Notes of Thanks.... How Appropriate! =)

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!

It sort of comes with the territory, but many times it seems like Heather and I are always asking for help instead of thanking you for how much so many of you have already done. So, how apropos that as Thanksgiving approaches we share some of the MANY notes of thanks we receive. As we are well aware, our words are hardly as touching as those who have actually received some help - so read along and feel the warmth of human love and kindness.... =)

"Oh thank you so much thank you thank you thank you, again thank you really even if you're not able to help just the idea of people out there trying to help others really touches my heart."

"hi i received the clothes for my son today .. is there a way to personally thank the mom who sent them to me? she included a note about her tragedy and it was very heart warming .. i truly would like to thank her personally from the bottom of my heart for doing this for my son knowing what i now know. she is a true angel .. if its not possible for me to thank her.. can you pass the word on for me?"

"I got my donation today, I have to say I do not cry much and today after I got this package I was in tears, The mama that sent the donation also sent along as special note with a little about her life she explained that she has a little boy at 3 years old pass away It really made me cry today because I had a daughter 3 years ago this Dec that passed away from SID it was so special to me that this mama shared this with me and I really for some reason felt so connected with this person I do not know, This mama that sent me the donation has no idea how much this will help us, We love everything and now she has some stuff that fits her perfect so I wanted to really thank you for running this program and connecting moms in need with moms willing to help this so amazing of you all to do, My family thanks you."

"I found your blog after a friend wrote into you about my best friend who was featured on your blog in XXXXX. I am amazed at all you do. I just wanted to thank you for your help. My best friend is going to court for the custody case on Thursday and I will be able to present her with the two boxes and gift cards I received for her because of your blog. I am sure she feels like no one cares and I have proof because of your blog that she is deeply cared about. I cannot tell you how much my faith in people has been restored. Thank you soooo much."

"Thank you so much. After your last email I felt much better. But now I feel like dancing again. You have made me so happy thank you again this really means so much to me."

"Yes, she is in 3-6 months, It makes me cry to actually come across some people with big hearts, It means a lot to My little one and myself, Thank you again for everything.."

The above notes are all from a two week window...that's how much you loving people are out there influencing and touching lives...not just the mother, but a family - and little eyes are watching the joy that is spread by such acts of kindness. Just as many believe that children are influenced by the violence that they witness, so too are they influenced by the kindness and joy that they see.

Happy Thanksgiving from our families to yours!! Enjoy this special time of togetherness. Whatever your struggles, lay them down for the day and find some appreciation in whatever you do have. To those that are hurting, hang in there - people do care. For those helping others - thank you from all of us. May this be a wonderfully, happy holiday for each of us.

In love and kindness,

Email Elizabeth & Heather

True stories of families in need...

It's that time of year again. The weather starts to turn colder (more cold for some of you than me as I live in Texas). And families start wondering how to make sure their little ones stay warm. I must say some of the stories we've received lately just break your heart. It surely makes me realize how many blessings I have and not to take those little things for granted. Both Elizabeth and I really felt that it was important for our community of readers to read the words that have been sent to us. We do protect identities, however, we know that for people to be compelled to action, sometimes it takes reading and feeling the same cries for help that we have read.

 To Whom it may Concern,

      I am a desperate woman. I am due to have my first child in Feb. My Mom thank God for her has helped me as much as she can. I live with her and my sister who has 2 kids of her own to take care of. We are all on very limited means. I am not working because the town we live in doesn't like to hire pregnant women. They still are stuck in the stone age. My Mom has tried and gotten me some things and so have the few people that have a little extra but that is limited and hard with the holidays right around the corner. The hardest thing for me to do is ask anyone for help. So this is very hard for me. But I am having a little boy and still need a lot of things like bottles, clothes, stroller, bassinet and a crib. I need help with everything.  After he is born I will be able to get a job and things will be easier on all of us. It is just these things that keep me up and stressing at night. I know it isn't good for the baby but what can you do when you can't get the stuff you need and there isn't any place in the town you live in to help you. If you can or know someone that can help me please contact me.  Please, please, please help me. ~ Kentucky Mother 

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My daughter Michelle Lyn is going on 2 months old and the only thing she has to her name are some night/spring clothes and a bassinet, We don't even have a baby bathtub for her so I have to take her into the shower with me and it's hard trying to bath a 2month old and yourself all at once.. I feel bad for her because she has no toys no swing NO winter clothes nothing the only thing I do is leave her on her stomach on the floor with a blanket for tummy time then back in her bassinet so I can do things around the house. I use to live in Michigan but a year ago I moved out to Wisconsin so I really don't have any money to get her anything at this time and I feel bad for my baby girl.. I'm not really asking for anything I'm just wanting to see if anyone would please try and help us out in any way possible with anything they might not be using.

If not then I understand and I soon know that God will give us what it is we deserve. Just have to sit and wait it out and all will come together, but thank you for even reading this. May God Bless your family in everything you do! ~ Wisconsin Mother

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Greetings and thanks in advance for your kindness!  A friend told me about your blog, what a great way to share kindness with others, I will pass along your story. 

Now for the requests.  I have been working with a young woman for about 18 months, tutoring her as she works toward getting her GED and mentoring her as she takes positive healing steps in her life.  She started life in an orphanage in Brazil with her brother and sister.   When I met her, she was in a residential two year program for women who have survived lives of violence, addiction and prostitution.  

