Thursday, September 3, 2009 by Planet Janet.

Due to overwhelming community support and interest, Wolfman Pizza is extending Birthday Blessings’ “Goodies for Good” campaign through Labor Day.  So head to Wolfman Pizza with your kids and teach them a lesson about giving, while enjoying some uber-delicious pizza!

Read the details below.

9-1-2009 press release (Wolfman Pizza Goodies for Good) 

Posted in CHARLOTTE, N.C., Philanthropy, nonprofits and volunteerism - CHARLOTTE,, Birthday Blessings, Cusine, N.C., Around town - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Cuisine - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Parenting - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »

Thursday, August 20, 2009 by Planet Janet.

Thanks to  for debuting Birthday Blessings’ first blog!  Click here to take a sneak peak into one of the fastest-growing nonprofits in Charlotte, NC.   Get volunteer executive director Amy Cervantes’ take on why she gives so much of her time to the homeless community, and learn why the Blessing Baskets program means so much to Charlotte philanthropist Heather Gibbs of Joe Gibbs Racing.   I’ll give you a hint:  To teach invaluable lessons about giving to their children.

Blogs | MomsCharlotte.com

Posted in CHARLOTTE, N.C., Philanthropy, nonprofits and volunteerism - CHARLOTTE,, Birthday Blessings, N.C., MomsCharlotte - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Around town - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Parenting - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »

Wednesday, August 19, 2009 by Planet Janet.

As some of you well know, I volunteer a lot of my time with Birthday Blessings.  Well, I am at it again, and I have another great way for Charlotte families to pitch in and help our struggling homeless community.  Did you know that as of May 2009, there are 2,989 children enrolled in CMS who have no place to call home?

  Well, Birthday Blessings coordinates with A Child’s Place (who compiled those stats, by the way!) to help make birthday dreams come true.  For more information about our partner, A Child’s Place, click here.

For details about how you can help starting today from 12-4 p.m., click here.  

Thanks, Charlotte MomsLikeMe, for the free press!  And, while you’re checking out the cold, hard facts (get it?  “Cold” Stone Creamery) , check out the site while you’re there!

Posted in Philanthropy, nonprofits and volunteerism - CHARLOTTE,, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Birthday Blessings, CHARLOTTE, N.C., N.C., Around town - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Getting personal, Parenting - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | 1 Comment »

Thursday, July 30, 2009 by Planet Janet.

You’re a mom with another baby on the way.  Your friends and family want to throw you a baby shower.   As far as you’re concerned, you have all you need and don’t want any more.

Have a baby shower anyway, and donate the proceeds to Birthday Blessings, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit that is taking flight, with opportunities for affiliate chapters to start up across the U.S.!

To celebrate the expansion of their Blessing Baskets program, which benefits homeless babies, I propose a challenge.

Bring gift cards and baby-care essentials to any Charlotte Monkey Joe’s this Friday, July 31, where your kids can “jump for a cause.” Discounted admission and food, with 20% of the proceeds going to Birthday Blessings.

I can’t tell you how impressed I personally am by Monkey Joe’s.  My PTO did a fundraiser there last year and made a ton of money!  I’ll be at the Pineville location at 10 a.m., so come say hi!  Read full details here.

Let’s show the world how Charlotte can rally for the homeless.

Posted in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Birthday Blessings, Philanthropy, nonprofits and volunteerism - CHARLOTTE,, CHARLOTTE, N.C., Parenting - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Kiddie Chaos | Print | No Comments »

Friday, July 24, 2009 by Planet Janet.

