Also, thanks again for ALL the wonderful donations and kind words! I need all the support I can get and I am SO thankful to have you all help!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
It's officially official!
I got my welcome packet in the mail the other day...complete with a stylish t-shirt and wonderful reading material to help me prepare for my upcoming trip to Africa! I can't believe it...I'm only 5 months and 3 days away from the trip. So much to do, so much to learn!
Also, thanks again for ALL the wonderful donations and kind words! I need all the support I can get and I am SO thankful to have you all help!
Also, thanks again for ALL the wonderful donations and kind words! I need all the support I can get and I am SO thankful to have you all help!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Influential Media
February 22, 2008
If I had to trace my interest back to volunteering, it would have to be when I first heard about the ONE Campaign in 2004. But it wasn't until I saw the below video that the facts of HIV/AIDS really impacted me.
I invite you to watch this video with an open heart and realize there are very simple things that can be done.
A few months after I watched this video, I was given the chance to interview Hanson for my university's weekly newspaper. During two separate phone calls and one in-person interview, I was able to truly see the difference these three were making.
Please read my first article here, and my second here.
Hanson successfully helped TOMS Shoes donate over 50,000 PAIRS OF SHOES to needy children in Africa! And what's amazing is that this only took them a FEW MONTHS! TOMS are still for sale and will be sold during Hanson's newest leg of THE WALK tour (official dates are released on their website, www.hanson.net) but if YOU want to purchase a pair of one of these really awesome shoes, please visit this website.
It may sound goofy that a band like Hanson had so much influence on my decision to volunteer, but I'd be lying if I didn't attribute them.
Now, more than ever, Ngi Ni Themba- "I Have Hope".
If I had to trace my interest back to volunteering, it would have to be when I first heard about the ONE Campaign in 2004. But it wasn't until I saw the below video that the facts of HIV/AIDS really impacted me.
I invite you to watch this video with an open heart and realize there are very simple things that can be done.
A few months after I watched this video, I was given the chance to interview Hanson for my university's weekly newspaper. During two separate phone calls and one in-person interview, I was able to truly see the difference these three were making.
Please read my first article here, and my second here.
Hanson successfully helped TOMS Shoes donate over 50,000 PAIRS OF SHOES to needy children in Africa! And what's amazing is that this only took them a FEW MONTHS! TOMS are still for sale and will be sold during Hanson's newest leg of THE WALK tour (official dates are released on their website, www.hanson.net) but if YOU want to purchase a pair of one of these really awesome shoes, please visit this website.
It may sound goofy that a band like Hanson had so much influence on my decision to volunteer, but I'd be lying if I didn't attribute them.
Now, more than ever, Ngi Ni Themba- "I Have Hope".
Saturday, February 16, 2008
About CCS
For those of you who would like more information on the organization that is helping me make my dream come true, please read below. If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to contact me or CCS for more information.
General
Cross-Cultural Solutions (CCS), a non-profit volunteer organization, offers a program that places volunteers in countries such as Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Morocco, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Thailand for a variety of community development projects.
CCS Vision
Our vision is of a world where people value cultures different from their own, are aware of global issues and are empowered to effect positive change.
CCS Mission
Our mission is to operate volunteer programs around the world in partnership with sustainable community initiatives, bring people together to work side-by-side while sharing perspectives, and fostering cultural understanding.
History of CCS
For a detailed history on CCS, please visit their website:
http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/about_us/our_story/default.asp
Ready to help make my dream come true? Please read the contribution blog for further information, and THANK YOU in advance for helping me help others!
General
Cross-Cultural Solutions (CCS), a non-profit volunteer organization, offers a program that places volunteers in countries such as Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Morocco, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Thailand for a variety of community development projects.
CCS Vision
Our vision is of a world where people value cultures different from their own, are aware of global issues and are empowered to effect positive change.
CCS Mission
Our mission is to operate volunteer programs around the world in partnership with sustainable community initiatives, bring people together to work side-by-side while sharing perspectives, and fostering cultural understanding.
History of CCS
For a detailed history on CCS, please visit their website:
http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/about_us/our_story/default.asp
Ready to help make my dream come true? Please read the contribution blog for further information, and THANK YOU in advance for helping me help others!
