Good Cause – Rockland NY Mom

Askenas Chiropractic Annual Blanket Drive!

Posted on November 1, 2019 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Good Cause .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

PLEASE SUPPORT Askenas Chiropractic’s 15th ANNUAL BLANKET DRIVE. We are proud to report that, over the years, our patients have generously donated over 1500 blankets that went to various charities throughout the county and provided warmth and hope for many of Rockland’s neediest families. We hope you’ll help us continue this tradition.

The blankets we collect will be donated to the United Way of Rockland County to be distributed to local area residents in need. The United Way has contacted us again this year to stress that the blankets we collect truly makes a difference. This year, more than ever, we need your help!

We have set aside the following days for our blanket drive:

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2018 – FREE DAY for Existing Patients: We will be open from 2:30 pm to 7:30 pm for our existing patients. Those patients bringing in a FULL SIZE NEW (or CLEAN) BLANKET will receive their CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENT at NO CHARGE

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2018 – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2018 – FREE DAYS for New Patients: New patients bringing in a FULL SIZE NEW (or CLEAN) BLANKET will receive an INITIAL CONSULTATION, COMPLETE HEALTH HISTORY, AND A THOROUGH NEW PATIENT EXAMINATION at NO CHARGE!

Remember to tell your friends, family, and coworkers about this special opportunity.

Please call our office at 845-735-3737 to schedule your appointment as soon as possible as these slots will fill up quickly.

We would like to thank you in advance for your participation in this worthwhile cause!

Sincerely,

Askenas Chiropractic

P.S. We will gratefully accept a BLANKET for this great cause from you or your friends even if you decide not to schedule an appointment!

Get it Sold with SOHN AND Make a Difference too!

Posted on May 4, 2018 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Good Cause, In the Home, Rockland Real Estate, Services, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

Most of you know that Sheri is a passionate, dedicated, and professional Real Estate Agent, and the owner of SOHN Real Estate. What you may not know is that she also likes to give back to charity at least once a year in a big way. The charity that Sheri donates to is the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and this is how it works.

List your home with Sheri in the month of May, and she will donate 20% of her commission to the society. Why this specific charity? Sheri lost her sister to the horrid disease and wants to give back in her name, to try to find a cure for others, so that they don’t suffer the same fate.

Prefer to donate to another charity? That’s great too!!! Just let Sheri know which one and she will donate the 20% to them instead!!! This is a great opportunity to sell your home and also make a great difference for your favorite charity!!!

To speak to Sheri give her a call at: 914-906-2900 and check our her current listings at: http://sohnrealestate.com/

Girl AGain Visit – American Girl Fun- With a Mission

Posted on August 21, 2017 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Classes, Day Trips, Good Cause, Out and about..., Reviews .

Disclosure: This is an unsponsored post, just a super cool place we HAD to share.

Here at RNYM we scour areas close to us looking for fun for the children of Rockland County. Little (E) is growing at an alarming rate (don’t they all though?). She recently got really into the Bitty Baby Doll (Baby Natasha) that she received for Christmas 2 years ago. Since she didn’t show too much interest at the time (aside from sleeping with her), we never looked for any accessories for her. Lately she has been asking about getting her some clothing so that she doesn’t have to wearthe same pajamas every single day.

Enter Girl AGain. I don’t think that (E) is quite ready for the American Girl Store, I am sure that it won’t be long now, but she hasn’t been into the doll and accessories that long yet. I can’t wait to take her for the tea, and a day in the city, but not quite yet. I wanted to take her somewhere that she could pick something nice out though. Well, Girl AGain has been on our radar for a while, it has a mission that we ADORE and sells previously loved American Girl Dolls, clothes, and accessories. PLUS, its right in White Plains, a mere 25 minutes away from Rockland.

What is Girl AGAIN? Girl AGain is a store that is created by parent company Yes She Can Inc. Its goal is to employ Autistic Women. Here’s a small blurb from their website:

“Did you know that 80% of adults with autism are unemployed? We created our boutique specifically to help develop transferable job skills for young women with autism. Our trainees at Girl AGain sort, clean and prepare the merchandise, price it, and display it in our shop. Our trainees learn about marketing, merchandising, retailing, customer service, and inventory acquisition in addition to appropriate workplace behavior, research, collaboration and decision-making. We have staff who manage our accounting (Quick Books) and our website (WordPress).

Our customers learn about the abilities of people with autism. And hopefully, our youngest shoppers learn about acceptance and inclusion of people with disabilities.”

