Getting about that time…presentations to the amazing organizations we are helping. Seriously, if you take a minute and reflect on what these groups are doing for our community and the world, it is so impressive. These are people that spend they lives focusing on the goodwill of others. Godspeed to all of you! You are a true blessing to the world and remember on those days when things seem tough that your efforts don’t go unnoticed and WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO!

Everyone at Trio Solutions Inc. is looking forward to helping out our 2009 Createathon Winners: Charleston Area Children’s Garden Project, Good Neighbor Center, Charleston Community Sailing, Palmetto Medical Initiative and Liza’s Lifeline! It was very difficult to narrow our selection to these five. Every organization that applied should be commended for the work they are doing in our community. We would love to be able to help them all. Createathon will begin on Thursday, Sept. 18. Be sure to follow our progress on Twitter.

Jessica Munday, president and founder of Trio Solutions Inc, is celebrating the birth of her third child, a beautiful boy named Hudson James. Hudson was born on September 8 just before midnight. Jessica was happy to announce that he has all ten fingers and ten toes, and weighed in at a healthy 8 pounds, 14 ounces. Everyone at Trio sends a big ‘congratulations’ to Jessica and her family!

A few weeks ago I had an amazing opportunity. I had a chance to watch my autistic son surf. OK, maybe not by himself, but on a long board with a professional surfer. This was all made possible through a wonderful nonprofit organization, Surfer’s Healing.

It is very challenging to have a child with special needs. Fortunately, my son is high functioning so he does get to participate in a lot of the same activities as a normally developing child. I do know from being involved and working with other children with special needs that this is many times not the case.

What I witnessed on August 12 at Folly Beach was truly fantastic. I arrived late in the day but enjoyed seeing many children and adults enjoy themselves thoroughly. It was amazing to see the turn out of volunteers in the Charleston area. People were so warm, friendly and eager to help.

My own son who has many phobias, one of which is deep water, wanted me to buy him his own surfboard after he finished surfing. It was also wonderful to see a child (my child) that has many sensory issues not whine and complain about having to go home with sand all over his feet. I do believe the experience was therapeutic for him and many others.

The event itself was extremely organized and accommodating to all. I do hope they come back to Folly Beach again next year, but if they do not I believe we are going to take a road trip to their closest camp.

I am attaching the video I took of Jacob surfing. Notice that he asks to go again. Did I mention that he was scared to go at first, even telling me when I signed him up for the camp that he would NOT go? Congratulations to Jacob (my son) for being scared and doing it anyway. Lastly, “Thank You” to Surfer’s Healing and the sponsors of the camp which made it possible for over 50 children with Autism to surf and enjoy the beach for the day!

Check out my recent profile on Palmetto PR Divas, a fun and informative public relations blog created by Kim Banks of Simko Communications and Liza Jones of Payne Jones Public Relations. These girls really know the meaning of paying it forward. Once you are profiled you get to nominate a fellow PR professional to be the next profile. Keep up the great work, ladies!

Friday evening as I was running around the kitchen preparing for our company, I turned on the television and saw Tim Russert’s face. The NBC station is typically on in our house, so this wasn’t an uncommon occurrence. However as I continued listening to the story I realized what had happened and that I would never really see Tim’s face on television again. Tim had died of a heart attack doing what he loved so much, preparing for Meet the Press. This weekend I learned more about Tim Russert than I ever would had this horrible event not occurred. And learning about the kind of man Tim was just makes this all the more bittersweet. I almost felt as if I was mourning a close friend or family member. All of the sudden you see him as a husband, a father, a devoutly religious Catholic, a loving son and a wonderful co-worker. We talk about our philosophy at Trio often and this weekend I learned what it means to live it day in and day out. Got get em’ Tim. You are probably in heaven right now explaining to God about the crazy politics of our time. Hopefully you have the biggest whiteboard you could ever ask for!

The care package and request to Michael Franti went out yesterday so let’s all keep our fingers, toes, and whatever else we can manage to cross, crossed! We’re asking Franti to headline our latest effort to support Project OKURASE. The event, United Artists for Hope - A Music Festival to Benefit Project OKURASE, will raise funds to help build a clean, safe water system for the Nkabom Center that will house, educate and support orphaned and vulnerable children in Ghana.

The children of Djole Dance Company created a book called “What We Be” for Franti that was based on his book “What I Be”. They put a lot of time, energy, and love into the project…hopefully he’ll be as moved as we were!

Having Franti involved is key to this project - we simply cannot imagine doing it without him. He is more than just a musician - he is a liberator, a healer, an advocate and so much more. Combining his musical talent and powerful messages with Project OKURASE’s mission will move this effort by leaps and bounds.

Looking forward to hearing back from Franti and his camp. Please say lots of prayers everyone, that we may be fortunate enough to bring Michael Franti to the Lowcountry to enjoy his music and gain his support for this worthwhile cause.

Peace!

I am used to finding my entertainment on the Web through my favorite pop culture (or basically online tabloid) Web sites- www.perezhilton.com, www.tmz.com and of course, www.people.com. However recently I discovered an entertaining site that does not report on Lindsay Lohan stealing a fur coat or Britney Spears still trying to get custody back of those sweet, innocent little boys. No, this Web site is actually useful AND it is entertaining at the same time. The site is called WuFoo, www.wufoo.com. It is named for the founders two favorite groups, Wu Tang Clan and Foo Fighters. Anyone that can be as creative as Wufoo, well as Renee Zellweger said, has me at hello! The Web site offers free software to build surveys, order forms, registration forms, etc. for your Web site. I have used it a few times and on top of being user-friendly, it is just a really fun Web site. For example, when you are finished and logging out of the site, you are prompted with the famous line, “parting is such sweet sorrow”. Yes, it is very silly but in a work environment where we tend to take ourselves too seriously, it is nice to chuckle every once in a while. Using a Web site like Wufoo has challenged me to find ways in which Trio and the Nonprofit Nook Web sites can showcase our personalities. Ultimately that is what Wufoo does, it brings the personalities of the founders into their site and that is what makes the Web site so unique and fun. Check ‘em out.

I recently received this “list to live by” from a good friend and thought it was worth sharing. Enjoy!

The most destructive habit………………….Worry
The greatest joy………………………….Giving
The greatest loss…………….Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work……………Helping others
The ugliest personality trait………….Selfishness
The most endangered species………Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource……………Our youth
The greatest “shot in the arm”……….Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome……………..Fear
The most effective sleeping pill……..Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease…………Excuses
The most powerful force in life………………Love
The most dangerous pariah………………A gossiper
The world’s most incredible computer……..The brain
The worst thing to be without………………. Hope
The deadliest weapon…………………..The tongue
The two most power-filled words……………”I can”
The greatest asset…………………………Faith
The most worthless emotion………………Self-pity
The most beautiful attire………………….SMILE!
The most prized possession…………….Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication…..Prayer
The most contagious spirit……………..Enthusiasm
The most important thing in life………………GOD

Jennifer, Jessica and I just got back from a week in Denver and I think I have found a second career. While in Denver, Jessica and I dined twice at the Delectable Egg. It is truly a little piece of heaven on earth! For a breakfast food lover like myself, it had everything from omelets to a healthy french toast made with egg whites and apple juice. I decided on the trip back that Charleston MUST have it’s own Delectable Egg. So, anyone reading this who would like to invest in a restaurant, I am ready to take on a second career. And I am happy to approach Delectable Egg regarding franchise opportunities. As a marketing professional, I understand the importance of keeping your brand consistent. Therefore there is only one thing I would change for the Charleston location…we must add grits to the menu! Bon appetit!