High Cotton Kids  is Savannah’s biggest upscale resale shopping event and THE place to find high end boutique children’s brand clothing sizes 0-12, bedding, furniture, toys, baby equipment, maternity clothing and more at a fraction of the retail price. New merchandise will also be available from several local retailers.

There will be something for everybody’s taste and budget from adorable smocked frocks to funky threads to even high cotton play clothes your kids will love to throw on all fall and winter.

Come to High Cotton Kids’ Shop for a Cause Presale  this Thurs, Sept. 27 from 5-6 PM.  High Cotton Kids is partnering with The Next Generation at Memorial Health Backus Children’s Hospital to help brighten the day of a child in the hospital. They will be collecting gift cards to be used for birthday celebrations and/or end-of- chemotherapy parties. Please bring your gift cards to Target, Walmart or Toys-R-Us and shop one hour early, before the show opens to the public! Minimum amount of $5 is requested and more is greatly appreciated! Monetary Donations of $5 or more will also be accepted at the door as your entry pass.

High Cotton Kids Fall & Winter 2012 Show Hours 706 Mall Boulevard (formerly Seeds of Faith Bookstore), Savannah

Thursday, Sept. 27
5-6 PM Shop for a Cause Presale (link to http://www.highcottonkids.com/showdates.html) benefiting The Next Generation. See the details above to shop early!
6-8 PM Open to the Public
*Military and Expecting/First Time Moms with Children under 12months of age may register with HCK for early entry during the presale by emailing info@highcottonkids.com.

Friday, Sept.  28
9 AM – 3 PM

Saturday, Sept. 29
9 AM – 1 PM (Select items will be 40% OFF)

Stay connected and get updates about the event by liking High Cotton Kids on Facebook here .

In honor of pregnancy and infant loss awareness, The Zoe Foundation will host the annual “Walk to Remember” Sat. Oct. 13 2012 @ Forsyth Park Registration: 9 AM Event Time: 10 AM to noon

This Family Event is FREE and open to the public. Pre-Registration is recommended: Call or e-mail: 912.508.1858 / kayla@zoe-foundation.org.

This year’s event will feature: music; balloon release to remember babies; memorial walk around Forsyth Park.

Free and open to the public. Donations accepted.

The Zoe Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization that offers financial and emotional support to families who have endured the loss of a baby due to miscarriage, stillbirth, chromosomal disorders, SIDS, accidents or other causes. The Zoe Foundation believes that even the smallest life is precious and deserves a proper memorial. Everyone who has experenced a similar loss or knows someone who has is invited to get connected with The Zoe Foundation.

The annual popular fundraiser for The Next Generation will be held at a new spot this year: The Barbeque, Brews + Bluegrass event will be at Villa Maria Center, 6 Dolan Drive in Isle of Hope on Oct. 7!

Last year’s event raised $50,000 for The Children’s Hospital at Memorial University Medical Center. Obviously, this is a way to make a difference AND have some family fun.

When: Sunday, October 7, 3-7pm Villa Marie Center, 6 Dolan Drive in Isle of Hope, Savannah, GA

Music: The Jimmy Wolling Bluegrass Band and The Marshall Brothers Activities:

Activities: Face Painting, Bouncy Houses, Pumpkin Patch, Dunking Booth and more!

Food: Available to purchase from The Smokin’ Pig BBQ & Brain Freeze Treats Italian Ice.

Beverages: Cash Bar for Beer + Wine (no coolers); free Coca-Cola products & kids’ drinks.

Tickets: $20 per person (Kids 12 & under are FREE!).

Pumpkins and Pictures for purchase in the Pumpkin Patch provided by Lyn Bonham Photography and Ella’s. Please click here to purchase tickets in advance! Questions? contact info@nextgenerationsavannah.com

In anticipation of the Seventh Annual Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk & Family Festival in Forsyth Park on Oct. 6, we asked local parents of children with Down syndrome what the general public needs to know about the condition.

You can read many of their responses in my Savannah Morning News column by clicking here. Unfortunately, not all the helpful responses made it into the article. So below are some additional responses from two strong Savannah advocates for children with Down syndrome.

