POSTED BY
Nicole Brady
on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 9:44 PM
TAGGED Giveaway, Health/Beauty, Public Service/Charitable Cause
TAGGED Giveaway, Health/Beauty, Public Service/Charitable Cause
My brothers were wrestlers from the time I was in grade school until college. I attended so many meets and tournaments that I pretty much knew everything from scoring to every wrestling cheer in the region. Naturally, when I hit high school, I would be attending the meets to cheer for my brothers so it made sense that I wanted to be a cheerleader for the team.
Being a wrestling cheerleader is not glamorous and for the prior few years, was mainly comprised of girlfriends of the varsity wrestlers. But the year that I tried out, there weren't any girls clamoring for the spots. Geez, how hard is it to sit alongside the mat, pound your hands and holler (I mean cheer.) I knew the sport well and was attending the meets anyway to watch my brothers. I figured I was a shoe-in - after all, I knew all the cheers and nobody else really wanted to do it. So I tried out...
But I didn't make it. Girls who wanted to be cheerleaders but didn't make the cut for basketball were given the spots... They were, you know, the stereotypical cheerleader types. But I didn't make it. Want to guess what happened? Their coach came to me and asked me to teach them all the cheers. Sigh. So I did. You know, be a good sport for the sake of the team. It was devastating both to my self-esteem and my attitude.
Recently, however, I have been watching something totally different. Cheerleaders who are breaking the mold. High school cheerleaders, Sarah Herr and Sarah Cronk took their energies and attitudes and created the Spartan Sparkles cheerleading squad. It's not just any team; it's comprised of girls with special needs. Young girls who probably never thought a dream of cheering in front of a crowd was even reachable. This extraordinary squad has caught the eye of several people, including Oprah. The team and it's founders were recently featured on Oprah's show for their efforts. They also created The Sparkle Effect to help others follow in their tracks. While some of these young girls have battled self-esteem issues, this special team has created confidence for everyone involved.
When I was invited to help promote The Dove Self Esteem Fund, the Sparkles team is the first thing that came to mind. An inspiring tale of how small things can help foster positive self esteem. The Dove Self Esteem Fund is one of the many outreach programs that Dove has created through their Campaign for Real Beauty website. The site offers self-esteem tips and information for young girls along with various ways to get involved. For example, from now until December 15, 2009 - for each Dove UPC logged, they will donate $1 to self esteem programs. Simply log onto their site, choose which program you want to support then enter a Dove UPC. That's it. It's that easy. And it's for a good cause.
So many of us grew up with self-esteem issues but there are so many things that can be done to combat it. Make a positive difference. Although I've always mentioned in my reviews whether I've been compensated, this one is a bit different. The firm representing this campaign for Dove offered me a nice gift pack for participating in this campaign. However, they also gave me the option of giving it to one of my readers instead. So in the interest of helping someone else feel more positive, I have chosen that path. Other than some warm-fuzzy feelings, I didn't receive any compensation for sharing this information. So here's your chance to make a positive difference.
The Prize: Dove Self Esteem Package (approx value $35) includes "True You" workbook, Dove terrycloth spa robe and 2 full size Dove products. A second winner will receive a "True You" workbook.
Being a wrestling cheerleader is not glamorous and for the prior few years, was mainly comprised of girlfriends of the varsity wrestlers. But the year that I tried out, there weren't any girls clamoring for the spots. Geez, how hard is it to sit alongside the mat, pound your hands and holler (I mean cheer.) I knew the sport well and was attending the meets anyway to watch my brothers. I figured I was a shoe-in - after all, I knew all the cheers and nobody else really wanted to do it. So I tried out...
But I didn't make it. Girls who wanted to be cheerleaders but didn't make the cut for basketball were given the spots... They were, you know, the stereotypical cheerleader types. But I didn't make it. Want to guess what happened? Their coach came to me and asked me to teach them all the cheers. Sigh. So I did. You know, be a good sport for the sake of the team. It was devastating both to my self-esteem and my attitude.
Recently, however, I have been watching something totally different. Cheerleaders who are breaking the mold. High school cheerleaders, Sarah Herr and Sarah Cronk took their energies and attitudes and created the Spartan Sparkles cheerleading squad. It's not just any team; it's comprised of girls with special needs. Young girls who probably never thought a dream of cheering in front of a crowd was even reachable. This extraordinary squad has caught the eye of several people, including Oprah. The team and it's founders were recently featured on Oprah's show for their efforts. They also created The Sparkle Effect to help others follow in their tracks. While some of these young girls have battled self-esteem issues, this special team has created confidence for everyone involved.
