Merry Christmas and a Happy 2010!!

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Merry Christmas to all our friends, our readers and those of you just peeking in. My house is abuzz with little ones wrapping dollar store presents for each other, reading their letters from Santa, preparing cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer and pretty soon the comfort of cooking holiday food. It's funny, tomorrow there will be presents of varying dollar amounts - but from each year to the next, the kids will forget what those special presents they requested were. They will instead remember heading to the dollar store and scanning the aisles for a present for each of their siblings. They will laugh about trying to avoid each other in a small store and hiding in a corner in their rooms trying to wrap the presents all on their own. It really is the little things. The memories that we collect when we least expect it. The traditions that unfold from one year to the next and carrry through generations....

Today, I am enjoying having my family around me. I am begging myself to remember each little one at this age and all the special little things that they do. We went to visit Santa today and two of mine were terribly afraid, one was sizing him up to see if he was the real deal or an elf and another one was just so happy to get home and get ready for him to make an appearance. I can't wait until tomorrow. Seeing the kids happy in the magic of just being a kid....I know I'll be sad when its all over. But for now, I can only make sure to appreciate it as much as possible.

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you and your wonderful families. Those of you that have come to us needing help. those of you that have provided that help. Those who are stressed and those who are blessed. For one day, take the day to celebrate the time you have with those loved ones around you. Watch the magic of the season unfold in your children's minds. Be a kid again tomorrow with them.....

I seriously CAN'T WAIT!

Heather and I are so thankful for all that you have helped us create. We appreciate it more than these simple words can convey. And we can't wait to get back to it next year. But, for now, we are going to appreciate the smiles of little ones, the hugs from our families, kisses from our husbands and love from those around us.

We sincerely hope you do too.

We will be checking emails on a limited basis only and will likely blog only once more before the new year. But, stayed tuned as we have had AMAZING people up to AMAZING things - and you know us, we have to share it with the world.

But for now, the world is right and we are taking a little break....

In love and kindness,


Email Elizabeth & Heather

In times of need...

Please note: If this is your first time visiting our blog, please click here to hear the premise of Pass It On, Baby! and how it all began.... Pass It On, Baby!


This time of year we start thinking about those less fortunate than us and how to give back. And so many of you have done just that. I know many are doing more with less and lots of you have already donated so many boxes of clothes to families in need. Some of you have been Pass It On, Baby! recipients as well doing your part to "Pass It On." Some of you amazing individuals have even donated brand-new clothes. We truly thank each and everyone of you from us at PIOB and on behalf of the receiving families for the wonderful hearts that you have. But there are so many more families out there hurting. We continue to receive more and more emails each day, especially due to the season, of people in need and their story. We are hoping that if you haven't donated through us or you've been unsure as to what kinds of families your clothes might be helping - that we should share just a few of the heart-wrenching stories we have received.  We haven't included any names in order to keep their privacy but we hope that maybe there is someone that these stories will touch and be compelled to share their threads of love through our wonderful organization of providing a "hand up" in times of need.

I was told about this website from a very kind lady that was trying to help donate clothes but she didn't have my son's size. So I said to myself that I will give this a try and hopefully I can get some help. I have never had to seek help since I have always been employed, but I have been looking for a job for the past 14 months and still nothing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.


My mother works with a woman whose daughter and son's girlfriend both just had babies and live with her. They are all on public aid and the grandmother is the only one working right now. They are in desperate need of newborn clothing for a boy and girl. My mother told them about Pass It On, Baby! and they asked if you could put them on immediately. They need everything (ie: tops, bottoms, socks, sleepers, onesies, coats, ...) Hopefully you can find something soon! Thanks so much! I really appreciate it!


My sister told me about this website in hopes that it could help my family. My husband and I both were laid off this year and have found it hard to find work. My husband had decided to go back to school to get his teaching degree so we moved in with my in-laws. We have two children a little girl who is 3 and a boy who is 2. Both grow out of their clothes so fast it is hard for us to keep up. I would really appreciate any help we can get. My daughter is a 3 but wears a size girls small or 6 and my son is 2 and is in a 3T winter clothes would be great and I'm hoping that I can help donate to those in need when my kids grow out of what they are wearing. Please let me know if there is anything I can do. I can't tell how nice it is to know that there are people who are so willing to help.


