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“Shine On Now” with American Girl: Giveaway Included!

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In August of 2005, my life was ultimately changed with the arrival of Hurricane Katrina.  As a New Orleans native, it was almost unbearable as we watched helplessly from our hotel room in north Louisiana as our City was submerged in water.  The months that followed were undoubtedly the hardest of my life.  But, we managed to pick up the pieces, move on, and create an even better life largely because of the generosity of friends, family and even complete strangers.

My family and I were overwhelmed by the outpouring of concern, love and kindness we received.  My oldest daughter was only 6 months old at the time, and thankfully does not remember a thing.  However, my husband and I feel like it is very important to “pay it forward” and teach our children how to be generous, loving and kind to those in need.

While generosity is very important, as the Mom of two daughters, I want to instill strength, courage and confidence in my girls so that they may achieve their dreams and make a difference in this World.  I share these values with the creators of American Girl.  From the website:

“At American Girl, we celebrate girls and all that they can be. That’s why we develop products and experiences that help girls grow up in a wholesome way, while encouraging them to enjoy girlhood through fun and enchanting play.”

My oldest daughter was introduced to American Girl last year when “Santa” brought her a set of “Bitty Twins” and she has indeed been enchanted ever since.  So, when I learned of American Girl’s new charitable initiative, Shine On Now, I was honored to be selected as a Parent Partner.  From the press release:

“To foster a spirit of goodwill and help make the world a brighter place, American Girl is introducing Shine On Now™ — a new charitable initiative that harnesses the collective power of girls to help others in need. Through Shine On Now, American Girl is calling on girls across the country to help the company give $1 million in clothes, books, dolls, and money to the following four organizations: Kids in Distressed Situations, Save the Children U.S.A., National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions, and National Wildlife Federation.

shineonBeginning July 13, 2010, girls can visit shineonnow.com to contribute a free ‘star’ to the effort. The goal is to collect one million stars by the end of the program on July 31, 2010. In addition, for every star a girl contributes (she can donate up to 100 each day!), her name will automatically be entered in a daily drawing to win a new My American Girl™ doll.”

Lily (with my help, of course) has already signed up as an American Girl Ambassador and downloaded the kit.  She has decided that she will work to donate her stars to K.I.D.S. which helps children in need after natural disasters.  I feel like this is a great way for Lily to learn about people less fortunate than she and what she can do to help.

In addition, American Girl is launching Innerstar University which is a virtual world where girls can learn to be their best in a safe and fun virtual world.  Access to Innerstar University is free with each 18-inch My American Girl doll.

My American Girl Doll 2As mentioned above, for every star a girl contributes, her name will be entered in a daily drawing to win a new My American Girl doll.  This is a new, expanded and more contemporary line of dolls!  There will be even more customization options so girls can make their dolls look exactly like them!

Make sure you don’t miss a thing!  Follow Shine on Now on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube!

GIVEAWAY

American Girl wants to honor the girls that are making a difference in their families, schools and communities.  Right here at Experimental Mommy, you can nominate a deserving girl to win her very own My American Girl doll which she will have the opportunity to fully customize!  One winner will be picked from Experimental Mommy!

How to enter:

1.  Nominate a deserving girl who has made a difference in her family, school, Church or community.  Please describe her selflessness and acts of kindness and generosity.  Please do not disclose her name in your comments.

Additional entries:

1.  Follow @agshineonnow and @BridgetteLA on Twitter and tweet this giveaway using #shineonnow. One tweet per day is allowed!

2. Fan Not So Blog and Shine on Now on Facebook and let them know you saw the giveaway on Experimental Mommy!

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on July 31st. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

American Girl sent me free product samples as a part of my partnership in the Shine On Now™ program. The opinions and content posted here are my own other than excerpts taken from a press release where noted.

253 thoughts on ““Shine On Now” with American Girl: Giveaway Included!”