Pediatrician Ben Spitalnick of Pediatric Associates of Savannah

Dr. Ben Spitalnick of Pediatric Associates of Savannah is the pediatrician for many local children with Down syndrome. Dr. Ben is also a Board Member of the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society. He shared the following tips for what everyone should know about children with Down syndrome:

1) Virtually all of a child’s medical complications from Down syndrome can be handled by the medical community right here in Savannah

2) Children with Down syndrome do better when included in mainstream situations such as classrooms, not when isolated with only special needs children

3) Most children with Down syndrome have talents and skills people don’t expect, so consider the term “differently-abled” (I like diff-abled) instead of “disabled”.

4) Down syndrome can occur in any family, regardless of health and age of the parent. There are more children with Down syndrome born to younger parents than older parents.

5) Virtually all of the care your baby will need the first year, is routine newborn baby care. Concentrate on being a parent and family with a new baby, not on the features of Down syndrome.

Candy Bogardus, President of Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society

Candy Bogardus has three children with her husband, John, including their daughter, Lainey, 7, who has Down syndrome. Candy shared the following tips for what everyone should know about children with Down syndrome:

1. Embrace the adventure that comes with having a child with Down syndrome. There is never a dull moment, and they will always teach you something!!

2. Early Intervention is key. Lainey was in Speech Therapy through Babies Can’t Wait at 8 weeks of age. Those early visits made a phenomenal difference in her oral motor development.

3. Enjoy each and every milestone to the fullest–no matter when they reach it!! Don’t rush it!

4. Remember that ALL children have special needs!!

5. The parents of children with Down syndrome don’t place limits on them so why should anyone else! The sky’s the limit! Just let them be like everybody else and they will surprise you!!

6. Inclusion in all aspects of school, community, and life is very important. They will make a difference in every life they touch!

7. Even though you feel like all you do is go to therapy, the short term and long term benefits are well worth it!

8. Never be afraid to ask questions! Join a family support group- it’s a great way for you to learn from other parents and for your child to learn from other children!

9. Every child is fearfully and wonderfully made by God for His purpose!! God does not make mistakes!

2012 Buddy Walk
Saturday, October 6, 2012, in Forsyth Park
www.ldssga.org
Savannah’s Paula Deen will be the Grand Marshal leading walk participants in the 1-mile fundraising event. The Buddy Walk Program welcomes participants of all ages and abilities. Bring your carriage, strollers, wheelchairs, little red wagons and pets.
Contact: 912-728-8505 (John or Candy Bogardus)
Register online here or the day of the walk.
Registration on Buddy Walk day begins at 8:30 AM
Opening Ceremonies begin at 10 AM
Walk begins at 10:30 AM
Free Family Festival in Forsyth Park from 11 AM – 2 PM

Savannah’s ultimate Southern Mama, Paula Deen, will be the Grand Marshal for the 2012 Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk on Oct. 6 in Forsyth Park.

Deen will be leading walk participants in the one mile fundraising event. Thousands of people are expected to attend the event, which raises awareness and funds for local programs, including Camp Buddy, that benefit people with Down syndrome and their families. Last year’s LDSS Buddy Walk welcomed over 4,000 participants.

The Buddy Walk Program welcomes participants of all ages and abilities. Bring your carriage, strollers, wheelchairs, little red wagons and pets. The goals are to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome and to positively influence local and national policy and practice. Last year alone, Buddy Walk events nationally raised more that $11.2 million to benefit education, research, and advocacy initiatives, as well as the Night of Champions, Camp Buddy and many other services right here in the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire.

The walk begins at 10 AM. The Family Fun Festival, which starts immediately following the walk, will feature a variety of activities such as face painting, pumpkin painting,the BOO Boutique, bouncy houses, games, music and refreshments and last until 2 PM. The LDSS Buddy Walk is one of more than 300 Buddy Walks taking place across the country this October to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

Registration forms for the walk are available online at  www.ldssga.org or sign-up starting at 8:30 AM day of the event. Registration is $12 per person or $40 for a family of four. Registration includes this years limited edition T-Shirt, Lunch and admission to the festival. To learn more, visit www.ldssga.org or contact John or Candy Bogardus at (912) 728-8505.

About the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society: The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) is a support group to benefit people with Down Syndrome and their families through local leadership in support, outreach, education and advocacy. Meetings are held every 4th Tuesday of the month, typically with a guest speaker and social time for families to meet and interact with one another. People are encouraged to bring their children. The group is an affiliate of the National Down Syndrome Society. www.ldssga.org

Here’s a cute way to promote your organization or business: Adopt rubber ducks today for the 2012 Fall Festival Rubber Duck Races Saturday. Oct. 13 during the Bamboo Farm & Coastal Gardens Fall Festival. Race begins at 1pm in the Water Garden.

