassing national day of helping others -- a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Everyone can participate. Created by USA WEEKEND Magazine, Make A Difference Day is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. The next event is Saturday, October 25, 2008.
Millions have participated. In 2007, 3 million people cared enough about their communities to volunteer on that day, accomplishing thousands of projects in hundreds of towns."
-From the USA Today's Make A Difference Day website

Trick-or-Teeth! is a Grandma's Gifts project where students will collect toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss for the entire month of October. We expect collections to be done at more than 20 school buildings in Columbus and items to come from local dentists. On Oct. 25th, the goods will be sorted and sent to county health departments, schools, food pantries, free dental clinics, and battered women's shelters in Appalachia. These groups then plan to educate kids about living a happy and healthy life using the supplies we provided. This is the 2nd year we have organized Trick-or-Teeth! for Make A Difference Day. Grandma's Gifts works to provide goods and opportunities to families and schools in Appalachia and educate youth and adults on how to make a difference. To date, more than $12M in goods/opportunities have been donated! The cool part about this organization is that it is run completely by youth and young adults who volunteer their time. This is the 10th year Grandma's Gifts has been involved in Make A Difference Day.

Who is organizing this?
This years Trick-or-Teeth! project will be organized by Morgan Webb; Emily Douglas; Zach Douglas; Sarah Douglas; the Olentangy High School Service Club; high-schoolers Tera Parrella, Cortney Doyle, and Katie Winegardner; Middle Schoolers at Worthingway Middle School in Worthington, Ohio; and middle-schooler Kelsey McIntire of The Columbus Academy School.

Why Trick-or-Teeth! and what do we expect our long term impact to be?
While speaking with an Appalachian teacher about Grandmas Gifts she shared with us a list of goods that she felt would be most needed by her students. She said, 75% of the children at my school participate in the Federal Free Lunch program. These kids need the basics; coats, shoes, food, and things like toothbrushes. This is where the idea for Trick-or-Teeth! came from. After sharing our plans of collecting tooth brushes, toothpaste, and dental floss with the teacher she commented, we are going to have to educate these kids on how to use these great supplies. Specifically, the dental floss because many of the kids here have never seen or used it. I would consider dental floss to be a luxury. I cant wait to see how excited they'll be over having their own toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss.

We have always believed that kids, who establish healthy habits early in life, will carry that behavior into adulthood. After speaking with the teacher we realized that the need was greater than we could have imagined. How many Americas do you know feel privileged because just because they have a toothbrush and dental floss? Thus, due to the SWEETNESS of Halloween, we figured there was no better time to start taking care of your teeth than now, so we organized Trick-or-Teeth! in conjunction with Trick-or-Treat. Trick-or-Teeth! is about changing someones life, one tooth brush at a time!

2007 Results >
5 groups, Collected *454 dental floss, *730 tubes of toothpaste, *946 tooth brushes= Approx. $6800

(Photo: Left to Right, Katie W. Sean, and Tera P. with a truck full of goods from 2007!)

2008 GOAL >
* 10 groups (Approx. 2000 ppl)
*1500 dental floss
* 2900 tubes of toothpaste
*3700 tooth brushes

Stella-Monica and Emily Douglas talk about Grandma's Gifts and the history of the organization. Click the link below to hear the podcast!

13 year-old Kelsey McIntire makes the Rainbow Project Even More Sucessful!

Today Kelsey secured the donation of 150 book bags from the Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. These book bags will be added to the items already sent to Appalachia for the Grandma's Gifts Rainbow Project! Thank you OSU, The James Cancer Hospital, and Kelsey for being such great supporters of Grandma's Gifts!

More information on The OSU James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, CLICK HERE!

Stella-Monica and Emily Douglas talk about the founding of Grandma's Gifts.
In this interview Emily talks about the things she had to overcome in the founding and running of the organization. To hear the podcast, CLICK HERE!

On Sunday, Cortney Doyle, Ashley Doyle, Kelsey McIntire, Emily Douglas, Morgan Webb, Zach Douglas (not pictured above) went shopping at Wal-Mart and Target for school supplies! Their purchases included:
Crayola Markers, Colored Pencils, Crayons, Folders, Paper, Note Books,
Pencils, Pens, Rules, Erasers, Elmers Glue Sticks, and Pencil Bags.

