Speaking Out!
Grandma's Gifts also works to educate youth and adults about how they can making a difference. Since 1996, Founder Emily Douglas has been a speaker on youth service and the benefits of volunteering, poverty in Appalachia and the importance of education, standing up up to bullying and why being 'different' is a good thing, and how to become a social entrepreneur and leader with the goal of empowering youth and women. More than two million of people have heard Emily speak in person, on the radio, and on television.
We love to partner with schools, religious organizations, clubs, and businesses and are very flexible! In the past speech topics have included Appalachia, literacy, poverty, school funding, youth in service, women in leadership, entrepreneurship, how to make a difference, paying it forward, motivation, why community involvement is necessary for businesses, and self-esteem or standing up to bullying!
Please contact us if you are interested in discussing a speaking engagement: [email protected].
We love to partner with schools, religious organizations, clubs, and businesses and are very flexible! In the past speech topics have included Appalachia, literacy, poverty, school funding, youth in service, women in leadership, entrepreneurship, how to make a difference, paying it forward, motivation, why community involvement is necessary for businesses, and self-esteem or standing up to bullying!
Please contact us if you are interested in discussing a speaking engagement: [email protected].
Project P!nk
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime… that’s a startling statistic. In 1989 Norma Ackison of Ironton, Ohio was diagnosed with breast cancer and just three short years later, on October 12, 1991, she lost her battle. Norma was only sixty years old when cancer took her life. While Norma gone from the physical world, she left a legacy behind that her grandchildren have worked to fulfill through the mission of Grandma’s Gifts. The Douglas children knew that the lessons their grandma had taught them and the stories she had shared could not be silenced by 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. Thus, Gifts is proud to honor the memory of Norma Belcher Ackison and all of those Appalachian families touched by cancer with PROJECT PINK! On Norma’s birthday, October 6th volunteers between the ages of two and ninety-two wear pink to show their support for cancer victims and research. Groups then take photos and send them into Grandma’s Gifts and the organization donates 25/cents per supporter to cancer research. |
Valentines for Veterans
This project is used as a teaching tool for kids with whom we share the call to service. Emily, Sarah, and Zach grew up hearing stories their grandfathers, Odell Ottman Ackison and William “Bill” Douglas, patriotism and years of service to the United States via their enrollment in the military during World War II and the Korea War. This project lets them see how easily they can touch the lives of others. With supplies such as construction paper, stickers, markers, doilies, crayons, glue, and lots of glitter purchased by Grandmas Gifts valentines have been made by college, elementary, middle, and high school students. These beautiful valentines are then shipped to Appalachian VA hospital and handed out on Valentine’s Day to our service men and women.
Grandma's Gifts started this project in back in 1995 and people all over the world make valentines and send to in so they can then be forwarded to VA hospitals and clinics in Appalachia.
Grandma's Gifts started this project in back in 1995 and people all over the world make valentines and send to in so they can then be forwarded to VA hospitals and clinics in Appalachia.