Next Meetup March 10!

Greetings Bloggers!

Our next meetup and benefit will be Wednesday, March 10 at the new Buffalo Wild Wings in Ashburn near Wegmans.

Our event will benefit the Loudoun Museum, a great local resource that has suffered lately due to budget cuts and a mold issue. They will be reopening this spring in their repaired historic Leesburg location.

Buffalo Wild Wings will generously donate a percentage of all food sales to the Loudoun Museum all day March 10. Just mention Bloggers for Good or the Loudoun Museum.

Buffalo Wild WIngs is located at 21980 Colorado Drive, Dulles, VA 20166-2509. Phone: 703-444-3048.

Please spread the word and join us on March 10! See you there!

Finnegan's Meet-up

Thanks to all who attended Wednesday's meet-up and fundraiser for Cole's Closet! We raised hundreds of dollars and a big bucket of toys for seriously ill children and their families.

Finnegan's was a gracious host. Bloggers gathered around bistro tables while families dined (and children played) nearby. Several people commented that the new management's smoke-free policy was a welcome improvement.

It's always a treat to meet talented writers in person, and Wednesday was no exception. Several interest areas were represented, including wine, local news, education, business, crafts, more crafts, sports, and life in general.

Thanks again, and see you next time!

BFG Meet-up Wednesday, Oct. 21 at Finnegan's

Don't forget, bloggers, our next meet-up will be tomorrow night at Finnegan's (formerly Kirkpatrick's) in Ashburn. Our official blogger meet-up time is 5-7, but we're welcome to linger.

30% of all restaurant sales will go to Cole's Closet, a local charity that supports seriously ill children and their families. The fundraiser is open to everyone - just tell them that you're there for the fundraiser - or that Bloggers for Good sent you - to ensure your donation.

We will also collect new, unopened, unwrapped toys that Cole's Closet will distribute to kids in area hospitals.

Finnegan's welcomes families and has a kids menu.

Hope to see you tomorrow!

Next Meet-up October 21!

Mark your calendars: our next BFG meet-up will be Wednesday, October 21 at Finnegan's Irish Pub in Ashburn from 5-7.

Our last meet-up accomplished our three core goals: we met, we networked, and we did "good." We raised over $600 for Loudoun Interfaith Relief. I was personally incredibly touched by your generosity, especially in these tough economic times. I wish you could have all been there with me when I delivered the check; they were so appreciative!

This time, I hope we can do more of the same. This is a blogger meet-up for bloggers, readers, and friends. We'll catch up, socialize and network

We've selected an amazing local charity: Cole's Closet, which provides emotional and financial support for seriously ill children and their families. They take on projects like making hospital rooms more home-like and providing toys and activities for sick kids and their siblings.

Bloggers, spread the word! Finnegan's will generously donate 30% of all the sales we generate during the meet-up to Cole's Closet, a local charity committed to providing comfort to sick children and their families.

Send me an email at Erin@BloggersforGood.org to get our flyer, press release, and graphic.

Can't wait to see you all again!

Cole's Closet: One Family's Story

The Ruff family loves Cole's Closet. Their older daughter, Lexie, miraculously survived life-threatening birth complications, but was left with kidney problems requiring dialysis and round-the-clock care.

When Lexie's mom, Kim, was ordered to hospitalized bed rest for her second pregnancy, the family was in financial and emotional turmoil. A friend recommended Cole's closet.

Kim says, "I initially turned to Cole's Closet to see if the organization could recommend someone to volunteer to help my husband care for Lexie while I was in the hospital. What I received was so much more."

Cole's Closet provided emotional support and m, as well as the gift of precious time.

"First and foremost, Cole's Closet offered emotional support. Cole's mother, Ellen, spent a number of hours on the phone talking me through my fears and anxieties. In addition to emotional support, Cole's Closet offered financial support by providing literally case loads of easy-to-prepare meals from Omaha Steaks. As a result of this assistance, my husband was able to spend less time at the grocery store and cooking meals. It also saved us money that we would have otherwise spent on groceries.

In addition to providing my family with food, Cole's Closet provided a beautiful handmade blanket and two very large boxes of toys and books for Lexie. I was hospitalized over the holidays. We had exhausted our savings account and "maxed" out nearly all of our credit cards trying to make ends meet by the time Christmas rolled around. We had decided to postpone Christmas, when Cole's Closet gave Lexie the Christmas we could not afford.

It is hard to describe the many ways that Cole's Closet made a difference in our lives. Cole's Closet put food on our table when we needed it most. Cole's Closet gave us Christmas. Cole's Closet gave a worn out father more time to care for his sick child. And, Cole's Closet helped give a distraught mother enough peace and courage to stay in the hospital for her unborn child. Cole’s Closet helped us bring a healthy baby home from the hospital."

Today Lexie and her little sister, Madison, are rambunctious preschoolers. The Ruffs will never forget the support they received from Cole's Closet.

Bloggers for Good is proud to support Cole's Closet. Please join us October 21 at Finnegan's Restaurant in Ashburn. Tell them Bloggers for Good sent you and Finnegan's will generously donate 30% of your tab to Cole's Closet. New, un-opened, un-wrapped toys will be collected.

Photo: Madison today
Photo credit: Carl Hutzler Photography

October's Featured Charity: Cole's Closet

Our featured charity for our October meet-up is Cole's Closet.

Cole's Closet donates items to area hospitals to ensure a comfortable stay for all children. In addition, they have donated thousands of toys, books, and gift cards to seriously ill children and their families. Read Kim's Story to learn about one family helped by Cole's Closet.

Cole's Closet was inspired by the life of Cole Tomcyzk, who lived for six months in 1999. Cole's hospital experience inspired his family to make hospital life easier for other sick children and their families.

The October BFG meet-up will support Cole's Closet in three ways:
1. Finnegan's restaurant will donate 30% of all restaurant sales for everyone the we Bloggers bring in, so TELL YOUR FRIENDS!
2. We'll have a direct donation jar.
3. We'll collect new, un-opened, un-wrapped toys for all ages.

BFG Happy Hour at O'Faolain's

The inaugural BFG event was a resounding success!


The event was great! Over fifty people attended - bloggers and non-bloggers alike. It was great to meet other local bloggers, and the featured bloggers: Dan, Erica, and Tammi, were a hit!

The donation jar raised $525 for Loudoun Interfaith Relief, and we expect another $125 or so from restaurant sales.


Thanks to everyone who turned out, and to everyone else who showed their support!

We're planning another event in three months or so. See you soon!

Look for other write-ups and photos on:
Carl Hutzler's Blog
Living In Loco
Shashi's Blog