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Health & Fitness

Becoming Callaghan's 1,000th Fan!

My career coach Thommi Odom would be proud to know that my passion helped me connect the dots! My love for volunteering, art and kids led me where I needed to go.

On Monday Sept. 26, 2011 I became a celebrity in my own way…I was Callaghan’s 1,000th fan on her Facebook page.  One would expect balloons, a ticker-tape parade or a selection of Oprah’s favorite things.  Not me, I spent the evening connecting the dots trying to piece together what that all meant and just how I became a Fan of Callaghan.  

A little about Callaghan…A London singer-songwriter with a devoted following in the UK, Callaghan now has a rapidly growing fan base in the USA.  Callaghan’s rich vocals have been compared to Sarah McLachlan, Norah Jones and Emmy Lou Harris. Her lyrics have been influenced by those artists and others including; Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly, John Denver and Alison Krauss.  The association centered on several elements that are close and dear to me, volunteering, art, kids and purpose.  These are the dots that caused our paths to cross.

First, volunteering is an important part of who I am, because I have learned along the way that some things just don’t have a price tag and giving of oneself unconditionally to a life of service not only benefits the recipient the volunteer stands to gain as long as you are doing it from the heart.  Volunteering can bring families together, you can meet new and interesting people and you can even form lifelong partnerships. 

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My second dot was art, even though I am not an artist by any means I enjoy all that the arts have to offer, be it jazz or reggae; performance or poetry; I know the overall benefit of the arts in a community. 

My third dot was kids, and as a parent your only wish is for a healthy baby with ten little fingers and toes, sadly some of us are not always that fortunate and we have to accept the cards as they are dealt to us.  For me every child is precious and is deserving of all opportunities no matter what.

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Dunwoody Friends recently held its inaugural fundraiser entitled Jazz and Art for the Heart to benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.  Dunwoody Friends partnered local area artists with a group of special little one to create masterpieces.  Anne Labaire, and Diana Dice both Kudzu Art Zone artists; had the distinct pleasure of working with two such special children – Anne worked with Jackson and Diane worked with Melissa.  I had the pleasure of meeting Jackson and his Mom Shannon Wickley the Chairperson for Jazz and Art from the Heart…Can you see the dots falling into place?

On Saturday September 24th the event was held at Bill Lowe’s Gallery in Atlanta.  Anne, Diana and I were Shannon’s guests.  The event featured a reception, live and silent auction, art and, of course, music.  I was introduced to Callaghan and her manager Steve, I immediately noticed we had something in common – our British heritage.  So for me becoming Callaghan’s 1,000th fan was nothing more than a plan that was put in place by a higher being and for a purpose – to benefit the children that need the services provided by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

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