May 3rd: Mark Your Calendars! Inaugural Race for all kidkind

February 24, 2014February 24, 2014 Leigh Ann ErricoLeave a comment

Stories of fictional heroes detail how they dash and run, performing courageous deeds that save people from harm’s way. On May 3, 2014, we’re asking YOU and your family to be better-than-fiction heroes and participate in our first-ever 5K race for kidkind, which will be held at the Warren Township Municipal Complex Pavilion in Warren, NJ. Let’s join forces to save our communities from the peril of kindness becoming a lost art.

The race for kidkind will feature not only a 5K for adults (runners and walkers welcome), but also tons of kid-friendly activities. A children’s 100-yard dash will include medals for the winners, and a Family Festival with the theme of “building heroes, a kid at a time” will stretch till 1pm. The day promises to be a fun, enriching opportunity for everyday heroes to come together and show the kids we love how to be cool, be kind, and wear the cape.

All proceeds from this event will be used to fund the kidkind foundation, the Warren Recreation Commission’s Summer Camp Scholarship Fund and the work of Cape Kid Olivia, who founded Teens Connecting with Teens to bring students together to help teens with special needs. More to come on this special young lady and her cause, but for now we’ll just say that we’re thrilled to honor Olivia at our event and support her to expand the impact of Teens Connecting with Teens with funds raised by the race.

Prizes will be awarded in our 5K for top male and female overall and group winners! After enjoying the scenic run through the lovely Warren Municipal Fields and Cross Country Course, you’ll want to stay for a family-friendly good time! Games, crafts, food and fun are sure to be abundant, so lace up your sneakers, secure your cape and fly on down to the Warren Township Municipal Complex Pavilion (off of 1 Bardy Road, Warren NJ 07059).

Come wear your cape and help so many kids in need! Check-in and registration will kick off at 7:45am, and the 5K race is set to start at 8:30am. You can preregister online at http://raceroster.com/events/2014/2370/race-for-kidkind for $22 or day-of, on-site registration is $30. Be one of the first 500 registrants and receive a free t-shirt and other great swag! You can also donate to help us reach our goal or, if you’re a business, be a race & festival sponsor (drop me a note at leighann@wearthecapekids.com).

Click here to sign up for what promises to be a feel-good day for all!

Choose kind,

Leigh Ann

P.S. Check out our 5K race for kidkind & Family Festival Flier for more info!

Cape Kid of the Month: Sami Saunders

February 13, 2014 Leigh Ann ErricoLeave a comment

Cape Kid
/kāp/ /kid/
noun

1. A young person who embodies what it means to Wear the Cape and be Better Than That.
2. A youth who chooses to be an everyday hero by doing what’s right, not what’s easy.

We’re excited for the start of something good – and new! From here on out, we’ll be spotlighting a Cape Kid every month. Today we have the privilege of recognizing stand-out Sami Saunders, a 14-year old girl from Warren Township, New Jersey, for her heroic actions this past summer.

As a Camp Pontiac cabin in upstate New York nearly burned to the ground with 27 campers sleeping soundly inside, Sami demonstrated cool-headedness and quick thinking far beyond her years in the midst of a life-threatening emergency. When Sami woke up and noticed that her fan had turned off, she looked up to find the horrifying sight of flames engulfing the ceiling and wall of her cabin. Sami took action. She wisely realized that there was not enough time to rouse her camp counselor and took matters into her own hands, alerting her fellow campers of the emergency – a decision that saved the lives of 26 young girls. It was just a few short moments after the campers evacuated that the roof of the cabin collapsed upon the abandoned bunks. David Proper, chief of the Copake Fire Department, stated that it was a “miracle that no one was injured,” and praised Sami’s ability to stay calm in the face of danger and act for the benefit of others.

Fellow campers and their families have shown Sami great thanks and recognition for her actions that night, yet Sami has once again shown her maturity—this time through her humility—by playing it up to chance: “It’s kind of weird having people come up to me, thanking me and everything, but I really just woke up and saw it.”

A blessing it was that Sami woke up in time to act. But her actions also serve as a perfect example of what it means to be a hero. Doing what she did amidst a level of danger typically only seen in movies speaks volumes of Sami’s character – being a hero isn’t only about doing good for others when the time is right or when it’s easy to lend a hand.

Sami’s actions, while providing an immeasurable benefit to the lives of her cabin mates and their loved ones, can also make an impression on ours. They serve as a profound reminder that you’ll never know when a situation may arise for you to step up, Wear the Cape, and be a hero. But we don’t have to wait for a fire; every day you can ask yourself: what can I do TODAY to be a hero, however big or small?

Your maturity and selflessness are inspiring, Sami! May we all Wear the Cape, just like you.

Please send your suggestions for “Cape Kid of the Month” to leighann@wearthecapekids.com.

10 Ways to Help Your Little Loved Ones Feel the Love on Valentine’s Day

February 10, 2014February 10, 2014 Leigh Ann ErricoLeave a comment

Valentine’s Day is such a fun holiday – sweet, full of love and low on costs and stress. Here are 10 ideas to make memories with your little loved ones and help them enjoy the holiday to the fullest. Happy planning – 5 more days till the big day is here!

10 Ways to Express Love to Your Cape Kids on Valentine’s Day and Always

Plan a Valentine’s Game or Craft Night. Dare to turn off the TVs and electronic devices!
Crank up the soundtrack from Disney’s Frozen while making breakfast and pretend you are on the big screen! As the popular song suggests, just “Let it go!”
Cook or bake something delicious, healthy and homemade together.
And, while you are at it…why not plan a special meal together? Set a fancy table – light the candles, play beautiful jazz or classical music, say grace and say “I love you” to one another before you break bread.
Pick up some special and meaningful books about love and Valentine’s Day. There are usually some great books on display this time of year at the library and stores. Snuggle up and read them together and discuss the meaning and learnings from the story.
Take the time to think through and write out the 10 funniest things/memories you just love replaying in your mind when it comes to your kids. Share the stories with them before bedtime this week. Kids seem to love funny stories and reviewing comical happenings. Save the written memories in a safe place to keep forever!
Pick a cute DVD with a great message about love and kindness and have a movie night complete with popcorn. Talk about the message and favorite part of the film afterwards; be sure to get everyone’s input!
Set up date nights this week, 1:1, with each/all of your children, separately. They choose the place; you show up; and you listen, fully present, and with all your heart.
Have a Valentine’s tea party and invite the family’s most treasured teddy bears to attend.
On Valentine’s Day morning, afternoon, and night – and all other 364 days and nights to follow – remember to tell your Cape Kid you are proud of him/her and that he/she is amazing just as-is! Confidence is so key to happiness and success in life, and we as parents can raise confident, brave, and heroic Cape Kids by reinforcing just how awesome they are!