Does your cleaning service Clean for a Reason?

Free House CleaningWe all want to do something to help, we all want to make a difference, and why not start now? Guarantee Girls and Cleaning for a Reason are dedicated to providing free home cleaning services to local cancer patients.

We cannot imagine how much is already going through these women’s minds, but we know that cleaning the house should not have to be another stress in their lives. Our service is a gift to these women directly, and it is just as much of a gift to us to be able to see their stress level lower by taking something off of their and their family’s to-do list. Instead of cleaning their homes, these families can spend that time together. We are thankful to be able to offer our services to these women through Cleaning for a Reason.

Our mission is to improve the quality of people’s lives.  That is what we do for a living so cleaning homes for women in need is a natural fit for our company.  As a local business we are grateful for the success that we have attained through our many loyal customers.  We are proud of the services we provide and proud to be able to help those in need.  It’s another powerful way that we can reach out to our community.

Debbie Sardone, Founder of Cleaning for a Reason Foundation, said, “maid services have been doing this in small ways for years.  Our members, such as Ellen Folks, have had a hard time turning down an individual who needs their house cleaned while battling cancer, and cannot afford maid service.”

We are one of the first 30 charter members of the Foundation.  The monthly pledges from individual maid services help fund the Foundation’s administrative expenses, while consumer donations are earmarked entirely for cleaning homes for women with cancer.

“We are proud of our efforts in Baton Rouge to support women who are struggling to win their fight with cancer.  It’s great to know that our cleaning service helps with keeping a healthy home for these brave women, “said Ellen Folks.

If you or anyone you know could use free home cleaning service, please visit: www.cleaningforareason.com to get more information on pairing up with a maid service. This service is available all over the United States.

Sharing Crayons

Imagine trying to build a house without a hammer; it’s probably similar to being in elementary school without crayons.

In third grade was when I noticed that some of my classmates had emptier school bags than me. My mom taught me to be aware of how fortunate I am, but I never really understood what she meant until I started comparing my back to school loot with others. That is when most of my supplies started to go “missing” because I’d give them away. Eventually, my mom caught on  and after applauding my intentions, grounded me for lying.

Thanks to sponsors Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Restaurants, Office Depot and St. Elizabeth Hospital, and with assistance from Volunteers in Public Schools and Volunteer Ascension, WBRZ’s school supply drive is in its fifth year.  Collection Day is this Wednesday, July 18 from or 6:00AM to 6:30PM at Office Depot locations on College Drive and Airline Highway in Gonzales. According to the East Baton Rouge School Board, Office Depot locations will continue accepting donations next week.

Raising Canes is also adding a refreshing spin to the donation drive by accepting donations between now and July 18th at all of their Greater Baton Rouge locations, and donors will be rewarded with a cup of their famous freshly squeezed lemonade.

Livingston Parish is also accepting donations for, “Assess the Need” between now and August 8th.

School supply drives are just one way to make sure that kids have the tools they need to succeed. Now kids can share because they like the colors, not because there aren’t enough.

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What to bring?  WBRZ makes donating easy by posting supplies that are needed.

Locations for “Stuff the Bus” on July 18th:

Office Depot                                      Office Depot

3116 College Drive                           703 North Airline Highway

Baton Rouge                                      Gonzales

 

Lagniappe:

For families with growing kids, the “Uniforms for Kids”  drive is a way to pay it forward even more by donating new or used school uniforms.

 

Photo Credit: Ascension Parish’s Facebook

Super Sweet Baton Rouge

Confession: I have a major sweet tooth. I’m not ashamed of it.  Thankfully, Baton Rouge has plenty of sweet shop varieties for people like me. These three sweet destinations are a few of the top shops recommended by many locals. Thankfully, all three of them are extremely close to my house.

Ambrosia Bakery on Siegen Lane just south of interstate 10 has ruled the Baton Rouge sweet scene for nearly two decades. I consider it the Disneyland of baked goods. They have an amazing variety – everything a sweet tooth could want. Their cakes look delightful, with designs that rival those on Food Network challenge shows. They can customize cakes for your special occasions, baby shower, birthday, weddings, summer barbeque, you name it. The best part? You can get some of their delectable cakes by the slice!

