Volunteer Event - All God's Children Candlelight Dinner & Respite Care

Giving back is very important to me so I was happy to help my longtime friend Cassi, a founder of All God's Children or ACG, a fellowship group at her church that ministers to families touched by special needs with providing a photo booth and event photography at a recent candlelight dinner event. Last year I provided low cost portraits to members of this group and got to know a little more about who they are and what they do. Basically, if you are a family who has a child with special needs or is touched by special needs in any way, this group will uplift, encourage, and support you through life's challenges. It is my understanding that you don't need to be a member or attendant of Good Shepherd Community Church (where this event took place) to join. You can get more info here.

It is amazing what people will do to help others. Being in the wedding industry I know a lot of awesome people who can throw a great party! Cassi mentioned needing flowers for the event so I immediately contacted my favorite florist, Kim from Swoon Floral Design who made beautiful corsages for the couples attending this dinner. I also had the Fancy Photo Booth props made by the one and only Lisa from Crave Design who also created the elegant table numbers (and of course I thought of it at the last minute but Lisa is awesome and did it regardless of the time crunch!) Seems like a small detail but lots of small details went in to making this event an amazing date-night out for families who it may not be very easy for to just pick up and head out for a night. The reality is that they have to seek out high level care for their kiddos, and perhaps taking them out to a restaurant isn't an option. It's a great opportunity to reconnect, chat with other adults and have fun. There was a lot of laughter in the room that evening and the food from California Pizza Kitchen smelled AMAZING!

Another high point of the night (which unfortunately I had to miss... I have a newborn at home which limits the amount of time I can spend away and had to get home to my sweet baby!) was the guest speakers from the Elisha Foundation. You can find out more about this wonderful family and a HUGE recent accomplishment here on their Facebook page and read about the accomplishment here: CBS News: Teen with Downs Syndrome Climbs Everest What a champion Eli is!