So, since (E) had to miss camp for a Pulmonologist appointment, her grandmother and I decided to take her on a road trip afterwards as a treat.

Getting to Girl AGain is SIMPLE. It is a straight 25 minutes door to door, you can park right in the hotel (the underground entrance is RIGHT next to the store). Just press the button and let them know that you are there for Girl AGain. Walking into the store is magic- little (E)’s face lit up right away. We brought Baby Natasha with us to try things on and so that she could see as well. Although the space is small, there is SO much to look at. Tables and racks and nooks of special toys. The staff at the store was SUPER helpful, asking if there was anything special that we were looking for. Once they heard (E) was looking for Bitty Baby items they walked her right over to where they were and showed her the clothing.

(E) picked out a beach set, and a gardening set for Natasha, before heading over to the off-brand section where she added a backpack and a night gown to the collection.

Gran was looking for some clothing for the AG doll that she has at her house, and was able to find Samantha’s Pinafore (which is what she was looking for) as well as an Irish Step Dancing outfit that she is saving for (E) for Christmas since she dances for a local school. Gran also had questions about care for the dolls, and they had a wonderful guide all printed and ready that they handed her.

The ladies at the store were great, (E) was able to run her whole transaction like a big girl, and was handed her bag to go (she was SO excited). We had a fun little afternoon and she got some GREAT stuff to play with. Natasha left wearing her new night gown, and was changed into her beach clothes shortly after coming home.

The prices of the items are market value, in fact, the staff spends time checking the market value on sites like EBAY. There are some absolute STEALS there though, like (E)’s $5 flannel night gown or $2. What makes us even happier is spending the money for a good cause, not just spending it with a big company. This money, this experience makes a difference. These girls are special, and I mean I got to hear stories about their own dolls and learn about how they run the store, it was truly lovely and enjoyable.

Girl AGain isn’t just a store to visit to shop, they also run some fabulous events that are suitable for Birthday Parties, Girl Scout Troops, or simply a fun afternoon with friends. You can keep up to date with their class offerings by clicking HERE. We intend to post all classes (starting back up in September) on our calendar, and attend at least one now that (E) is old enough. Also, if you can’t get to the store to purchase items in person, you can always shop their online inventory HERE.

OH YEAH- if your little ones are finished playing with the AG dolls and you would like to donate them to the cause you can contact them HERE to send them what you have and make a donation.

**Side Note** Tons of people have been asking about where I found (E)’s outfit- the dress, belt and bow are from www.kennedygreydesigns.com and we get a discount RockMom15. The boots are payless. :o)

Costume Swap for a Cause 2016- Thank You!

Posted on February 13, 2017 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Day Trips, Good Cause, March of Dimes, RNYM Events .

Disclosure: This is an unsponsored post- all opinions expressed are our own.

Two years ago we brainstormed a way to use old costumes again (since we paid so much money for them) and came up with the Costume Swap for a Cause. We raised $250 for charity (March of Dimes) two years running, and were so happy with it. Since it was such a success we decided to build upon that success for this year.

As a Media Sponsor for the March of Dimes we are committed to raising money for their cause. Therefore this years donations benefited the March of Dimes.

How it works: (also you can check our FB Event for updates – https://www.facebook.com/events/1778824429027980/ )

If you have old (gently used) costumes that you would like to donate bring it to one of our drop off locations.

The event was at Pearl River High School Pirates Cove on 10/8/16

Donations to the March of Dimes include – purchasing a costume at a suggested donation of $5 per costume, as well as a tricky Tray

Make a Halloween Craft- Arrow Head Necklaces with Day Camp in the Park

Paint a Glow in the Dark Pumpkin- Compliments of Red Hill Nursery

Enjoy a Halloween Treat

Take photos in our Photo Booth

Make a day of it! Go into town and have a ball at Pearl River Day!

Top Ten Reasons to Attend our Wellness Workshop 4/14

Posted on April 9, 2016 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Good Cause, March of Dimes, Out and about..., Specialty Items, Things to Do!, Thoughts.. .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own.

By: Jamie Silver, Norwex Consultant

Top Ten Reasons You Don’t Want to Miss This Workshop:

10. You get back Time

9. It’s just in time for Spring Cleaning.

8. A night out with…….Wine, prizes and giveaways….

7. Your skin needs to be summer ready– without harsh products.

6. You can learn how to clean your bathroom while your kids are in the tub and you don’t need to worry about any harmful fumes.