When I was invited to help promote The Dove Self Esteem Fund, the Sparkles team is the first thing that came to mind. An inspiring tale of how small things can help foster positive self esteem. The Dove Self Esteem Fund is one of the many outreach programs that Dove has created through their Campaign for Real Beauty website. The site offers self-esteem tips and information for young girls along with various ways to get involved. For example, from now until December 15, 2009 - for each Dove UPC logged, they will donate $1 to self esteem programs. Simply log onto their site, choose which program you want to support then enter a Dove UPC. That's it. It's that easy. And it's for a good cause.
So many of us grew up with self-esteem issues but there are so many things that can be done to combat it. Make a positive difference. Although I've always mentioned in my reviews whether I've been compensated, this one is a bit different. The firm representing this campaign for Dove offered me a nice gift pack for participating in this campaign. However, they also gave me the option of giving it to one of my readers instead. So in the interest of helping someone else feel more positive, I have chosen that path. Other than some warm-fuzzy feelings, I didn't receive any compensation for sharing this information. So here's your chance to make a positive difference.
The Prize: Dove Self Esteem Package (approx value $35) includes "True You" workbook, Dove terrycloth spa robe and 2 full size Dove products. A second winner will receive a "True You" workbook.
Participants -
...must provide a US or Canadian shipping address
...must provide an email in the first comment, email me directly with an email address or have email accessible from their profile.
...must provide an email in the first comment, email me directly with an email address or have email accessible from their profile.
Sometime on December 17, 2009, two winners will be chosen at random (using random.org) from all valid comments left. Winners have 72 hours from posting/notification to respond. If winner cannot be contacted, I will move on to the next random selection.
How to enter:
For the first entry (required) -
(1) Visit the Campaign for Real Beauty website.
(2) Leave a comment on this post at SahmReviews.com stating which teen/tween/young girl would benefit from the Campaign for Real Beauty website (and a nice Dove Self Esteem package). Could be daughter, granddaughter, niece, neighbor, friend, whomever.
If you want to increase your chances of winning, here are some options to earn additional entries -
-- Three Entries: If you have a blog or website, add my button to your page. (Here's the code:)
-- Two Entries: Publish a blog post regarding this contest by December 14th and link back to it.
--One Entry: Become Fan of Dove on Facebook. Let them know that SahmReviews.com sent you. Come back here and leave a comment. Removed 12/12 at the request of the sponsor.
-- One Entry (Daily): Follow me on Twitter and Tweet this contest
"Giveaway for Dove Self Esteem Gifts ($35 value) @SahmReviews http://tinyurl.com/yzhnj7d Please RT". Comment with a link to your tweet.
--One Entry: Become a fan of SAHM Reviews on Facebook. Of course, don't forget to leave a comment. Removed 12/12 at the request of the sponsor.
-- One Entry: Subscribe to my feed via RSS or email.
-- One Entry: Follow me using Google's Friend Connect feature.
-- One Entry (Daily): Read any of my non-giveaway reviews here at SahmReviews.com and leave an appropriate comment on that post. Come back here and leave a comment stating which product/post you left a comment on.
Thanks to Dove representatives for providing the prizes for this contest. On a side note, if you're inspired by what The Sparkle Effect, please spread the word to cheerleaders in your area.
(2) Leave a comment on this post at SahmReviews.com stating which teen/tween/young girl would benefit from the Campaign for Real Beauty website (and a nice Dove Self Esteem package). Could be daughter, granddaughter, niece, neighbor, friend, whomever.
If you want to increase your chances of winning, here are some options to earn additional entries -
-- Three Entries: If you have a blog or website, add my button to your page. (Here's the code:)
-- Two Entries: Publish a blog post regarding this contest by December 14th and link back to it.
--
-- One Entry (Daily): Follow me on Twitter and Tweet this contest
"Giveaway for Dove Self Esteem Gifts ($35 value) @SahmReviews http://tinyurl.com/yzhnj7d Please RT". Comment with a link to your tweet.
--
-- One Entry: Subscribe to my feed via RSS or email.
-- One Entry: Follow me using Google's Friend Connect feature.
-- One Entry (Daily): Read any of my non-giveaway reviews here at SahmReviews.com and leave an appropriate comment on that post. Come back here and leave a comment stating which product/post you left a comment on.
Thanks to Dove representatives for providing the prizes for this contest. On a side note, if you're inspired by what The Sparkle Effect, please spread the word to cheerleaders in your area.
