Carol Knotts, a Community Difference Maker
It has been an amazing journey over the last five months and a fortuitous opportunity to raise over $1,900 for my local charity, Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition (DBCC), for which I volunteer. About 5 months ago I entered a contest in a local circular called "Out & About"--a free publication that is distributed in local coffee shops and restaurants in the Delaware Valley area. I always pick up such publications to identify local business contacts who might want to donate to our breast cancer gala fundraiser that the DBCC hosts yearly at Longwood Gardens. Last year we raised over $200,000!
I had actually forgotten I had entered the contest. The contest was called, "So You Think You Can't Dance. It required contestants to answer four questions and submit a picture. To my surprise I received a phone call from Arianne Missimer, Owner of Core Fitness in Wilmington, Delaware, saying, "Carol, we've been trying to reach you - you are one of the 12 finalists for the contest. We are conducting 20 minute interviews at Pizza by Elizabeth's in Greenville, Delaware. Do you still want to be considered?" I was astonished I was selected as a finalist, and of course I said, "yes!"
The contest winner won a $5,000 value prize, 5-months of personal training at Core Fitness in Wilmington, private dance lessons with Starliters Dance Studio's Brian Wells, and a new hairdo and makeover by Pagave Salon at Karen Sgroi, salon owner....and can't forget a dance performance at the Du Pont Country Club. http:///www.out-and-about.com/DanceContest
To make a long story short, I won the contest....and I entered it for two reasons:
My dear mother, Ann, who I lost to breast cancer 7 years ago, was a phenomenal dancer and she always tried to teach me, but I never took her up on it. My mind was cluttered with thoughts such as "I could never be as good as she was." This contest would give me the opportunity to do this for my mother and really learn how to dance well.
I had tried various fitness programs at the YMCA and also women fitness salons, but it never seemed to work because I didn't have the personal training element to customize the routine to my needs. Since leaving my 31-year career at Du Pont to volunteer for breast cancer, I have spent a lot of time in front of my computer and don't get the exercise I need.
So....Arianne, the woman who told me I had won, set me on my way with 2x/week personal training sessions. It was not until 2 months into the program that she told me she had lost her 27 year old brother to lung cancer and she does many fundraisers for cancer....and also that her mother is a breast cancer survivor. I admire Arianne very much and am so grateful to know her. Brian Wells, who gave me my weekly private lessons, also participates in fundraisers for many charities, local retirement communities, and the Delaware State Hospital (to mention a few). Here are the pictures from the recent Pizza by Elizabeth's event at which I performed with Brian and we raised over $1,000 for Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition (Arianne decided to donate all the proceeds to my charity!) http://www.starlitersdance.com/Photos2.htmlWomen from my high school's YaYa sisters club attended, along with many of my friends, and my dear sister, Bev Michel, who was a great support during this period. Bev was the Rhino who gave me the support and encouragement to get me through this 5-month program and cheered me on at every opportunity. Together Bev & I have been able to raise over $100,000 each year for Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition. Bev devotes her wonderful creative artistic talents as a Master Photographer and owns Bev Michel Photography in West Chester, PA. Each year she produces large portraits of the breast cancer survivors for the September gala fundraiser "Northern Lights of Life" event. Here is a link to some of the portraits http://michelphoto.com/?p=2742
Bev & I were both nominated for the Jefferson Award for Volunteerism (a national award) earlier this year for our work for DBCC. Having said this, I truly believe that you can do anything you set your mind to do, but more importantly it is through giving of ourselves every day that we realize our true being and soul.
One of my favorite quotes is by a great Nobel Prize winner philosopher and playwright, Rabindranath Tagore:
"The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough."
It is important for each of us to make time for the things that are important to us on this earth and surround yourself with amazing people who have a passion to give back and make a difference. In the spirit of Rhino Living... get out there, stretch yourself and charge towards goals and dreams. There are opportunities everywhere... it's your job to seek them out, enjoy the journey and make a difference.
|
