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Running and working out (well, mostly running) continues to be a part of my daily life. Even though my days as a competitive athlete are behind me, there is still something that working up a sweat and clearing my mind does for my quality of life. That will probably always be the case -- at least I hope it is.
No one makes me run. And it's not like it was before, when I had to stay in shape for my professional livelihood (or in college, for my personal livelihood during the always-unpredictable Ceal Barry practices).
I run when I want to. When I feel good, I run. When I need a day to rest, I take a break. Simple as that.
Not every run looked like this.
Every once in a while, however, it feels good to have a tangible reason to pound the pavement (personal sanity aside).
In early October, through Nike+, I pledged to run at least 150 miles by December 7th.
Bank of America, (RED), and the Nike+ running community joined forces to bring us 'one step closer to ending AIDS'. For every mile run and pledged, B of A would donate 40¢ (or one day of medication that can help an HIV-positive expectant mother from passing the virus on to her babies).
I was already a member of the Nike+ community, so all I needed to do was push the pledge button, and log the miles.
150 miles; it wasn't an enormous number, but it would take a commitment to get it done.
One mile = one day of medication.
I was going to do whatever I had to do to meet my goal: whether it'd be sneaking in three-to-four miles on my hour-long lunch breaks, running in less-than-ideal conditions (rain, wind, cold, dark, all of the above), logging several runs on the dreaded treadmill (read: dreadmill), or finishing a long day with short run in on tired, jello-y legs.
I said I'd get to 150, so you better believe that I was going to get there. I liked having something holding me accountable -- it made it easier to get out the door.
That brings me to my point: I ran a lot more during these past two months than I would have had I not committed to this campaign. During the cold days, I would have said, 'It's too cold to run,' and stayed in. When I was tired, that would have been a good enough excuse not to get out the door. And so on.
If the commitment/motivation is there (in anything), we will find a way to get it done. The Nike+ community was committed to the cause, and we accomplished this with our legs:
One million dollars towards ending the spread of HIV/AIDS: not bad for a bunch of runners.
Get out, get involved -- you never know what will get you out the door!
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Too many times, public figures, celebrities if you will, are in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Who knows why we choose to highlight the negative instead of the positive. More often than not, however, celebrities, like the rest of us, do good. And usually, the good is not sufficiently celebrated.
This summer, I had the chance to see a little of the 'good', live and in action. So I wanted to bring a little more attention to the cause.
Last year, about this time, I first wrote about a charity project I became involved with, led by actress Vanessa Marcil, benefiting Nkosi's Haven and Sojourn Services.
Store setup at the Baby Gagoo launch in Staten Island.
The project consisted of raising awareness (and money), and donating items to children and women in need of a little extra help.
Nkosi's Haven is a residential care center in South Africa that provides care for HIV/AIDS infected mothers, children and AIDS orphans (infected or not). Sojourn, based in Los Angeles, provides battered women and their children a safe place to regroup, rebuild, and reestablish their self-esteem and lives.
Kiddos showing off the Gagoo threads.
Nearly a year later, the project continues on. With the launch of Vanessa's Baby Gagoo clothing line earlier this year, that project has been dubbed 'the Pajama Project'.
In August, at the East Coast launch event at Jimmy's Fine Jewelery Too in Staten Island, party-goers had the chance to see the beautiful clothing up close, as they were modeled by kids running around the venue, bid on various auction items, mingle with Vanessa and friends, all the while raising money for two worthwhile and deserving charities.
Did I mention that proceeds benefited Nkosi's and Sojourn?
The organic clothing line features newborn, toddler, and youth clothing (along with big 'kid' -- adult -- hoodies and tees too!) designed by Vanessa. The characters on the clothes, Gagoo and Fat Kat, were created by Vanessa, her son Kassius, and sister Sherry. Gagoo and Fat Kat are featured in stories that we all can learn from, and aim to show children 'It's okay to be...' whatever you are!
Kassius, Vanessa, Gagoo, & Jimmy at Staten Island event.
Like it or not, the Holidays are fast approaching. So I wanted to put the idea of the Pajama Project back into your minds.
For every item bought from Baby Gagoo, one pair of pajamas is donated to Nkosi's Haven. Simple as that.
