A Salute to Children, A Salute to Dina.

Most people who know me and have been following this blog knows that I do not involve my social life here. But for once, I'm breaking the rules and introducing you to someone whom I've developed a great admiration for, for her amazing work and efforts in charity. I can go on and on about how so and so donated thousands of dollars sponsoring a gala and got their name plastered on all the programs and invites ... or so and so who sits on the host committee and advisory board of certain charity every year just so she can play dress up in Dior with her friends for a night ... I can go on and on about gossip of people I see everyday and the things they do. But I won't, instead I want to talk about this girl (who happen to look like real life Barbie), who is not only signer of many checks that went to good use but did the dirty work from posting stamps to setting the tables before an event. What sets her apart is, in return she expects nothing - not a picture at the VIP step and repeat, not a dress sponsorship by Oscar de la Renta, not even recognition. She is my friend, Dina Manzo, founder of Project Ladybug and most of America will soon know her as one of the Real Housewives of New Jersey.

She founded Project Ladybug before she was part of Bravo's history. She was simply just a mom, a sister, an aunt ... someone that cooked for her daughter, liked to dine with friends and lived a comfortable lifestyle. And rather spending her days clearing Chanel and getting photographed everywhere she went, she decided she needed to help under-privileged children that are devastated by terminal illness. It's a cause people tend to overlook. When you think of children and babies, you think of new beginnings and good health. But some of the battles these children fight, are greater than anything you or I have ever gone through. As a participant to several charities, I saw this as something worthy. But it never hit me as to what grand things Dina is doing until I heard the stories of what these kids are going through ...

At a spa recently with Dina and Caroline (Caroline is Dina's sister, who happens to be another Real Housewives of NJ), Caroline described to me to story of this little boy: He had cancer of the heart and miraculously, he beat it. But soon enough the doctors found cancer in his shoulders and so they operated on his shoulders and took out much of its muscles. So he walked around lopped-sided, unable to use his bad shoulder. (Honestly, if that were to happen to me, at that point I'd be crying in bed brooding over how unfair this is and what a horrible life Im having ... ) But what this boy did was use his one good arm and held and rocked his crying baby sister and said "I am the protector of her". Even in such pain and such battle, a little boy could have a better attitude then all of us would ... that's beyond words. Dina also showed me a picture of a little girl who wore a hat that said "Cancer Fears Me". It just makes me cry. Hearing about these children brings me back to reality about all the things that I worry and complain about everyday ... how come I can't lose that 5 pounds; I don't have enough shoes to wear; I have one grey hair that isn't going away ... they are all so superficial and so trivial. The battles these children fight everyday are experiences that no children should go through but yet they do it with a smile and a giggle. They are my heroes and what Dina and Project Ladybug are doing for them ... well, it's just phenomenal.

In this tough economic time, I know that charity is the first thing out the window for many families. But please consider donating a service or products (if you have your own business) as Project Ladybug often hosts events big or small in hopes to raise more funds. If you can perhaps make a commitment to give up Starbucks a couple times a week for a month and instead write a check (big or small) ... it can make a huge difference in the lives and well-being of these young children. Email Project Ladybug for more donation info: LadybugFoundation@Gmail.com