Before the rubber duck race, there will be a kids’ race, the “Rubber Duckling Dash” at noon near the water garden. Children will race with a duck atop a bamboo pole. The first to the finish line without dropping their duck wins. $10.00 per child, each child gets to take home their race duck! Register on race day. Ages 5-9.

All proceeds from the Rubber Duck Race benefit construction of the Bamboo Farm & Coastal Gardens new Children’s Garden
One Duck for $5
Ten Ducks for $45
Twenty-five Ducks for $120
Fifty Ducks for $245
*Cash or checks only, we cannot accept debit/credit cards
Only 500 ducks are up for adoption so call today!
Prizes for the winning ducks!

To adopt a duck
Go to www.bamboo.caes.uga.edu  click on the “Events Calendar” section on the upper left and click on the link in the race section to adopt your duck. Print the form, fill it out and return it with your check. You will receive your adopted duck number via E-mail. Numbers will also be posted on race day.

Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens, 2 Canebrake Road, Savannah, GA. 31419 (912) 921-5460; (912) 921-5915 fax email elubrani@uga.edu , http://www.facebook.com/BambooFarmCoastalGardens , http://bamboo.caes.uga.edu/

You’re invited to: Junior League of Savannah Fit Kids Fest – a free interactive health and fitness event for area kids and their parents.

Fit Kids Fest is Saturday, August 25 from 2-5pm at Daffin Park’s Optimist Stadium. The event is free and open to kids K-6 and their parents. The Junior League of Savannah has also partnered with the Savannah Sand Gnats who will be awarding free tickets to the 6pm game following the Fest to the first 250 youth participants and is offering discounted tickets ($6 each) for the rest of the family.

Childhood obesity is a growing concern across the nation with trends continuing to rise in recent years. Georgia, having the 2nd highest child obesity rate in the U.S., is not immune to this epidemic with nearly 40% of the state’s children classified as overweight or obese. The Junior League of Savannah is working to draw awareness to the issue in the Coastal Empire by hosting Fit Kids Fest; an interactive event designed to show area kids that eating healthy and exercising can be fun!

The event will include interactive stations focused around the Choose My Plate and Let’s Move! initiatives. Stations will include a Build a Jump Rope station provided by Home Depot, Obstacle Course provided by CrossFit Hyberformance, and Let’s Move! dance instruction provided by YMCA of Coastal Georgia; just to name a few. All are designed to show kids that making healthy choices is important, but most importantly, they can have fun at the same time. There will also be a snack food demonstration that incorporates the Association of Junior League International’s Kids in the Kitchen program; showing kids and parents a quick and nutritious kid approved recipe that is easy to make.

Parents will have an opportunity to participate as well through health screenings provided by Memorial University Medical Center and a cooking demonstration utilizing locally sourced ingredients by celebrity chef Michele Jemison. Not-for-profit organizations will also be available on site with information about various area programs and services.

For more information or to host a not-for-profit community outreach table, call 912-790-1002.

You’re invited to the first-annual Happily Ever After Ball, a fun-filled evening for children and families with fairytale-themed activities and appearances by costumed actors, hosted by Heather Burge and The Next Generation, founded to benefit The Children’s Hospital at Memorial University Medical Center (“The Children’s Hospital”).

Children will delight in having their hair done at the Princess Hair Palace(courtesy of Rob’s at Drayton Tower), traveling to a magical fairy land(special moments captured by Christine Hall), and joining Pirate Jack on a treasure hunt throughout this historic mansion just off Forsyth Park. Costumes encouraged for children, but not required.

Heather Burge, owner of local businesses BleuBelle and BleuBelle Bridal, is a dancer for the upcoming Chatham Orthopaedics Associates Ballroom Extravaganza, AND The Next Generation, a local non-profit formed to benefit The Children’s Hospital of Memorial University Medical Center.

The Happily AEver After Ball fundraiser will be at Brockington Hall, 213 East Hall Street, Savannah, 31401 on Sunday, August 26, 2012 from 4pm – 7pm.

This fundraiser will help Heather Burge reach her COA Ballroom Extravaganza fundraising goal of $10,000 to benefit The Next Generation, founded to benefit The Children’s Hospital at Memorial University Medical Center.

