Fire can be great when it cooks your burger just perfectly.  Or when it’s the only heat in your house during a power outage.  But there are alot of other things that fire can do that are not so nice.

We all know about replacing smoke detector batteries, right?  You don’t need me to tell you again, do you?  Just do it.

We all know that candles should never be left unattended, near pets, near drapes.  Correct?

And we all know we should never walk away from the stove when cooking.  We have seen french fry fires, Thanksgiving meal fires, and several others.  Let’s put an end to those claims, shall we?

But recently, I came upon a cause about which I feel passionate.  It’s regarding folks who’ve been burned.  This could have been a “fire” burn or a chemical burn, there are lots of ways for it to happen.  But the fact is that many burn victims endure a very special challenge when they survive such an event.  After they get through the surgeries, they still have scars.

Imagine getting through all of the difficult days and still be left with more.  Did you know that some scars prevent you from performing the activities of normal daily living?  Others may be hard to cover, too.  Visible scarring and disfigurement can cause a social stigma leading to emotional issues, including suicide.  Depending on how you look, it could be difficult to find employment.

We all spend minutes (let’s hope not hours!) a day making ourselves look our best before we leave the house.  In fact, our upcoming “CHIX MAKEOVER” is all about finding ways to look, and feel, better!  A lucky winner will get to enjoy the experience of a makeover and “reveal” evening in April 2012. 

Only fitting is it that our charity of choice for the funds raised throughout this event be directed to Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Scar Physiology, Treatment and Research Fund!  The goal of the fund is to ensure that every survivor can return to a normal productive life. 

Did you know that LVHN is the only local place that will tackle this type of service to patients?  One machine, a fractional CO2 laser costs $80,000.  With $5,000 in donations, it could be leased for two months.

Watch for more information about our event!  Consider attending and enjoying an evening of fun and frolic…that leads to wonderful advances for local research.  Making a difference is a passionate goal of mine.  Won’t you join me?

I am thrilled to have such a wonderful insurance company like Erie!  Good thing we’ve kept them in the family for years.  My Dad was clearly a great judge of insurance companies.  I sure am glad Donna Hosfeld, my agent, recommended the coverage when I purchased my new home 5 years ago, or I would have a huge bill that would be devastating for any budget!

Kerrie Pinkney, MD
Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania

Thank you, Kerrie, for the testimonial.  Folks would be surprised to know what kind of costs are involved in these claims.  We are among a few companies that do continue to offer sinkhole endorsement to the regular homeowner policies.  We also have some maps in our office to help clients decide if they want to purchase it!

Ask us for a review of your policy and pricing of this very valuable endorsement!  www.hosfeldinsurance.com or 610-530-0304

Reminiscing with family, we recalled several years that were tougher than others.  There were years where the presents under the tree weren’t so plentiful.  There was a year where my mom had saved up for her own winter coat, only to use the money to buy us a puppy for us instead.  Choices had to be made because we “couldn’t have everything.”   Been there?

Maybe you’re doing great, but some folks are having a hard time.  The Closet of  Hope is helping others through it.  I stumbled upon them and want to introduce you to them.  Please think about how you might help your community in a pretty easy way, making a huge difference to some folks who are faced with tough choices.

The Closet of Hope’s Mary Dreisbach explained that they are in need of additional items for the folks who “shop” their facility.  Folks who are facing tough times can visit and obtain the items they need, no charge.  Clothes for kids and adults, as well as household goods, are donated by the community.  They are then “recycled” back to folks who truly need them.

We’re going to donate some money from our Holiday Extravaganza on 12/10/11.  But we’re also asking YOU to rip through your closets and see if you have some new/gently used items that you might share.  Some of our clients are actually buying some new stuff, but if you have gently used items, they are also greatly appreciated!

What kind of stuff?  Clothes for kids and adults, especially coats, jackets, scarves, mittens, boots…think about how cold you might be if you don’t have the right outfit.  Are you willing to help a kid be warm this winter? 

Maybe when you buy your kid a new hat, you buy two.  Drop one off here.  Your kid’s feet grew…those boots are “like” new, but they don’t fit anymore.  Drop them off here.  Your kid really wanted that “Hello Kitty” snowsuit, but now she’s onto something else.  Bring it here.  Hubby bought you that pretty fuchsia sweater, but it itches like crazy.  Bring it here.

From now til the end of December, we’ll be collecting items for The Closet of Hope.  Yep, right here at our office, 19 E Main St., Macungie.  We’re open 9-5 Monday thru Friday.  Need a special time?  Call us.  610-530-0304

Everyone’s always looking to feel the “spirit of the season”.   Here’s your chance!  It’s pretty darn easy and it’ll make a huge difference to someone who will be ever thankful for the kind thing you’ve done. 

We hope to see you soon!   Collecting at our office thru 12/31/11.

More info on The Closet of Hope:  http://www.theclosetofhope.com

Because it is unbelievably important.  We just don’t know when our last day is going to be.  We know it will happen, but we don’t know when.   When it comes, someone will cry.  Someone will be very sad.  Someone will miss us.   We can’t change that.

