A package for Jocelyn from TheAdsOnUs? no from Mom

My daughter is in her third year of college in Maryland. She has been away from home for such a long time.
She attended a boarding high school in Virgina and I would visit her very, very often all four years. Most visits were at her request, others were just random to make her smile and to ease my mind. OK they were really for ME.

I would often send her cards, notes or packages of things to make her LESS homesick.

Once she entered college, she didn't seem to need the same level of attention because she hit the campus running. Joining several activities on campus. We still managed to call every Sunday to 'check in' or if something important came up we would call. There was always a quick email or text message with an ending that said I love you and she would say I love you more. There I go smiling again :)

One day near the end of her junior year out of the blue... she said mom I need a package! I was totally surprised. I said You DO? Yes, she said. OK I said... again I smiled. So what's a mom to do?
Send a package!

Treats from home for Jocelyn

She called to say: I GOT A PACKAGE! We both smiled. I said I Love You and she said I Love You More.

These Feet Were Made For Walking

Rain or shine people came out to participate in the 4th Annual Race for the Cure event held at the County South Mountain Recreation Complex on Sunday, May 15th to find a cure for breast cancer. I had a few responsibilities to perform this year. I was volunteering to stock the ShopRite food tent with volunteers from Minority Interchange, Inc., Trendsetters and of course TheAdsOnUs AND I was also going to walk the 5k with my team. Walking in the event is a first for me!

We were whistling while we worked to keep up with the pace of the hungry runners, walkers, volunteers, spectators, performers and the event staff. I'm not sure how many fresh muffins, juicy oranges and ripe yellow bananas we replenished but we never ran out! Any food that was left would be donated to a local food shelter.


Indy, Renee, Jamaal= Team TheAdsOnUs



It was time for team TheAdsOnUs.com (Jamaal, Indy and me) to line up at the starting line. I quickly changed into the new PINK TAOU tee and sported the logos of MFKB, Cee&Learn, Jays Cake Creations, Raymond Spencer and Promograf X (creator of the PINK tee).

As we crossed the finish line I was very happy to hear the announcer say congratulations to TheAdsOnUs. YAY team - these feet were made for walking, we DID IT! Thanks everyone for all your support.

Catch you next year!
Renee

TAOU and Technology - laptop giveaway!!!

TheAdsOnUs.com excitedly participated in the Black Data 

processing Associates (BDPA) New Jersey's 8th Annual 

Families in Technology Day event Saturday, May 14th

held at the Newark's NJIT college campus.

BDPA President Goldie Bonnie and the FIT committee 

organized a full day of activities for students in 

grades 4-12 along with their parents/guardians and

siblings including breakfast and lunch. 

Goldie and Renee

Minority Interchange, Inc. (MI) was again invited to 

be a vendor to display information about the 

organization like membership, the latest newsletter 

and the calendar of events. The adult participants 

stopped by to speak the Board Member, 

Renee Marshall-McKinley and to pick up a free bottle 

of hand sanitizer or healthy bag of veggie snacks.

Renee in the Minority Interchange Tee (wardrobe change)

After a full day of workshops, movies, dance, 

balloon animals and face painting it was time 

for the raffle laptop give-a-away. 

Smiles were on the faces of over forty children 

of various ages as their numbers were called to 

pick up a refurbished laptop donated by BDPA's 

corporate sponsors.

Renee with 3 winners- Alvin, Vanessa and Jada. Congrats!

It was a great day of learning and fun. I'm so 

looking forward to partnering in education with 

BDPA and the other vendors next year!

TAOU for now,

Renee

My Uber Mom's Day Weekend

A few weeks ago my daughter-in-law, Nandi called to say she was coming home on Mother's Day weekend for a wedding and asked if I would pick her and her mom up from the airport, but she was not bringing my grandson. I  felt sad but of course I said yes. I asked her why the baby was not coming and she replied her husband, my son Randall took off work and wanted to spend quality time with Nasir. I said to myself WTH??? Yes, I called him right after I spoke with her, he was at work.... He gave me the same lame story.. I was feeling some kind of way and said you and your baby stay HOME. I said I love you and we hung up. I was not happy at all. Not One Bit!

Its Friday and time for me to make my pick up from the airport. I had a feeling deep in my heart that my son was trying to surprise me but I didn't get too excited just in case he did not come. Nandi text me to say they landed and she and her mom would be waiting for me. As I pulled up to where they were my heart sank because my son was not there... Oh well, I put on a happy face and greeted them both with hugs and kisses. I was trying to stuff the car with luggage when Nandi stated she left one of her bags inside. I didn't think twice about it and said hurry before it goes missing. She came back to the car, I asked if she got it she said yes. I never even looked up. A few minutes had passed and my eyes spotted MY SON. I jumped out of the car screaming with excitement. They were here Randall and Nasir. I planted hugs and kisses on both of them. Should have caught that on video - LOL

Nasir - The missing luggage

Of course the joke was on ME. I didn't care at all. I asked if there really was a wedding? It was so they didn't  totally lie. (smile). While driving home with TheAdsOnUs.com logo on the car door, my daughter Jocelyn who is away at college decided to give me a call. She was not part of that surprise but her timing could not have been better. I had both of my babies at the same time again for Mother's Day. I just love them ALL.