Learn more and purchase tickets at: happilyeverafterball.eventbrite.com
Tickets also available for purchase at BleuBelle, J Paige, and Rob’s at Drayton Tower
Tickets: $25 General Public, $15 for The Next Generation Members, per person

Savannah’s Rails to Trails  – a 6 mile biking/walking/jogging trail along the Savannah River – is eroding. The west end is so bad that it is almost impassable in some areas.

If you want this trail to be there in the future for your kids to enjoy, please like Save our Rails to Trails Savannah Facebook page here to find out how you can help. The mission of Save our Rails to Trails Savannah Facebook pg is to bring awareness to the deteriorating conditions of Rails to Trails & get it restored.

Rails to Trails is along Hwy 80 East on your way to Tybee. The main entrance is just past the Bull River Bridge coming off the islands (Whitemarsh, Talahi & Wilmington). Rails To Trails is known on maps as “McQueen’s Trail” & “McQueen’s Island”. The other entrance is immediately left upon turning into Fort Pulaski.

Volunteers working to save Rails to Trails plan to have workdays once a month. Stay updated about the clean-ups & other ways to help (fundraising, etc) by liking their page here.

Reach for the Stars!! is a pledge-based reading incentive program, designed to benefit schools, individual classrooms, clubs, pre-schools, church groups, home school groups, charities, businesses and public libraries.

The goal of Reach for the Stars!! is for participants to read, or be read to, for 300 minutes over a two week period of time, thus developing a reading routine. Reach for the Stars!! has flexible options to meet your needs, whether you need books for the library, classroom, community projects, or perhaps cash for a specific purpose. A minimum of 100% of the pledges are returned to the participants and organization in the form of books, or a combination of books and cash with the fundraising option.

If you or your organization is interested in hearing more about this generous program, contact Melissa A. Mallory, Local Independent Educational Consultant, at 912.856.1450 or mmallory@myubah.com.

Now, here’s a reading incentive for Southernmamas subscribers.  Visit the online catalog and share on Melissa’s Facebook page which 3 titles your children would enjoy reading and receive $10 off your next order ($25 minimum order must be placed by August 10).

Another good reason to eat ice cream: Tomorrow Thurs July 26, proceeds of $1 or more from every Blizzard® Treat purchased  participating DQ stores will be donated to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

When a donation is made to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, it stays in the community where it was donated, ensuring that every dollar raised helps local kids.

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is a nonprofit organization serving 170 children’s hospitals across North America including The Children’s Hospital at Memorial University Medical Center.

Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals have raised more than $4 billion, most of it a dollar at a time. These donations have gone to support research and training, purchase equipment, and pay for uncompensated care, actions that align with the organization’s mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible.

Meet the Holloway and Knofczynski families of Pooler. Stacey and Greg Knofczynski and Brandi and Trent Holloway could not ignore what they see as a worldwide epidemic — the huge number of orphans who have special needs and, therefore, slim chance of adoption.

Both families felt so blessed with their healthy, happy biological children and close-knit families, they wanted to share that with children with special needs who didn’t have parents, homes or anyone to love them other than the staff at the institutions where they lived.

Read more about these amazing families and how you can help them in my local newspaper column here.

Get your hair done at the Charles Rudd Color Salon at 7601 Waters Ave. , Savannah, 31406 on Sunday, July 29 from 11am to 4 pm durng Color for a Cause benefitting the Telfair Mammography Fund, which helps local uninsured moms receive life-saving mammograms.

Recently, with an increased demand for mammographies, the Mammography Fund is paying out more than it’s receiving. So there is a great need for organizations and businesses to raise money and awareness for the Mammography Fund. We are so thrilled that Charles Rudd Color Salon is taking on this cause! More info on the fund here.

At Color for a Cause, Charles Rudd Color Salon is offering:
• Basic Color Service for $50
– 100% of the color proceeds will benefit the Telfair Mammography Fund to enable uninsured/underinsured women to receive mammography services at no charge to them.
– Space is limited and reservations are required so reserve your spot today! 912-353-8555
• Purchase raffle tickets to win a gift basket valued at $250. Raffle tickets are $5 each. All proceeds from raffle will go to the Fund.
• 25% of all merchandise sold this day will also go to the Fund.
(Please note: Basic Color Price doesn’t not include corrective color or highlights.)