My dream
I'm not sure when my desire to go to help really originated, but I can confidently tell you now that it is stronger than ever. I consider myself a selfless person who was put on this world to make a difference. Whether it's been hugging a friend in need, or donating time and money to a worthy cause...I've always wanted my life to have a meaning.
And now, I am making a dream come true.
I am going to South Africa.
When I originally starting researching how to make my dream of helping come true, many ideas ran through my head. I first highly considered become a member of the Peace Corps, but when I realized I would be gone for over two years, I reconsidered options that would give me more freedom to be closer to my family if, heaven forbid, an emergency came up.
Then I stumbled across CARE, a program that strikes itself upon defending dignity and fighting poverty: two issues that have truly gained my interest. When I realized they were the leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty, I knew I had to find a way to become involved. I began researching their programs and then found the volunteer program they work closely work, Cross-Cultural Solutions. It is here that I found my first step towards my dream.
CCS's volunteer program will allow me to truly make a difference in this world. I have chosen to go to South Africa in August 2008 for a three week program in which CCS staff will place me through a careful evaluation of my personal skills and interests and matches it with the needs of the community in which I'll be volunteering.
I will get the chance to walk hand in hand with children who just need simple acts of kindness and food in their lives. I will get to work with men, women and children on the educational awareness of HIV/AIDS. I will get to help young women gain empowerment to be the success they were meant to be. I want to help more than anything in this world.
This will be a dream come true for me..
But before my dream came become a reality, I need YOUR help. This is why I created this online blog, for me to become more connected with my community and to obtain the financial assistance I need to make my dream of volunteering abroad come true.
With your help, I can make a difference. Please stay tuned as I update this blog with more information about my trip, how you can donate, and a countdown to my departure. For information how to contribute or to learn more about CCS, please read my previous blogs or contact me if you have any questions: sunnyhutchinson@gmail.com
In closing, here are a few quotes that have inspired me greatly.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
“The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems”
“You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result”
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”
-All by Gandhi
And now, I am making a dream come true.
I am going to South Africa.
When I originally starting researching how to make my dream of helping come true, many ideas ran through my head. I first highly considered become a member of the Peace Corps, but when I realized I would be gone for over two years, I reconsidered options that would give me more freedom to be closer to my family if, heaven forbid, an emergency came up.
Then I stumbled across CARE, a program that strikes itself upon defending dignity and fighting poverty: two issues that have truly gained my interest. When I realized they were the leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty, I knew I had to find a way to become involved. I began researching their programs and then found the volunteer program they work closely work, Cross-Cultural Solutions. It is here that I found my first step towards my dream.
CCS's volunteer program will allow me to truly make a difference in this world. I have chosen to go to South Africa in August 2008 for a three week program in which CCS staff will place me through a careful evaluation of my personal skills and interests and matches it with the needs of the community in which I'll be volunteering.
I will get the chance to walk hand in hand with children who just need simple acts of kindness and food in their lives. I will get to work with men, women and children on the educational awareness of HIV/AIDS. I will get to help young women gain empowerment to be the success they were meant to be. I want to help more than anything in this world.
This will be a dream come true for me..
But before my dream came become a reality, I need YOUR help. This is why I created this online blog, for me to become more connected with my community and to obtain the financial assistance I need to make my dream of volunteering abroad come true.
With your help, I can make a difference. Please stay tuned as I update this blog with more information about my trip, how you can donate, and a countdown to my departure. For information how to contribute or to learn more about CCS, please read my previous blogs or contact me if you have any questions: sunnyhutchinson@gmail.com
In closing, here are a few quotes that have inspired me greatly.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
“The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems”
“You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result”
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”
-All by Gandhi
How you can contribute
First of all, thank you for taking the time to read my blog and to learn more about this once in a lifetime experience I hope to embark on. Each contribution, no matter how big or small, helps. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for giving me a chance to help and THANK YOU for making dreams come true.
My first goal was to raise $275. This is the amount of money I must have in order to enroll in the program. Now that I have raised this amount, I can begin to raise money for my next goal...$4,000. Although this goal seems high, I believe I can achieve this with YOUR help. I will need $2,885 just to cover my volunteer expenses with CCS. The $1,115 leftover is close to the amount I will need in order to purchase a plane ticket to my volunteer destination. Any other amount I raise will be donated to CCS for future volunteers or placed in an account if I'd like to attend another volunteer program in another country.