  1. My niece truly is a ‘good’ kid. Her folks have always tried hard to teach both of their children the value of volunteering and giving back. My niece has volunteered at local agencies for quite a few years. First with her Mom and Dad at the local food bank, and now she is 10 and a ‘regular’ volunteer, she is able to help more since she is out of school for the summer on days when her parents cant be there too (the staff know her and supervise her) I am really proud of how she thinks of others first, and herself second. I hope she continues to have this mindset, and have no doubt by ‘giving’ of herself, she is gaining in so many ways she isn’t even aware of yet!

  2. I am a fan of yours and fanned Shine on Now also- told them you sent me- FB is under my name.

  4. Pingback: Tweets that mention “Shine On Now” with American Girl: Giveaway Included! | Product Reviews by The Experimental Mommy -- Topsy.com

  5. I’d nominate my neighbor (9 years old) who is involved in swimming & gymnastics. She helps others by babysitting and just being sweet to the other kids in the neighborhood.

  6. I nominate my daughter who is a great girl. My husband and I are both active duty military members who frequently go on temporary duty (TDY) and deploy. Even though we are deployed or TDY, she still makes sure she keeps her grades up and does her chores. She is a great big sister who helps with her sister and talks to her about her feelings. She also helps other kids who’s parents are deployed/TDY by talking to them and letting them know that she has gone through the same thing and has felt the same way.

  7. I would like to nominate my sweet daughter, she is a wonderful student, she is above average in her studies. She is so smart, that the teacher wants her to help some of the other students with their classwork. She has lots of friends and she enjoys having them over for cookouts and parties. When someone is sick, she cares for them just like a little mother. She would love and make over this doll, just as if it were a real little girl. I believe that she deserves a doll like this for being such a precious little girl. 🙂

  10. I would nominate my 8 year old niece. She’s such a giving and affectionate girl. She helps her Mom in so many ways and especially with her two brothers. She belongs to Brownies and helps her Mom lead the troop. I’d really love to win this for her.
    Thanks so much.
    rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

  11. I’m a Fan Not So Blog and Shine on Now on Facebook (Margaret E. Smith) and posted the following on their wall:

    Margaret E. Smith Thank you so much for offering your American Doll Giveaway on Experimental Mommy

    Thanks so much.
    rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

  12. there is a girl who lioves down the street- her paremts have lost their jobs, and she comes to mow to help them

  13. I nominate my daughter. She is a wonderful, beautiful person. She owrks very hard at school, is wonderful to her friends and is an example to her peers as far as the way she treats others. She always encourages her friends who might doubt themselves and takes under her wings those kids who are teased by others. I am very proud of the person my daughter is.

  16. I was a sub at a very nice school this year, and I bonded with a “dream” student. She was always doing what was right, and she helped me right till the very end of my long-term sub assignment. She was willing to do whatever it took.

  18. I would like to nominate my oldest daughter. She is very caring and artistic, she takes the time after school to tutor not only her younger sister but their neighborhood friends. She takes the time to create special cards for family, friends and classmates on a regular basis. She made a card for the neighbor who lost their cat, she really takes the time to care about the people around her.

  20. My daughter is a beautiful girl and loves people. She is 7 years old and she gets more joy out of helping others than helping herself. Whether it is at church, school or even at home with mom she gets true joy out of knowing that she can be of help. I actually had to convince her just yesterday that she really didn’t want to help me clean the toilet in her brothers bathroom!

  21. My oldest grandaughter is such a great person,she is active in her church where she helps with the food bank,an she collects for the local school yard sale for her class to get money for extry supplies,goes with me to the nursing home an loves visiting with the elderly,she is only 10 yrs old an knows what it means to give back to a community,im very proud of her,for being 10 yrs old she is showing that she has a big heart an loves people an animals,she loves going to the animal shelter with me to volunteer,but wants to bring all of them home!we have adopted a few,but no more for now,thanks for the chance to brag on my special little lady

    vlbelk(at)hotmail.com

  25. I nominate my grandaughter.who lost her American Girl Doll to a house fire that started in her bedroom .would love to replace it.

  26. My 8 year old daughter enjoys Sunday school, ice skating and playing the keyboard. She is always thoughtful and trying to help out those younger than she is.

