Giving Is Awesome!!!

I love finding ways to give through my gift of photography and am so excited to join in on this "Giving Is Awesome" giveaway.  Fellow photographer Kristen Kalp has put a call out to the photography community to join her in Giving back this season.  My Awesome friends Justin and Mary Marantz has joined in and when I saw their last two blog post I new this was something I HAD to do!

Everyone MUST comment; for every comment left on this post Val McCormick Photography will donate one canned good per comment and donate them to a local shelter!  That's an awesome idea that the talented Duo and Fellow Modern Photographers Chris+Lynn came up with and it has really caught on.  Here is a chance to do something for someone in need.  If you find it difficult to leave a comment here is something to make it a little easier, tell me your what favorite, Yankee Candle Scent, Song or television show.  :-)

Thank you Kristen for letting me borrow some of your words:

You know someone.  I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography - $2050.00 worth to be exact!!!

It's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part?  The person who nominates the winner receives a $100.00 Val McCormick Photography Gift Certificate.  What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The Rules:

You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services.  (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two - million - dollar vacation home in Paris does not qualify as a sincere financial need.)

The nominee must reside in Connecticut.  Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork.  Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well. 

Comment on this blog entry to let me know you've entered, and e-mail me the full story: val@valmccormick.com.

Spread the word, tell EVERYONE you know to visit my blog and get in on this! If you have MySpace or Facebook post the link, Remember every comment will be matched with a canned good.  I wonder how full of cans my grocery cart(s) will be!  You have until Friday, December 19, 2008! 

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve...get nominating!  I can't wait to read all of your entries and comments!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season - and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

*To all my photographer buddies; especially CT Photographers, let's give CT families greater opportunities!  Get involved and let's make a big mark on the map!  Be sure to visit the registration page and get yourself registered!

What are you doing on the night of Nov 16, 2008?

Well, I know where I will be and I hope to see you there.

When the generous Kellie Steeves of the Body Shoppe Salon and the Oxford Academy contacted me to ask for my help with this benefit show I could'nt say no. The Red Carpet Glitz & Glam Show will take place at the Strand Theater, 165 Bank St. in Seymour at 7:00PM. Proceeds will benefit Mia Zito, a five year old who is battling stage 4 Melanoma.

After reading Mia's story it truly broke my heart. I LOVE babies and children! They honestly are so innocent. I fill up at the thought of someone so innocent having to battle something so serious at such a young age. I am filling up as I am writing this for you to read. How could I not want to do something to help out. If you aren't near by or can't make it out to the benefit please stop by Mia's blog and show some blog love....pretty please.

(The above Image is from Mia's Blog http://www.misspeachybeans.blogspot.com/)

Following is the article in Today's New Haven Register:

‘Glitz & Glam’ show to aid Valley child

Thursday, November 6, 2008

By Patricia Villers, Register Staff
SEYMOUR — The red carpet treatment. That’s what all who attend a fundraising hair fashion show this month at the Strand Theater can expect.


Proceeds will benefit Mia Zito, 5, a Bungay School kindergartner who is undergoing treatment for advanced melanoma.


Kellie Steeves, administrator and owner of the Oxford Academy of Hair Design in Seymour, said she, her staff and students are planning a “Glitz & Glam” benefit at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 at the movie theater, 165 Bank St.


She wants people to feel they are going to a special event. Photographer Val McCormick will be on hand to photograph the models and guests as they arrive on the red carpet in front of the theater.


The photos will be posted online, Steeves said, and proceeds from sales of the photos will be donated to the benefit.


“I’ve never met Mia, but I wanted to do something to help someone in the community,” Steeves said. “People have really come together for this.”


One of her hairdressing students, Samantha Allard, has created a 20-minute slide show that tells Mia’s story and describes hair fashions. It will be shown before the fashion show. Steeves said Carousel Gardens Restaurant of Seymour will donate catering services.


Mia, whom Steeves called “the star of the show,” will model with other girls in the age 5-8 category.


This is the third annual “Glitz & Glam” benefit that Steeves has organized. The first benefited the Children’s Hospital at Yale-New Haven Hospital, she said, and the second one was a benefit for Sydney Bartone of Derby, who died last November at age 7 after a battle with neuroblastoma.


Mia’s mother, Christine Zito, said Mia “is doing fabulous” and is enjoying school.“It’s very kind and very generous” of Steeves to stage the show, she said.Louis Vayas will serve as DJ, and a special guest is expected, Steeves said.


Donations of $20 are requested, but any amount will be welcomed.For information, call the Oxford Academy of Hair Design, 888-9075.