Your contribution is not going unnoticed, as you should take into a few considerations about donating.
- Your donation will help me make a difference in this world. You will be helping me make the trip to another country to help another child in need, to educate a father, to empower a mother. Your donation will make my dream of helping others come true.http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
- If you choose to lend your support to this cause, you’ll be pleased to know that all contributions are 100% tax-deductible.
I will be in South Africa for a total of 21 days (a three week period) and I’d be much obliged to receive a $1 contribution for each day of my trip, totaling $21. CCS and I will be extremely grateful for any contribution, no matter how big or small. If you can match my $21, then I thank you whole heartedly, if you can't match it, then I still thank you whole heartedly!
Now, here is how you can donate:
- Contributions made by check or money order must visit this website in which you must specify if you are enclosing a check or money order and for how much. Please note, checks MUST be made out to "Cross-Cultural Solutions" and MUST have my name "Sunny Hutchinson" in the memo section. If for some reason the link does not work, please email me and request the form: sunnyhutchinson@gmail.com
-Contributions by Credit Card can be donated by visiting this website. Click the red text that says "MAKE AN ONLINE PAYMENT", then enter my email address (sunnyhutchinson@gmail.com) and click that you are a sponsor.
Again, THANK YOU!!!
My first goal was to raise $275. This is the amount of money I must have in order to enroll in the program. Now that I have raised this amount, I can begin to raise money for my next goal...$4,000. Although this goal seems high, I believe I can achieve this with YOUR help. I will need $2,885 just to cover my volunteer expenses with CCS. The $1,115 leftover is close to the amount I will need in order to purchase a plane ticket to my volunteer destination. Any other amount I raise will be donated to CCS for future volunteers or placed in an account if I'd like to attend another volunteer program in another country.
Your contribution is not going unnoticed, as you should take into a few considerations about donating.
- Your donation will help me make a difference in this world. You will be helping me make the trip to another country to help another child in need, to educate a father, to empower a mother. Your donation will make my dream of helping others come true.http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
- If you choose to lend your support to this cause, you’ll be pleased to know that all contributions are 100% tax-deductible.
I will be in South Africa for a total of 21 days (a three week period) and I’d be much obliged to receive a $1 contribution for each day of my trip, totaling $21. CCS and I will be extremely grateful for any contribution, no matter how big or small. If you can match my $21, then I thank you whole heartedly, if you can't match it, then I still thank you whole heartedly!
Now, here is how you can donate:
- Contributions made by check or money order must visit this website in which you must specify if you are enclosing a check or money order and for how much. Please note, checks MUST be made out to "Cross-Cultural Solutions" and MUST have my name "Sunny Hutchinson" in the memo section. If for some reason the link does not work, please email me and request the form: sunnyhutchinson@gmail.com
-Contributions by Credit Card can be donated by visiting this website. Click the red text that says "MAKE AN ONLINE PAYMENT", then enter my email address (sunnyhutchinson@gmail.com) and click that you are a sponsor.
Again, THANK YOU!!!
THANK YOU!
I would like to personally thank each and every one of you who have contributed to make my dream come true! I am forever grateful for your extraordinary love, selflessness, and hope for a better future. THANK YOU!
