It has been an amazing journey over the last 6 months and a fortuitous opportunity to raise money for my local charity, Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition (
DBCC). Last summer, I entered a contest in a local circular called "Out & About" magazine, a free publication distributed in local coffee shops and restaurants in the Delaware Valley area. I always picked up such publications to identify local business contacts that might be interested in donating silent auction items for the DBCC fundraiser hosted yearly at Longwood Gardens. Last year we raised an amazing $200,000!
I actually forgot I entered the contest! The contest was called, "So You Think You Can't Dance." All I had to do was 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, you are one of the 12 finalists for the contest and we are conducting 20 minute interviews at Pizza by Elizabeth's in Greenville, DE. Do you still want to be considered?" I was astonished to be chosen as a finalist.
I couldn’t say "no" for two reasons. First, I lost my mother to breast cancer seven years ago. She was a phenomenal dancer and always tried to teach me. I never took her up on it, thinking I could never be as good as she was. I thought to myself, "This is my chance to do this in memory of my mother and really learn how to dance well." Second, I had tried various fitness programs, but they 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 didn't get the exercise I need.
Rhino Living teaches us to get comfortable about being uncomfortable and the importance of establishing your Definite Chief Aim. I found my opportunity! I would get five months of personal training with Arianne of Core Fitness and private, weekly dance lessons with Brian Wells of the Starliters Dance Studio, a make-over by Karen Sgroi of Pagave Salon in Wilmington, Delaware… and a chance to perform at Pizza by Elizabeth’s and the Du Pont Country Club. Pizza by Elizabeth’s was chosen by Arianne. The irony was Pizza by Elizabeth’s was one of the special places my mother and I would frequently dine together. We loved it there! The owner, Betsy LeRoy, remembered me and my mother and was so supportive of this entire event. She donated the food for the over 100 attendees and her restaurant - it was a beautiful evening. As a result of everyone’s generosity, we were able to raise over $1500 that night. Check out the event for yourself!
http://www.starlitersdance.com/Photos2.htmlMy high school’s "YaYa sisters club" and many of my friends and family attended. My dear sister, Bev, was a great support during this period. She cheered me on at every opportunity. Every year, Bev and I raise over $100,000 for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, and ever since we lost our mother in 2002, she donates her wonderful creative artistic talents. Each year she displays large portraits of breast cancer survivors at a yearly gala fundraiser called Northern Lights of Life.
http://michelphoto.com/?p=2742. After the event, Bev donates the portraits for each survivor to keep. Bev is a Master Photographer who owns her own studio in West Chester and does many charitable events in the West Chester area for school PTOs, the Run for Brianne, and Operation Smile. In addition, Bev & I were both nominated for the
Jefferson Award for Volunteerism (a national award) earlier this year for our work for DBCC.
http://204.12.4.91/images/uploads/DBCC_2008_Winter_Issue.pdf
I am not sharing this story with all the Rhinos to tell them look at what I did. It’s more as a message 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. It’s Rhino Living’s "Give Love Serve" Principle. In addition, it is important for each of us to make time for the things that are important to us on this earth. One of my favorite quotes by a great Nobel Prize winner philosopher and playwright, Rabindranath Tagore, is:
"The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough."
Keep discovering your passions and stretching yourself! You will meet amazing people along the way and make a difference in the world.