5. Your children can help you clean…. and this time you won’t need to redo it

4. Do you really want to miss seeing how you can clean up raw chicken with a cloth and water?

3. Time and money are precious. Coming to this presentation will save you both!

2. Wouldn’t you rather spend hundreds of dollars a year on shoes or handbags, rather than cleaning supplies?

1. You, Your Family and Your Friends all deserve a home which is a safe haven from the harmful chemicals in your household and personal care products

Come out to Wayne’s World in Nanuet on 4/14/2016 to hear more…. Bring the kids and have them make their own pizza while you learn, and play. 20% of food purchased all day goes to benefit the March of Dimes when you mention RocklandNYMom or March of Dimes.

Painting Sweet Dreams

Posted on January 11, 2016 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Crafts, Good Cause, Playroom Project, RNYM's Picks, Services, Specialty Items .

Disclosure: All opinions expressed are my own.

In our travels we came across Sabrina Crowley who makes the dreams of little children come true in their special spaces (bedroom, playroom). She is a muralist. In fact, she makes the dreams of grownups come true too. She can paint anything, and make it exactly what you imagined it could be. This is especially cool for people like me, I have awesome ideas, but was not blessed with artistic talent. Here is her story.

My name is Sabrina Crowley and I am a muralist. I just love what I do! There is nothing more exciting then seeing smiling faces on parents and children as they see their room come to life!

I became a muralist when I decided to leave my 15yr fashion design career behind to stay home with my young children, one of which has some severe health issues. It was time for me to be a full time mommy. I soon realized being creative was something I couldn’t live without. I started by painting murals in my children’s rooms, even my 4 year old helped!

I have been an artist all my life. I made my first pair of MC hammer pants in 6th grade, that sewing machine had me at hello. I spent time making crafts such as soaps and candles, quilts and more throughout my high school and college years. I worked many craft shows and street fairs. It was a lot of fun. I graduated from FIT and my fashion career took off. It was amazing, I worked for some really great companies and was really able to spread my creative wings.

Now I paint murals full time. Every room is different and every family has been amazing to work with.

The process is simple. We discuss what you are interested in and I make a trip to your house for a free consult. I sketch up and idea of what room will look like and we proceed from there. I try to accommodate as best I can, as I only paint 2 days a week. I spend about 10-12 hours on each room! I am in and out in two days and quiet as a mouse! You won’t know I’m there…so I’ve heard!

So if your looking to create a fun new space for your little one?

Here are some excellent examples of Sabrina’s work.

For more information, check out https://www.facebook.com/Sabrinasmurals/

Meet “Marvin” #myelfisgood

Posted on December 2, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Christmas 2015, Crafts, Day Trips, Good Cause, Out and about..., Photo Obsessed, Reviews .

Disclosure: This post is unsponsored (a few linked post were invitations). All ideas expressed are my own.

Pretty much everything I do centers around my Elf on the Shelf “Marvin.” Although I think that the clever little jokes and situations that are so popular on Pinterest are cute, and I admire those with the creativity to come up with such ideas, I personally feel that it rewards and shows the kids that being mischievous or sneaky is ok. My reasoning? 1. It counteracts what I think the season is about which is giving, helping others, and family. 2. It gives my kids permission to make messes or play tricks, sends the message that these things are cute, acceptable. In my house it is not.

Instead, “Marvin” is truly Santa’s Helper. He brings messages from the big man himself. Each message reminds the kids to be KIND, SHARE, SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH FAMILY. Some messages are reminders, some come with tasks, others with gifts or “secret missions” to complete (they LOVE these). Every year these messages come on a different letterhead (which I download from the internet). I found this year’s free download here: http://yourgoldenticketblog.com/2013/12/santa-claus-stationary-free-printable/

Anything that I create and post here, please feel free to use. The purpose of this page is to help you out not to make your life more difficult. In fact, some people have loved what they saw me doing and asked for an email to detail it for them.

*each bullet that is purple links to a post about that item or links to where it can be purchased quickly and easily. Events or reviews will become purple as the year progresses and I link the new posting to this main page.

Events:

For a full listing of Holiday Events please visit our Holiday Post. Below is a selection of events (past and present) that we have or will be visiting with links to our reviews.