Jennifer Allison with Earth Xstasy Entertainment
Kristin Malone with MiraClean
Chris McGee with Classic Photography
Sabrina Yoong
Anthony Digiorgio
Chuck Robinson
Stephanie Moore
Dr. Jennifer Disney
Beth and Charles Pickelsimer
Judy and Lynn Hutchinson
Andy Hutchinson
Carole Treadaway
Caley Crull
Jaime Allison
Sandy and Wayne Steffen
Karen Day
Sally and Dave Brown
Christine Crout
Megan Malone
Lindsey Page
Jacob Worden
Triple S Booking
Jeanette Webb
Ducky Moore
Dr. William Fisher
Ann Morris
Mary Fox
Dr. Larry Timbs
Dr. Guy Reel
Keri Todd
Darlene Moore
Ben Granger
Kelsey Steffen
Clara Steffen
Gretchen Echegaray
Deborah Bryant
Javy Gwaltney
Jamie Morgan
Matt Bailey
Scott Inkley and Pilot Light
**if you would prefer your name not be listed here, please let me know and I will post an anonymous listing instead**
Jennifer Allison with Earth Xstasy Entertainment
Kristin Malone with MiraClean
Chris McGee with Classic Photography
Sabrina Yoong
Anthony Digiorgio
Chuck Robinson
Stephanie Moore
Dr. Jennifer Disney
Beth and Charles Pickelsimer
Judy and Lynn Hutchinson
Andy Hutchinson
Carole Treadaway
Caley Crull
Jaime Allison
Sandy and Wayne Steffen
Karen Day
Sally and Dave Brown
Christine Crout
Megan Malone
Lindsey Page
Jacob Worden
Triple S Booking
Jeanette Webb
Ducky Moore
Dr. William Fisher
Ann Morris
Mary Fox
Dr. Larry Timbs
Dr. Guy Reel
Keri Todd
Darlene Moore
Ben Granger
Kelsey Steffen
Clara Steffen
Gretchen Echegaray
Deborah Bryant
Javy Gwaltney
Jamie Morgan
Matt Bailey
Scott Inkley and Pilot Light
**if you would prefer your name not be listed here, please let me know and I will post an anonymous listing instead**
Have I reached my goal?
Now that you have taken interest in helping me make my dream come true, I want to share with you every step of the way so that you can see how much your contribution helps me become one step closer to making my dream come true.
Goal #1
- Raise $275 to pay for my enrollment fee to officially begin my CCS experience.
- The sooner I meet this goal, the sooner I can start raising my most important goal...
Goal #2
- Raise $4,000 to cover my CCS fee, airplane tickets and to have some money donated to the CCS program for future volunteers
- Must raise this amount by JULY!!!
-----
February 17th, 2008
- $275 was donated to me from one of my best friends, Kristin! THANK YOU KRISTIN!
- I'm now officially work towards goal #2!!!!
- Within a few HOURS I have received over $100+ in donations JUST from responses on facebook.com...SO THANK YOU!!!!!
February 21st, 2008
Just wanted to update everyone that my enrollment is OFFICIAL!!! I will be getting a package in the mail soon with my first steps for preparing for my trip, and a sweet free tshirt :) I'll post pictures soon, don't worry :)
For those of you who have promised to contribute in the next few months, I truly appreciate it! I am SO thankful for the many blessed people in my life who are willing to donate even just a $1 to this AMAZING cause!!!
I have some great fundraising ideas under my sleeves...so be prepared for some pretty sweet events coming up in the next few months!
When you have a moment, please also visit a website from the ONE Campaign (which I've been a part of since they first started and still proudly flash off my bracelet!) about an important issue: I just signed a petition to the 2008 presidential candidates urging them to commit to visiting Africa during their first term.
You can help by taking action here: http://www.onevote08.org/ontherecord/visitafrica/?rc=visitafricataf2
All my love,
February 22, 2008
- Today I was blessed enough to have two of my college professors donate money! Thank you Dr. Timbs and Prof Reel! You're contributions have helped so much and I am SO thankful!
- I officially have a website page with Cross-Cultural Solutions! Please visit this link here, and type in my username in the field under Sponsors. I'll be updating this as well, so keep checking in with me!
March 4, 2008
- I received a few checks in the mail over the weekend. Thank you Dad, Karen and Ducky!!!
- I've now fundraised a total of $305!!!
- I am now a few hundred dollars closer to my program fee, now totaling at $2,580!
- I leave for Africa in 4 months and 28 days!!! :) :) :)
March 5, 2008
- My media law professor, Dr. Fisher, made a contribution today!
- Great news, my DEADLINE for DONATIONS has been extended! Now the FINAL DUE DATE FOR DONATIONS IS JULY 3, 2008!
- Keep up to date with my progress online by visiting this website and logging in under the SPONSOR section by typing in my username: sunnyhutchinson. This will give you access to seeing my progress of fundraising!
