Princess Alexa Foundation Meeting

Wow! One word that sums it up for me.

I attended a Board, Advisory Committee, Volunteer meeting tonight for the Princess Alexa Foundation. This foundation means business. When I left work today, I told another attorney I was going to the meeting. Her comment was "they are serious about this". Well I can tell you they are.

Tonight the mission statement was discussed. It is a good one and is a powerful sentence. It is as follows: The Princess Alexa Foundation celebrates the childhood spirit of seriously ill children through dress up and play.

There were several participants in the room where a serious illness has touched them personally. It was so powerful and meaningful to hear these people. These people have walked the walk so to speak and know what they are talking about. Many great ideas flowed back and forth with specific goals in mind. Crys, Alexa's Mom, is an achiever and is so determined to meet the goals for the current projects of the foundation.

Alexa's mom wrote a book about Alexa going to heaven. She wrote it for Alexa before she passed away. The book is getting published and Crys had a copy at the meeting. It is beautiful and all the donations are going to the Princess Alexa Foundation. Requests are already being received with regard to purchasing the book for children experiencing similar situations currently.

With regard to the dress up closets - one for girls named "Princess Alexa's Dress Up Closet" and one for boys, "Master Blake's Bat Cave of Characters", named after Blake Townsend who passed away at Children's in 2003 - they have collected close to 600 costumes. Amazing! The foundations goal is 2000 by next April/May. Please continue to remember the foundation and any donations with regard to costumes or money is very appreciated. Trust me when I say your donations and money are well spent.

One father at the meeting discussed how important the closet is for kids in the hospital and allowing them to make the choice of picking one out. He stated these kids are in an environment that they have no control over and no control over any decisions made for them during the day. The closet allows them to make their own choice and have control over this choice once during the day.

Examples were given at this meeting from parents with seriously ill children of how much it meant to their child to pick out a toy in the toy cart at the hospital or a toy in the Radiology closet at the hospital. To be able to have this closet willed into the room and for the child to be able to point out a princess costume, batman costume, etc. is so important and allows a child to be a child and play!!

Another parent brought up about how when a child is first diagnosed with a serious illness there is an outpouring of support. As time moves on, the months go by and even the years, the support dwindles away. One mom pointed out that when her son got cancer he was showered with gifts (much to the dismay of his sibling who did not understand). Now as time has gone on and these kids are still dealing with their illness, this closet (or other projects from the foundation) could be a bright spot in a day for these children.

How does that saying go - something like - make sure and smile at someone every day because you do not know how that might change a person's day. I believe the same things about this foundation and the projects.

Family and friends - if you have any ideas that can be utilized for this foundation or contacts the foundation can reach out to please let me know. I have some ideas such as contacting ZTAs since I'm a former ZTA and the crown is ZTA symbol. As always, any thoughts, ideas or help is appreciated.

As stated, the meeting was very touching and very important. These people are determined individuals who want to help others have a better day. They know what it means because they experienced it. It reminds me again how blessed I am and thankful to hug my girls tonight!