Me and Randall on Mother's Day

I had such a blast this weekend. I attended a hat & fashion show hosted by Greater Friendship Women's, ministry Friday night, had lunch with my dad and step mom on Saturday, enjoyed a wonderful brunch with Nandi, Randall and Nasir, wished my mom and mother-in-law a happy mom's day and closed out my Uber Mother's Day weekend with a Mint Condition concert with a few of my mom girlfriends! I am truly blessed and loved.

Leaders will Lead

Saturday, April 30 the community came together to support My Father Knows Best 11th Annual Breakfast Fundraiser at the Waris Cultural Center. CEO Ronald Alston of MFKB placed calls to the his celebrity friends and community leaders to rally together to participate in the annual event.

Ron began his mission in 1988 in Newark, NJ and he has been helping people in Essex/Union counties and the surrounding areas for over 23 years. He has attended and organized event such as; Toy Drives, Back to School Supplies and Food Pantries. The funds raised from tickets sales are to continue those endeavors and more.

The Celebrity guest list consisted of NFL's David Tyree, Dr. Leonard Jeffries, "KISS FM" Bob Pickett and DJ Antoine Qua, Singer Vicky Martin among others and a host of community leaders like Irvington's Mayor Wayne Smith, Freeholder D. Bilal Beasley, Pastor Jerry Smith (CPC) and many others. 

CEO Ronald Austin, Renee & NFL David Tyree 

The breakfast was sponsored by: Irvington's Mayor Wayne Smith, Carmen Rodriques (The Newark Explores), Lady T & the Trendsetters (Let's Get Em Entertainment), Renee Marshall-McKinley= ME (TheAdsOnUs.com), Patricia Crockett (Promografx), Quwan Ellis-Asbury (Q.E.Asbury Ministries), Author Raymond Spencer, Alateef & Jamila Perry (Jay's Cake Creations), Cee Strickland (Cee & Learn), Philanthropists Wanetta Williams, Denise Sinkler and Ricky Butler. 

The entire team was hand picked by Ron because of their leadership abilities. Every one rolled up their sleeves to ensure the event was a big success. I really did - I was serving the food! 

Team Alston (Renee is wearing serving gloves!)

What an awesome time we had. 

For more information about MFKB contact Ron @ 800-393-8995. 

TAOU for now

Renee

TheAdsOnUs fighting for a cure to save lives and breasts

So you already know that I love causes and have named myself the Volunteer Magnet. It is what it is. Giving back and supporting causes are so much of who I am that this year when Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure (NJ) asked me and my organization, MI to staff their ShopRite Tent for the fourth year in a row I could not say NO! Well I could have but why would I? I am still on this earth and I have both of my breasts. I am fortunate and blessed that breast cancer has not been a part of my immediate family and I thank God for it.  I want to celebrate the survivors and remember the people that had not won their battle.

Normally, I rally up the organization and pull in my friends to help prep and replenish the food table so that when the racers, walkers, workers and spectators need to re energize the food is readily available. Like I said, they called us back. I have a great team. YAY!



Photo from Oriental Trading website

  
This year on May 15 TheAdsOnUs is going PINK and I will wear 2 hats. I'm going to the event early to prep and organize the food and volunteers then I will put on the new PINK TheAdsOnUs T-Shirt and walk for a cure. I'm so excited because I am doing MORE. I am raising money. I don't know why I hadn't done it in the past? I guess it just never came to me. To help raise funds I am selling ad space on the back of the T-Shirt. Wouldn't it be great to have YOUR logo the new Pink TheAdsOnUs T-shirt? Yup, it would. I will post pictures when I cross the finishline!

Here are 4 Breast Self-Awareness items you should know. (info taken from Komen site)
1) Know your risk
2) Get screened
3) Know whats normal for you
4) Make healthy lifestyle choices

For more information about the race click here or to learn about breast cancer click here.

TAOU for now,
Renee

Rain, Rain go away... There is gold at the end.

This Saturday the weather was just not cooperating according to my plan. My TO-DO list was so long and most of my errands required me to be outdoors. I had already made up my mind to just stay in to watch a movie and eat snacks. I know; not a good combination when there is so much to do. I had to pick up films, attend a meeting for MFKB breakfast that TheAdsOnUs is sponsoring, go to the library, fill up my tank and attend a launch in New York. Those were the big items. I was able to get through most of the list in the rain and said if it does not stop raining I will not attend the evening launch that I had already paid for.

God heard my prayer and the rain stopped! Yes, he is awesome. I am so happy that I attended the SheRo launch. There were so many fabulous women entrepreneurs in attendance. All coming together to show support for the event but also to network! It was great. The night concluded with several raffle prizes. I purchased the first two tickets and BOTH tickets won. (I was the only repeat winner). Just because things don't always go according to your plan, never fear because what is for you is only for YOU.




Here is the funny for the night - one of the prizes that I won was a T-SHIRT. Gotta love it! The other was a great pair of earrings made by My Finds Boutique.

TAOU for now,
Renee