Proceeds benefit the Mammography Fund at Mary Telfair Women’s Hospital at St. Joseph’s/Candler, Savannah, which is greatly in need of donations.

Charles Rudd Color Salon, 7601 Waters Ave. , Savannah, GA 31406, http://charlesruddcolorsalon.com/

Nationally recognized stand-up comic Greg Warren will headline Mom’s Lemonade Fund’s annual fundraiser Laughs for Lemonade on Saturday, June 23 at Savannah’s Lucas Theatre.

Most recently seen on “Comedy Central Presents,” “The Late Late Show” and “Last Comic Standing”, Greg has an arsenal of characters that he brings to life in his act highlighting his Midwestern upbringing, his current life struggles with the service industry, moderation, and his famed “One Star People” routine.

Greg’s strong and rapidly growing national fan base helped his recently released CD “One Star Wonder” (Comedy Central Records) become an iTunes TOP Comedy Album. In addition to his television and festival appearances, Greg can currently be seen on Comedy Central Presents and heard on Sirius/XM Comedy. At the same time, he continues performing at comedy clubs around the country where he is widely known for his colorful perspective and amazing characters.

The June event will be the third annual Laughs for Lemonade comedy show, the principal fundraiser for Mom’s Lemonade Fund. As a local, independent, not-for-profit organization, the mission of Mom’s Lemonade Fund is to raise awareness of ovarian cancer, assist with emotional and medical needs, and provide comfort care items for patients, their families and caregivers battling the disease.

The fund was created in 2009 by the families of Mary Anne Feist Mahfet and Ellen McAlpin Hogan, both victims of ovarian cancer, and both well known for their positive, uplifting outlook on life. Their mutual attribute of looking on the brighter side, or “taking lemons and making lemonade,” lent itself to the most appropriate name to honor their memory: Mom’s Lemonade Fund.

Money raised by the organization is used to support a broad range of needs including medical equipment, research, programs, services, education, as well as comfort care items for patients and their families.

Media sponsors for this year’s event include WTOC-TV, 97.3 Kiss FM, News Radio 1290 AM and 97.7 FM, and 98.7 the River. Corporate sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Scott Weeks at 912.352.7200 or scottweeks@foxandweeks.com .

Tickets for Laughs for Lemonade are available at the Lucas Theatre / SCAD Box office or online at www.scadboxoffice.com. VIP tickets are available at $100 and include meet and greet access to the post-performance party. Additional tickets are available at $50 for reserved front orchestra seating, $35 for rear orchestra seating and $20 for balcony seating.

For more information, please go to Moms Lemonade Fund Inc. on Facebook here or www.momslemonadefund.com.

Bopping Heads Dance & Entertainment Videos  – a new type of entertainment for children’s birthdays in Savannah – is offering a May 2012 special: any party booked in the month of May will get 15% off their booking and 10% will get donated to Hope for Savannah, which provides hope and comfort to cancer patients and their families.

Bopping Heads uses “Green Screen” technology to superimpose the participants heads onto professional dancing bodies, up to four people at a time sit infront of the camera as they “Bop” their heads to hundreds of available songs!

The exclusive Bopping Heads Digital system can also capture the performance, which is then transferred to a DVD instantly with NO wait time ! Bopping Heads Videos are a Great Party Favor and the Birthday Girl/Boy gets a master DVD with all their friends videos included!

Bopping Heads s local and are proud to serve Southeast Georgia and the Lowcountry!

Mention SouthernMamas at the time of booking and 10% of your party booking will be donated to Hope for Savannah!

Having a FUNDRAISER? Give Bopping Heads a call! 912-704-7803 or email info@boppingheadsofsavannah.com.

Bopping Heads looks forward to making your next Party Super Fun with Non-Stop Laughter Guaranteed!

www.Boppingheadsofsavannah.com Please “Like” Bopping heads on Facebook here to stay connected & updated about birthday deals, Bopping Heads is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Here’s a way to donate to Mom’s Lemonade Fund, which supports Ovarian Cancer awareness & receive a truly lifestyle changing service at the same time.

In honor of Mother’s Day, The Mosquito Authority in Savannah is offering a great deal this upcoming Mother’s Day weekend: they are selling a one-time barrier spray treatment, which normally costs $79, for a $25 contribution to Mom’s Lemonade Fund. That means 100% of the $25 you pay to get rid of mosquitoes in your yard will go toward Mom’s Lemonade Fund.  (The Mosquito Authority is picking up the processing fees).

