2nd Annual Luggage of Love Car and Bike Show

After months and months of planning and preparation, I am so happy this day finally arrived, and I have SO many people to thank because of this. From all the volunteers to the vendors and the attendees I owe you all a huge THANK YOU!!! Luggage of Love flourishes because of generous, open hearted people such as you. This year I not only promoted and fundraised for Luggage of Love and children in the system; but I also had the opportunity, with the blessing of Brenda, to dedicate my car show in the memory of her life partner and local automotive icon, "Jalopy Joe" Moody. From 6am to 4pm, my "crew" and I worked to put on an amazing show. Being the second car show, we had just under 100 entrees! One of my friends, Nia Sanchez, Miss Hollywood USA, was our special guest at the event. We also had amazing raffle prizes from Flat Screen TV's to a beautiful diamond and pearl necklace donated by George Thompson Diamond Company. Tons of Snap-On Tools as well as 2 children's bikes and much more! I want to thank all of the vendors who participated...Hello Gorgeous Couture, Bones Fab, Rocket Fizz, Breaker's Stereo, Oxnard PD/ Brian Woolley, Lozanos Jewelery, Ventura K9, Primetime RV Storage, Party Town Jumps, New Era Debt Solutions, Smiley's Super Hot Dogs, Deluxe Photo and Video, Ventura Motorworks, and VMW Title Loans. Thank you again to The Palms for allowing me to have this event at your location.Because of the support of so many people children all over California will not have to carry their personal belongings in trash bags any longer. Thank you so much for understanding how important this is and how simple this is to change. It just takes a dream to become reality by setting a plan in motion. Please join me on this adventure....it will be well worth it, I PROMISE!

Newcomers Club

Today I had the opportunity to share my story as the featured speaker at the Camarillo Newcomers Club luncheon. This meeting was held at the beautiful Spanish Hills Country Club. These group of women were so gracious and as I looked around the room I recognized so many familiar faces who had contributed on a personal level to Luggage of Love previously. After speaking to the group, I was presented with a generous donation for Luggage of Love. I would like to thank the Camarillo Newcomers Club for such a warm welcome.

KIWANIS of Hacienda Heights

This speaking engagement has by far been one of the silliest and most fun I have ever been to. The KIWANIS Club of Hacienda Heights asked me to come speak to their club, and boy was it worth the drive! Their club members were all so lively and witty, and more importantly, they are all determined to help out in their community in any way they can. Thank you to the KIWANIS Club of Hacienda Heights for donating to Luggage of Love, for letting me share my story with you, and for all of the countless work you do for the children in your community. You all have touched my heart and will forever be one of the most fun service clubs I have visited!

Meadowlarks Luncheon

The Meadowlark Service League ("MSL") is a non-profit organization of women dedicated to raising funds for a variety of local charitable organizations and programs. They have given over $2,000,000 to worthy organizations since their inception in 1971. This year they awarded $235,000 in grants to deserving, non profit organizations and scholarships to local graduating high school seniors and continuing college students. One of the conditions of the grants is that all recipients must be located in Ventura County and the money must be spent in Ventura County. I am honored that the Meadowlarks included Luggage of Love as one of their recipients this year. Thank you to all of the ladies who work countless hours to raise these funds, it is greatly appreciated and I am humbled beyond words. I look forward to putting these funds into a pod placement on the Casa Pacifica Shelter site. Your grant money will help the many children in transition in Ventura County so they do not have to put their personal belongings into trash bags.

Luggage Shipment to RFKC Temecula

As I have mentioned before, Royal Family Kids Camp is very near and dear to my heart. The chapter in Temecula has been in contact with me to be a part of their program. I was honored to be a speaker last May for their counselor training prior to camp. Another way I could help the camp was by donating luggage for each of the campers to bring their belongings home in after the camp. Having personally been a camper at RFKC when I was younger, I remember how fantastic and life changing the camp was. I also remember how excited I was to get so much "stuff/gifts" when camp was reaching an end. The only downside was that all of the gifts were put into trash bags. As Luggage of Love grows, I want to be able to provide all of the Royal Family Kids Camps with luggage, so that they too will not have to rely on trash bags. This will be yet another way that my luggage will get into the much needed hands of our foster and shelter youth. With the help of all of my amazing donors and volunteers, I know this goal can and will come true!