  27. I would nominate my daughter. Even at her age she has compassion for others and is always willing to help people out. She will often stop and help people without prompting, such as helping someone in the store pick up something they dropped. She helps with many chores, even at a young age. And it is amazing to see her make decisions, not to benefit only herself, but keeping the feelings and wants of others in mind. The cutest thing is how much she takes care of her younger sister. For her birthday, she received two Zhu Zhu Hamsters (different styles) and automatically, without thinking about it, she hands one to her sister and says “this one is for you!” She is constantly sharing with others around her. I am proud of the way she is growing up and look forward to watching her help many others as the years progress!

    Thank you for this wonderful giveaway!

    girlygirlugh at gmail dot com

  29. I am a FB fan of both of yours and wrote on their wall that I saw the giveaway here. Screen name: Jessica Hendrickson

    girlygirlugh at gmail dot com

  31. My daughter is very young but I’m already amazed at her thoughtfulness towards her schoolmates and those in need. She donates a portion of her modest allowance to charities that address issues she has developed a passion for. She is so quick to figure out what would help a friend or stranger alike.

  33. I nominate my niece. She is a excellent student and is always helping her younger siblings and cousins with reading books.

  35. I nominate my granddaughter because she always uses proper manners, listens to her mother and myself, is super fun to be around and helps at her church.

    kport207 at gmail dot com

  38. I nominate my daughter who spends her Saturdays at the no-kill pet shelter helping take care of the animals.

  41. I nominate my niece she has helped her Mom with things she needs done and also her Grandma who has a termanel illness

    pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
    thanks a bunch!!!

  43. I would nominate my daughter. Born a micro-preemie, she has struggled to survive in this world. She has been/is going through so much, yet she always has smiles for everyone, is sweet and charming! I know she’s gonna do great things when she grows up and will be/is an inspiration to others!!!

  48. I would have to nominate my 10 year old daughter. She has such a big heart and is a natural care giver. Her teachers have for two years now buddied her up with an autistic student in her class. She loves being there for the student to help them remember to get their supplies ready for the next task. I love having a daughter with such a big heart!

    My daughter has read all of the American Girl books I know she would love this!

  58. I’d like to nominate my daughter. She is the most caring girl I know. We just had vacation bible school and she was like a little mother to everyone in her class. If anyone needed help, there she was…if anyone got hurt, she doctored them up…..She always saw about the needs of others before her own. I don’t know many girls her age who act the way she does. I’m so proud of her. Thanks for the chance to win this for her!
    Kelly D. – secrets_girl23(at)yahoo(dot)com (aka) dkad23(at)gmail(dot)com

  59. I “like” you both on facebok (Kelly Deaton) and I wrote on their wall that I saw their giveaway here.
    Kelly D. – secrets_girl23(at)yahoo(dot)com (aka) dkad23(at)gmail(dot)com

  64. E has served in her community by helping with the Boys Home of Kingsland. She doesn’t think twice about buying school supplies for the boys, baking goodies for them, or etc! She always wants to go beyond the call of duty (What else can I do is often heard from E) She also organized and maked VBS (Vacation Bible School) a successful year!

  72. I want to nominate my daughter who is 9 years old. She has struggled with Selective Mutism since she was 3 and has made great strides. She is a Brownie Girl Scout and has been in dance for 6 years. She is an unbelieveable girl with a passion for the Earth and a deep love for God (she tithes her own money every week in kids offering). She started our family recycling 3 years ago and is a humanitarian in every way. She has been telling us that when she grows up, she wants to adopt her kids since there are so many that need a loving home. She is a caring girl who has won numerous character awards for her caring personality in school. She is always helping the underdog. There is a girl who has been picking on her for the last 4 years and she tells me that she is always nice to her and prays for her even when she is mean to her. She has shown the spirit of so many of the American Girl stories, from Chrissas stand against bullying to the Earth friendly Lanie and the animal loving Nikki. She is a true American Girl!

  73. I would also like to nominate my other daughter who is 4. She is a very bright and caring child who loves to be a little mommy and help out. She loves to help and play with my friends small children and helps to make sure they are safe. Her favorite chore is to help seperate and go to the recycling center. She is very polite and always uses her manners. Reading books and finding critters in the yard to take care of are also some of her favorite activities. She helped me with her older sisters girl scout troop and is always a joy to be around. She has a lot of love and loves to learn something new. She has been in dance for 2 years and it has helped her gain confidence. She is very deserving of an American Girl Doll of her own.

