100 Kids Fight Hunger!

Playdate Fights Hunger raised more money and interest than we imagined!

This Wednesday, 100 toddlers, preschoolers and kindergartners will pack food for delivery to needy families in Cleveland. More than $1,500 was raised and spent at BJs for this charitable food drive. As a result, we will be supplying 120 families with enough meals to feed one child for an entire weekend. It's our hope that, through this event, community kids will become more hands-on to help others. Cleveland Foodbank Programs Manager, Thea DeRosa will also be present to talk to the kids about the importance of charity and providing nutritious meals to families. The event is being organized by two local mothers on a mission: to expand young childrens' horizons and teach them the importance of charity.

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Local Moms Send Kids Packing to Fight Hunger

More than 100 people will be participating in Playdate Fights Hunger: a local effort to feed Cleveland kids in need. Please join the fight!

For many children, summer is carefree. Days are spent in the pool, on the beach, soaking in the sun and not worrying about their next meal. But, for tens of thousands of Cleveland children, the end of school means the end of free and reduced-price school lunches. It's not easy to enjoy summer when hunger sets in. That's why two local Moms have teamed up with the Cleveland Foodbank and want you to send your kids (and theirs) packing to fight hunger.

On Wednesday, August 12th at 3:30pm, a group of area Moms and their children will participate in Playdate Fights Hunger - an event designed to teach kids charity and underscore the importance of being hands-on to help others. Volunteer families will assemble at Centerville Mills to help fill backpacks with food for distribution by The Cleveland Foodbank to low-income children around Cleveland. Each backpack will contain six child-friendly meals including staples like cereal, canned fruits and vegetables and shelf-stable milk. The backpacks will also be filled with personal notes and pictures from participating children.

"I was inspired by an article I read in the newspaper. I thought this was an endeavor kids could really relate to, get behind and actively participate in," said organizer Jen Drozdowski.

"My kids understand hunger, yet take meals for granted. They need to know that not everyone has food at their table and that it's important to help others," said organizer Sonali Morris. "Playdate Fights Hunger is about kids helping kids. It's charity they can relate to because it impacts children their age."

Playdate Fights Hunger is open to all families for a donation of $10. To participate or for more information, please email sonalimorris@gmail.com.

About the organizers:
Jen Drozdowski: An avid lover of traveling, conservation and the environment, Jen is passionate about educating her children on being responsible for the planet and exposing them to different parts of the world. She and her family are traveling to Italy this summer so her children can discover what good pizza really tastes like. Jen lives in Chagrin Falls with her husband and two children.

Sonali Morris: Self-proclaimed humorist, hunger is one of the few topics Sonali does not find amusing. A former marketing manager at USA TODAY and BusinessWeek, Sonali left the world of suits to don sweats and raise two children (and her husband). She's now considering going back to work to escape them. Until that day, Sonali can be found blogging for The Plain Dealer and at Write on, Yo Mama Morris!

Bitch slap the bunny.

Outback Ray and his amazing animal posse graced our house for Kaila's fourth birthday this past weekend. Surprisingly, baby doll had no issues holding a snake, getting kissed by a lizard or poking a hissing cockroach. But, she drew the line at feeding a turtle a carrot. No fucking way, she said. Or, seemed to be saying. Or would have said if she could have dropped the f-bomb without risking a time-out.

Can I get a what whaaaaaaaaaat?

Kaila had no issues at all with la cucaracha, but refused to feed Franklin. (Heyyyy, it's Franklin. Heyyy, I'm hungry.) Oh, Kaila. How could you be so heartless? How could you be so cold? Kanye was singing about you, sweetie. Why are you withholding carotene from a reptile? Talk about cold-blooded.

And, if that wasn't bad enough. She also gave the cutest freaking bunny on Earth the meanest freaking look I ever saw. What next? Are you going to tell me you hate puppies? Hell, that's cool. Mama's gonna love you no matter what. Or, at least until you start giving me dirty looks, too.


Holy hare-ball.


Fine. I'll touch the snake. But, I'm still not feeding anyone anything.


Cousin D steps in to offer Franklin a carrot and save him from certain death.


Cool with the cockroach. Baby, you so crazy.

Oh baby, baby it's a wide world.

"What was the motivation behind creating Playdate Goes Global?" the reporter asked.

Naomi responded with something intelligent and newsworthy. Jen nodded her head in agreement. I had to go and ruin it. That's my M.O.

"I want my kids to move as far away from me as possible. So, by exposing them to different cultures and countries now, they'll know where they want to live later. And then, I can visit them!"

The reporter laughed. She wasn't sure if I was serious. I was. Despite everything I publish on these pages, I do love my kids. So, when I say I want to see them go, it's because I want what's best for them. Sure I'll be sad, but, the benefits of international living far outweigh the inconvenience I'll experience frequent flying.

How great would it be if my kids grow up cognizant of geographic boundaries, but eager to cross them? Hungry to travel, to speak other languages, to enrich themselves with culture and develop into worldly human beings? Because I love them, I'm willing to set them free. According to the saying, if it was meant to be, they'll come back for Christmas or something, right?

Until that day, enter, Playdate Goes Global.

PGG offers families a way to experience culture abroad, but stay local. And, let's face it. Aside from monetary reasons, flying with kids across the pond isn't at the top of everyone's vacation list. I might prefer another mullet instead. Maybe even a bowl cut. Or, a Britney.

How did it all go down? To jump start cultural curiosity, two other Mamas and I booked a venue, invited some other parents and hosted an international affair. We provided kid passports and itineraries. The tots traveled. They worked on crafts and sampled cuisine. Some stuff they liked, some stuff they didn't. But, at least they momentarily departed from hot dogs and pizza. I think the chopsticks were definitely a hit, too. Although, the sticks became samurai swords after the group sugar high kicked in. At that point, I sought cover in Australia. But, once the little warriors spotted boomerangs, I was on the run again, seeking refuge in Canada. Good call on my part. Canada had cookies.

The kids journeyed through 14 countries in two hours. It was a whirlwind tour, but the takeaway was solid considering my kids have been alive for less than six years and they were jacked up on the 30 Swedish fish they somehow wolfed down with chopsticks. (I mistakenly thought using chopsticks would impede progress.)

I asked them what they learned today?

Madan: I like Swedish fish.
Kaila: Eating new food. Gummy fish. I know people in your country.*

Come on, Madan.

The wine in Italy was good even though it was apple juice. There are other countries in the world. Chopsticks are hard. I learned that other countries do different things.

Ahhh, my little globe-trotter. You did learn something today!

Dōmo arigatō, Playdate Goes Global.

*For the record, Kaila thinks my country is Japan since that was the table we "hosted." I guess that makes me Indapanese.

Rock. Painters...Figures.

What can we do now, Mom?

I picked the kids up from preschool and took them to the park. We played chase. I pitched baseballs. I pushed them on this weird rotating wheel thing that makes them scream with joy, but makes me want to hurl. We had lunch. I worked up a sweat and scored some points as World's Greatest Mom.

Or, so I thought.

Five hours of straight stimulation and the kids wanted more. I, of course, was tired. And, my deodorant was failing I thought, WWSD*? I remembered how my Mom sent my niece and nephew into her backyard to play a riveting game of "pick up sticks." She literally had them collecting branches off the lawn, racing to see who could grab twigs faster.

Brilliant.

I debated holding a dusting race inside the house, but the weather was too nice. Plus, I actually think my kids are smarter than that. So, I went more subtle. Something that would remain within my WiFi's reach, but keep them occupied so I could Google random stuff like "Miss California and pictures and disqualify."

"We're painting rocks!" I yelled. They looked at me like I was nuts. But, I sold it hard and they bought it. We weren't going to be painting any nansy-pansy pebbles. We were going for broke and brushing up the big-ass boulders along-side the house.

I gave them paint, paint brushes and promised not to yell. I reneged on the last part when they threatened to touch-up my neighbor's fence. Stick to the plan, kids.

When they were finished, they decided to show off the Renoir rocks. Mike pretended it was awesome, but told me it was more like graffiti. Oh no. Our property value just plummeted. And, my friend with a FOSBO across the street is gonna sic block watch on my gangsta family.

Time to do a rain dance.


Mike surveys the damage.


*What would Shobha do?