Activity Three Photos! Voting Starts Now!

Here are all of the entries we received for Activity Three of the 2012 Grand Photo Contest!

There are 44 in total - Thank you for entering everyone!  

The theme was "Being Charitable." Here is our explanation for the Activity Three theme:

"Here is your opportunity to highlight a cause close to your heart. 

Step One: Pick a charity!

Step Two: Show us a picture of your doll(s) doing something to help that charity or related to it in some way. We don't recommend having your doll just holding up a sign for the charity - be creative peoples! For example, you could choose World Wildlife Federation as your charity - let's help endangered species get back on track! You might show your doll being smothered in a sea of panda goodness. Or maybe just feeding a baby panda. We recommend using a stuffed toy for that. China doesn't lend out baby pandas for doll photo shoots. We already asked.

But of course your charity can be anything. Curing cancer. The Heifer Project. AIDS Awareness. UNICEF. Doctors without Borders. Animal Rescue. Juvenile diabetes research. Habitat for Humanity. Foodbanks. Natural disasters aid. Teach America. Sierra Club. Ronald McDonald House. The list is endless. If you don't already have a charity in mind - do some internet research, ask your friends and family for their suggestions. There are so many great causes out there to support.

As a special bonus we will make donations to the two charities represented in the winning photographs from Activity Three. :-)"

The entries are awesomely super - So be sure to vote for your favorites by emailing nora.demington@gmail.com.

We won't use your email address in any way.

You can vote for more than one picture.

You can vote for yourself.

If you can't email us, feel free to vote by comment. Your commented vote will not be published.

One set of votes per person.

Please send in your votes within one week, so that is anytime on or before Sunday, March 11th.

Let the peoples know that you liked their pic(s)!

PLEASE DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR ENTRY.

If we missed an entry, messed up your caption, or there is something wrong with your pic, let us know asap.

The entries... in no particular order....

Photo Number One

Lanie and Mia are packing a shoe box to send to Operation Christmas Child.

Photo Number Two

These are my dolls putting on a play (A Little Princess) to earn money 

to help the National Wildlife Federation.

Photo Number Three

My charity is Make a Wish Foundation. This girl is a cancer patient who lives in California. She had always wanted to see snow, and that was her wish. Her wish came true. :)

Photo Number Four

"Ainsley has been cutting out Labels for Education. Labels for Education can be found on participating brands, such as Post cereals, as well as a number of other brands. When her school signed up, they even got a cool looking collection box to put the labels in!"

Photo Number Five

Since 2002 we have supported two kids through the charity, Compassion International. This charity provides educational opportunities, healthcare, hygiene training and food, a caring Christian environment to grow in self-confidence and social skills; with personal attention, guidance and love.

The first child we sponsored is Rwabashi Bertin. He is from Kigina, Rwanda which is in Africa. He was in Kindergarten when we started sponsoring him and this year he will be turning 19 years old and graduating from the Compassion program! We hope to be able to stay in touch via email as we love and care for him very much and are so excited to see the fine young man that he has grown to be. He is very tall now!

Our second child is Evilania Oliveira da Silva. She lives in Taua, Brazil. She, too, was in kindergarten when we first wrote to her and she is now 15 years old! As a little girl she loved to color beautiful pictures to send to us and we would always write her back and include photos, postcards and colored pictures.

There are two special days every year that we save up to send extra money to our two Compassion kids; their birthdays and Christmas. It is fun to know that we can go without an ice cream or soda and instead, give a much appreciated gift to our far away children. It’s an exciting day when the mail arrives with a letter from either Rwabashi or Evilania! We have all their pictures up on a cork board in our kitchen to remind us to write to them and to pray for them. We love you Rwabashi and Evilania!!

Photo Number Six

Helping Hands is a charity that helps orphans around the world. Helping Hands lets you send in school supplies and toys to the orphans or orphanage, this is called the General Orphan Support. You can also chose to do the Orphan Sponsorship Program (also called One-to-One) which lets you sponsor a orphan and help that orphan through their hard trials. In my picture, Helping Hands is delivering the toys and school supplies to a run-down orphanage. The school supplies help the children more than you know. The kids that receive these supplies don't take them for granted. They use the toys and supplies until they can't use them anymore. This charity helps so many children in so many different countries. Just think, if you donate even just a small school utensil or a old toy that you don't ever use, you could change a child's life forever.

