In fall of 2003, Monica Cates Hinkle, (former DCC and one of my very best friends), and another friend of ours, Stacy Hicks, and I were having coffee together and talking about how we all felt so blessed by the children in our lives. Monica and I had our babies within weeks of each other and Jace, (my son), and Lauren, (Monica's daughter), had grown to be adorable, headstrong, two year old toddlers. Stacy had a beautiful four year old niece, (Jordan), with whom she had a special bond and was more like a second mother than an aunt. We could not believe how fortunate we were that our children were healthy when so many others were not so lucky. We started looking for a way that we could pay that special blessing forward.

Monica came up with a wonderful way that we could raise awareness and money for Children's Medical Center and, in doing so, help families who were struggling with their child's illness. Stacy, Monica and I founded a non-profit organization called Love For Children and fashioned a black tie gala - The Vintner's Dinner - after one that Monica's mother attended every year in her hometown of Key West, Florida. When we hosted the first dinner, we were hoping and praying to make the five thousand dollars that we promised to Children's. At the end of the night, we were able to donate $70,000.00 to the hospital! We could not believe it! Our friends, families and co-workers had really come through and made it happen that night.

To date, we have hosted four Vintner's Dinners and donated close to $500,000.00 to Children's Medical Center. Love For Children also has hosted several events for children and now expanded the scope of children served to include those in need, in general. Love For Children volunteers visit Jonathan's Place, (a temporary shelter for children who are abused or neglected), on a monthly basis. Volunteers visit with the children, play with them, and do crafts. They offer love and comfort to the children at a very uncertain time.

I am proud to say that I have been the President of Love For Children for the past three years following Monica's two year term. Other than my experience as a wife and mother, this has been the most rewarding thing I have ever done. Jason, my husband, and I agree that there is nothing better that we can give our children than the gift of seeing us in service to others. I am hopeful that they will be inspired to do the same.

Jason and I have started an Evolv distributorship.  Evolv is an
AMAZING health product that has improved the health and wealth of so many people here in the U.S and Canada.  To learn more, visit our website - www.evolvwealth.com .  Also, I am still a partner in The Ultimate Exchange - designer consignment and resale events -
www.theultimateexchange.com.

"To he whom much is given, much is required."

Sideline Q & A

What one story brings a smile to your face?

Michelle: We traveled to Mexico to play a preseason game and it POURED rain both before our pre-game performance and during it. We were slinging mud at each other with our poms every time we did a step. By the end of the performance, we were covered in the stuff! As always, the show must go on... we rinsed our uniforms and cleaned them and ourselves as best we could, and went right back on the field!

If you could have one thing from when you were a Cheerleader, what would it be and why?

Michelle: I would love to have the shorts... that would just be a great reality check every few years to try and get those suckers zipped!