  74. I would like to nominate my daughter. I am so proud of the kind person she is! She is a friend to everyone and has a talent for seeing people’s needs and being able to jump in and help. I showed her the picture of this new doll and she said “NO WAY!! They finally have one that looks just like me!!” She keeps trying to save her money to buy a doll, but always ends up giving it to someone who needs it more or purchasing a gift for someone who needed cheering up.

  83. My 10 year old daughter is a great friend. She always thinks of others and willingly shares what she has with her friends, even if it means she has to go without or with significantly less.

  84. My daughter is amazing. When I was diagnosed with cancer, my 9 year old wanted to do something special for other kids whose parents were going through treatments. She started a toy drive in the community and dropped them off at the local cancer center. She is currently involved in hockey, dance, cheer and girl scouts.
    dmkayes@gmail.com

  92. The girl I’d like to nominate is a 10 yo legally blind girl who was “citizen of the year” for her small town. She is an inspiration to her community because of her determination to not let her blindness “get her down.”

  99. I would like to nominate my 8 year old daughter. She is a beautiful, amazing girl who will help anyone who is in need of help. My husband and I are both active duty military members and we have to go away for deployments, training, etc quite often. So when other kids’ parents are deployed, etc, she knows what they are feeling, etc and will be there to listen to their worries/concerns or just there to give them a hug. She is also very into recycling and will pick up trash whenever she sees it on the ground. She also does very well in school and will help her little sister out whenever she needs it.

  106. I have a little girl who is only 6 but who is very devoted to her church and the community service that her church offers. She is in the soup kitchen every Wednesday night helping her church serve food to homeless and hungry families and individuals.

  109. My daughter is still young to be volunteering in her community but she is a great help to her mommy and brother. She also likes to help animals. I would love her to have this to serve as a reminder to help others. This would be her first AG doll.

  110. I want to nominate my daughter. She has earned her silver awatd in Girl scouts by doing a local food drive, helps her Aunt out with local food drives in the neighboring county and loves to help out in school.

  115. Bridgette, we were touched by this post and are extremely proud to have you as one of our Parent Partners!
    -Stephanie Spanos, American Girl

  118. My 8 yr old daughter volunteers to teach and model social skills to children with autism, because her big brother has autism. She is incredibly patient and understanding, and finds ways to reach the kids through songs, games, and just sitting quietly beside them. She volunteers with autism sibling support groups and shares her feelings about having a brother with autism who cannnot communicate nor care for himself. She is an amazing open, loving and giving child who would probably choose to share or donate this doll if she won! Thank you for an opportunity to honor and recognize her contributions to making the world a better place for children with disabilities.

  119. Our grand-daughter is autistic and has been in an in-home program for three years. Two sisters who live down the street have participated in her program by coming down and helping her to learn “how to play”…just how sweet and self-less are those girls!

  121. Was already a fan on Facebook for you.
    Fan Not So Blog and Shine on Now on Facebook and let them know you saw the giveaway on Experimental Mommy! done

    jean cam bell

    Left a note on Shine on Now that you sent me…

  124. I would like to nominate my 2 granddaughters ages 7 & 9 to share the AG doll.
    Nashville, TN was devastated by flooding this last spring. Alot of families lost their homes and belongings. The ones hardest hit by this disaster was the children. Our two amazing granddaughters out of the kindness and goodness of their little hearts willingly on their own donated a large portion of their toys to these children who lost everything.
    And for their compassion towards others, as grandparents we are so very proud of them.
    So thanks for the chance to win, and God Bless!