Whoever your little loved ones are, whether you have kids yourself, or adorable nieces like I do, the clothes from Gagoo make beautiful gifts. The clothes are incredibly soft, comfy, made from organic materials (and low-impact dyes), and 'emotionally nutritious'.
Let's continue to support Vanessa, Baby Gagoo, and this wonderful project. For those of you interested, it would be an amazing gift for the little one(s) in your life, and the women and children at Nkosi's and Sojourn.
Beautiful clothing from Baby Gagoo.
Baby Gagoo is a 'mom and pop' operation, so items are made as the orders are placed. If you are shopping for the holidays or one day in-particular day, please keep this in mind!
Put the Baby Gagoo Store in your favorites, and when it comes time to do some Holiday shopping, please remember the Pajama Project with Baby Gagoo!
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You may recall my blog about the Pajama project for Nkosi's Haven, led by Vanessa Marcil, that I have become involved with. Since initially publishing in November, several updates have been made along the way.
But more details have emerged recently, so I wanted to give you all the most-recent, exciting information! (And throw the idea back out into the blogosphere)
Here's a quick rundown of our efforts: Vanessa, and a team of generous ladies will be making a visit to Nkosi's Haven this Spring (Nkosi's is a shelter for mothers and their children infected with HIV/AIDS, and resulting AIDS orphans--read more in my first Nkosi's blog from November). Upon that visit, they will be bringing with them supplies, toys, clothes, shoes, etc... to donate to the shelter.
Beyond the donation of these items, we also have a goal of providing every child, mother and caretaker at Nkosi's (and the surrounding area) with a new pair of 100% organic cotton Gagoo pajamas.
Gagoo Jammies!
Vanessa has been working tirelessly to design these extra-special pairs of pajamas for the kids we're trying to reach. As the pajamas have come together, I have tried to keep all interested parties updated. As you can see from the latest pictures (seen at left, and below), these PJs will sport the name and logo Gagoo (Vanessa's baby/kids clothing line being launched April 28th).
Our initial goal was to have 10,000 pairs of organic pajamas ordered, and we're hovering right around that benchmark. We can't have too many orders, just like we can't have too many pairs of comfy jammies to donate to the kids at Nkosi's.
Here's a reminder of the 'Gagoo deal'. Order ONE pair of these adorable organic pajamas for a child in YOUR life, and a SECOND pair will be donated by Vanessa and team to a child at Nkosi's.
For $29.99, you get two pairs of adorable organic cotton pajamas!
If you would like, you can choose to have BOTH pairs of pajamas go to the children at Nkosi's (something I have done, and something several people who have ordered from me, have done).
Gagoo jammies!
Sizes run from newborn to youth size 10 (10 years old)!!
If you haven't done so already, email: Itsokaytobe@babygagoo.com to get your pajamas ordered! Or like before, you can contact me, and I will submit the order on your behalf. You will receive a follow up email, and will be informed when the pajamas are ready!
Our primary goal is to show love & compassion to a group of children that may need it the most. Providing them with a new pair of pajamas is an awesome way to do just that! It's something so small, yet so meaningful.
The Goal: 10,000 pairs of jammies ordered for AIDS orphans at Nkosi's Haven The Cost: $29.99 for 2 pairs of 100% organic cotton pajamas (one pair for a child in your life, and one pair for an orphan at Nkosi's Haven) Sizes: Newborn to Youth Size 10 Email: Itsokaytobe@babygagoo.com to get on the wait list to place your pajama orders. Leave your name, phone #, address, email, the quantity & size you need. The sizes range from newborn to youth 10. You will receive an email when they are available to purchase. Website: See:http://www.babygagoo.com to donate directly to the cause, or buy tickets for the launch party of Baby Gagoo on April 28th (proceeds go to Sojourn and Nkosi's Haven)!
Tweet ***Note*** I have made several updates in the last few days to have the most accurate information available. Updates can be found below in bold text! Thanks SO much. ~ Sabrina
Recently, though the wonders of the internet, and more-specifically, Twitter, I have come into contact with a pretty awesome group of chicks. Through countless exchanges of under 140-character banter, we have somehow gotten to know one another, and genuinely care about what is happening in each others lives. Even though many of us have not yet met, I would consider them very good friends of mine.
