Hey HOBY!

It's that time of year for Southwest Ohio HOBY conference! This year it is being held at Urbana University from June 14-16.
I was introduced to the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership conference in 2009 as an outgoing sophomore in high school. HOBY was created back in 1958 as a program to inspire and develop the global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service, and innovation. 
There are conferences happening all over the US, even abroad, this summer to grow and develop leaders of tomorrow.
I was an ambassador in 2009 on the Margaret Thatcher team! I had a great experience and it motivated me to make a difference in my community and start some local charity drives at my school.

Margaret Thatcher's circa 2009

I was so impacted from HOBY that I volunteered in 2010, 2011, and 2012 as a Junior Facilitator. Although I learned a lot through each conference, I decided that it is time to move on and explore other options. 
My last year as a JF really opened my eyes and made me realize that I wasn't enjoying this experience as I usually had. Fostering the innovation and inspiration in youth is a passion of mine but I am searching in other ways to do that.
HOBY has changed my life and given me a vision of where I want to go. HOBY taught me to be confident and gave me perspective on life. 
One of my favorite things about HOBY is the emphasize on volunteering. Each year there is a day filled with 4 hours of volunteer work.This conference had a huge impact on my life and is one of my main motivations behind wanting to enter the non-profit sector. 
I am so proud and honored to be an alumni of HOBY and I hope that one day my children will follow my footsteps.

Candy Apple Red Group circa 2010

Group RESPECT circa 2011

Wrestling Group circa 2012

National Autism Awareness Month

April is National Autism Awareness month and Panera Bread is hosting a cookie campaign to raise support and awareness.

Today is the last day that they will be holding the cookie campaign in Southwest Ohio locations. 

The cookies are $2.19 and 100% of the profits go directly to Autism. 

Today the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Autism will be presented with a check for $71,000 from Panera Bread.

Over 26,700 cookies were sold in the Northeast Ohio locations. 

I think it is great that Panera Bread is giving back to their communities all around America..plus the cookies are delicious!

FEED and Godiva

I am so happy to announce the FEED and Godiva partnership for Mother's Day!
As part of the Lady GODIVA program, Godiva & FEED have provided 300,000 school meals to children in cocoa producing regions of the world.
This year is the second year that these two have partnered together. Last year they sold 10 different designs of the FEED bag and then you choose which chocolate gift you wanted to go with it.
This year they have designed a single, bigger bag that goes with every  GODIVA chocolate gift.

Last year's FEED 10 bags

This year's FEED 10 bags

You can read all about Lauren Bush Lauren: Chief FEEDer and Co-Founder of FEED here.

You can purchase this amazing non-profit gift for Mother's Day while also providing meals for children around the world. It is the best of both worlds!

Since I am a lover of all things that are nonprofits and giving back, I know exactly what my grandma and mother will be receiving this year :)