PANDA ON! will be joining "Day of Grace" Inspirational Day 2018
This year marks our Sixth "Day of Grace". Day of Grace, October 5th, is a special day dedicated to honoring and thanking those who have made a positive difference in our lives. "Thank You" is an easy and simple fundamental we often take for granted. But, a heartfelt "Thank You" has the power to work extraordinary goodness in both the giver and receiver
Day of Grace was started because we witnessed firsthand the power of inspiration working in and through our daughter Grace. Although she battled pediatric sarcoma cancer valiantly, Grace passed away May 9, 2013. Through it all her faith never wavered and her smile and zest for life never faded. When I asked her thoughts about being an inspiration to others she replied, “What they don’t understand is it is they who inspire me!” We watched the power of inspiration transform our daughter and our community. Death should not stop, cannot stop, such power. It is in her memory and honor that we continue the work she started.
In the past, we have celebrated Day of Grace, Grace’s birthday, by delivering purple roses and getting the family together. But, this year we wanted something more. It is time for something bigger. We thought, "What would Grace want?"
In Grace’s honor, PANDA ON! is joining in on all the celebrating. PANDA ON! is a home-based company Eric and I dedicated to our other three surviving children. PANDA ON! means to Move Forward when life sucks, to See Light in the face of darkness and to Find Hope in devastation and doubt. PANDA ON! is a message of love and encouragement to those who are facing difficult times. We have many products but nearest and dearest to our hearts is PEP, our Purple-Eyed Panda Bear. Like our other products, he comes with an encouraging tag and a “Whisper in Your Ear Card”, which is a special card filled with extra love and lots of encouragement.
This year to commemorate our fifth Day of Grace, PANDA ON! will join forces with Day of Grace by visiting Navicent Health, Macon Medical Center, October 5th, to give our "PANDA ON! Love Package" including PEP, our Purple-Eyed Panda Bears, to all the children on the Pediatric Floor. We are expecting many smiles and laughter as Eric dons our PEP costume to give away free hugs and love to everyone.
There are several ways for you to get in on all the fun and help us celebrate Day of Grace. You can donate a PEP to be given to a child. You can also purchase our "2017 SnowPEP Event Tee". With the purchase of this super-comfy tee shirt you are donating a PEP to be given at our Day of Grace Event.
We have also set up the Grace E. Smith Memorial Scholarship in Grace’s honor. This scholarship was established in 2014. A $1000.00 scholarship is given to a Southeastern Technical College, Vidalia, Georgia, student pursuing a degree in the medical field. So far, we have awarded this scholarship to three recipients. We look forward to announcing this year’s Grace E. Smith Memorial Scholarship recipient on Day of Grace. Lastly, on October 6, please plan to say, “Thank You!” to the person who has inspired you by sending them a purple rose through your local florist. In a world that seems so out of control sometimes, a simple act of kindness, like saying thank you to our loved ones, reminds us of the power within us to make a positive difference.
To learn more about Grace's story please visit dayofgrace.org. To learn more about PANDA ON! and how you can participate or to donate to the Grace E. Smith Memorial Scholarship please visit, panda-on.com.
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