Somewhere along the line, the conversations turned productive, and the team looked get into charity work. In February of 2012, a large group of them, joined/led by actress Vanessa Marcil, are going to South Africa to volunteer at Nkosi's Haven. Nkosi's is a shelter for mothers and their children infected with HIV/AIDS, and resulting AIDS orphans.
The shelter, opened in 1999 by Gail Johnson, was founded with the idea of caring for the mother AND her child. Gail named it after the son she adopted, Nkosi, an AIDS orphan himself. Neither Nkosi nor Gail wanted another mother and child to be separated due to an HIV/AIDS diagnosis. They also wanted people infected with HIV/AIDS to be cared for without discrimination or prejudice. This is the premise under which Nkosi's Haven operates. Please watch the short video below about Gail and Nkosi Johnson, and Nkosi's Haven:
***One thing our team wants is every child, mother, and caretaker to have a new pair of pajamas upon their visit this Spring. It's something so small, yet so meaningful. Vanessa, herself, is working to get as many pairs of organic feety pajamas made.
She and her team are making it 'easy' to help get each of these kids a new pair of pajamas: buy one pair for a loved one in your family, and a second pair is donated to an AIDS orphan at Nkosi's. Our goal is to have 10,000 pairs of pajamas ordered. The cost of the pajamas will be $29.99. So for that amount, you will get one pair for a child close to your heart, while a second pair goes to a child at Nkosi's!
To get on the wait list for pajamas, email: Itsokaytobe@babygagoo.com and you'll receive a follow up email about how to participate (or you can contact me as well, and I'll pass along your interest). This is a great option, and something I hope you all will consider! Sizes go up to youth size 10.
As of yesterday, December 8th, we had just over 6,000 orders received. So we still have lots of work to do for these kids! As we continue to work on logistics, email to get on the wait list, and hold on to your money for the time being! Please pass along this information to your friends and family if you think they might be interested!***
One of the kiddos at Nkosi's - photo by Vanessa.
Obviously, their visit to Nkosi's lies smack dab in the middle of my basketball season here in France, so I will be unable to visit Nkosi's with the rest of the team. But I want to contribute in some way. And that's where I need your help! I need fundraising/supply collecting ideas, and I need to spread the word! Sure, I can write a check, and call it a day. But there are more ways to help than just opening up your pocketbook. There are supplies, clothes, shoes, etc...that need to be collected.
If you are interested in helping, or have clothes/shoes/supplies that you are willing to donate, please let me know! OR, if you have a great IDEA for raising awareness, and spreading the word, feel free to share it with me. I'm terrible with coming up with ideas like that, so I hope to hear some suggestions from you all! Cash donations can be made directly, here: Donate to Nkosi's Haven
If you are not comfortable donating to the children of Nkosi's, and feel a donation to a cause a little closer to home is more appropriate, I have great respect for that. In that case, Vanessa and team are also working with Sojourn Services for Battered Women and Children. Since 1977, Sojourn has provided battered women and their children a safe place to regroup, rebuild, and reestablish their lives. Cash donations can be made for Sojourn at: Donate to Sojourn
OR, if neither of these options interest you there is ALWAYS a local organization in your community that could use a donation! It doesn't matter where things are donated, just that people in need are being helped!
Again, from a previous visit.
No amount is too small, and no item is too trivial. It all adds up, and it all counts. All clothing items, shoes, slippers, art supplies, first aid supplies, vitamins, tooth paste, bed linens, toys, you name it, and we're collecting it! As we continue to work on logistics, if you are interesting in contributing, again, please contact me via Facebook, Twitter, or email!
For me, it is extremely difficult to fathom the struggles that the mothers and children of Nkosi's and Sojourn go through daily. I can say I am lucky/blessed to have been born where I was born, and been given the opportunities at life that I have been given. We are so far removed from many of these things: HIV/AIDS, poverty, abuse, etc...but the reality is that these things are an everyday occurrence for a great deal of people around the world.
Along with a great group of new friends, I'm hoping that this small effort, in turn, goes a long way and brings a little more light into these kids' lives.