She decided to break free from her lifestyle when she found herself in jail and pregnant.  She has more than 2 years “clean”, is a graduate of the residential program and is working towards full custody of her daughter.  Recently, she helped her sister leave a difficult relationship with her two children.  The two sisters work hard to make ends meet and support their 3 children. Please help me to help them with clothing for their children. ~ Tennessee

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I have a mother and son who need help. The father has been abusing her for a while, and recently started with their 5 year old son. The dad broke the childs collarbone when the child was trying to stick up for his mom. Needless to say she finally left him, but not before he cleared out the accounts so she has no access to money, and she is currently unable to work but looking. When she left she literally left with the clothes on her back, and the clothes on the boy. Because of no current income and no money to live off of, they are living in horrible conditions. I am wondering if you or anyone you know have any 5t clothes that you can spare for him? This family is in desperate need. She is very embarreassed. Let me know if you have anything that might help. Thanks! ~ Friend of mom in need

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i am going through a really tough time right now, and could really use help with clothing for my daughter as it is getting colder out, and she has barely any warmer clothes. its hard being a teen mommy and raising a little girl, while trying to keep up with school, no job, and having to worry about bills, only being able to pay what i can from what i get from my financial aid. thank you so much for your consideration and i look forward to hearing form you. ~ Florida mother

These are just a few of the heartbreaking stories of families who are hurting. Families who could use our help - YOUR help. Can you do something small, even if it is just 1 or 2 outfits out of your own childs clothes that could help ease the burden of a family in need? If you don't have any clothing to provide, do you have $5 or $10 to help ship a box? A gift card for a family for a couple of outfits? Can you share this blog post with any family members or friends, church groups or schools, or any other organization that can help spread the word? Anything you do will help. I can promise you that. 

This new book i've been reading is about the purpose of relationships. The main point of the book is that the purpose of ALL relationships is to help the other person be the best version of themselves and vice versa. How can you help a family from Pass It On, Baby! be a better version of themselves? How can you, your kids or your family be a better version of yourselves by helping? That is our goal with Pass It On, Baby! Whether it be with our little soap boxes - discussing the evolution of ourselves personally - hoping it touches you in some way to betterment. Whether it be with the stories of hope, the stories of giving, the stories of struggle - we hope that Pass It On, Baby! is helping readers, donors and recipients be their best version.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for sharing.

In love and kindness,



Email Heather & Elizabeth

The Fun of the Season....

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!

Happy Halloween to all! I hope each and every one of you had fun with your own trick-or-treaters, or with some that visited you! I just love Halloween. Having kiddos means getting to relive your own fond memories of Halloweens long ago, all over again. It means letting loose a little... Letting the kiddos stay up later than usual, eat more candy than they should and run from house to house just getting to be themselves. Adults in my neighborhood are as excited as the kids. We all love to see the fun costumes, to see neighbors that we haven't in awhile, to catch up with new births, new additions, and new happenings. Halloween means not being annoyed with people who stop by, sharing what you have, buying extra to have some to share...just a fun holiday all around. For me it means baking for school festivals, running to all kinds of outside activities with the kids, and a rekindling of that sacred family bond that each of us holds so dear, but that sometimes gets jeopardized by our hectic schedules.

I've had fun all day looking at so many of my friends children dressed up for costume parades, community activities and the like. Each one of them is so happy and excited for the present moment that they are in. As I was talking to my own kids about Halloween, I was shocked that they couldn't decide between Halloween, Christmas and Easter as their own favorite holiday. Here, we as parents, spend SO much more money on Christmas than either Easter or Christmas and my little kiddos don't know what their fav holiday is??!! What?! I guess its because of the family time that each holiday brings. No one ever TRULY feels loved or cared for by material possessions, like them as we may, its the together-ness. The hunting for the costumes, the parties, the fire pits blazing, the s'mores roasting, teasing Dad over having his fav candies, carving pumpkins, decorating the house....that's what its all about. This year I truly felt it too.... Yes, it was busy, but it was SO good for the soul. It was such a happy time.

With that happy time passing, means the beginning of another season, Thanksgiving. The season of truly being thankful for what we all have...even if it isn't much. Make it your mission to truly FEEL your blessings and where you can, to share them. For my family, Thanksgiving means putting together an entire meal for another family we will never meet via a local organization in our area. We all head to the store together...Daddy in charge of picking the turkey, Mommy the vegetables (no one else would tolerate that role!! ha ha!), and diving the desserts, potatoes, stuffing, drinks, etc amongst the kiddos. They each set out with their list and are so happy to be preparing another meal, just like I do for them. I have to tell you, this moment is one of my favorites of the season. I hope you have one just like it that brings your family together while teaching those lessons that each of us hope to instill in our kiddos....Do unto others...Be the change you wish to see in the world.....said so many ways.

If you find that you can help another child with clothes...reach out. Make this season as magical for another as it already is for so many of us. Embrace the thankfulness and love of the season....there is another on the receiving end that you will have forever made a difference. Really, is there anything better? Please reach out to friends, neighbors, anyone you might know that can help a child. We have so many beautiful little ones in true need right now....

In love and kindness,

Email Elizabeth & Heather