Talk about the perfect Mother’s Day special!

Mom’s Lemonade Fund supports local women and their families struggling with ovarian cancer in the Savannah area. The fund’s mission is to provide medications, testing, wigs, as well as comfort care items for the patients and their families.

The Mosquito Authority’s barrier spray treatment makes a tremendous difference in your quality of life in the yard, and they do it in a safe and effective way. Lean more about the service by clicking here.

This deal will run from noon Friday May 11 through the end of the day Sunday May 13. Click here for the one time $25 donation for a treatment. The coupon code is MOMS in all caps.  Questions? Call The Mosquito Authority at 912-414-2681

About Mom’s Lemonade Fund:
Mom’s Lemonade Fund supports local women and their families struggling with ovarian cancer in the Savannah area. The foundation’s purpose is to raise awareness of ovarian cancer, assist with emotional and medical needs and to provide comfort care items for patients, their family members, and caregivers battling the disease.
Mom’s Lemonade Fund was created in August 2009 by the families of Mary Anne Feist Mahfet and Ellen McAlpin Hogan to honor their memory by proactively helping women and their families struggling with ovarian cancer.
Find Mom’s Lemonade Fund on Facebook here.

The Mosquito Authority, serving Coastal Georgia and The South Carolina Lowcountry
PO Box 2153, Savannah, 31402, email justin@themosquitoauthority.com , 912-414-2681, www.bugsbite.com/coastal The Mosquito Authority is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Chances are you’ve considered, however briefly, becoming a foster family as a way to help allieviate Georgia’s foster children crisis and improve the lives of children.

And chances are you’ve thought of all kinds of reasons not to do so. But what if becoming a foster family came with huge amounts of support, a whole churchload of support to be exact? Would that make you more likely to consider taking in a foster child?

If so, then check out a local network called Faith to Foster, a coalition of Chatham County churches that serve families and children in foster care. The goal of Faith to Foster is to make foster parenting less challenging and more appealing to local families.

You’re invited to a Faith to Foster informational meeting, 6-7:30 PM May 7 at Southside Baptist Church, 5502 Skidaway Road, Savannah 31406. Child care will be provided if you call ahead to ministry director, 912-355-9555.

For more info on Faith to Foster including how you can help volunteer to aid local foster families or bring the program to your church, click here or email Faith to Foster ministry director Jenn Menn at jennifermenn@hotmail.com or call 912.925.5074.

Read more about Faith to Foster and the foster mom behind it – who along with her husband have fostered a total of 17 children (not all at once) since 2007 –  in my Savannah Morning News column this week here.

You and your kids are invited to the First Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Bilingual Speech Therapy and Language Center, Saturday, May 5, 2012.

Enjoy Spanish-themed activities and snacks from 12:00pm – 4:00pm; StoryTime 12:15pm, Music and Games 1:00pm & 2:45pm and a “Break the Pinata” 1:45pm. All Activities are Free and Open to the Public! 9100 White Bluff Road, Suite 202. For more information call (912) 335-8486 or click here.

Bilingual Speech Therapy & Language Center, 9100 White Bluff Road Suite 201, Savannah, 31406. On Facebook here. 912.335.8486, www.bilingualspeechtherapy.net/ Bilingual Speech Therapy & Language Center is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

UPDATE: Winner is Suzanne Work Hokanson!! Congratulations Suzanne!

This week’s giveaway is going to make you nostalgic for your favorite childhood doll. Win a handmade Little Lady Belles doll stitched with love and attention right here in Savannah.

 Little Lady Belles are unique, handmade soft form dolls designed as a treasured toy, family heirloom & long-lasting keepsake for display. Each belle has a unique personality and story to tell. Some represent the grand styles and fashions of the past, while others the sweet city and country girls of today.

To enter to win, “like” the Little Lady Belles family on Facebook here, then on the Little Lady Belles Facebook wall, share the name of your favorite childhood doll or simply a memory of your doll or playing dolls (or another favorite toy for the non-doll playing moms) Be sure to say that SouthernMamas.com sent you! Deadline to enter to win: noon Sun. April 22. We’ll pick a winner at random & announce it here Mon. April 23.

