Preparing an Emergency Winter Survival Kit #EnergizerCFK #CBias

This post is part two of a two part series.  To see the first post, head over here.  I'll wait for you.

We rely on our cars to get us back and forth to work, drop our children off at school, or for taking a family vacation.  But cars can break down at the most inconvenient time and in the most inconvenient place, so it's best to be prepared for an emergency.

By taking the time to prepare a car emergency kit you'll be prepared for just about anything that may happen while traveling.  You know...an ounce of prevention.  Of course you'll want to have some basic tools in your car for mechanical emergencies, but you'll also need to pack items that will keep you and your passengers safe and comfortable.

Things you may want to consider packing include:

Energizer flashlight and extra batteries

Wet Ones Wipes

First Aid Kit

Jumper cables

Blanket

Road flares

A local map (It's what we used before GPS and you'll need it if you have no cell signal)

Hat, gloves, extra socks, and a pair of boots

Scissors and/or a knife

Bright colored shirt (to increase being seen by passing motorists)

Snacks and water

Rain gear and/or a good sized plastic tarp

Extra clothes

Books, toys and games

Toilet paper

Keeping a car emergency kit will provide you with peace of mind as well as provide the items necessary to rescue yourself in a true emergency.  Be sure to periodically check the contents of your kit and replace items as they expire or have been used.

I put together an Emergency Winter Survival Kit, (You can see the items I included in greater detail in my Google + album.) which I donated to Lamb's Fold Center for Women and Children.  The Lamb’s Fold, a partner agency of  United Way of Will County, helps homeless women and children and victims of domestic violence transition to successful independence through educational enhancement, supportive services, and personalized recovery services.

Learn more about Energizer and Champions for Kids:

Champions For Kids Website

Energizer’s Website

Energizer’s Positive Energy Website

@Champions4Kids on Twitter

@Energizer on Twitter

Champions for Kids on Facebook

Energizer on Facebook

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias.  All opinions are my own and photos are my own.

Light Up A Life Winter Survival Kit #EnergizerCFK

Here in the Chicago area we've really been lucky this winter.  Just last week temperatures were hovering near 40 degrees and we've only had one winter storm that dumped almost 9 inches in our area.  It's a far cry from 2011's Snowmagedon of 22 inches, that had travelers stranded on snow covered roads overnight in some instances.

Fortunately during that snowstorm, my family and I were safe at home.  But I wonder if those motorists on Lake Shore Drive last year were prepared?  Did they have anything in their cars to sustain them in this emergency?  Where any of them traveling with children?

Did you know:

• Over 9 million children suffer from non-fatal injuries each year, and accidents are the leading cause of death for children. Additionally, dangerous weather events cause hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries every year.

• 70% of power outages in the U.S. are weather related. Numerous power failures are caused by natural weather phenomena such as lightening, rain, snow, ice, wind,and even dust.

The Center of Disease Control recommends having a kit ready in preparation for
any emergency that may arise. They recommend the kit include food, water, flash
light, extra batteries, first aid kit, sanitation and personal hygiene items, and other necessities.

This month I'm partnering with Energizer and Champions for Kids in the Energizer Light Up A Life Champions for Kids Campaign.  My task is to put together a Winter Survival Kit to help children in need stay safe and be prepared for winter weather emergencies.  Later this month I'll be sharing what I included in my Winter Survival Kit.

I encourage you to gather your co-workers, family and friends and put together a few items that would be useful in an emergency and donate them to a shelter or other organization that serves children and may not have the means to purchase these items.  Together we can reach thousands and be true Champions for Kids!

Please join us for a Twitter Party on 

Thursday, February 9th at 8:00 p.m. EST

to spread the word about this campaign.

There will be prizes!  (2) $25, (1) $50, and (1) $100 Walmart Gift Cards.

RSVP here and follow along using hashtag #EnergizerCFK

For additional information visit:

• Champions For Kids Website:  http://championsforkids.org/simple/
• Energizer’s Website:  http://www.energizer.com/Pages/default.aspx
• Energizer’s Positive Energy Website:  http://www.nowthatspositivenergy.com/
• @Champions4Kids on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/#!/search/champions4kids
• @Energizer on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/#!/EnergizerBunny
• Champions for Kids on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/ChampionsForKids
• Energizer on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EnergizerBunny

Disclaimer:  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias, all opinions are my own.

Giving Back Through Champions for Kids #CBias #DisneyCFK - Part 2

Even though you may find me complaining about things here and there, I am truly fortunate to be blessed with good health and the material things needed to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.  For that I am very grateful.

Whether it be due to their financial circumstances or a health crisis I am reminded that there are many individuals much less fortunate than I am.  During this season of giving, I created a Christmas stocking filled with Disney items fit for a Princess.

I dropped off the stocking, along with other toys I had purchased, for The Mark Staehely Treasure Chest Program at my local fire station.  The items would be distributed to various children spending their Christmas in the hospital.  Although I wasn't able to deliver the stocking personally, I think that it put a big smile on the face of the little girl who received it.

To learn more about Champions for Kids, visit them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @champions4kids.  To read Part 1 click here.

#CBias #DisneyCFK

Disclaimer:  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias.  All opinions are my own.

Giving Back Through Champions for Kids #CBias #DisneyCFK

Every day, either in my local newspaper or online, I see some mention of raising funds and collecting gifts for the needy.  Schools are collecting for needy families who aren't expecting much under their Christmas tree this year.  Professionals are holding food drives and and collecting toys.  It's not just during the holidays that people need help, but the holidays seem to bring out more good will and generosity in people.

No donation is too small during these tough economic times to put a smile on someone's face.  The kids really appreciate it and their little faces light up like...well, like a Christmas tree!  These gifts may not sound like a lot, but at the right time it may seem like a million bucks to someone.

How do you and your family give back during the holiday season?  Do your kids like to get involved?

Many children won't be seeing gifts under their Christmas trees this year, including some children undergoing cancer treatment in hospitals.  Thanks to Collective Bias I will be teaming up with Champions for Kids to put a big smile on the face of a child stuck in the hospital this Christmas. 

The Mark Staehely Treasure Chest Program is a program near and dear to my heart.  Mark went to school with Glitter Gurl and after six years of fighting cancer, Mark lost his battle with neuroblastoma in early 2006, the year he should have graduated from high school.

Mark started the toy drive after spending Christmas in the hospital following his first stem cell transplant. Discouraged by the sadness he saw in so many patients then, he decided, at age 12, to do something about it.  Now in it's 11th year, the toy drive continues in his name with the help of his mother, Sue, community firefighters, and local schools.

Later this week, I'll be posting more about a Christmas stocking filled with Disney items that I purchased at my local Walmart.  As part of Champions for Kids I delivered the stocking to my local fire station to be given to a pediatric cancer patient.

 

To learn more about Champions for Kids, visit them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @champions4kids.

#CBias #DisneyCFK

Disclaimer:  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias.  All opinions are my own.