100 children will receive pencil bags full of new supplies and others will be given the goods collected by the organization. Kelsey McIntire alone collected approximately $1100 for the Grandma's Gifts Rainbow Project and it still working to collect goods by having a school supply drop box at her fathers office. Others have donated goods, cash, and their time for shopping and sorting the goods. Once the drive is complete, Morgan Webb will be transporting the goods to Lawrence County, Ohio. Thanks Morgan!

Today's Podcast canceled and moved to later time due to an unexpected occurrence! We apologize for the inconvenience!

On September 30, 2008 COSI on Wheels Investigating Energy Presentation will be traveling to Symmes Valley Elementary School in Willow Wood, Ohio! This day will be both fun and educational as the kids learn all about energy, energy conservation, and how they can play a role in helping the environment!

Description of Investigating Energy from the COSI webpage: "Every day, humans face many kinds of challenging energy choices. When Investigating Energy visits schools, students explore energy through many hands-on activities dealing with real life issues and choices. With the help of Dr. Kilowatt, students learn about creating energy with both renewable and non-renewable resources. Students will test the power of wind and learn about energy conservation, as well as work to complete a circuit. Students also get to participate in demonstrations and see how saving energy can save the planet."

COSI has many awesome traveling science exhibits. Visit their site to learn more about how COSI on Wheels!

Today we will be discussing why Grandma's Gifts will be getting involved in podcasting! On the call will be Konstantin Berger, Stella-Monica Mpande, and Emily Douglas.

The advisor in charge of PR for Grandma's Gifts, Stella-Monica Mpande, is taking Grandma's Gifts into the Podcast business. Grandma's Gifts volunteers, donors, and gift recipients will soon be on the podcast talking about their experiences with the organization.

So, you may be asking yourself, What in the WORLD is a podcast? "A podcast is a series of digital-media files which are distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds for playback on portable media players and computers. The term podcast, like broadcast, can refer either to the series of content itself or to the method by which it is syndicated; the latter is also called podcasting. The host or author of a podcast is often called a podcaster."

On March 6, 2009 COSI on Wheels Investigating Energy Presentation will be traveling to Dawson Bryant Elementary School in Ironton, Ohio! This day will be both fun and educational as the kids learn all about energy, energy conservation, and how they can play a role in helping the environment!

COSI has many awesome traveling science exhibits. Visit their site to learn more about how COSI on Wheels! LINK: COSI ON WHEELS

At Grandma's Gifts we highly believe in assisting teachers who teach science! We want kids to know that science is all around them and that they can grow up to be a scientist one day. Thus, by providing goods such as magnets, microscopes, beakers, magnifying glasses, metal wire, light bulbs, fans, switches, periodic tables, packaged science experiments, low grade chemicals like baking soda, vinegar, and perishables science class can be SERIOUSLY cool! A donation was made for Dawson Bryant Elementary school for the purchase of new equipment.

Mrs. Julie Payne, the 3rd grade science teacher is very excited about all of the neat things that she will be able to teach this coming year. The other science teachers in the school will also receive the benefits of this gift. They plan to order new equipment for the Fall.

A monetary donation was made today to the Dawson Bryant Elementary School PTO to buy new safe equipment that can be used by everyone!

13 year old Kelsey McIntires' 4th of July Charity Raffle goes off with a HUGE bang!

Kelsey raised over $500 in a charity raffle at a 4th of July Party! This takes Kelsey's school supply fund raising total to $800! Remember everyone... she's 13... and seriously impressive!

Soon Kelsey, Emily, and others will go school supply shopping for kids in Southern Ohio. Kelsey also plans to hold a school supply drive at her fathers office in downtown Columbus. Who knows how much stuff we'll end up with!

Women Offering Wisdom & Grandma's Gifts PODCAST: 50,000 DOWNLOADS!