However, we can make sure that the financial end is handled right.  We can plan now to make that burden easier on those we leave behind.  Yes, it’s uncomfortable.  No one wants to craft a life insurance program.  But once you’ve done it, you can forget about it.  You will sleep better.  You’ll know that you’ve done all you can to make things easier for the ones you love.

Last week, I had the air knocked out of me. 

While I sell life insurance to lots of folks, I don’t often get the call (or text) that tells me someone’s “gone on ahead.”  Last Thursday, while out at a dinner, I received that text.  Still can’t wrap myself around it.  A beautiful, smart and amazing 35-year old woman…gone.  She left behind a great husband and three fabulous kids.  Gone.   No one saw it coming.  

When I got home, I called her husband.   As I waited for him to answer the phone, I realized that life doesn’t get any more real than this.  I also knew that this would happen again.  And that’s when I asked myself if I’ve done absolutely everything I can to be sure every one of my very precious clients is prepared. 

Have I asked once?  Twice?  If you don’t have your program crafted, I haven’t asked enough. 

Call me before this year of 2011 ends.  Let’s “get ‘er done”.  610-530-0304

It seems like there are nearly hundreds of people deserving a THANK YOU for the outcome of our recent “PERFECTLY PINK PURSE PARTY” benefiting Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Pink Ribbon Fund!

Without the combined effort of an amazing and generous community, this would never be possible!   If I’ve left anyone out, email me the correction so I can add you to our list!  It’s been challenging to recall everyone who was a part of this, so here is our list naming some of the kind folks who made it happen!  (If you feel someone was missed, email donna@hosfeldinsurance.com)

• Boston’s Restaurant of Allentown
• Lehigh Valley Health Network and The Pink Ribbon Fund
• Passionate Kisses Cakes and Catering/Dina Valentini Wanamaker
• Cake Chic Designs by Chef Amy Lung
• Kneading Hands Massage and Tom Florio
• Snyder & Wiles, Attorneys at Law
• Mick Seislove/Prudential Patt White Realtors
• Erie Insurance and Rebecca Snyder
• Lehigh Valley Surgical Oncology/Dr. Lori Alfonse
• Christine “She Said Sunday” Bainbridge
• Lehigh Health Network Gift Shop/Monica Weida
• Infinity Insurance
• Heather Brown Hamilton
• Gopher Services
• Lehigh Valley Zoo/Alan Raisman (raffle pack of 4 tickets)
• Anthony Ashley Hair Design (for pinkifying me and many others!)
• Tastefully Simple/Michael Andreano
• Tammy Huk, realtor
• Heather Brown Hamilton
• Lehigh Valley Zoo/Alan Raisman
• Gopher Services
• Keystone Rehab
• Duct Tape Designs by D/Denise Walker
• Kathryn Armstrong, artist of hand-painted scarf
• Duct Tape Designs by D/Denise Walker (purse for raffle)
• Keystone Rehab of Macungie
• Fred and Sharon Taylor, artists/creators of raffle wall hanging/wreath
• Terri Csaszar, sassy cashier at Dandy Donation Day
• Diane Angermeier, cookie baker and raffle ticket seller
• Christine’s Secret Garden/Christine Stazo
• Scentsible by Nature Aromatherapy & Reiki/Sherry Giardiniere
• Lollipop Lady & More/Cheryl Saul
• Yankee Candle
• Sephora
• Bare Escentuals
• Glass Doctor/Maureen Augenstein
• Hamilton Home & Garden/Rosalie Knerr DeSilva
• Cathleen Woodbridge, Mary Kay
• Total Home Management LLC/Erica & Kevin McCabe
• Sheri Bayne, Photographer
• Jake Kaligis, Music Man
• Don Blose and Anthony Geist, our T-shirt Team
• Patron Spirits
• My amazing team of InsuranceChix at Hosfeld Insurance, LLC. That includes Linda Braun, Judy Breen, Elaine Schwien, and Simone Kereit.
• My friend and party planner extraordinaire, Ian Dollman. 
• Susan Dollman and Mariellen Ochs, purse taggers and baggers.

And, let’s not forget everyone who donated purses, bought purses, pledged funds to “pinkify” my hair, ate/drank/were merry in the restaurant and bar, engaged in the raffles, “pinkified” their hair or mustaches, or volunteered their time in any way!  Without each and every one of you, this would not have been the crazy success that it was!

We’re waiting for a few more straggler funds to finalize our totals.  As of now, however, we’re at $4,500!   Can you say WOW!? 

Again, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, EVERYONE!

Well, I like helping a good cause even more.  As part of the “Perfectly Pink Purse Party” fundraiser on 10/12/11, I’ve decided to do something a little bit wild.

If we can raise $500 additional dollars through an online Paypal account set up by my pals at Lehigh Valley Health Network, I will “pinkify” myself!

Not only will I be wearing a stunning hot pink tie-dye shirt, I will be sportin’ a fabulous pinkified hairdo for the party!  A little brainstorming with Nina of Anthony Ashley Hair Design in Allentown yielded this fun idea!  Kindly donating their services to make the “pinkification” occur, the salon will also be on site at the event to add a bit more pink to the crowd, donating some of their proceeds from that evening to our charity as well!

