Shave Rave

And it's done! The 2013 46 Mommas Shave for the Brave has come and gone, and we've raised over $195K and counting! Mommas will continue to fundraise through the end of the year, and our four-year total is closing in on $1.2 million!!! So exciting! There seems to be a lot of momentum surrounding the team, so it will be interesting to see what happens next ...

We all had a great time in San Antonio, even with a last minute venue change due to - of all things - RAIN! Our hotel was ready with the ballroom, so we barely skipped a beat, and the shave was underway in no time. This was the biggest event I've ever planned, and I'm really happy with how it went. I'm also really happy that it's over. : )

The morning of the shave, Georgia and Ivy were invited to participate in the Pablove Foundation's Shutterbugs program. Each family was given a camera, and the children got photography lessons and tips from two professional photographers. The girls loved it and got some really cool shots, too!

"Momma Head" fans we had made for the heat - before the rain!

Ivy took this one - she even caught Poppa in the background.

We also had several volunteer photographers shooting the event, and because we ended up in the ballroom, they were able to get some really wonderful closeups. It's such a powerful event, and they were all very moved by the moments they were capturing.

My reason for doing this crazy thing.

First swipe.

All done!

 

 One of my best friends, Jill, came to support us.

Every bit the champion that Georgia is.

At each national shave, the 46 Mommas include an advocacy or outreach event. This year, we held a book drive and collected over 300 books for the pediatric oncology units at Children's Hospital of San Antonio and Methodist Children's Hospital. The day after the shave, this delegation of Mommas delivered the books and some Momma fedoras and Twilight Turtles from MaxLove Project and enjoyed a wonderful tour of the outpatient clinic at CHSA. 

We are fortunate that Votre Vu is continuing their partnership with the 46 Mommas and donating $1 from the sale of every French Accents product to our campaign. Harold Zimmerman, CEO of Votre Vu, presented a check for the the $15K raised so far this year, and Kathleen Ruddy, CEO of the St. Baldrick's Foundation, was on hand to accept it - and to be of invaluable help that day!

Your 2013 Leadership Team: Alyson (California), Susan (Pennsylvania), and Lisa (Texas).

 We were dearly missing Bekah, who was home in Rhode Island, awaiting Baby #3.

The Class of 2013! 

(including Honorary Mommas and Honored Kids)

And their fearless leader, trying to get them organized for the picture.

I have a feeling I looked like that a lot throughout the weekend ...