We're going through hard times just like everyone else....I desperately need winter/fall type clothes for my 3 kids. We are starting over after having our slate cleaned for us :( My 4 year old sun just busted out the knees in his last pair of pants today at pre-k. The two boys' hoodies have been worn so much since last year that the zippers are broken and they don't have winter coats. My 2 year old is wearing size 2 clothes when she needs a 3 or 4T simply because I can't afford to buy any right now.... None of them have 1 decent pair of shoes, and I mean decent as in the sides and soles not busting out....forget dirty lol...I've exhausted efforts on craigslist and freecycle...nobody has anything for free anymore, I guess because everyone is hurting. If you can help....my 6 year old needs size 7/8 clothes and size 13 shoes...my 4 year old needs 4/5 T clothes and size 10 1/2 shoes....and my 2 year old girl wears 3 and 4T clothes, and needs size 8 shoes....all of them need jackets. Thank you for starting this site!

Thank you again to each of you! We hope that these stories have inspired you to continue sharing our message with anyone you can think of as a donator or recipient. (We especially need donors right now!) And if you had been hesitating to donate through us - maybe one of these stories touched you and inspired you to donate clothes.

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

In love and kindness,

Email Elizabeth and Heather

Meet Carrie....

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Heather and I have introduced you to some pretty awesome people out there making a difference. Recently we met our new friend Carrie whose enthusiasm for helping other is just downright contagious – such an upbeat, fun and caring person! We just LOVE hearing from her – she has been amazing in passing along our message, in getting other mommas to join in the fun of helping another momma out and in helping two families out herself. Thank you SO very much!!

Carrie hails from North Carolina. She is a wife to Devin – 2.5 years and counting and a momma to Chatham for 8.5 months! And look how stinkin’ cute this one is….SERIOUSLY!!!

Carrie says:
I heard about PIOB from Mitzi @ The Goodson Family Blog. I love reading about moms helping moms.

Here’s my Story:

I spend six LONG days in the NICU with my son, Chatham, when he was born. He had respiratory failure at birth and then suffered from TTN (wet lungs) due to the emergency c-section. While Chatham was only a week early, he was a tiny 6 lbs. at birth and I was not prepared for that – I didn’t have clothes that would fit him, or bottles to feed him with; since he had reflux and wouldn’t take the bottles from the NICU. On night #2 in the hospital I was visited by a mom two rooms down from me , she had a bag of Dr. Brown bottles, preemie size clothes, and a few odds and ends for me to ease my mind. I immediately called my mom and had her bring dinner to the family on night #4 as I didn’t know how else to thank them for their kindness. They left the hospital a day before I did and we celebrated with them just outside the NICU doors.

As I read about PIOB, my mind wondered back to the wonderful friend I made at the hospital and the calmness that came with the bag I was received. I want to pass on that calm, easy feeling to other moms and let them know that people care. And being a new parent is hard enough without having to stress about food, clothes, and bottles.

She is just amazing and right now with so many people stressed at this time of year – its downright calming and grounding to remember that there are people like Carrie walking beside you in this life. Soo - thank you Carrie on behalf of our organization and the mommas you helped along their journey. It is SO appreciated!

In love and kindness,


Email Elizabeth & Heather

Helping someone else achieve a personal goal

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Just to take us off focus of the holiday season for a moment. I thought I would share with you a little about what I've been doing personally for the last few months. 


I have been training for nearly 5 months for a 1/2 marathon. Let me first clarify by stating that I am not a runner, never been a runner and not sure I will ever really enjoy running. I did track and stuff but it was mainly for social reasons and I always ran short distances - like less than a mile. So when my gym friend asked me to join her in training and participating in a 1/2 marathon, I really thought she was crazy especially for asking me! :) (I hadn't ever ran more than 3 miles EVER!)

Training for this hasn't always been easy. There have been time commitments (sometimes running upwards of 2 hours), falls, physical ailments, and weather conditions to fight. But all in all - I am very excited that I am less than 5 days away from achieving this personal goal.

Quite frankly, this wasn't my goal though. It was my friend's goal. I really started this whole thing off wanting to help her achieve her personal goal of running in a 1/2 marathon. I think at the time, I thought I would probably end up backing out but somehow knowing each week she was waiting to meet me gave me gratification. 

