Falling into a rhythm and getting ready for spooks

On October 27, 2014October 27, 2014 By BraedenIn 3B Outreach, Real Life2 Comments

Well, I’m almost through two months of 5th grade. I think I’m getting used to it now. There seems to be more homework. I hear that is kind of what happens with school though when you get older. My brother had homework over the weekend though and he’s only in kindergarten. I just needed to read.

This weekend I went to my dad’s house. I brought a bunch of bags that I had packed and we made a trip to the Emmanuel Dining Room. We had about 90 bags and we handed them all out. I’m going to need to think about how to make the next deliveries a little bit more special because I want to put something cool for Thanksgiving and Christmas in them. Last year I put in snowflake ornaments which were silver and glittery.

Some things coming up?

Well on November 13th I will be attending a dinner at the River Rock Kitchen because I was chosen one of North Delaware’s Top 10 Movers and Shakers. And I’m the only kid in the list! The nice people at northdelawherehappening.com are also going to be sending me questions to answer for an article they will be publishing. I think every winner will be featured which is pretty cool.

I’m also excited to tell you that $275 were donated to Brae’s Brown Bags for my birthday. My Gram and Pop Pop, my Grandmom and Grandpop, my friend’s Erica and Dominic and a new friend I made at the 2014 Healthy Lunchtime Challenge, her name is Jasmy, she’s from Kansas (and her Mom Sowjanya), they all donated money and I want them to know it really means a lot to me. Also, Vice President Joe Biden sent me a very nice letter for my birthday. He said he was wishing me a happy birthday and that he was proud of me for helping people in need in Delaware. He even signed it!

There are some speaking events coming up which I am preparing for and this Wednesday I have one at the College School in Newark. And then next week on November 6th I’m going to be speaking to a class at the University of Delaware. They are learning about non-profits and the professor asked my Mom if I would want to be a guest speaker. That’s pretty cool actually, i wonder if I will know anyone. I have been making friends with UD students over the last year and they are all really friendly.

One thing I’m really excited about this week is that tomorrow night we’re having a movie fright night with the Junior Leader’s and Leader’s group at the YMCA. I don’t know what movie will be picked but it’s going to be a lot of fun.

And then Friday is Halloween! My family loves Halloween. My Mom and step dad both will be dressing up. My little sister and my brother Finn and then my other brother Michael will all have costumes. We watch Halloween movies every weekend from September through October. We have decorations all through our house inside and outside. My Mom is a complete Halloween crazy person. Her nails even have monsters on them. I’m going to be Steve from Minecraft, maybe “Super” Steve.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween!

An Evening in the Garden

On September 5, 2014September 5, 2014 By BraedenIn Real Life2 Comments

Last night I went to the Evening in the Garden at the University of Delaware. There is a garden for the community that the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources maintains and they donate produce to the Food Bank of Delaware. So all my Food Bank friends were there. I got to see Chad and Kim and everybody who went to Dover for the Food Bank Legislative day, even Pat Beebe. They are all so nice.

I also got to see the big garden and I was impressed. It was nice and I took a picture to show you. I tweeted it last night but I didn’t have time to write a blog post last night so you might have already seen it.

We had food made by the culinary students who are learning how to be chefs thanks to the Food Bank Culinary School. I had two slices of pound cake with a caramel sauce which isn’t very healthy but they were small slices and they were VERY good and I was standing when I ate them so I was working off the not so healthy parts.

Then my Mom bought raffle tickets and we actually won something! We won four tickets to see the football game tomorrow at UD against Delaware State and they gave us a parking pass, too! I can’t believe it and I am very excited that I will be able to go see a football game!

I talked with Chad Robinson for a little bit about the work I’d like to do at the University of Delaware with food recovery. He said he has heard about it and that UD has mentioned me in meetings recently which is really cool even if they aren’t so happy to be pushed by a 10-year-old.

You all need to meet Tony

On August 29, 2014September 16, 2014 By BraedenIn 3B Outreach, Real Life1 Comment

So I did not have the picture of my friend Tony Attaway to post on my last blog post, but I found this one that my stepdad Brian took and it kind of shows what I want you to see.

