Picture Us Annual Celebration 2007

On Thursday, August 2, 2007, we held our annual Picture Us Celebration. Members of Toastmasters International, Chelmsford, MA, presented a very meaningful and entertaining program. We thank Steve Kincaid, Paula Richards, and Mark Devlin for sharing their time and gifts with us.

We also thank the Devlin family of Tyngsboro, MA, who hand carried Picture Us between the US and Singapore, and the Hassanin Family of Agadir, Morocco, who hand carried projects between Morocco and the US. Thank you to both families for sharing their experiences with us!

Veterans and children support our Troops!© Ray Mongeau MMX
Veterans and children support our Troops!

THANK THE TROOPS

Veterans and community members recently came together to THANK THE TROOPS.

We'd like to thank the veterans and presenters for their participation and extend our appreciation across the country to all who created messages of encouragement and appreciation for our Troops!

Read what our Troops are saying about the care and support sent their way from everyone in America. Check out the link posted here for America Supports You!

Safe School students donate quilt to American Red Cross. 9/10/04Safe School students donate quilt to American Red Cross. 9/10/04

KINDNESS QUILTS

In September 2003, Everyday Joy, Inc. began an effort to create Kindness Quilts as a way of remembering the victims of 9/11 and their families. We all remembered the extraordinary kindness that was shared worldwide following the horrific attacks. It was our hope that we could rekindle a bit of that kindness.

Groups in Illinois, Arizona and Massachusetts came together on this project and four quilts were made in all. One was donated to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, for our troops wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. Another was given to a woman diagnosed with terminal cancer. A third, the quilt pictured here, was donated to the American Red Cross in honor of their valuable service. The fourth is shared in various displays inspiring kindness in a variety of places.

Many benefits came to us all through this project. One of the most important lessons came via words of Fred Rogers when asked about giving. He said, "It's important not to set up an 'us' and a 'them' as in 'we are doing this for the needy'. Because all of us, at some points in our life, will be in need of kindness and at other times will be strong enough to give it."

A DAY FOR UNDERSTANDING

May 1, 2004

Everyday Joy, Inc. brought the community of Tyngsboro, MA, together with special guests representing Iraq, Iran and the US Military to share perspectives and insights on our cultures.

Zainab al-Suwaij, co-founder of the American Islamic Congress, Cambridge, MA, shared her story on growing up in Iraq, disguising herself as a man to fight for Iraqi freedom in 1991 and being forced to flee her country. She told us about her recent experiences restoring the education system in Iraq and thanked us for the assistance and materials supplied by the US Military and the American people.

Hooshmand Afshar delivered a powerful message by sharing his story on religious persecution in Iran and his journey to begin his life again in the United States. Now a successful business owner in Chelmsford, MA, Hooshmand spoke about the beauty and value of life in America.

Will Pumyea, former Specialist for the Massachusetts National Guard talked to us about serving in both Afghanistan and Iraq. He told of the warmth of the Afghan people and what it was like to get to know them. He also shared some of his challenges in Iraq and told us that, even with the tensions there, he was still able to connect with wonderful Iraqi people.

It was a very moving event and we thank all who participated for their openness and willingness to share their incredible stories with us.