Archive by Author

Giving Back to the Families of Our Fallen Soldiers | A Soldier’s Child Birthday Foundation

by Adelaide Collins on October 24, 2011 in Cause to Promote

Last week we were given the wonderful opportunity to meet with Daryl Mackin, the founder of A Soldier’s Child Birthday Foundation. They were the September recipient for Cause to Promote. A Soldier’s Child is a growing non-profit that honors the birthdays of children who have lost a parent in active duty. The idea was created by Daryl Mackin in November 2007 while preparing for his own son’s 6th birthday party. Daryl was in his office and saw a picture of Mark (a dear friend who was killed in active duty). At that moment Daryl realized that Christian (the son of Mark) would never have another birthday with his own father. In June of 2008 they celebrated their 1st birthday through the organization for Christian (in honor of Mark).

Each year the organization has grown, and in June 2010 they had 40 kids, by Christmas 200, and this year they have up to 500 kids they send presents to. Daryl’s mission is to remember the children. He said “Not many things are done for the kids for the most part they are forgotten.” A Soldier’s Child does not seek out the children because it is such a sensitive time for most families. Mothers are asked to fill out a gift interview form, this helps Daryl and his team shop for toys, clothes, and necessities that child needs. In the middle of every month Daryl and a group of volunteers go gift shopping, wrap, and ship, within those 3 days…quite the impressive and thorough process!

The unique thing about this organization is the emphasis they place on wrapping the gifts. Each gift is wrapped in purple paper, lined with silver and gold ribbon which Daryl says symbolizes “Royalty.” Through the interview I learned about a shell that is found on the Florida beach called a Spiny Dye Mirax. The mollusk of this shell produces a purple dye. The purple die in the shell ties back to the idea of the wrapping that the child inherited royalty. The shell is placed on the box along with a scroll that is stamped with a waxed crown. Their goal is to adopt these children and continue to bless each birthday until they are adults. Daryl was proud to announce that he had never missed a birthday!

Daryl and is members of volunteers continue to gain and bless children as the years go on. They now offer a week long summer camp and hope to form a scholarship program for these children. What he is doing is a true reflection on his character. He has impacted so many lives around the United States and his faith shines through each gift. It was a delight to meet he and his co-worker Clayton Ledford. For more information visit their website www.asoldierschild.org.

“We are Warriors. We fight and sometimes die so that our families don’t have to”.

-Sgt. Mark Andrew Golczynski

Daryl and Clayton with the Cause To Promote swag they won!

Comments { 0 }

Pretty in Pink | Here’s to Mom!

by Adelaide Collins on September 29, 2011 in Cause to Promote

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. This October we celebrate 25 years of awareness, education, and empowerment. The American Cancer Society has made great improvements in treatment and early detection saving millions of woman from breast cancer today.

This blog hits close to home for me. My life and my families lives changed dramatically and unexpectedly in July when we found out my mom, Barbara Collins, was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. She was in Nashville and told me that she had to go to the doctor due to an unusual lump. That lump lead to multiple other appointments which eventually lead to the conclusion that she had cancer. Next step, she was scheduled for a double mastectomy removing both of her breasts in my hometown, Kerrville, TX.

Honestly, everything happened so quickly, my parents were in-and-out of doctors offices, and we never really had time as a family to sit down and talk about it. Confused and worried I went home to be with her during the week of her surgery, it was important for me to know that she knew I was there for her, even if I was sitting in the waiting room. I’ve watched her make tremendous strides to recovery. She recovered from her surgery well and was able to enjoy being at my sisters wedding before starting chemo.

Because this type of cancer is so aggressive it is imperative to start treatment immediately, it can spread like wild fire, she had her first round the Monday after our family trip to New Orleans for Hattie (my sister’s) wedding. She chopped her hair, dyed it platinum blonde, and was ready to begin this new stage of her life.

She writes a blog sharing her story with others, she wrote, “I am blessed to be living in an age where technology is what it is, medicine is what it can be and reconstruction of the anatomy is bionic.” (http://madreminutes.blogspot.com/) As she fights I fight with her through prayer and support.

