Guest Post: Villicana Family Lemon Drop

I'm a Mother, Wife, Photographer, Blogger, Activist and Big Time Dreamer.

I had the great fortune of starting a tradition of annual volunteerism with my 

two young sons last summer.

A friend of mine was walking in the Susan G.Komen 3 Day Walk for Breast Cancer and I decided that I wanted to do something to help her meet her fundraising goal. My sons, then five and two years old, helped me collect unwanted goods from friends and family and in turn,sell them at a garage sale; with all proceeds going directly to the Susan G.Komen Organization.

(Please see attached links for details from last summers event.)

Super Summer Garage Sale!

Garage Sale Highlights

Due to the success of the garage sale and the immense gratitude evoked in both my children and myself, I knew that this act of selfless volunteerism had to become a yearly event.

When thinking about which charity we would donate to this year, Soles4Souls was quick to come to mind. I had seen a televised segment last year about the work that Soles4Souls was doing in Haiti soon after the earthquake and was greatly moved. I thought that the idea of collecting and redistributing shoes was both ideal and age appropriate for my young sons. While searching the Soles4Souls website for ways to volunteer, I found the link for the Lemons To Aid program. 

A few clicks of the keyboard and a confirmation email later, we were signed up to host a Lemon Drop; the collaborative fund raising program created by Soles4Souls and Lemons To Aid.

The more that I thought about our family Lemon Drop, the more I knew that I wanted to push the boundaries and try to make the event bigger and better than the previous years event. I made a list of the items and qualities that I would have in an ideal Lemon Drop, and then I picked up the phone.

I called the director of our local Farmers Market in Vista California, and proposed the idea of holding the Lemon Drop at the market on a busy Saturday morning. I was thrilled to be told that "Yes!", not only was it possible but that it was welcomed.

I called for lemonade donations and within days, the call for donation was answered by

 Hot Dog On A Stick, who will be providing us with all of the lemonade for our event.

Lemon Meringue Pies have been donated by the legendary Mama Kat's restaurant.

A local musician, Derek Evans, has decided to spend that Saturday morning alongside the rest of us, in a selfless collaboration for shoes and donations.

Promotional signs and flyers have been donated by Hutchins Printing.

Balloons, Lemon Poppyseed Muffins, the list goes on and on...

And the excitement grows.

In addition to the behind the scenes work that I have been doing to orchestrate this event, my boys have been working quite hard in preparation as well.

There is a lot more to come from us, plenty of surprises waiting to be revealed the morning of the Lemon Drop

 Saturday August 21,2010.

Photo by: Corey Villicana

If you happen to be in the San Diego area that morning, 

please come by for a slice of lemon pie and a quick hello.

If you don't happen to be anywhere near the San Diego area that morning, please keep us and our Lemon Drop in your thoughts.

Photo by: Corey Villicana

At the end of the day, I hope to set an example for my children that hard work and volunteerism do go noticed. I want them to be living proof that every single person's contribution does help and that the very  smallest of children can make the very biggest of change. 

Photo by: Corey Villicana

I truly believe that every human being has the capability to accomplish anything that they put their mind to.

Photo by: Corey Villicana

For more about Corey Villicana and her Life With Little Ones, please visit her blog: Life With Little Ones