Photo Number Seven

The charity I chose is Locks of Love. When Julie learned that there were kids who had lost their hair from long-term medical hair loss diagnoses - such as from Alopecia and from Cancer - she decided that she wanted to do something to help those kids. She found out about Locks of Love and how they made wigs for the kids using the hair that was donated to them from people just like Julie. Julie grew out her hair for two years in order for it to be long enough to donate. When it was finally long enough, she went to a Locks of Love participating hair salon and got it cut. Julie even got a Certificate of Appreciation thanking her for donating! Julie was so happy that she could help other kids that she has decided to grow out her hair to donate again! In the photo, a smiling Julie is holding the ponytail of hair she is donating and her Certificate of Appreciation while Jess (the hair stylist) is congratulating her for donating her hair.

(By the way, no dolls were harmed in the making of this photo. Both dolls in the photo are thrift store "rescue" dolls. I had just gotten Julie around the time you announced the 2012 photo contest. She was in bad shape when I got her. She had a lot of chunks cut out of her hair, make-up on her face, marks, etc. It was while cutting her hair to make it look better that I came up with my idea for the photo contest and I saved some of the hair to use for my photo.)

Photo Number Eight

My charity is Operation Christmas Child. It was an organization started by Billy Graham, and is widely known today. Children all over the world pack shoe boxes that are sent out to children everywhere who can't afford Christmas presents. This has to be my favorite charity. Every year I look forward to packing a shoe box for a little child who will probably get nothing else for the rest of the year.

Photo Number Nine

Molly and Mia were helping out with our Box Tops for Education.

Here they are preparing them for mailing.

Photo Number Ten

I am really fond of what World Vision does, so my dolls made a check out to them. 

http://www.worldvision.org/ 

Photo Number Eleven

My dolls and I agreed to do a charity for ASPCA because before we got my dog I have now he was abused and he is the sweetest thing ever! Jordan is taking care of the donation box and the adoption forms while Kat is showing a sign and trying to get a lot of customers.

Photo Number Twelve

"Donate clothes for the orphans" Nellie's sign reads. Nellie has been trying to donate as many clothes as she can for her nearest orphanage. They are very low on clothes.

Photo Number Thirteen

"Hi Jess I am passing around panda bear charms to help the World Wildlife Foundation!!" says Felicity.

"Thanks so much!! I will help by looking up their website and seeing how I can help those cute little pandas!!!" says Jess.

Photo Number Fourteen

"Cupcakes for Cancer" Lanie's sign says. Lanie's friend was diagnosed with cancer a month ago and now is doing all she can to help!!

Photo Number Fifteen

This photograph supports "Building Homes for Heroes", a nonprofit organization that builds or modifies houses for disabled or severely wounded veterans of the US Military. These brave men and women who have served our country so selflessly deserve nothing less than the best, and Building Homes for Heroes gives them all they have earned.

Visit their website at http://buildinghomesforheroes.org//home.htm to learn more.

Photo Number Sixteen

"We feel that missions are the most important charity you can give to. When Jesus comes back for us, it won't matter whether you have cancer or not! So, we feel that by sending out our missionaries, we are trusting the Lord with what he called us to do. Here is a video further explaining their cause, it is so sweet! : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WbTAIJJs-A&feature=player_embedded"

Photo Number Seventeen

For the 'being charitable' challenge, we chose something that everyone could be involved in! For less than half the price of one of us not only can you have a comfy pair of TOMS, but you can know that a child has shoes on his/her feet. This can help save them from disease, and can also allow them to go to school and get an education! Why not consider getting a pair next time you need shoes?

http://www.toms.com/
http://friendsoftoms.org/

Photo Number Eighteen

This is a photo of Julie and Samantha being charitable by teaching this 13 y/o deaf girl, named Leidi, sign language. In the Dominican Republic (DR) most deaf don't know sign. So since Julie and Samantha volunteer to help the deaf in the US, they decided to go the the DR to help with the deaf. In this picture you see Leidi signing 'tree' as Julie points to the picture of a tree and Samantha claps out of pride for Leidi. :D

Photo Number Nineteen

The charity I picked is the Humane Society, because when I saw the theme, I thought of this picture. Emily wanted a dog for her birthday, nothing else would do. After trying to coax her to think of something else without success, I finally took her to the local Humane Society and told her to pick one out. Without hesitation, she went over to the big black Labrador dog without even looking at the other dogs. We paid the cashier and took him out of the cage, and Emily promptly named him Shadow. We were about to leave when Emily spotted a curly-haired little pup, whining and moping in his cage. Long story short, we ended up with two dogs on our way home! ;)

Photo Number Twenty

UNM Pediatric Oncology, Curesearch, Children's Cancer Fund of New Mexico, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, . . . So many great charities – it's hard to choose just one! But the one thing they all have in common is this: Children's cancer, the leading cause of death by disease among U.S. children 1 to 14 years of age. 

