#Walmart Mom of the Year Award Finalists are here! #MOTY

Did you ever get a chance to nominate a super mom for Walmart's Mom of the Year Award (#MOTY)? 16909 moms were nominated in total and this is only the first year! Pretty amazing, right? I can't imagine how big this will get next year in 2013! However, we are now down to one of 8 finalists. You can read them all on www.momoftheyear.ca. All with compassionate and caring stories, it really warms my heart that when one of them win, not only will they win $10K, their hand-picked charities will also win $100K. Can you imagine how much good that will do? Having personally experienced what others go through, I believe each and every one of these to be a worthy cause. It's going to be a tough pick.

It is very hard for me to pick just one to highlight as an example of the inspiration these mothers give because they all truly inspire. Go moms! However, let's talk about Helen MacDonnell, one of the 8 super moms that made it into the final round. As the 3rd youngest of a family of 9, she decided to be a SAHM after obtaining her law degree. Tragedy hit her family when her bipolar brother committed suicide during a bout of depression. it was then she realized how little support those with mental health had. Now she had a goal, she was going to change how this was. An annual kitchen party where guests were encouraged to share stories, support, and donate began. This eventually led to the formation of the annual fundraiser known as Women and Wellness, hosted across Canada, with events being held from Halifax to Vancouver. Suitably, her donation will be going to the Canadian Mental Health Association-Moncton.

Helen MacDonnell -Photo courtesy of Walmart

Now that you've read her story...what do you think? To me, this is an exceptional cause. Too often, I see the discrimination that those with mental health experience. The exploitation that occurs...I still remember the story of a poor man with mental health who made signs for businesses. He did a fantastic job. He worked hard, hours of labor and honest effort put in. However, time after time, he would be cheated out of his due pay. Why? The "employer" would claim he was "crazy" and that he never did the work. Who do you think people believed? It breaks my heart to know that he never received anything for the effort he put forth despite his illness. It warms my heart to see that someone is trying to make a stand and make a change.

Check out Helen MacDonnell and the other worthy 7 candidates at www.momoftheyear.ca.

Disclaimer: I’m part of the Walmart program by Mom Central. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own. Please view my full disclosure, TOS, and privacy policy. Mom of the Year Award: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY Internet access and valid email account required. Nominations open May 10, 2012 to July 8, 2012 for legal residents of Canada over the age of majority. Entrants cannot nominate themselves. One (1) grand prize available to be won consisting of $10,000 cash, a $100,000 donation by Wal-mart Canada Corp. to charity/cause and a trip to Toronto (ARV $22,000). Seven (7) runner-up prizes available to be won consisting of $10,000 cash, a $10,000 donation to charity/cause and a trip to Toronto (ARV $22,000). Charity/cause subject to verification and final approval by Wal-mart Canada Corp., at its sole discretion. Odds of winning depend on how the judging panel evaluates each entry according to the criteria. For Official Contest Rules and to nominate an entrant, visit [www.momoftheyear.ca].Please take the time to enter my other giveaways while you're here.

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                                                         Until next time,