I think my 14 year old daughter would benefit from this program and giveaway
I became a fan of Dove on facebook
I am your fan on facebook joannheslercollins
I subscribe
I follow
I have 2 teen daughters that could benefit from this
shopannies@yahoo.com
dove facebook fan
shopannies@yahoo.com
button on my blog
shopannies@yahoo.com
button on my blog
shopannies@yahoo.com
button on my blog
shopannies@yahoo.com
following on twitter and tweeted http://twitter.com/shopannies/status/6549175416
shopannies@yahoo.com
facebook fan of yours
shopannies@yahoo.com
I could have used this website when I was a young girl. It's hard growing up! And when you don't feel as beautiful as everyone else...it really gets you.
But now, I want to nominate a neighbor across the street who's sweet, but is struggling with self esteem right now.
pepethewepe@gmail.com
I blogged about your giveaway at www.xanga.com/dopeymouse08.
pepethewepe@gmail.com
I'm a fan of Dove now, and told them you sent me over :)
pepethewepe@gmail.com
I tweeted your giveaway at http://twitter.com/dopeymouse05/status/6569051640 and follow you now.
Thanks!
pepethewepe@gmail.com
I just became your fan on Facebook
(Lauren Peterson)
pepethewepe@gmail.com
I subscribe to your emails.
pepethewepe@gmail.com
I follow you on Google Friend Connect (Lauren Peterson)
pepethewepe@gmail.com
My 13 year old daughter would love it and benefit, thanks!
I am a fan of Dove on Facebook
i follow your blog.
subscribe to your email.
my neice would.
i follow you.
My babysitter could really use it.
I have your button:
freeisglee.blogspot.com
I have your button:
freeisglee.blogspot.com
entry 2
I have your button:
freeisglee.blogspot.com
entry 3
http://twitter.com/uberabby2/status/6586889173
Google RSS
Google friend connect
Friends of SAHM reviews
http://twitter.com/uberabby2/status/6606264666
My daughter could benefit from this ~
My sister could benefit from this:) Please enter me:) Thanks!!
esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com
I also subscribed through RSS Feed.
Also a follower through Google Connect:)
My neice would benefit from this program.
bwalker1123 at gmail dot com
new blog follower thru google frind connect
bwalker1123 at gmail dot com
http://twitter.com/uberabby2/status/6647849632
I have 2 young daughters who could benefit from this, TY!!
aleoliver72@gmail.com
will not let me copy/paste;(, tweet @aleshamom4
aleoliver72@gmail.com
em subsc
aleoliver72@gmail.com
Visited the website
aleoliver72@gmail.com
GFC foll
aleoliver72@gmail.com
http://twitter.com/uberabby2/status/6680125215
My daughter could use a program like this-She is dyslexic and struggles in school and needs a boost in confidence.
timmiedeluca@comcast.net
timmiedeluca@comcast.net
got your button #1
http://newagemama.blogspot.com
timmiedeluca@comcast.net
got your button #2
http://newagemama.blogspot.com
timmiedeluca@comcast.net
got your button #3
http://newagemama.blogspot.com
timmiedeluca@comcast.net
subscribe
timmiedeluca@comcast.net
follow blog
timmiedeluca@comcast.net
http://twitter.com/GabbyLowe/status/6683502274
tweeted
I'd like to win this for my beautiful 15 year old daughter.
Christine
dazed1821@aol.com
Love to win this!
This would be a great site for my niece!
Email subscriber!
Follower!
Visited website. My daughter would benefit.
Thanks for the Giveaway. (Saw your tweet--Voted for you on the computer -- you are rated #3 at this point. Cute poem. Good luck!)
Your button is on my blog:
http://Beachbird2.blogspot.com
#1
Your button is on my blog:
http://Beachbird2.blogspot.com
#2
Your button is on my blog:
http://Beachbird2.blogspot.com
#3
I follow you on twitter as beachbird2.
First tweet!
http://twitter.com/beachbird2/status/6708238776
I subscribe by email.
I follow on Google Friends Connect
I posted a comment on your Michael Buble review.
I would like for my step daughter Peyton to win this, she'd love it!!
Natalie
ndavis1672@yahoo.com
I added your button to my blog, here is the link. http://everydaylifebymandy.blogspot.com/
I am following you!
http://twitter.com/uberabby2/status/6742583802
My eleven year old niece would benefit from this
My step-neice could really benefit from this.
wearehappy(at)comcast(dot)net
My youngest daughter would benefit !
I have twin 15 year old girls who would benefit from this package. Thanks
My daughter Natalie would benefit from this
thanks
ejxd95@gmail.com
following on twitter
jblanton41
subscribed with google reader
following your blog on google connect
http://twitter.com/uberabby2/status/6780802995