In this photo, Hannah (MyAG #27) joins Sleepy Kitty at UNMH hospital during one of my daughter’s (“K”) chemotherapy treatments:

Hannah: “Whew! That was hard work helping “K’s” nurse hang up that bag, Sleepy Kitty!”

Sleepy Kitty: “Yes, those bags are heavy. But now we can rest and have something to drink.”

Hannah: “Could we have some of the lemonade in the bag?”

Sleepy Kitty: “That's not lemonade, silly! That's methotrexate, a chemotherapy drug “K” receives in her treatment for Leukemia. It is infused over 24 hours through her port in her chest. You wouldn't want to drink it!”  

Hannah: “Oh, I'm glad you told me. You know a lot about all this cancer-chemotherapy-hospital stuff since you've always accompanied “K’ to all her treatments. C’mon, let's find something we can drink.”

Photo Number Twenty-One

Chrissa And Her Friends Helping Raise Money To Help Their Friend And Other Kids Who Are Sick To Make Their Wish Come True.

Photo Number Twenty-Two

Dakota and her friends are decked out in pink as they attend the “Race for the Cure” event. The girls are part of “Team Bette” and are running for their human Grandma who is a cancer survivor.

Photo Number Twenty-Three

I chose "Orphans of the Storm" Dog Shelter. Alana found her "Perfect match," Gracie there!

Photo Number Twenty-Four

Back in 2009 my grandpa died from Cancer. We found out at Christmastime in 2008 and he got treatment until Easter of 2009 when he died. My whole family was upset that he was gone, shocked at the suddenness, and just grieved because of the hole that was now in all our hearts. That is what inspired me to take this picture of my dolls raising money for the American Cancer Society. Together we can find a cure so there will be no more heartbreak.

Photo Number Twenty-Five

Since Nicki loves horses, naturally her favorite charity is the Mustang Heritage Foundation, which tames mustangs and finds them homes. Nicki adopted her horse, Jackson, from them and she even got a MHF t-shirt. Here they are enjoying a gallop in the grass, as Nicki leans forwards to grab the reins and Jackson's mane blows in the wind. The Mustang Heritage Foundation's mission is to tame mustangs and find them homes in which they will be appreciated for the beautiful creatures they are.

Photo Number Twenty-Six

I was so happy to share a picture with all of y'all. I truly support the fight against cancer and pray for loved ones and people I don't know help fight cancer together with me! My family Members, grandmothers, aunts, grandfather, and uncles have had cancer and got through it together with the support and prayers. So join me help people fight against cancer!!!

Photo Number Twenty-Seven

Felicity is more than happy to donate pork and beans to the local food bank.

Photo Number Twenty-Eight

One of our favorite charities is the Salvation Army. Not only do we donate items and clothes to them, but every Christmas Eve our whole family participates as Bell Ringers in front of a local grocery store. It's not Christmas until we do this, because we need to be reminded of thinking of others.

Plus, it's a lot of fun!!!

Photo Number Twenty-Nine

In this photo, Nellie, Emily and Mia are packing books to send to Ethiopia Reads, an organization which establishes children's libraries in Ethiopia. Unfortunately, Nellie has become distracted and started reading one of the books. Ethiopia Reads was co-founded by author Jane Kurtz, who grew up in Ethiopia. Jane Kurtz wrote the American Girl Lanie books, as well as "Saba: Under the Hyena's Foot" for the Girls of Many Lands series.

Photo Number Thirty

"Donate to C.U.P."

C.U.P. stands for Churches United for People and our Church donates to it every Sunday.

Photo Number Thirty-One

Katie the real dog listens intently while the girls and their dogs have a R.E.A.D. dog training session. The R.E.A.D. - Reading Education Assistance Dogs- is a non-profit charity/program that uses dogs to improve literacy skills in children. Trained therapy dogs are taken in schools and other educational settings such as libraries to listen to children read. The dogs are non-judgmental, and make wonderful partners for children to practice reading; many children are more comfortable and enthusiastic to read to a dog than a human.

Photo Number Thirty-Two

My friends and I are being charitable by giving to an organization called "One Day To Feed The World." Through our profits we are nourishing and saving lives. So here we are selling lemonade (hey, only 25 cents! :-) ) and washing cars.

