posted by Randa Derkson on September 18, 2012

Mom Of The Year Meet The Eight Finalists

The eight finalists for Mom of the Year have been chosen. One amazing woman is about to win $10,000 for herself and $100,000 for a charity of choice. As I was visited the Mom of the Year website and going through the eight stories I wanted to share some of the women who inspired me.

Wendy White Wendy was nominated by her daughter, Jennifer White, and Wendy’s story is amazing. I barely have the energy to complete my errands in a day with my six month old and Wendy does the following: “raise money for an Autism Canada Speaks Walk, drive your son’s mother-in-law to a cancer treatment, babysit your twin grandsons, help hold down your special needs granddaughter for a blood test, mow the lawn and then bring supper to your daughter’s family”.

Eileen Thiessen Eileen sounds like she has a big heart. Eileen and her husband have opened their homes to foster children for 46 years. Carol, her daughter who nominated her, also said that Eileen has four daughters, three sons and two foster children (five of them are adopted). On top of being a mom and raising a busy house hold, she has been a couch for the Special Olympics of over 15 years. Way to go Eileen!

Katie Schulz Katie was nominated by her husband, Jason, and would be donated the $100,000 to Cystic Fibrosis Canada. In 2009, Katie gave birth to Sophia who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis is the most common (and fatal) genetic disease in Canada. Katie is an awe inspiring role model: she has “dedicated herself to both her daughter’s care and to the fight against CF. Katie provides Sophia with 2 hours of daily chest physiotherapy to clear the thick mucus in her lungs. She teaches Sophia to take over 20 pills a day to digest her food. Katie has become a champion for raising awareness and funds for Cystic Fibrosis Canada and was elected President for the Kitchener-Waterloo chapter. Her tireless efforts have helped to make the Great Strides fundraising walk in KW one of the most successful in Canada. Her team has raised over $95k and was ranked 3rd for most money raised in 2012. Katie has written a children’s book about Sophia and CF, which is now available at libraries across Ontario.”.

I have only featured three of the eight women, all of them are amazing and a huge inspiration to everyone. All of the stories are incredibly heart touching and wonderful. I encourage everyone to check out Mom of the Year and read them all, don’t forget to leave them some love on the Walmart Canada Facebook page you can visit once per week and vote until the end of September.

If you want to nominate someone you love for Mom of the Year, look out for it to be back in 2013. Disclosure: I’m part of the Walmart program by Mom Central. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own. Mom of the Year Award: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY Internet access and valid email account required. Nominations open May 10, 2012 to July 8, 2012 for legal residents of Canada over the age of majority. Entrants cannot nominate themselves. One (1) grand prize available to be won consisting of $10,000 cash, a $100,000 donation by Wal-mart Canada Corp. to charity/cause and a trip to Toronto (ARV $22,000). Seven (7) runner-up prizes available to be won consisting of $10,000 cash, a $10,000 donation to charity/cause and a trip to Toronto (ARV $22,000). Charity/cause subject to verification and final approval by Wal-mart Canada Corp., at its sole discretion. Odds of winning depend on how the judging panel evaluates each entry according to the criteria. For Official Contest Rules and to nominate an entrant, visit [www.momoftheyear.ca].

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