- Also, I've created a myspace account to help promote my fundraising efforts, so if you are on myspace, be my friend! :)
March 6, 2008
- Details will be annoucned soon about my upcoming acoustic benefit show at CUPPS Cafe in Rock Hill, so keep checking back.
- Today I met with Dr. Disney, a professor at my university well known for her huge heart and urgency to help others. Although I am a person of many words, her willingness to help me makes me absolutely speechless. I see great things in my future with her help and I am truly blessed to have someone like her. Stay tuned.
March 24, 2008
- My first benefit concert is scheduled for April 11th at Cupps Cafe in Rock Hill! Stay tuned for the official post.
- I've raised close to $800!!!!!! I am absolutely astonished by the donations, so THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
April 5, 2008
- My goal was to raise $1,000 by the end of my first benefit concert on April 11th...but I just got more donations and now have reached $1,000!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!
Goal #1
- Raise $275 to pay for my enrollment fee to officially begin my CCS experience.
- The sooner I meet this goal, the sooner I can start raising my most important goal...
Goal #2
- Raise $4,000 to cover my CCS fee, airplane tickets and to have some money donated to the CCS program for future volunteers
- Must raise this amount by JULY!!!
-----
February 17th, 2008
- $275 was donated to me from one of my best friends, Kristin! THANK YOU KRISTIN!
- I'm now officially work towards goal #2!!!!
- Within a few HOURS I have received over $100+ in donations JUST from responses on facebook.com...SO THANK YOU!!!!!
February 21st, 2008
Just wanted to update everyone that my enrollment is OFFICIAL!!! I will be getting a package in the mail soon with my first steps for preparing for my trip, and a sweet free tshirt :) I'll post pictures soon, don't worry :)
For those of you who have promised to contribute in the next few months, I truly appreciate it! I am SO thankful for the many blessed people in my life who are willing to donate even just a $1 to this AMAZING cause!!!
I have some great fundraising ideas under my sleeves...so be prepared for some pretty sweet events coming up in the next few months!
When you have a moment, please also visit a website from the ONE Campaign (which I've been a part of since they first started and still proudly flash off my bracelet!) about an important issue: I just signed a petition to the 2008 presidential candidates urging them to commit to visiting Africa during their first term.
You can help by taking action here: http://www.onevote08.org/ontherecord/visitafrica/?rc=visitafricataf2
All my love,
February 22, 2008
- Today I was blessed enough to have two of my college professors donate money! Thank you Dr. Timbs and Prof Reel! You're contributions have helped so much and I am SO thankful!
- I officially have a website page with Cross-Cultural Solutions! Please visit this link here, and type in my username in the field under Sponsors. I'll be updating this as well, so keep checking in with me!
March 4, 2008
- I received a few checks in the mail over the weekend. Thank you Dad, Karen and Ducky!!!
- I've now fundraised a total of $305!!!
- I am now a few hundred dollars closer to my program fee, now totaling at $2,580!
- I leave for Africa in 4 months and 28 days!!! :) :) :)
March 5, 2008
- My media law professor, Dr. Fisher, made a contribution today!
- Great news, my DEADLINE for DONATIONS has been extended! Now the FINAL DUE DATE FOR DONATIONS IS JULY 3, 2008!
- Keep up to date with my progress online by visiting this website and logging in under the SPONSOR section by typing in my username: sunnyhutchinson. This will give you access to seeing my progress of fundraising!
- Also, I've created a myspace account to help promote my fundraising efforts, so if you are on myspace, be my friend! :)
March 6, 2008
- Details will be annoucned soon about my upcoming acoustic benefit show at CUPPS Cafe in Rock Hill, so keep checking back.
- Today I met with Dr. Disney, a professor at my university well known for her huge heart and urgency to help others. Although I am a person of many words, her willingness to help me makes me absolutely speechless. I see great things in my future with her help and I am truly blessed to have someone like her. Stay tuned.
March 24, 2008
- My first benefit concert is scheduled for April 11th at Cupps Cafe in Rock Hill! Stay tuned for the official post.
- I've raised close to $800!!!!!! I am absolutely astonished by the donations, so THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
April 5, 2008
- My goal was to raise $1,000 by the end of my first benefit concert on April 11th...but I just got more donations and now have reached $1,000!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!
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