October 2022 Newsletter

Kerry Cordy

A Note From the Founder – It’s a Process….

by Kerry Cordy

Raising kids isn’t easy. It isn’t done in a day, It is a process. Great kids are not raised by simply deciding you want good kids and 18 years later, viola! You have produced a fabulous adult.

A friend once compared it to baking a cake. You can’t just throw all the ingredients in a bowl and come out with a perfect cake. There is a process that has to be followed. First you have to gather all the ingredients. Then read the instructions. Then follow each step in the correct order. If you leave out even one, you won’t end up with anything resembling a cake.

In baking, this is the process. You just accept it. Raising kids is a process too. Unfortunately it doesn’t come with a prewritten recipe. It is messy. It is unpredictable. And just like there are thousands of cake recipes that each produce a different cake, each child is different too.

Since you have no recipe to follow, it is natural to be racked with self doubt and worry. You have days where you wonder if you are really cut out for this. You see others posting about all the milestones their children hit and how fabulous they are and wonder why your kids refuse to even pick up their pencil. You plan a lesson you think will take 30 minutes and 3 hours later you are still trying to finish.

The thing is, this IS the process. All these ups and down, worries and doubts, help you to find out what works for your child. Thomas Edison is famous for saying, “I have not failed 10,000 times—I’ve successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work.” Each time you try something new with your child and it doesn’t work, it is an opportunity to learn and to improve. This is part of the process of raising a child. If you are plagued with perilous confusion and worry, then you already have one thing done right. You care enough about your kids TO worry!

The process of raising great kids begins simply with talking with your kids. Always. About everything. And then actually LISTEN. When things don’t work. Find out why. Then make adjustments. You will be making adjustments for all 18 years (and then some….). It’s a process. You don’t get to just jump to the end so try to enjoy the journey.

(Inspiration for this came from Michelle Thorstrom, owner of Damsel in this Dress, who wrote social media piece on about the process of being an entrepreneur.)


New Badges

Castles, College (specific), Vegetarian


2014… Elizabeth, Kerry, Terrie, and Mable

2022 Mable, Terri, Elizabeth and Katie

Amazing Leaders

Eight years ago I had the honor of meeting Elizabeth Simmons, leader of troop #122 and her fabulous coleaders, Mable Townsend and Terri Lenhart when I was visiting Texas (picture on the left above.) This year Elizabeth’s daughter Kara was the recipient of our Megan Lundquist Award scholarship. Since the award was first created in 2014, Megan has personally presented the award who bears her name to each recipient.

Megan, along with 2 of her sisters and her mom Katie Lundquist (leader of troop #159) made the long trip from Colorado to Texas in September to make the award presentation in person to Kara. I was lucky enough to attend the ceremony via Zoom and chat with old friends. After the ceremony Katie Lundquist posted the above picture on the right and it immediately made me think of the picture I took with Elizabeth 8 years ago. I am so disappointed I could not be in this wonderful updated picture of these amazing leaders.

Leaders are frequently camera shy. Not necessarily on purpose, but because their focus in on the kids, not themselves. I love having the chance to feature these lovely women who have been volunteering their time to teach badges for more than 10 years. To Elizabeth, Katie, Terrie, Mable and the hundreds of other leaders around the country, “Thank You” just doesn’t seem enough. You are all amazing.


The Teal Pumpkin

October is here and pumpkins are emerging everywhere, but are you familiar with the Teal Pumpkin and what it represents?

The Teal Pumpkin Project organized by FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) is a worldwide movement to create a safer, happier Halloween for all kids.  Putting a teal pumpkin on your doorstep means you have non-food treats available, such as glow sticks or small toys. This simple act promotes inclusion for trick-or-treaters with food allergies or other conditions.

So what can you do?

  • Provide non-food treats for trick-or-treaters
  • Place a teal pumpkin in front of your home to indicate to passersby that you have non-food treats available
  • Earn your Teal Pumpkin Badge
  • Spread the word! Share the Teal Pumpkin Project with your friends and family

VFW Youth Scholarships

The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation. If you are a democracy-loving high school student interested in a $35,000 college scholarship or a patriotic middle school student interested in winning $5,000, these scholarships may be for you.

Voice of Democracy $35,000 High School Scholarship

The Voice of Democracy Program is open to students in grades 9-12 (Oct. 31 deadline), who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories. To enter, you will need to write and record an original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 second max.) audio essay on the topic, “Why is the Veteran Important?”

They want to reach as many patriotic students as possible to compete for the grand prize: $35,000 paid directly to the American college, university or vocational/technical school of their choice!

The entry deadline is October 31, 2022. More information can be found on the VFW website at: https://www.vfw.org/VOD

Patriot’s Pen $5,000 Middle School Scholarship

Patriot’s Pen is open to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31 deadline in public, private or parochial schools in the U.S., its territories or its possessions. Home-schooled students also are eligible. Essays must be 300-400 word and this year’s theme is, “My Pledge to Our Veterans.”

Each first place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000! 

The entry deadline is October 31, 2022. More information can be found on the VFW website at: https://www.vfw.org/VOD


Make a Difference Project Micro Grants

If you are working on your Make a Difference Award, the Karma for Cara Foundation provides microgrants in varying amounts up to $1,000. Students 18 years of age and under may apply for funds between $250 and $1,000 to complete service projects in their communities throughout the United States.  Whether you plan to turn a vacant lot into a community garden, build little free libraries or help senior citizens ready their homes for the winter, you may be able to get some extra funds to help you on your way. K4C fund microgrants support a wide variety of projects and events. The more your project shows evidence of creativity and ingenuity the more likelihood that your application will be successfully funded. For information on applications and deadlines, visit Karma for Cara.