Emma Bikes For Haiti

I try to expose my children to life in our world, just enough that they can see exactly how blessed we are, and how important it is to help others. We have been watching some videos and looking at some pictures since the quake, and Emma seems to get it, as much as an extremely sheltered American five-year-old can. Yes, she is sheltered. I am sheltered. I think we are all sheltered, we have no idea what it is like to be truly poverty stricken.

I watched the new "We Are The World" video with her the other day. As usual, I cried at the images of the Hatians lifting their hands up and dancing with joy. I paused the video at certain scenes, telling her about how all the buildings and houses were destroyed in the earthquake and now these wonderful people lived under tents and had very little food. She listened intently, and took it all into her tender little soul.

Later, she asked me to play the video for her again. I started it, and she called Grant up to sit by her. As I walked through the kitchen, I could hear her telling him about it. I cried again.

"Look Grant, see here? They only get this bowl of cereal and that's all they get to eat all day. And these tents are their houses. All their houses got squished. They don't have anything left."

Suddenly, she noticed me, and started whispering to him, and I was unable to hear.


We know of a four year old boy named Holland who is going to ride his bike in his own fundraiser for the people of Haiti. As soon as Emma heard about it, she wanted to go, too.

"Mommy, we can raise money and send it to them so they can buy stuff since they don't have anything!" The pride and excitement in her eyes, the ability to help in a seemingly impossible situation is amazing.

My mommy heart is bursting with pride to tell you that this Sunday, Emma is going to ride her bike two and a half miles around Lake Padden to raise money for the people of Haiti.

She is joining Holland and about twenty other kids that have gotten involved as well. If you would like more information on this amazing event, go to Holland's website by clicking HERE. If you would like to donate, you can e-mail me at tiffanileone(at)yahoo(dot)com and we can work out the details.

And if you live in our area, feel free to come on by and show your support at Lake Padden on Sunday, from 2-4.

I'll be the one crying.