Photo Number Thirty-Three

Maggie and Rachel are very excited about participating in this year's "Relay for Life," put on by the American Cancer Society. They had the opportunity to participate in it last year and had a great time. The relay itself takes place later in the year, so right now their focus is to raise money for their relay team. It was Rachel's idea to put on a bake sale. The day ended up a bit chilly for an outdoor bake sale, but they still managed to make a decent profit. :)  

I chose Relay for Life, a part of American Cancer Society's outreach, as my charity. I have not had the privilege to be involved in Relay for Life before, but my mom, my aunts, and my uncle have all participated in the past. I lost a grandmother and a great aunt to cancer, and my uncle is a cancer survivor, so I am very appreciative of organizations dedicated to cancer research. Relay for Life is a great way to get involved in supporting cancer research, prevention, and detection. Each relay team, usually made up of 8-15 people, does fundraising before the event, which goes directly to the categories just mentioned. The relay itself usually takes place on the track of a college campus, and typically lasts for 12 to 24 hours. The teams camp out around the track and take turns circling it. The goal is to have at least one team member on the track at all times for the duration of the relay event.

Some of the special events at Relay for Life include the Survivor's Lap, in which all present cancer survivors round the track together, and the Luminaria Ceremony, where team members light candles to remember loved ones who lost the battle with cancer, and sometimes walk a lap in silence in their honor.  

Since I didn't have access to a track, and since the relay part doesn't happen until later on, I thought it would be fun to do a fundraising picture. A huge part of Relay for Life is the fundraising that each of the teams does in preparation for the event. :)

Photo Number Thirty-Four

Elizabeth was in charge of the Goodwill Clothing Drive. Ali decided to kindly donate some of the clothes she didn't use anymore to charity!

Photo Number Thirty-Five

My entry is donating hair to Locks of Love. If you haven't already heard of it, Locks of Love makes hair pieces out the hair YOU donate and gives it to people who lost their hair by medical reasons, like cancer. I think it's an amazing charity, and want to grow out my hair and donate it!! 

Photo Number Thirty-Six

My Mom knits doll clothes to sell in order to raise money for her Relay for Life team, benefiting the American Cancer Society. She is also teaching me and Kit to knit. Kit likes to make scarves for her friends :-)

Photo Number Thirty-Seven

A collage of my dolls 'being out there'. Be Out There is part of The National Wildlife Federation to help kids to get out, into nature, and enjoy it.

Photo Number Thirty-Eight

This is Claire having a bake sale to raise money to save her local beach. Right now she is eagerly waiting for her first costumer!

Photo Number Thirty-Nine

Dr. Penelope has volunteered to be a part of the wonderful charity Doctors Without Borders. Doctors who are a part of Doctors Without Borders travel to countries where people need medical help but are in dangerous places or situations. In this photo, Dr. Penelope is checking to see if Rebecca, her current patient, has a fever in one of the white tents Doctors Without Borders set up. Also, if you look closely on Dr. Penelope's jacket, you can see the Doctors Without Borders logo.

Photo Number Forty

My three dolls here are being charitable by having a bake sale to support St. Jude's children's hospital!

Photo Number Forty-One

Since they were having a Locks of Love hair drive at the Kuts -N- Kurls Salon, Kaya decided to help out with a donation. What a shock to see one braid on and one braid on the table! Locks of Love provides wigs for children with medical issues. To donate, you need to have a 10" braid that they then use in wigmaking. I have donated to Locks of Love 7 times and my sister, daughter, daughter-in-law and granddaughter have all donated. I am glad that I can donate every two years or so, because my hair grows pretty fast!

Photo Number Forty-Two

I chose the charity C.U.P. It is a charity in my town. C.U.P. stands for Churches United for People. The sign on the left says: "Thank you for volunteering at C.U.P's Soup Kitchen!" And on the right: "Donations." Two girls are at the soup kitchen getting food. Emily is serving them as a volunteer.

Photo Number Forty-Three

Cyela works for a hair salon that gives hair to Locks of love. Look, she has a customer now!
Cyela (Cecile): Now, you're sure you want to donate your hair to Locks of love?
Macy (Marie-Grace): What? I'm going to do that? Who said?? GET ME OUTA HERE!!
Uh, I mean, sure, maybe a little... 

Photo Number Forty-Four

Kaitlyn feeding the turtles... The Native Animal Trust Fund is a Newcastle NSW Australia charity that looks after injured and orphaned native animals. These are turtles in the rehabilitation pond.

Thanks for looking at all of the entries!

Please send your vote(s) to nora.demington@gmail.com on or before Sunday, March 11th. :-D