I announced this late last night on Facebook and wanted to share on Happily Blended as well …

Announcing the first annual Happily Blended’s Project Giving Back. This is my personal way to give back to my community. My wish is to make someone smile everyday and now I am in a position where I can use my connections for good. I have met so many wonderful, supportive men and women through blogging and now I hope to share some good through Happily Blended by giving back.

This year I hope to connect with businesses and people by raising funds and gifts for children in need. I hope to have enough gifts to deliver to families who can not afford presents this holiday season. First I want to fully disclose that I am a firm believer that holidays are about connecting with family and making memories but I also believe every child deserves a present.

My story is simple, when my first born was 4 months old I became a single mother with no income and had to move back into my Mom’s house before finding a low income housing unit to live in. I must admit I hated living in that place but was thankful that there are such places for people like I was, no income on assistance with a child who needed a place to live. Do not get me wrong my Mom’s home was great, but I am independent and no matter how much I love my Mom, she is my Mom and I didn’t want to live with her forever just as I am certain she didn’t want me to live with her forever either. While being a single mom I worked myself up at an administrative assistant position that finally was enough income to allow me to stay in the low income housing but to no longer need state assistance. The day I finally could get off state assistance was the day my smile appeared. I am not one to live on other people’s money, I prefer to make it on my own. I did, however, take advantage of programs offered in my community that allowed my daughter a Christmas with gifts. After my boss signed me up for this program I couldn’t believe the amount of gifts that were brought for my daughter and me. I remember thinking that “I” didn’t need any gifts, all I wanted was my daughter to have something to open on Christmas morning. I must admit I was and still am grateful for the support I found while being a single mother, and now it’s my turn to try to give back to children whose parents can not afford gifts. This is my way to give back in the only way I know how – through fundraising.

Happily Blended’s Project Giving Back hopes to raise funds and collect children’s items that my family and I will deliver to families in need or organizations who give to families in need that do not have the funds this year to collect what they normally collect. Still in the planning stages, Happily Blended’s Giving Back is seeking sponsorship from businesses and people to donate gifts or funds. There will be a form created where you can request to donate a gift or money and have the choice to remain anonymous or have your name or business publicized at Happily Blended and in Happily Blended’s newsletter.

The funds that are raised will be listed on Happily Blended as a total minus any merchant account fees and once we are done collecting funds (December 1, 2009) my oldest and I will actually go out shopping together so that she can take part in giving back. All items purchased will be itemized at Happily Blended so if you do donate any money you can see what this money went towards. I am doing this as a way to give back and instill the process of giving back in my children. Our children are our future and what better way to teach them about the importance of making another person smile than by giving back to local children in need?!

This is an honest way for me to do some good in this world and I hope many of you will be on board with this. If you or someone you know is interested in being part of this event in anyway please contact me . I am looking for families to be nominated, businesses to donate children’s products and people to donate products. If you are unable to purchase children’s items but wish to donate please let me know as well.

More about Happily Blended’s 1st Annual Project Giving Back will be listed at www.happilyblended.com you may subscribe via email orRSS feed to keep up to date with the latest.