Cut your Own Tree!!! – This link is a list of great places you can go and cut your own tree. Many places have special attractions and activities as well! We just did our Holiday Photos with Kennedy Grace Photography at Emmerich Tree Farm in Warwick – Super Cute. We also have plans this season to visit Battenfield for their Sleigh rides and more! #RocklandNYMomTreeTime2015

Holiday Photos! This year we were lucky enough to have photos done with Kennedy Grace this year!!! Stay tuned there are more awesome sessions coming!!!

The Royal Christmas Spectacular on December 6, 2015 features Captain Hook, Peter Pan, Elsa, Anna, Belle, Ariel, Mrs. Claus and Santa! Don’t miss this amazing event! $30 per adult, $35 per child. Family of four discounted package available! www.glamourpartyplanner.com/store for ticket information!

Books

Movies

Give Backs (Missions from Santa)

Santa Sac
Toys for Tots
“Adopting a Child”
Shopping with St. Jude
Letter to Santa (mailed at Macys)

Activities (Crafts etc.)

Make our Ornament– AC Moore and Michaels
Color an ornament- Local Grocery Store
Paint a Santa Train- Christmas Tree Shops
Make Cookies
Make a Gingerbread House – We got ours at Bed Bath and Beyond this year (used our 20% off). Click the link to see what they have to offer.

Past Trips

Storytime with Mrs. Claus
The Metro Museum Train Show
Pictures with Santa CLAWS – Read Last Year’s Post and watch for this years updated version!
Polar Express Train Ride
The Dreamworks North Pole Adventure (Ridge Hill Mall)
Holiday Train Show NYBG
Santa Paws
Santa Trolley
Santa Train

Gifts

Pajamas
Advent Calendar
Ornament Made From Christmas Card on Shutterfly – I simply scan and upload our yearly Christmas card and put it on this adorable pewter ornament.
Felt Wall Tree

Holiday Giving with St. Jude 2015

Posted on November 12, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Christmas 2015, Good Cause .

Disclosure: This is an unsponsored post. We love kids, and kids charities… This is a great way to get some lovely gifts, as well as make a difference this holiday season.

Did you know that every holiday season more than 70 of America’s best-known and most-loved companies and brands implement holiday fundraising campaigns featuring exciting new online engagement programs, in-store giving opportunities and specialty merchandise to help raise funds and awareness for St. Jude, the global leader in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other deadly diseases?

What a great way to celebrate the season, by giving gifts that also give more than meets the eye. These gifts include hope, care, love, and stress relief.

The items available can be found on the St. Jude Giftshop – http://giftshopmedia.sig-ad.com/#. The site features St. Jude branded products which 100% of the proceeds go to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, a collection of items by St. Jude celebrity friend items like Daisy Fuentes, and items from St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign partners like Kmart, Ann Taylor, Kay Jewelers, Williams-Sonoma, HomeGoods, New York & Company (the Limited), Brooks Brothers, TUMI, HSN, Pottery Barn, West Elm, DVF and more.

All proceeds from the merchandise sales support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. 2015 marks the 11th annual St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign. It’s an unprecedented union of celebrities, media and more than 70 of the nation’s leading brands and companies that ask consumers to donate while they shop during the holiday season to help St. Jude provide cutting-edge treatment and pursue visionary research. Created by Marlo, Terre, and Tony Thomas – the children of St. Jude founder Danny Thomas – the campaign has grown into an annual holiday tradition that has raised more than $587 million thanks to tremendous public support. Throughout the months of November and December, consumers shopping where the St. Jude logo is displayed can also make a donation at checkout or purchase specialty items, like those featured in the Holiday Preview, that benefit St. Jude.

Some great suggestions include (but are not limited to, check the site for full details):

Hot Chocolate Tube Mix– Perfect for a stocking stuffer, or add on for a teacher gift. Also, makes an adorable add on for those “Night before Christmas” boxes I have seen.

Key Holder – adorned with a space for a photo (who can get enough of those), space for several keys (so they don’t get lost on the counter anymore), and a timeless quote.

Caterpillar Tunnel– Something every child loves, crawling through a tunnel. Adorable and so developmentally helpful. I have used these in my living room during the winter months, and adapted them to several different birthday party ideas through the years. I can’t get enough of mine.

Stacking Train– (A) and (E) have had hours of fun with a train just like this one. I wish I had known at the time that I could have purchased one that would also benefit St. Jude.

Halloween Costume Swap- Give Back

Posted on September 22, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Events, Good Cause, Photo Obsessed, RNYM's Picks .

This time of year we see a million posts of people who don’t want to throw out the costumes they spent hours and dollars on for last years Halloween.

