Family Volunteering and Giving Back Through Decorating

I am participating in a sponsored campaign hosted by Advil®, as a part of the Advil® Relief in Action campaign. I received compensation for this post. While all opinions stated are my own, I make no claims about Advil® as a product or its effectiveness.

From helping rebuild homes and businesses devastated by Superstorm Sandy, to rebuilding homes for people in need through Habitat for Humanity® International, or being the ultimate volunteer-a-veteran or soldier of our armed forces, Advil® is honoring volunteers who actively give back to help others. As part of this Advil® Relief In Action campaign, I was asked to write this sponsored post about ways in which I actively participate in volunteer work. I seized this opportunity to talk about my favorite non-profit organization Enchanted Makeovers (EM).

2013 was the busiest year my design business has ever seen.  Balancing work and family was tricky at times.  Finding time to dedicate to volunteering with Enchanted Makeovers was also on my list of priorities. In an effort to do it all, I found ways to combine my extreme passion for decorating with volunteer work and family time.

(My family and I at a crafting event I hosted for Enchanted Makeovers)

Enchanted Makeovers is a national non-profit organization that improves the lives of women and children living in shelters.  One way they do this is by providing an uplifting living environment that is healing and inspiring.  Using handmade pieces, vintage items, and the talents of artists, crafters, and hard working volunteers, EM transforms shelters. 

(Vintage button frames made by my friends and family for a Detroit area shelter makeover by Enchanted Makeovers).

Using my passion for decorating, I'm able to serve others by participating in EM shelter makeovers.  Getting my family and friends involved has made it even more rewarding.

(My friends and I at a crafting event for Enchanted Makeovers)

Last Christmas I hosted a crafting soiree for my friends and family.  We crafted gorgeous vintage button frames that were used at The Detroit Rescue Mission Genesis House Shelter while enjoying each other's company and celebrating the Christmas season.  

(Our crafting soiree)

My daughter, cousins, aunt, and friends joined me in a makeover last year at the Alternative For Girls shelter in Detroit.  Together, we spent two weekends painting rooms and furniture, organizing, decorating, and putting a loving touch on each room in the shelter. There is much more than decorating that goes into EM's projects, you can see in the Alternative For Girls video here:  

In January of this year, my husband and I spent a day working together in Detroit at The Genesis House for a twenty-one room shelter makeover.  This was an amazing experience, and being able to share it with my husband made it even more special.  Grab some tissues and check out this video documenting the Genesis House makeover (that handsome guy with the drill is my hubby): 

Not only has my family been given the gift of quality time together while volunteering with Enchanted Makeovers, but I've grown my family through bonds formed with EM team members, fellow volunteers, and ladies and children residing in shelters.

           (Myself and the Enchanted Makeovers family on our way to host the annual She is Me Gala)

 Giving back through volunteering with EM has given back to me in so many ways.

Life can get crazy and it's not always easy to "do it all." I am especially thankful for the time the EM team and their families dedicate to active volunteerism on a daily basis.  For information on Enchanted Makeovers including ways you can use your talents to serve others please visit Enchanted Makeovers website by clicking here.

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