FlutterBy the 28 Below Butterfly

This is FlutterBy the 28 Below butterfly.  This is a very special butterfly that is going to try to make her way from the east coast to the west coast and back again.  This butterfly is called a geocache cachekin.  If you do not know what geocaching is, it's, well, the biggest hide-n-seek game there is!  The world is our game board. 

FlutterBy has been placed in a cache at the request of 28 Below and now is free!  Hopefully she'll find her way to the hands of people with lupus who will share their story on the website.  And pictures. 

So if you happen to see FlutterBy out there, please say hello.


28 Below.org

If not now, then when?

With October winding down in just a few days, that leaves only two more months of 2011!  Which has been a big year for us at 28 Below.  In May, we held our very first Laps for Lupus walk.  We have had set ups at craft fairs, Community Bazaars, and expos galore!  We have a website, we're on Facebook, just started Twittering and have just signed up for a YouTube account.  So what's left to do in 2012?  EVERYTHING!

We feel like 2011 has been the year of 'learning to walk'.  Just like a baby taking those first wobbly steps.  But 2012 is going to be our toddler years, where it's a full run!  The support meetings are on the books up through Spring 2012 (the furthest they book rooms), we are already looking at where 28 Below will be set up AND Laps for Lupus 2012 is in the early stages to development.  There are so many things to be happy about and look forward to in the new year.


Our main focus is going to be volunteers.  Right now we have a few, but honestly, we can not do it all ourselves.  We need people to help split the work.  To be able to work a table at t bazaar.  To donate time to this wonderful cause.  There is such a need to Lupus Awareness- in every age- but especially in children, teens and young adults.  9 out of 10 people we speak with say "I didn't even know teens could get it."  Most people think it's an 'old person' disease and that's just not true.  Anybody can get lupus. Does not matter gender, race or age.  Anybody.  Period.


So as 2011 begins to come to a close.  As you enjoy your holidays with family and love ones.  As you celebrate new beginnings.  I challenge you to ask on your Facebook profile or to Tweet "Is anybody I know affected by lupus?  Either have or know someone who does?"  See what replies you get.


And at the end of the day, I hope you realize that volunteering your time is important through out the whole year.  It makes you feel good and it sets a good example.


Think about volunteering with 28 Below in 2012.  Cause I ask, "If not now, then when?"


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28 Below
www.28below.org

Aim High Expo

Today 28 Below was a vendor at the Aim High Expo.  It was a lot of fun!  Well organized, well promoted.  The other vendors were great to talk to and I think some great networking got done!  The only bad thing to say about it---well, most people were not there to donate money.  And our top Raffle Ticket Seller was not in the mood to sell anything.  We had a few donations made, sold a few items, but all in all, not a big money event for us.  And even though it's NOT all about the money, most people were not in the mood to stop and listen either.  The Fearless Leader (that would be Joyce) was a little sad that we did not 'work the table' today, but it's hard to talk when people rushed on by.  And when they did stop, they wanted free items.  But maybe, just maybe, we got the word out there to somebody, and well, that IS what it's about.

This expo was that last thing for 28 Below until our November Support meeting and then we have a Craft Fair in December (and we are super excited about that!). 

Thanks for stopping by and reading....and don't forget to follow us!


28 Below.org

28 Below's very First Support Meeting was....

Dry run.  Yup, not a single soul showed up.  Will, that's a lie, three 28 Below Board Members and two volunteers where there.  The room was awesome, and we had some great goodie bags to give out as a "Thanks so much for coming!", our hour was planned out to a 'T'.....and even some totally groovy artwork.  But alas, nobody showed up to be supported.  But it wasn't a total waste of time.  28 Below held a meeting to discuss the next meeting, and then we continued to IHOP to drown our sadness in pancakes....LOL.  But it's all good.  We knew that there was a chance that nobody would show up.  And we think we know where we went wrong.

For November, the word is Publicity!  In every way we can think of!  Newspaper, internet, radio stations, and every other way.  We are already planning and writing our press release.  In November I just KNOW we'll have people show up.  Even if it's JUST one person.  We know that there are peopler in the area that need the support, we just did a bad job getting the word out.

Anyhow, that's all about our first support meeting....a not quite total bust. 

Thanks for reading,

Maya

Not sure where this will go

Hello.  I'm not sure where this blog will go.  But we wanted to start getting the word out there about 28 Below Foundation.  You can find out more about us at www.28below.org

28 Below Foundation’s mission is to disseminate useful information, perform charitable services and raise awareness to enhance the productivity and quality of life for teenagers and young adults with lupus and other related diseases.

We also have a blog there.  Although we are considering moving it here.  Please come visit us...and come back by soon for more information.