A few days ago, my grandfather passed away. It's never easy to have a family member die, but this particular time really made me start to think. I've been thinking about life, how you never know when your time with someone might be up soon, and how we should live for today. My granddaddy was always so caring and full of love. He was always helping people by fixing their cars, surprising them with small gifts he just "happened to see" and so on. He was the first person to loan money and then never allow you to repay him. He was a caretaker and he took his responsibilities to his family and friends seriously--and extended that kindness many times to strangers. I decided to take this opportunity to make a promise to myself to try to give what I can to others that need it, just like he did. And I want to encourage you to join me. I don't necessarily mean money-- but time, energy, and the talents we've been given and can share with others can mean just as much or MORE to people. It's interesting that this happened right as this new year was kicking off... it makes me want to make a cheesy New Year's resolution...so here goes!

After visiting the Ronald Mc Donald House, I think I should make time to do things like this more frequently, on a regular basis. And I think this is a New Year's Resolution I can actually keep. But I need your help... we need to do this together! Who else is in? You can make it as specific and as often as you want. I think I will start by saying I will visit a children's charity, animal hospital, retirement home, or anything AT LEAST once a month. It can be anything... even walking in a race for a charity, or reading books to kids in the hospital, taking blankets to animal shelters, or visiting with elders at a retirement home... anything! Maybe you want to help organize a concert to raise money for your favorite charity. Use your talents you've been given, like painting, performing, organizing events, etc to help however you can! Maybe we can do a charity walk together or I can help out at your benefit...I'm open!

X's and O's,Zoe

Last weekend, I went to visit the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House. I took them stockings with some of the goodies that we had left over from the Music Video Premiere and I added a Beanie Baby to each one, some candy and a hand made note from my young actress friend, Sophia Watson, who is the little girl in the Mirror music video!
If you don't know about the RMH, it is a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children undergoing critical medical treatment in Los Angeles Hospitals. The alternative for these families would be costly hotels and uncomfortable waiting rooms. This House is brand new and now has 75 rooms so that no family will ever have to be turned away! When their old house is refinished, it will be one of the largest RMH's in the world!
I brought a few pizzas and baked a ton of cookies. After they ate and received their stockings, we went into their movie room and watched my two music videos. I cannot explain the feeling of seeing the kids and their families tap their feet and sing along to my music. To think that even one smile was brought to them means the world to me. I did not know that my lyrics and music could have such an impact and I am so incredibly grateful to be able to share that with them. All I could think was, THIS is why I do what I do, THIS is my purpose right now- to bring any joy to people and to influence kids in the best way I can.
These kids are so strong, they taught ME a lesson. To be grateful for what we have… to cherish our family and friends… and to never underestimate the power of a SMILE. It really makes the small silly things in life seem even sillier.
I have a special place in my heart for the Ronald McDonald House. My mom used to work at one when I was little. I made many friends and met some incredible kids who had to fight every day to simply stay alive. Their families had to be strong and it is such a wonderful thing to have a House like RMH to come home to after a long day at the hospital. I remember one Christmas Party at the RMH in Chapel Hill just before I turned five years old…it was so much fun and both Santa and Ronald McDonald came to visit. Two days later, I discovered that I had chicken pox! I was so sad because I wasn't allowed to go back to visit for weeks-- it can be deadly to kids who are already sick with cancer!
There are hundreds of Ronald McDonald Houses all over the world—and I hope that you never HAVE to stay at one! But, if you want to do something nice for some families, just give them a call or email them. They are always looking for DVD's, gift cards, games, movie passes, etc. to help families live as "normally" as they can while they are away from home! Thanks to Jennifer Cohen who is the Volunteer Manager at the LA House for helping me set everything up!
Below are some pictures of these amazing kids. You can see more in my photo album.