Little Lady Belles  are handmade with high-quality vintage fabrics and buttons. Their bodies are all new, 100 percent cotton; their hair is wool felt, polyester fleece, or cotton chenille fabric. Clothing is made from pre-washed repurposed materials. The belles have embroidered facial details.

Due to the use of buttons and small pieces, the dolls are best suited for ages 3 and older The belles measure from 26 to 31 inches tall, with an arm span of 22 inches. Each belle comes with one accessory and a small portrait.

Customized handmade dolls also can be commissioned for birthdays and other special events. Prices for the belles featured on the Little Lady Belles Facebook page here range from $50 to $75. (Customized orders are priced based on design and materials.)

The belles design and fabrication were developed by Abigail Kokai and Scribble Art Studio owner Carrie Christian, both graduates of the Savannah College of Art and Design.

You can meet the dolls in person at the Springtime in Paris: Art & Fashion Show, a kids’ art & fashion show presented by Scribble Art Studio & Sara Jane’s Children’s Boutique. All proceeds of the show will help to start-up Scribble’s charitable program Scribble On Wheels, a program that works with local hospitals in an effort to bring art to every little artist. The goal of Scribble on Wheels is to work with pediatric patients in groups or one-on-one sessions, providing fun, interesting art projects that provide a nurturing and inspirational creative experience to every child,

Springtime in Paris is 5-8 PM Sat. April 28 @ Scribble Art Studio, 212 E. 37th St.  Details here.

For more information, custom orders, or to purchase a doll you “like” on the Little Lady Belles Facebook page, please e-mail Joyce McDonald at: JoyceAMcDonald@yahoo.com.

For more information on Scribble or Springtime in Paris, contact artist Carrie Christian at 912-323-0123 or email ScribbleArtStudio@hotmail.com . Click here for more info. Scribble Art Studio a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

You’re invited to the Red Shoes Run / Pop Tab Pandemonium 2012/Blood Alliance Blood Drive benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities. It’s a 5K Run/Walk & Pop Tab Collection Event at the Ronald McDonald House, Savannah, 9AM-Noon on Sat. April 14.

During the event, please stop by The Blood Alliance & donate blood! The blood drive will be 9 AM-Noon. The Blood Alliance will make a donation ot the Ronald McDonald House Charities for every unit of blood collected at the RMHC blood drive! The Blood Alliance is the sole provider of blood to Memorial University Medical Center, the only Level 1 trauma center and dedicated children’s hospital in SE Georgia.

Red Shoes Run & Pop Tab Pandemonium is a family friendly fundraiser that will feature free activities including fun with Ronald McDonald, a 1/4 mile kiddie run, live music, games, prizes and refreshments!
There is a wonderful bridge that participants will traverse twice for which this 5K is nicknamed the “mini-bridge run!” It’s perfect training for those aiming for the big one at the end of the year!

Strollers are welcome.

To Register: Red Shoes Run: Download registration form here or register online: www.active.com
key words red shoes run.

Interested in cashing in on your children’s gently used-items at the popular Little Lambs Spring Consignment sale March 23 & 24?

Deadline for requesting a Little Lambs seller number is Friday, March 16 by 5 PM!!

If you’re interested in becoming a seller/consigner or know someone who is, please request a number and packet now by emailing Katherine Durkin at littlelambsfpp@gmail.com .

In your email please include, NEW or Returning Seller, Name (First and Last) and email address!

Little Lambs Consignment Sale
First Presbyterian Preschool
520 Washington Ave., Savannah, 31405
9 AM-2 PM Fri. March 23
9 AM-Noon Sat. March 24.

Junior League of Savannah is now accepting Kids Who Care Scholarship Applications

KIDS WHO CARE is a program designed to salute high school seniors who have made a positive difference in the lives of others by volunteering. Five $1,000 college scholarships will be awarded to local seniors from the Low Country area in recognition of their outstanding volunteer service and outstanding community involvement. These scholarships are not based on academic or athletic ability.

The Junior League of Savannah would like you to help them identify these Kids Who Care by nominating high school seniors who have been active volunteers. Nominations may be made by anyone – principals, counselors, students, community groups and individuals, as well as self-nomination by the student.

Please visit the Junior League of Savannah website at www.jrleaguesav.org  (under Community Impact) for more information and to complete the application. Application Deadline: March 15, 2012.

For more information, please contact Lisa Pinyan via email at lpinyan@greenlinearch.com .