Last year we held an online sale (made a post and allowed everyone to put up their sale items). This worked really well.

This year we intend to do that again but we wanted to take it one step further. We decided to organize an event where you can DONATE your old costume, come to pick up a NEW one for $5 and we can donate all of the money to a charity. Which one? We decided that we should use children’s memories to create memories for those less fortunate, so Make-a-Wish it is.

Here’s the scoop…. We will collect old (gently used) costumes for kids, pets, adults, you name it. WE will organize it and advertise the event.

Our volunteers (and anyone else who wants to help) will set up and help with the sale. Afterwards we will let you know how much we raised to donate to Make-a-wish.

Logistics:

Costume Drop-off Locations: Nyack High School, Pearl River High School, My Sweet Pea in New City, Busy Bee Playschool

Date of Swap: 10/10/15 from 10 am – 1 pm

Location: Pearl River High School Pirates Cove (super convenient as it is also Pearl River Day- stop by and participate then walk into town for some fun!).

Cost: A suggested donation of $5 per costume purchased.

If you or someone you know is interested in donating, volunteering, becoming a collection site or participating in any way please contact us at RockandNYMom@yahoo.com.

#Superheroesforeveryone

Posted on August 3, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Good Cause, RNYM's Picks, Thoughts.., Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is an unsponsored post, but awesome is awesome and you needed to know. All opinions expressed are my own.

We are a superhero family… If you follow my posts that’s no surprise. We have had hero birthday parties, attended comic book day, made superhero mugs for father’s day, and so much more. One thing that constantly tugs at me is that there is a GIANT lack of strong female characters that (E) can relate and look up to.

As if he read my mind, a friend and comic book aficionado, Gary Bloom, has started a campaign to release the perfect comic book series. There are strong female LEADS, no SEXY outfits, and zero gender LIMITATIONS. Heroes are heroes, female and male as equal counterparts, as it should be!

We adore Natasha Romanov (Black Widow) and can’t believe this campaign hasn’t already raised the money that it needs to get going. Who wouldn’t want that for their daughter? Who wouldn’t want their little girl learning to DEFEND herself, feeling STRONG, PROUD, SMART, and RESOURCEFUL?! I look forward to the opportunity to explain to my daughter that you don’t need a man to save you; you are capable! Men & women are partners in crime (or heroism); no gender superiority.

When Frozen was released, the parental boards overflowed with love for sisters who saved themselves. Anna wasn’t saved by a kiss; it was true love of a sibling! Here’s a chance to take that idea and magnify it tenfold! I’m a HUGE Disney fan (as are my children). I’d love to see them behind this, from the GROUND up! I mean, who better than the company who now owns both the MARVEL and STAR WARS franchises? Girls don’t have to be princesses… they have options, why not show them some?

Oh, right: they’re the ones who left Black Widow toys out of the plan.

While I’m not an aficionado of obscure comics, we do watch some offbeat titles, and I still can’t find many strong females. Sadly, the popular heroines are regularly scantily clad. While I like Wonder Woman, I’d never let my daughter walk out of the house like that. I can think of few that are strong AND dressed conservatively.

Gary (the man behind the comic) intends to change. He wrote HEROES and then chose genders. They won’t be named “-girl” or “-woman”, much like Black Widow and Firestar; they became Cinderhawk and Stonefish. Bricker and Raceway have no gender identifiers, why should the women?

Why is Gary so intent on doing this? He’s a good guy, but more so, he’s a dedicated, loving husband and dad. An avid reader of comics, and follower of heroes, he was bothered at the consistent portrayal of the females in such works. He’s creating characters that he would want his daughter to emulate… that I want my daughter to emulate….

Gary snuggling with daughter (V) the inspiration behind his comics.

To get this endeavor off of the ground Gary has a Kickstarter campaign and is SO close to his goal. He has 11 more days to achieve it so that the first comic can be printed and released. I’ve already made a donation, and put in my request for t-shirts for the whole family. That’s how certain I am that this will be AMAZING.

For more information you can check out his Facebook Page (click Here) where he posts information including other interviews and articles about him and his amazing fight for GENDER EQUALITY in the SUPERHERO world. There are also some descriptions and exclusive pictures of the characters themselves. To contribute to his kickstarter campaign ( every donation of even a dollar is helpful, and receives an incentive) please click here. I will of course keep you updated, I hope to someday be purchasing tickets to the Red Lance Movie, and a Halloween costume for (E) to be Cinderhawk.