Thanks for reading and Happy Holidays,
Zoe
xoxoxoxo

I wanted to share with you a very special place that I visited last week--The East Valley Animal Shelter in Van Nuys! I had heard that most of our City Shelters cannot afford to buy bedding for the animals they take in. The dogs and cats have to sleep on concrete! They need community donations of clean blankets/towels/bedding type materials and even newspaper. So, Benji and I took a bunch of old blankets as well as some new towels that we bought to the shelter. It was soooo sad to see the beautiful animals shivering in their cages on the concrete floor. I just wanted to put them all in my car and take them home, but I know I can't do that. Pound puppies have a special place in my heart---my family rescued a beautiful mixed dog from the pound one Thanksgiving weekend and "Sweetie" has been a blessing to our family for many years since. It made me cry to think that some of these loving little faces might not be around in 2009 if someone doesn't come to adopt them. If you are looking for a pet, you can check out a few furry friends here: http://www.laanimalservices.com/adoptapet_eval.htm
All of these animals are looking for someone to love them and care for them—why not make a great start to the new year with a new friend? ☺

here is one of the beautiful dogs I saw:

and some pics:

Benji with an adorable doggy!



I can only hope that my small contribution will help to make their stay at the shelter a little more comfortable! If you want to help the shelters, keep reading! No matter where you live, I am sure that there is a shelter in your area that needs your help!
Animals in the Care Centers may not always enjoy the comforts of home. Until the right adopter comes to find his or her perfect match, we try to make all the animals as comfortable and as happy as possible. Your donations of the items below help us to give the animal a warmer, more playful, environment. You can drop these items off at the Care Center any time during our regular operating hours.
Blankets
Newspapers
Gallon jugs of white vinegar
Small and medium-sized rectangular litter boxes
Wood stove pellets
Jingle cat toys
Towels
Cat & Dog Shampoo and Conditioner
Grooming combs and brushes, blow dryer
Got some extra cash?? LA Animal Services gladly accepts your donations to help us care for animals, increase adoptions, and make our LA a more humane City. Most donations are made to the Animal Welfare Trust Fund, which is a trust account set up to enhance the quality of life for shelter animals by funding animal supplies, medical equipment and improvements to animal care centers. Donations to the "Big Fix" (Spay/Neuter Trust Fund) help provide low cost spay/neutering services for pets in low-income households and funds our mobile spay/neuter clinics. Two additional special funds that accept donations are the Foster Program, which trains volunteers to provide temporary homes for neonates until they are old enough for adoption, and the STAR (Special Treatment and Recovery) program which provides medical treatment to severely injured, abused, and neglected animals rescued by Animal Services. Donations made by mail or directly at an animal care center can also be donated specifically for use at one of the animal care centers.
All donations are tax-deductible under IRS Code 170(c)(1) because LA Animal Services is a department of a municipal government. You may donate by cash, check, or credit card by visiting one of our local animal care centers, or you can mail a money order or check to the Administrative Office, payable to LA Animal Services, 221 N. Figueroa Street, 5th floor, LA, CA 90012.
Better yet, if you wish to use a credit card, you can donate right now on-line: http://www.laanimalservices.com/donation.htm


Thank you so much for taking the time to read this!

Happy Holidays,

Zoe

hello!!!

I finally started a music myspace yay!!!  music will be up soon!!!!

AWESOME NEWS!!  I've been recording a song that is going to be in a DVD!  It is a film called "The Utopian Society" and PolyChrome/Warner Bros has acquired it for domestic distribution!  It will be distributed nationally to all the standard video and mass merchandise retailers all across the U.S. and Canada, plus it will be found on internet sites like NetFlix!  PLUS...

*When you buy the DVD, you will recieve a CD soundtrack along with it!  PLUS the songs will be on ITunes!!! 

*AND if all goes well, Song Factory Productions along with PolyChrome/Warner Brothers will be putting together a national college tour to launch in '08 to coincide with the release of the DVD.  This tour will feature bands from the sound track as well as a showing of "The Utopian Society"...so keep your fingers crossed!

Keep checking back for updates!!

xoxo,

*Zoe*