Mom and her new "do"

To raise awareness I encourage you to wear a pink ribbon or use other products that support the cause during Breast Cancer Awareness Month or throughout the year. This is a great way to honor survivors and those who are still fighting. Participate in activities that bring awareness about the disease, honor cancer survivors, and help save lives.

As a reminder for woman do monthly breast checks, don’t overlook something that seems unusual. I will proudly wear a ribbon for my mom and those who continue to fight and have survived!

Comments { 2 }

SEC Block Party Fundraising Event!

by Adelaide Collins on September 28, 2011 in Events at the Prints

We recently had the opportunity to be a co-sponsor for a local Nashville event benefitting Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The event was organized by Southeastern Young Alumni Charitable Foundation (SEYA). Sunglasses and Koozies were well received by excited guest at the entrance of the event. Our booth was hoppin’ as we chatted it up and passed out swag such as bottle openers, cowbells, acrylic tumblers, and football schedule magnets. As I always say, PEOPLE LOVE FREEBIES!

Part of the fun was that guests were given the option of trying some of the tastiest BBQ from the best smokehouses in town! Guest were also given drink coupons to enjoy 1 of 3 flavors of Sweetwater Beer and a ticket to cast a vote for the best BBQ. The People’s Choice BBQ winner this year was Puckett’s Grocery, great job, way to make our mouths water with that great pulled pork and cole slaw!

Local vendors such as Val’s boutique had a wide selection of tailgating dresses catering to the needs of the ladies to impress those southern gentleman. We also held a drawing at our booth for a chance to win 500 FREE imprinted bottle openers! A congratulations to The Nielsen Company, particularly Erica Gillespie, Associate Client Manager for winning the bottle openers!

The event was a great success raising over $20,000! We also had a blast and met some some really cool folks from the area! I wish all the SEC teams good luck as we kicked off the season in style and walked away with some great swag!

A Few Gals from the Prints!

Comments { 0 }

A Night On the Town – USimprints Style!

by Adelaide Collins on September 22, 2011 in Events at the Prints

Last night the USimprints crew participated in a LivingSocial scavenger hunt in downtown Nashville which took us all over the place from the State Capital to the infamous L&C building. At the start of the contest, we were all given blue bandanas to wear which were courtesy of the nice folks at LivingSocial. While walking down the street, one of the locals asked “are you all in a gang’? His friend then commented “a gang of pretty ladies”. Did I mention we have a lot of ladies here at the Prints?!

Not being a native Nashvillian, I was personally of no help to the team! The scavenger hunt theme was to unscramble 13 letters based on clues about landmark buildings found downtown that would spell out the name of a Mexican restaurant. The end of the hunt would land us enjoying a mexican buffet and free beer, cha ching! Although, I was of no help, our fearless leader Wade Benz (a native Nashvillian) was able to figure out each clue making it very easy for everyone else.

As we walked the streets of downtown, we shared random stories of late nights at Lonnie’s Karaoke and wondered what we would get into after the buffet! Part of the fun was the various pictures we had to take of our group doing silly things like howling at the moon, pretending to be a villain with a drawn finger mustache, and a damsel in distress! Wade, Beth, Shari, and I all laid on the cement posing for a Siesta. It was a great photo, but left us feeling really gross!

I’m not going to lie, we cheated about half way through. While outside the State Capital we swapped a few letters with another team. We all were feeling low blood sugar levels and all I could think about was was the free food and drinks! Lynn Headley (one of our sales reps) kept the momentum up when most of us were ready to throw in the towel…so it’s obvious that I’m not a shoe-in for the Amazing Race! Lynn was great and pressed on and we eventually found the restaurant, Fiesta Mexicana!!!

It was a quite entertaining stroll and a fun filled evening with my team members! I not only learned new things about where I live, but the evening also forged memorable bonds with my co-workers!

We are not in a gang…but instead a “gang of pretty ladies!”