January 15, 2018

Dr. Martin Luther King Day with Team Celebrate!

FILED IN: Personal

“Ordinary people can do extraordinary things” Coretta Scott King quoted when she was the speaker at my graduation from Columbia University. I will never forget listening to her, such a powerful woman full of amazing inspiration! What an honor it was to hear her speak.  To extend that honor to her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, today Jaxson and I participated in an event created by a young local woman in our new community, El Dorado Hills. Her name is Lizzie Allison and she is a junior in high school. Lizzie is no different than any of us, the difference is that Lizzie put her ideas into action.

When Lizzie was younger she was in the play Annie and got to really think about the life of children that might not have an ideal family situation.  Lizzie’s heart went out to the children in the foster care system and Team Celebrate was born! Lizzie created the concept of “birthday in a box”.  Lizzie started making boxes filled with everything you would need to throw a birthday party!  Boxes are then delivered to children in the local foster care system so they can have all the items they need for a birthday party. Each box holds party decorations, plates, forks, goodies bags for 8 guests, snacks, drinks, cake mix, frosting, sprinkles, handmade cards from the one who created the box and also a gift! I have no doubt that Dr. Martin Luther King and his family would be so proud of Lizzie! She is doing extraordinary things to serve others. Disney thought so too as recently she has rewarded a $500 Disney Be Inspired grant through Youth Service America in order to continue her philanthropic work!

Here are some pictures from today, I went easy on myself and just used my iPhone!

This is Lizzie! What a speaker! After we all we given Team Celebrate t-shirts, Lizzie asked us all to close our eyes.  She then verbally walked us through some of the moments a foster child might face. It was very moving and got all of our heads in the right place for doing the good work!

The place was filled!!

First Jax and I were given a box that we wrapped. We then went to different stations to fill our boxes up.  I was blown away by how organized the whole event was! Everything flowed and there were so many volunteers there to help!

Jaxson and I made birthday cards to put in the box!

Our first box filled up!!

And delivered!


Look at all those birthday boxes! AMAZING!

Thank you Lizzie and your team for creating such an event. It was so inspiring to attend!!! We left with our hearts full, very full. Our hope is that all the children that receive one of these boxes has the most incredible birthday! My other hope as a Mama is that Jaxson will see the value in volunteering and one day continue to do so on his own.

To read more about Lizzie and Team Celebrate,  check out this article in Village Life

If you would like to create a birthday box, volunteer or donate to this great cause, you can find out more information on the web site! www.teamcelebrate.org

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Susannah Gill Photography 
El Dorado Hills, CA
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