My friend has never been a runner either. And she always likes to remind me that she's 52 so she thinks that age is against her. She has never done anything athletic in her whole life and just recently took up running a little over a year ago. This accomplishment for running in the 1/2 marathon is HUGE for her. I guess I never really knew how huge until we ran our last long run this past Sunday. She came up to me with huge tears in her eyes as we were stretching and preparing to leave. She started off by saying that she would be pretty emotional this week because she can't believe she has finally made it to the last week prior to the race. She continued with tears and choking on her words to explain how she would have never been able to train for this week-in and week-out if it hadn't been for me running with her. Especially on the longer runs when we have hit 10 - 11 miles. She said she doesn't know if she would've had the drive or motivation to continue moving forward and persevere especially during a couple runs when she felt like quitting. I kept telling her she could do it. All along I believed in her and knew she could accomplish something she didn't even know she could. She also mentioned how her family doesn't really realize how important this has been to her. Not really understanding why she has been making such a big deal about having friends or families see her to the finish line. But I have always understood as I have participated with her. Her speech touched me in such a special way. I had been unconsciously aware how important this goal had been to her and how important my participation and partnership with her through this had been. Now I know. 

I'm not saying we all should go start training for 1/2 marathons but this feeling of gratitude has definitely inspired me more. It's provided me a light of fulfillment knowing I helped someone else to achieve a personal goal. What could you do to help someone else or even yourself to achieve  a personal goal? It could be as simple as putting them in touch with the right person, giving them a referral, being there for them the first step they take, helping them to set smaller goals to achieve the larger ones, or being side by side each step of the way encouraging them to continue and believing in them even when they may not believe in themself. All this may sound tough to do especially if you are finding tough times for you and your family. I'm right there with you - experiencing those tough times. But it sure does help take the focus off of what I don't have when I'm able to give something to someone else. Especially in helping them achieve a huge personal goal. 

(here is us earlier this year at our first 5k)

Say a prayer for me that I finish on Sunday without stopping, cramping, or collapsing. :) Stay warm.


In love & kindness,





Email Elizabeth and Heather

Thoughts of Others....

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The holidays should be a magical time – full of wonder and excitement, planning , sharing and celebrating. For many of us, the holidays are exactly that – but this year, there are many, many people hurting and desperate right now. There are pressures on all of us this time of year, but the pressure of trying to figure out ways to provide an adequate holiday for children you love so very much can be, simply put – overwhelming.

So as you might expect, we have had SO many people who are in need reach out for help. We’ve heard heart-breaking stories full of so much pain. Children in need of coats, underwear, socks, parents fighting to get the heat turned back on, people in need of food – its heart-wrenching. It might be just too much if that’s all we heard – but it isn’t. The flip side of this are all the people who write in and ask what they can do to help. So many that send their own children’s clothes along the way, expecting nothing in return. Putting good out there for the simple reason that its what we all should be doing. Treating others as we want to be treated….

Recently we heard from a woman who had a wonderful idea. She asked if we could give her a family to adopt. She knew that there are so many that need some help right now and she wanted to do something. She thought for sure that we had thought of this idea before, but see? That’s why we need you – we hadn’t. Now obviously, not everyone is in a position to do that – but it was possible for her and we are so thankful for her (and all of you, too!!) You know, the sad truth is, this year at my church there were more children on the giving tree than ever before. The same is true for us….we have heard from more people recently than in any of the other months. On a positive note, however, many of those requests did not come from the people in need, themselves. They came from their confidants, their friends…people who are hearing their struggles and really trying to make the path easier for them.

And that’s not the only one, there have been other great ideas, too. We’ve had kind-hearted souls that have thrown moms nights out and spread the word and acting as a group sent out clothes. Momma time AND helping others? Does it get better? =) I don’t want to give too much about this away, because I’m hoping this dear lady will speak for herself on an upcoming blog.

In the end, each of us is on our own path. Each of us knows what we can truly give or do to help others and give back. Even if you don’t think its much – do something. Little actions build up together to change the world.

Peaceful wishes for you all. If you’re stressed, may your burden get easier. If you are blessed, may you feel the need to share those blessings.

In love and kindness,


Email Elizabeth & Heather

Hope for the holidays...

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Happy Belated Thanksgiving to all of you! We hope that you and yours enjoyed the holiday and remembered each and every blessing you had to be thankful for. We are thankful for each of you and the PIOB journey you allow us to share with you.