  126. I fan the Not So Blog & Shine On Now & wrote on their Facebook wall to let them know I found out about the giveaway at Experimental Mommy

    Pat Kay Johnson Bailey on FB

  131. I nominate my daughter because even though she has ADHD she has the biggest heart of anyone I know! She’s currently organizing a fundraiser for a little girl we know with leukemia!

    pricousins at aol dot com

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  149. I would like to nominate my four year old daughter. She sang in church today and helped with the offering. She has come to me spontaneously several times and asked if she could give a special toy to one of her visiting friends. She loves to meet new people and play with anyone and everyone. I am so proud of her open and welcoming spirit. While she is still a little young to participate in many organized volunteer organizations, we are working in that direction. Every year we ask her friends to donate art supplies to the local moms club (www.summervillemoms.com) instead of bringing presents. She has visited the local animal shelter to play with animals and love them for a few minutes, so they are not alone all day.

    Her most recent obsession is telling everyone that they are THE BEST mom, dad, friend, or “stephen” (eg) in the world. Well, she tells my husband that he is the best daddy in the whole wide CITY. That is just too cute to correct. *smile*

    We are collecting material to make some special pillow cases for kids in the children’s hospital network that is supported by ShineOn. My daughter is going to use fabric paint to paint special designs on some of them. We are going to organize this as event for several of her friends to participate in. She can’t wait to make a pillow that will make someone feel better!

    While I certainly don’t want her to grow up too fast. I can’t wait to know the person that she is destined to be. I am so happy that she is my child. I can’t wait to see the good that she is going to bring into this world.

  155. Is your child comfortable with other children who have mental or physical disabilities? My 8 yr old daughter volunteers to teach and model social skills to children with autism, because her big brother has autism. She is incredibly patient and understanding, and finds ways to reach the kids through songs, games, and just sitting quietly beside them. She volunteers with autism sibling support groups and shares her feelings about having a brother with autism who cannnot communicate nor care for himself. She is an amazing open, loving and giving child who would probably choose to share or donate this doll if she won! Thank you for an opportunity to honor and recognize her contributions to making the world a better place for children with disabilities.

  156. My daughter is only 6 and has yet to get an American Girl doll. The way we help our community so far has been, she has donated about 60 books to our local library, and we clean our toys and donate them to many charities in our area! She is learning how to give instead of recive, it makes me very proud.

  193. I’d like to nominate my 8 year old daughter whose motto is “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” I am amazed at the depth of her interest in environmental protection, her innovative ideas to protect natural resources, and her zeal about teaching others how and why they should do their part to protect Mother Earth! She is truly committed to making the world a cleaner, safer, brighter place for all of us to share. It would be a terrific way to honor her commitment to renewable resources through the Shine On Now campaign as she is truly doing more than her part to make our living planet ‘shine’ with renewed health!

  199. My 12 year old Meagan is my shinning star she touches my heart daily with her warm kind heart. She always asks if there is anything i want her to do, she asks me if i am alright. I had a mild stroke 14 months ago and she was just amazing so strong threw it all and encouraged me threw all the therapy. I would cry alot cause i would get frustrated because my speech was not great at all and she would tell me its ok mom it will come in time and i wouldnt trade you for any mom in the world.

    waitressdani (at) hotmail (dot) com

  209. The girl I would like to nominate has a huge heart of gold. She enjoys helping and playing with the younger kids at the child care center. She would drop anything to help someone. Through her Girl Scouts group and her 4-H group she has had the chance to reach out to others in our community and learn how amazing it is to help others. Her interests include music, horses, books, and making movies. She is a beautiful person and I am very proud to call her my daughter.

  216. I want to nominate my daughter. She is three, and almost four, and just getting into playing with the ‘big girl’ dolls like American Girl! I used to love to play with my American Girl dolls as a child, and I’m looking forward to playing with them together! She is beautiful inside and out 🙂 Thanks for the great giveaway! Amanda
    amanda31gifts (at) gmail (dot) com

  221. I would like to noiminate a special little girl who is so selfless and kind she puts others to shame. She always sticks up for those weaker than her, volunteers, studies hard and always wants to do the right thing even though it might be tough for her. She is truly a warrior and hero.

  222. I would like to nominate my daughter who is 10. She is active in our church and Bible club. She’s always the first to befriend any visitors and rarely meets a stranger. This summer she’s befriended a relative of the neighbor’s who is visiting for the summer. It doesn’t bother her that he mainly speaks Spanish and she speaks very little. They’ve still became fast friends.