The Lehigh Valley Health Network’s “PINK RIBBON FUND” supports breast cancer patients who are experiencing financial hardship during treatment. 

We’ve all known folks hit with this awful disease.  Our efforts benefit local patients in need.  It’s going to be an awesome event…meaningful, important and fun. 

Please click and donate now.  And join us at Boston’s Restaurant, 327 Star Rd., Allentown from 5pm-8pm on Wednesday 10/12/11.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE:

 https://www.facebook.com/lvhealthnetwork?sk=app_4949752878#!/lvhealthnetwork?sk=app_4949752878

PINK ROCKS!

Yes.  Recycle your purse for a good cause. 

We all change purses because we get bored.  Sometimes we go back to a favorite one, but I bet you have several in your closet that you won’t use again.  Are they “gently used” or possibly new?  Looked good at the store, but then you got it home and something wasn’t quite right?

Well, use that purse to benefit a breast cancer patient and her family.  While undergoing treatment, many of these folks find financial difficulty.  Through Lehigh Valley Health Network’s “PINK RIBBON FUND”, they find a bit of help.  

We’re sponsoring “DANDY DONATION DAY” at our office (19 E Main St., Macungie) on Wednesday 9/21/11.  From 5-7pm, we’ll be celebrating YOUR generosity in donating your unwanted new and gently used purses.  As a thank you, we’re going to feed you some of Boston’s pasta!  We’re going to have an ice-cream sundae bar!  We’ve got goodie bags for the first 30 arrivals!   We’ll have several folks giving you a taste of their “comforting” specialties, time to network and chatter, time to make new friends!   And a few AMAZING prizes in our Basket Raffle!

Are you on Facebook?  Find the event under “DANDY DONATION DAY” and let us know that you’re coming!  We’d love to see you.

Easy way to make a difference in a stranger’s life.  Easy way to have some fun and meet other great folks in your community.  Easy way to get that closet a little cleaner! 

STAY TUNED FOR PART II….the Purse Sale!   Save the date for that part, too:  10/12/11.

But, they’re dangerous.  And, we’re in the business of keeping you safe, so here’s the song and dance as Irene approaches.

Thank you to FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program and the Floodsmart Campaign for the specifics you’ll find below:

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program and the FloodSmart Campaign also offer helpful tips on what to do to prepare before a flood. We encourage you to share this information with residents of your community.

1. Safeguard your possessions.

• Create a personal flood file containing information about all your valuable possessions and keep it in a secure place, such as a safe deposit box or waterproof container. This file should include:
• A copy of your insurance policies with your agents’ contact information.
• A household inventory: For insurance purposes, be sure to keep a written and visual (i.e., videotaped or photographed) record of all major household items and valuables, even those stored in basements, attics or garages. Create files that include serial numbers and store receipts for major appliances and electronics. Have jewelry and artwork appraised. These documents are critically important when filing insurance claims. For more information visit www.knowyourstuff.org.
• Copies of all other critical documents, including finance records or receipts of major purchases.

2. Prepare your house.

• Inspect your sump pump. If you have a sump pump, make sure it’s working and then install a battery-operated backup, in case of a power failure. Installing a water alarm will also let you know if water is accumulating in your basement.
• Clear debris from gutters and downspouts.
• Anchor fuel tanks.
• Raise your electrical components (switches, sockets, circuit breakers, and wiring) at least 12 inches above your home’s projected flood elevation.
• Place the furnace, water heater, washer, and dryer on cement blocks at least 12 inches above the projected flood elevation.
• Move furniture, valuables, and important documents to a safe place.

3. Develop a family emergency plan.

• Create a safety kit with drinking water, canned food, first aid, blankets, a radio, and a flashlight.
• Post emergency telephone numbers by the phone and teach your children how to dial 911.
• Plan and practice a flood evacuation route with your family. Know safe routes from home, work, and school that are on higher ground.
• Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to be your emergency family contact.
• Have a plan to protect your pets.

Please take time to prepare your family and business from the potential impact of the storm.

It’s also tons of fun to make them!  Stuffing them full of items that will make someone else smile! 

We’re amazed at the number of folks and businesses that have graciously donated gift cards, prizes and baskets for some of the events we’ve held over the years.  Thank you!

We’re asking for your help again!  We’re hopeful that we’ll have a STUNNING array of baskets for our auction on 9/21/11.  

This time our charity is the Pink Ribbon Fund.  Lehigh Valley Health Network’s charity benefits women who are undergoing treatment for breast cancer.  We all know that women and their families go through mental, emotional and physical challenge when they are in treatment.  But we often forget about the financial difficulties.  The Fund provides financial support to those women in need, helping them get through a tough time.

Why not consider making a basket for our event?  Anyone is welcome to do so, not just businesses.  It’s a fun way to shop for someone else!  And, it’s an awesome way to help us raise some money for women who are faced with the ultimate challenge.

If you’re interested in joining in the basket extravaganza, please call me at 610-530-0304 or email me at donna@hosfeldinsurance.com   I’d love for you to be part of the BASKET BONANZA!