Sharon Cecil, cancer survivor and the Founder of We Survive (www.WeSurvive.org) out of Kentucky, wrote Grandma's Gifts an email saying that the WOW/Grandma's Gifts Podcasts have been their most downloaded yet! (Approx. 50,000 DOWNLOADS!) Now, how cool is that! :) We think it's pretty cool.

Konstantin Berger and Emily Douglas on WOW (Women offering Wisdom) Podcast speaking about Volunteerism and the value of Internet Marketing. (Live 3-4pm)

Kelsey McIntire, Tera Parella, Ashley Doyle, Courtney Doyle, Sarah Douglas, Emily Douglas, and Morgan Webb meet to discuss the future of Grandma's Gifts and upcoming projects.

Suggestions Made:
1. Add "Suggestion" form to website
2. Advisors (who desire) given Grandma's Gifts email addresses
3. Add "Innovation" page to website
4. New project suggestions
5. Current project suggestions
6. Quarterly meetings
7. Add "Blog" to website that acts as a forum to discuss community service
8. Start a Grandma's Gifts Podcast
9. Create GG serving and learning materials
10. Online/PDF document of pictures, articles, and stories

Cortney is 14 years old and will be a Freshman at Olentangy High School in the Fall of 2008. She wanted to become involved with Grandma's Gifts as her older sister Ashley. Courtney will be a valued member of the advisor group! We all look forward to her becoming more involved with the organization!

Zachary Douglas and Emily Douglas on WOW (Women offering Wisdom) Podcast speaking to Social Entrepreneurship, Volunteerism, and Grandma's Gifts. (Live 3-4pm)

----------Friday, June 12, 2008, 2:37:45 PM----------

3 New Video's Posted on YouTube! Created and donated by Koz Berger!

Remembering Grandma

Grandma's Gifts Impact

Appalachian Community

----------Wednesday, June 18, 2008, 11:58:30 PM----------

New Video Posted on YouTube!

The 1999 Jefferson Award (Long Version)

----------Saturday, June 07, 2008 6:51:51 PM ----------

Grandma's Gifts Mentioned in Columbus Dispatch! See the exerpt below:

____________________
ther events

Grass-roots fundraisers in memory of loved ones cover a wide spectrum.

Here's a list of such efforts throughout central Ohio, based on submissions from our readers:
..

Trick or Teeth toothbrush and toothpaste drive

Honoree: Norma Ackison, a grandmother from the Appalachian region of Ohio who died of breast and lung cancer in 1991 (originally quoted as-2001 in error) at 60.

Her granddaughter -- Emily Douglas of Powell, a graduate student at OSU -- started Grandma's Gifts in 1993. Through many events, the group has given more than $12 million in goods and services to people in the Appalachian parts of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.)

Event: toothbrush and toothpaste drives in various schools

Date: throughout October

Locations: schools throughout central Ohio

Cost: toothbrush or toothpaste donation

Beneficiaries: children in need throughout Appalachia

More information: www.grandmasgifts.org

---Friday, June 06, 2008 1:45:20 PM-----

Emily Douglas will be a guest on the podcast called WOW: Women Offering Wisdom Sunday June 15th, 2008!

Emily was a part of the show on January 21, 2007 (http://www.wesurvive.org/podcasts/) discussing GG. She was asked back to discuss youth service and how women can be beautiful on the inside AND outside. The show will be podcast at the link below on Sunday June 15th: 3-4pm.

http://www.wesurvive.org/

-----Monday, June 02, 2008 3:33:11 PM -----

New Youtube video created by Koz Berger!

Thank you Koz for all of your hard work.

Click Here to see our NEW video: Organization Overview

-----Sunday, June 01, 2008 11:18:17 PM-----

NEW WEBSITE! NEW WEBSITE! NEW WEBSITE! NEW WEBSITE! NEW WEBSITE!

If you can't tell... here it is, we have a NEW website and are EXTREMELY excited! :) From this point on we are able to blog about cool stuff that we're up to! Thank you for designing the site, Dhwanit!

-----Monday, May 27, 2008 2:32:00 PM -----

New Video Posted on YouTube! Hannity's America Clip!

(2/2007) Hannity's America Hero of the Week: Emily Douglas