St. Baldrick's Fundraiser with Mrs. Meridian, Mrs. Boise & Mrs. Central Valley

Today, Mrs. Central Valley Melinda, Mrs. Boise Sondra and I volunteered at St. Baldrick's Fundraiser held at the Knitting Factory Concerthouse in Boise. Volunteers shaved their heads in solidarity with kids fighting cancer and family and friends gave generously. Our local goal was to raise $50,000. As of the start of the event today, St. Baldrick's had already exceeded that goal and had raised over $62,000. St. Baldrick's funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world to find cures and improve the quality of life for patients and survivors. The Foundation funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. Today, I cheered on my fellow brother firefighters from Star Fire as they shaved their heads in support of these brave children. As you can see from some of the pics, they allowed me to do some of the shaving, which was a BLAST for all of us! This was such a rouch and wonderful experience. Hugs, Erika Mrs. Meridian

Posted by Mandi Feely

Boise Rescue Mission & Fuddrucker's

Today Mrs. Meridian and Mrs. Boise helped out the Boise Rescue Mission by eating at Fuddruckers! The Rescue Mission is hoping to raise $20,000 from all locations in the Treasure Valley by feeding the patrons for free and asking for donations instead of paying for a meal. Since 1958, the Boise Rescue Mission has been serving the Treasure Valley by meeting the spiritual, physical and psychological needs of people who are homeless or in need who live in our community and those who pass through on a daily basis. It was great to go have a meal with the people of our community and help raise money for a great cause.

Thank you Sondra and Erika for the Pictures

Posted by Mandi Feely

Meridian Firefighter's 2nd Annual Chili Cookoff

Yesterday, Mrs, Boise, Sondra LaVoie and I were judges for the Meridian Firefighter's 2nd Annual Chili Cookoff. Proceeds benefitted the Meridian Firefighter’s Association and its Burn Out Fund, which helps area residents who have lost their homes to fire. The fund is designed to help people with a place to stay and food for a couple of days until their insurance kicks in. We had such a good time hanging out with everyone and eating TONS of YUMMY chili!

The first pic is of Sondra and I giving the coordinator of the event, Meridian Fire Captain Bill Allen a BIG kiss!

The second pic is of Sondra and I with some of my friends from the Eagle Fire Department team!

The third pic is of Sondra and I with the Hampton Inn team, one of our sponsors for this year's pageant!

The last pic is of Sondra and I with some of the guys from the Meridian Firefighter Pipe and Drum Corp! These guys know how to ROCK an event with their drums and bagpipes!

Hugs, Erika

Mrs. Boise and Mrs. Meridian take the plunge for the Special Olympics

At Midnight Mrs. Meridian Erika Wonacott and Mrs. Boise Sondra LaVoie took the a cold swim for the Penguin Plunge for the Idaho Special Olympics. They are looking beautiful and have great smiles even when they are freezing. Thank you to my friend Eric Willis who spent the entire 48 hours jumping in the cold water for inviting the Mrs. Idaho America ladies to join in on the fun.

Posted by Mandi Feely

Mrs. Boise Donates Blood at the American Red Cross

Hello There,

Yesterday on Feb.8 I donated blood to the American Red Cross. Every minute of every day, someone needs blood. That blood can only come from a volunteer donor, a person like us who makes the choice to donate. There is no substitute for our donation. When we make a blood donation, we join a very select group. Currently only 3 out of every 100 people in America donate blood. From its beginning, the American Red Cross has formed a community of service, of generous, strong and decent people bound by beliefs beyond themselves. The American Red Cross blood donor embodies this principle. As a busy mom, giving a donation such as this is easy, free and helps our local community. It was a pleasure to be representing the MIA pageant as Mrs. Boise with my community donating blood for those in need.

XOXO

Sondra Lavoie

Mrs. Boise 2010

Mrs. Meridian speaks to VISIONs Troop

On February 9th I was honored to be asked by Mrs. Boise to come speak to her VISIONs troop. The topic I had the privilege to speak on was about Women in Non-Traditional Working Roles. Both Mrs.Boise and I work in industries that are primarily dominated by men. The best part was having the girls time me putting on my turn-outs in one minute and twelve seconds. It was a blast to show these girls that being a woman and a firefighter/mom/wife/military sergeant/business owner and talking to them could expand their minds and career horizons. Thank you Mrs. Boise, you are Five Star!

Hugs,
Erika Wonacott
Mrs. Meridian

Dove Campaign and Mrs. Boise

Hello Ladies!

Last week I got to speak to Brownie troop 293 with the Silver Sage Girl Scouts using a great tool designated for young girls, the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty. This self esteem program is designed to help young women recognize and celebrate their own brand of beauty. We do activities that are created for young girls to learn the facts behind a positive body image and a healthy self esteem. Seven in Ten girls believe they are not good enough or do not measure up in some way, including their looks, performance in school and relationships with friends and family members. We talk about why we need to love what who we are, take care of our bodies and be proud of our own brand of beauty. It was a lot of fun to listen to all the little girls say “I am beautiful” at the end of the meeting.

Thanks!

Sondra

Mrs. Boise 2010

Mrs. Idaho Speaks to Mrs. Boise's Vision's Group

Jamie Mrs. Idaho America 2009 and Sondra Mrs. Boise 2010

Here is an email I received from Sondra Mrs. Boise:

Today I asked Jamie Mrs. Idaho America to come speak to my VISION’s group that I mentor at Lake Hazel Elementary School. This is a group of 20 plus young ladies that have chosen to improve themselves and the world around them. We meet once a week to make goals to improve our self-esteem, body image, and relationships.

Jamie and I spoke about why it is so important to find quality friends that you respect and respect you.

We spoke how our friendship developed, how we met, what are standards are for ourselves and our friends and how we support each to improve each other as friends.

It was a great and inspiring afternoon!

Posted by Mandi Feely Mrs. Idaho Board Member