    She’s also a help around the house and a big help with her little brother. She’s really big on making sure we compost everything possible. She’s also appointed herself in charge of recycling in our house. She’s a really good kid.

  226. I would like to nominate my 6 year old daughter, R. R is a sweet little girl who has a tender heart. She can’t stand to see someone hurting or suffering, especially me. I had an accident 3 years ago which resulted in a nerve disorder that has made me unable to walk and keeps me in pain 24/7/365. R is always beside me to help in any way she can. She holds doors for me so I can maneuver in my wheelchair. She picks up things I have dropped, gets the mail for me, brings me snacks, takes care of the dog, and the list goes on and on and on. She comforted me when I had to retire on disability from teaching after 14 years. She told me: “Even if you can’t go to your big school and teach the kids there, you can always teach me at home. See, you are still a teacher, my teacher.” What words of wisdom! I am continually amazed at how blessed I am to have this beautiful young lady as my daughter!She is definitely deserving of an American Girl Doll!

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  228. I am a fan of the Not So Blog and Shine on Now on Facebook and I let them know I saw the giveaway on Experimental Mommy!

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  229. I would like to nominate my daughter. She is always eager to donate to and help with fundraisers. She donates her clothes, toys, canned goods, and anything she can. She buys toys to donate for toys for tots, and donates coats in the wintertime. She also promotes unicef at halloween.
    angiewattie@yahoo.com

  230. My neighbor’s daughter is so helpful. She helps her mom with the housework and take care of her siblings, while maintaining good grades at school. She helps out at her church also with the kids program.

  231. My friend’s daughter has spinal bifidis, but has remained strong and optimistic. She will be undergoing a kidney transplant soon, this doll with be a great companion for her. She has no sisters, and with her illness, it has been hard for her to maintain friendships.

  232. my niece is a really commendable girl. She is always being helpful and kind to everyone she meets. She never lets any kid feel left out. She gets along with everyone, and therefore has a lot of friends. She is always there for her friends, and helps them any way she can.

  233. My daughter is so sweet and kind. She wants to do charity as well as environmental work. She is still too young, but she does the little that she can. She advocates for recycling and reducing pollution. She informs and encourages others to adopt healthy habits, for our body and for our world.

  234. I nominate my daughter. She does well in school and helps out at home. She is a joy to have around, and I am blessed to have her.

  235. I’d like to nominate a young lady who I know who works very hard to be sure that everyone recycles. She truly cares about our earth and is all about going green.

  237. I would like to nominate K.A. because she cheers up everyone with her quick smile and friendliness. She loves acting and singing and shares her talents with others.

  238. I nominate my best friends daughter. She is a very very kind kid,a very smart one too, will do anything to help you, and had the best manners that I have ever seen, and she knows how to make you smile if your feeling down, and she lives barelt getting by day to day as her mom is a single mom barely making the bills, but she is as happy with what she has, not doesn’t have.

  242. I nominate I girl from my life that is always helping others and treating them with a kind word and soft hand

  244. I would like to nominate my niece. She is a generous kid with her time and possessions–she regularly donates clothes and toys to the Children’s Hospital and the Salvation Army. She volunteers at her local library and in her school.

  246. I would like to nominate my niece.. Her parents are troubled… and it is hard oon her. This would be a nice gift.

  247. I nominate my daughter, Cady. She deserves this as a late birthday gift because she has to put up with the meanest mother in the world on a daily basis. I make her keep her room clean, eat veggies, and brush her teeth. A child that has to go through that torture regularly desrves to win!

  249. I would love to nominate my niece , She is an amazing little girl. She is unfortunately in foster care right now and still tries to stay positive very tough thing to do in her situation, but she recently volunteered at summer school to help with putting away the books in the library from the summer reading program. She loves to read. She does not have any dolls or many toys, so I believe this would be a comfort to her, since she has no family near right now. I am 3,000 miles away from her but talk to her almost every night on the phone.

  252. I’d like to nominate my niece who excels at both education and sports. She’s a kind, helpful young lady and is only six!

  253. Pingback: BlogHer ’10: My American Girl Experience | Product Reviews by The Experimental Mommy

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