This is such an exciting time of year but also one that reminds me of how difficult it is for many families. Despite just the basic family anxiety some of us may endure during the holiday season, many of us share deeper worries and heartaches. I know speaking for myself, I tend to start thinking about loved ones who aren't here to celebrate the holiday season and family togetherness. Especailly, I think about my sister who has been gone over 10 years. I feel that each time my family is together there is a big empty space where her energy, smile and presence are very much missed. The dynamics just aren't the same. I am also struggling to figure out ways to create a Christmas I can be proud of but doing it on half the budget I have in Christmas' past. I know that it is what I make of it but sometimes I don't know how to create the same feeling with less things for me to give. Giving gifts has always been what I do best. And Christmas was the time I relished in giving to my family and friends. I am working on more creative gifts such as baked treats and more thoughtful gifts from the heart. In our consumeristic society - sometimes it's hard to believe that even with only that - a holiday can be enjoyed.

That leads me into sharing a story of a mother who is finding ways to do that with her own family. Sharlene contacted us back several months ago and has become such a joy to us in sharing her cooking ideas, sharing her stories on our blog and always being willing to donate when she can despite her own tough economic situation. Her husband has been out of work for quite some time but that doesn't stop this mother of 5 who works full-time and goes to school from creating the best holiday she can for her and her family.

I am, for the time being, working full time. I work part time as a teacher aide at a head start center and have managed to pick up some extra hours at another center working as a teacher aide and transportation aide. I never thought I'd be riding a school bus again, but it is fun! I have also been going to school full time. At first it was quite a challenge, mostly getting all the kids used to the fact that I am not quite as available as I have always been. I fell behind on my homework for a while, and started to get down about being able to do it all. I was also having a difficult time with my little three year old adjusting to everything. She is doing better now, and I am caught up on my homework. I work really hard trying to stay on top of things, sometimes spending as much as five hours on the computer on the weekends to do homework and do work for my internet class. It has definitely been a challenge not being able to spend as much time with my kids, but I know in the long run it is for the best. Financially, it is difficult right now. If not for the financial aide, I don't what I would do. Our public assistance benefits have been cut in half. I make less than $1,000 working full time. I just have to be very diligent about how I spend our money. My husband has been unemployed for a while, and currently brings in no income since his unemployment ran out. Trying to pay the bills and rent and provide for five kids is very difficult on $1,400 a month. Fortunately, I browse craigslist often and have been able to find some things on there for Christmas presents for far less than the price of new items. Right now, I am pretty far ahead on Christmas presents, but still have a ways to go.

Pass It On Baby! helped me tremendously when I needed it. My kids had to start school with pretty much nothing but some thrift store and yard sale finds and their clothes from last year that still fit. I couldn't even afford to go yard saling last year, so even the yard sale finds were not much. I received two boxes of clothes for my seven year old daughter, Macy, just in time for school. There were only a couple pairs of pants that were too big for her, but otherwise eveything fit and she was so happy when she opened the box! My little one, Alayna, also received two boxes from the same person. She wanted to wear everything "tomorrow". Everytime I showed her a new item she would say "That's so cute! I wanna wear that tomorrow!" She would have been wearing about ten outfits in one day! I think the most grateful was my daughter, Karissa, 14. She was in desperate need of bras and I did not realize how expensive young girls bras are at the store. She only had two bras, one which barely fit and the other was being held together by safety pins. She received a box full of about ten bras. I was extremely grateful for that one as well. I really want to thank everyone who donated to my family and Pass It On Baby! for making it possible.! Thank you!

Thank you to Sharlene for being willing to share her story with us and all of you. Many other people, including me and my own family, are going through difficulties this holiday season. Anything you can do to help lighten the load of someone through Pass It On, Baby! or any other person or organization that is put in your path - please take the time. It can be as little as the extra change in the donations for the Salvation Army in front of the stores, a wrapped new toy for Toys For Tots, Adopting a Family - or if you feel so inclined - providing one or a few outfits to a family who is struggling to provide during the holidays. We look to you to help us help more people and spread the message of philanthropy through your family, your work, wherever you are. It's time we start taking care of the people in our communities. Let's provide them a sense of hope for the holidays.

Please take a look at our immediate needs list and see if you or anyone you know have anything you can provide for the child who needs that size. It doesn't need to be a multitude of items - 1 or 2 outfits would suffice. Let's box up as much hope as we can ship it out this holiday season.

In love & kindness,

Email Elizabeth & Heather