The large dessert case is a feature in the shop and is always filled with cupcakes, cookies, cheesecakes, brownies, chocolates, gelato and so much more deliciousness. I highly recommend the rocky road brownie!  They also have a deli that serves breakfast, sandwiches, soups, wraps, and the famous Ambrosia burger.

Now, I am not usually a very trendy person, but when the whole “cupcake trend” came around, I could not control myself. I can easily make a breakfast (lunch and dinner) out of cupcakes. It amazes me how many creative cupcake varieties that there are.

Sweet Wishes Gourmet Cupcake Shoppe on Perkins road near Bluebonnet says they add ‘that little something extra” to every cupcake they bake. These locals have created a science of making cupcakes, and take pride in creating unique gourmet cupcakes daily. Their 30+ cupcake flavors – available in three sizes – include: chai, buttery butterscotch, chocolate raspberry, king cake, Kahlua and cream, PB & yum, and my favorite: red velvet. They even have breakfast cupcakes. I can’t imagine a better way to start the day!

They can monogram or add a personal message to your tiny treats, or help you customize a themed topper. They cater to special events and holidays, and can even put a company logo on your cupcakes. And here’s a coup: Sweet Wishes is the only place off campus that you can find LSUAg’s creamy, signature ice cream. Sweet Wishes also has Wi-Fi for their customers, so you really never have to leave.

Oh, and I have some fun news from Sweet Wishes: a fundraiser for a cause via a flavor contest to win the golden Cup trophy. It is called the Tasty Award. I am excited to try to winning flavor. The winner receives a trophy and chooses a charity to have the proceeds donated to. Do you have a good cupcake idea? Entries are accepted until July 7th.

 

Cupcake Couture on the Boulevard at the Mall of Louisiana is another specialty shop featuring upscale delicacies in a little paper cup. The owners are good friends and sisters by marriage. They received training specifically in gourmet cupcake baking. The signature flavor, bananas foster, is on the menu every day, in addition to a selection of irresistible flavors like strawberry lace, wedding cake, s’mores, chocolate peanut butter, salted caramel, almond joy, and many more.  Cupcake Couture also caters weddings, and other special events.

Something unique from Sweet Wishes and Cupcake Couture is their “pupcakes,” specially made cupcake-like treats for man (or woman’s) best friends. Honestly, my dogs love these things; they inherited my love for any and all dessert related foods.

All of these businesses have beautiful websites with full lists of their flavors and customizing capabilities.

Now that my sweet tooth has been triggered, I have another errand for the day!

Cleaning for a Cause – Call 225-224-3909

Cleaning for a ReasonCleaning the house in general is a painful thought for many women, but imagine if you were in too much pain or too stressed to even consider it. That’s the situation of many women who are being treated for cancer. Overwhelmed with the emotion of the diagnosis, the side effects of treatments, and the lack of energy during recovery makes housework more than a chore – it can make it impossible. But a clean house goes a long way to help a woman have hope and lets her focus on getting well. That’s the purpose of an organization called Cleaning for a Reason.

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SPONSOR FOCUS: Are you a busy parent that needs help maintaining your family’s home? Look no further! Guarantee Girls is your #1 Choice for Baton Rouge cleaning service! Call us today at 225-224-3909 for your FREE, No-Obligation quote!
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In partnership with cleaning services across the nation and in Canada, this non-profit provides house cleaning services for women who have been diagnosed with cancer. More than 10,000 women have received collectively more than two million dollars worth of donated services from professional cleaning companies. We are honored to be a partner of this effort by providing cleaning services to women in the Baton Rouge area through Cleaning for a Reason.

You can help, too. Financial donations are tax deductible and can be made by check or online via PayPal. Donations can even be made in honor of or in memory of a loved one, with a listing on a Memorial page on the website. Cleaning for a Reason is also supported by Goodsearch (where every web search you make creates a donation), Touched by Flowers, and Gift Cards For A Cause.

Many of the women who have received this service testify that it lifted their spirits not only to have the housework done, but to have someone joyfully serve them during a difficult time. What a wonderful way to make cleaning inspirational and meaningful!

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SIDENOTE: We are also big supporters of the American Heart Association. Checkout this article about our going red for the month of February that could be of interest to you.
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