Parents, beat the heat and take the fun inside on July 31.  Bring your kids to any of the four Charlotte Monkey Joe’s locations to bounce for Birthday Blessings, a non-profit that throws birthday parties for local homeless children.  Birthday Blessings will gladly accept birthday presents, gift cards and party and goody bag supplies, all to benefit children living in seven area shelters and homeless CMS students.  RSVP on FaceBook here. Keep reading for more details…

YOU’RE INVITED! Add event to your FaceBook page    WHAT?  A fun-filled day of jumping and playing for just $5 per child, plus enjoy $2 pizza and nachos and lots of giveaways! WHEN?  Friday, July 31st, 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. WHERE?  All Charlotte-area Monkey Joe’s locations. Matthews: 10101-C E. Independence Blvd.  704-845-1150 Pineville: 601 N. Polk Street                             704-889-1211 University: 10215 University City Blvd.         704-549-1588 Lake Norman: 20310 Sefton Park Rd.           704-894-0038 WHY?  To help support the efforts of Birthday Blessings, a 501c3 non-profit organization bringing birthday joy and support to local homeless children and their families.  20% of the day’s proceeds from each location will benefit Birthday Blessings!   www.monkeyjoes.com   www.birthdayblessings.org

Posted in Philanthropy, nonprofits and volunteerism - CHARLOTTE,, CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Parenting - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »

Monday, February 9, 2009 by Planet Janet.

My buddy, Jennifer Rothacker, with MomsCharlotte put this free event together.  And I have to say bravo to MomsCharlote, Maggiano’s and Pure Romance for making it a fun way to spend my Saturday morning.

Executive chef Delfino Netto and managing partner Antonio Tillery wowed the crowd and demonstrated how to create Maggiano’s famous tiramisu in our own kitchens.  And the tiramisu — my absolute favorite dessert — delizioso!  I enjoyed watching this comedic pair.  They really could do stand-up.  Maggiano’s even gave everyone 15% off if we stayed for lunch.

Maggiano’s is a shining example of how to give back to the community.  They also were a sponsor at the 2009 Chocolate Ball this weekend, which raises funds for Substance Abuse Prevention Services, a non-profit agency serving our community since 1971.

My Saturday morning concluded with a Pure Romance party.  If you’ve ever been to one of these things, it’s a fun time to spend with your girlfriends.  Pure Romance national director Staci Chryst gave us tips on how to rekindle our relationships, and each mom came home with a little bag filled with {cough} goodies to help us spice it up in the bedroom.  Lots of giggling and lots of fun.

Posted in N.C., CHARLOTTE, N.C., Philanthropy, nonprofits and volunteerism - CHARLOTTE,, Cuisine - CHARLOTTE, N.C., MomsCharlotte - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Around town - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Parenting - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »

Friday, February 6, 2009 by Planet Janet.

Did you catch the story about Kinya Smalls in the local section of today’s Observer?  Once down and out in Charlotte, including a four-month stint in a homeless shelter, Smalls is moving her floral business from her home into her new office digs in March.

I find her so inspirational, because she verbalizes her dreams out loud.  Smalls told The Observer’s Mark Price, “My dream is to one day be the Wal-Mart of flowers, with Towers of Flowers franchises throughout the United States, employing women from shelters, giving them hope.”  We should all be so bold.

It was the Ada Jenkins Center that came to her rescue in 2007, and look how far she has come.  If only all the homeless in our city were so lucky…

So, if you need to purchase a flower arrangement or want Smalls to design your dream wedding bouquet, call Towers of Flowers Florist at (704) 892-9800.

Posted in Philanthropy, nonprofits and volunteerism - CHARLOTTE,, CHARLOTTE, N.C., N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Around town - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »

Wednesday, February 4, 2009 by Planet Janet.

Every fourth Wednesday of the month from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m., all four Monkey Joe’s locations close their doors to the public so special-needs children can have a place to play together.  I love to hear about businesses giving back like that, don’t you?

They also have a spirit night program, where they will donate 20% of their sales to your school or organization.  Click here for more info.

Posted in CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Parenting - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »

Wednesday, February 4, 2009 by Planet Janet.

Schools are closed today, but Monkey Joe’s isn’t.  Grab the keys to the minivan and bounce them into an early bedtime.  Prices are half off today.  For more details, click here.

Posted in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Parenting - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »

Sunday, February 1, 2009 by Planet Janet.

Join me and my MomsCharlotte friends at Maggiano’s in SouthPark Mall on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 10:30-noon for a fun morning of food, massage, romance and giveaways! Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in CHARLOTTE, N.C., Cuisine - CHARLOTTE, N.C., MomsCharlotte - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Around town - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »