Local Food Bank Benefits From Fast

Today, while speaking with my good friend, Lori Dorman, she shared with me this incredible story. Lori is the Director of the GATOR Teen Group at her church. Wanting to help our community, they decided that they would fast, collect sponsorships for each hour that they did, and donate all the money to the Second Harvest Food Bank in order that needy families may be fed.

The nine GATORs started to fast at noon on Friday, June 13th. They continued to fast as they went to the Food Bank to stock shelves for 3 hours on Saturday morning. At 1 pm they were treated to Taco Bell and ended thier fasting.

The group raised $550.50 along with 2 bins of non-perishable food items. Each dollar given to Second Harvest enables them to purchase $53.00 worth of food. This group essentially donated $29,176.50 worth of food for needy families around the First Coast.

The check will be presented to Second Harvest on Saturday, August 9th on the Good Morning Jacksonville Saturday show (channel 12). Tune in to watch these amazing kids.

Hats off to you GATORS! You make our community proud!

Beautiful Ballerina

What a beautiful little girl. I could not resist sharing this picture!

A Beautiful Evening

I wanted to share some images from my beach session the other evening. This lady is amazingly talented with her beautiful dogs. She has put both AKC and Obedience titles on them. Thank-you Marie for allowing me to photograph you and your lovely dogs.

Kutting For Kids

Today, I had the honor to help photograph the Kutting For Kids event at the Orange Park Mall. What an awesome experience! There were so many exceptional people that showed up to donate their hair to Locks of Love. People from all age ranges came together for one common goal- to donate to this worthwhile cause. The last update we received before the event ended was that 400 donations were received with the longest single donation being 28 inches long.

Kutting For Kids was started by Jeanne Blalock of First Coast News approximately nine years ago. Locks of Love takes the donations and makes custom wigs for children who have lost their hair due to medical reasons. To make one wig it takes 6 to 10 donations.

What an emotion filled day! It was not an uncommon site to see fathers caressing their daughters long tresses right before they visited the stylist. The expressions ranged from not knowing what to think once the donation was made, to being extremely happy that the extra weight had been removed from their heads. Some shed tears as they donated.

There were many organizations that helped to celebrate the day. Talented musicians played music for our enjoyment. Faces were painted by a very artistic clown. Even Batman showed up to cheer us on in our efforts!

To EVERYONE who came out today a HUGE THANK-YOU for making this event a HUGE SUCCESS!!

Here are a few images from today's event:

If you would like to see more images please log onto the First Coast News website, click the View Videos and Photos link and select Kutting for Kids gallery.

Sweet, Sweet Baby

This sweet, sweet baby is truly a miracle. Mom developed complications during her pregnancy and was placed on complete bedrest for months to try to prevent a very early birth. Then towards the end of her pregnancy, her parents were told that there was a good chance that this little angel would be born with heart problems. Immediately everyone began praying that this unborn child would be spared. God answers prayers. This angel was born full term without any complications.


Dad and Mom , congratulations on your sweet angel! How honored I am that you allowed me to photograph your precious miracle.