Tony tells me he does not take it well when someone says nice things about him. He also said that he does not think he did so many good things when he was my age.

I don’t believe you Tony!

Tony is my friend from the Emmanuel Dining Room. He works for the Ministry of Caring. He is there every weekend when I deliver bags. He says I am his little hero and I want him to know he is also a hero of mine. He makes it his job to feed people who are hungry. But he does not just feed them food. He talks to every single person who comes to eat at the soup kitchen. He helps then find a table to sit. He knows their names.

I am trying very hard to make sure that when I give out my 3B bags that I also talk to who receives them. That I tell them I hope they have a good day. That I learn their names!

Tony. Tony. Tony.

I know it was not what you wanted to be surprised by me at my 3B Summer Celebration. But I am so happy you came and I am so happy I could give you an award. You deserve it!

P.S. When I get the photos from Danielle Quigley (our beautiful photographer friend) I will send on to Ms. Dorine so she can give it to you.

Oh and one more thing.

Catrina Sharp from Gals That Give she challenged me to do the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge!

I accepted of course!

I nominated my Mom, my Uncle Greg and my buddy Senator Bryan Townsend!

How do you describe a hero?

On August 11, 2014September 16, 2014 By BraedenIn Real Life2 Comments

When you think about what being a hero means to you, what do you think? I guess most kids my age think about Batman, he is my favorite super hero because he doesn’t really have any extra powers, he’s just out to catch the bad guys. Anyway, there are a lot of kinds of heroes and you can have more than one. Usually I think people consider a hero to be someone they look up to because the person inspires them to do more and be better.

On Wednesday, August 6th, I was named a Young Hero by the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I can’t really explain how that felt. I toured the museum and saw exhibits about great people like Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa and saw all the people who died trying to help others after the 9/11 attacks in New York. Then later in the afternoon I was on stage receiving a medal of honor from this same museum. They will have my picture and my story about Brae’s Brown Bags in their museum as an exhibit. It doesn’t really seem right but at the same time it feels good.

There were 13 other kids honored who are all making big changes in the lives of the people around them. There was a boy who is helping mentor his peers and also raising money for pediatric cancer because he has had cancer and he lost a leg during his battle. There was a girl who is helping people who are in the LGBT community in her high school. She is helping fight against bullying and show people to be accepting of each other. One of the girls creates gardens all over to help war veterans have a place where they can find peace. I stood on the same stage as a young girl who stood up out of her wheel chair with braces on both her legs as we heard the story about how she petitioned the American Girl doll makers and told them there should be a doll with a wheel chair. All of these kids, all of them, definitely heroes, doing great things. Me though, a hero? Really?

My Mom said she nominated me for the award because I’m showing all kids in my community that it doesn’t matter how old you are, if you see a place where change is needed and you set out to make that change, then you’re a leader. She said I help her to want to be a better person and that when she sees me being a leader and helping to feed the hungry then that also makes me her hero.

I would like to thank TD Bank who sponsored the event at the National Liberty Museum and also all the people at the National Liberty Museum who said really nice things about me and everyone else. I hope they know they make us kids want to do more because they encourage us.

To all the kids I stood on stage with, trying to take selfies! All of you are pretty cool people and I hope we meet again.

Thank you!

Giving a speech at the White House with the First Lady #kidsstatedinner

On July 29, 2014September 16, 2014 By BraedenIn 3B Outreach, Real Life3 Comments

What a roller coaster of a month July has been! I feel like I say something like that every time I begin writing a new post. I guess it’s good to be keeping busy though, right?

My last post let you all know that I was going to be giving a speech at the White House and I did on July 18th.

I also took my first plane ride and I really liked looking out the window and seeing how the cars got smaller and then seeing how I was above the clouds. It was really cool!

But about the trip, my Mom and I flew into Washington, DC Thursday morning and we stayed at the Westin in Georgetown. It was a really nice room and I got to go swimming, too. My Mom took a lot of pictures and she has them on Flickr if you want to see.

I also got to go with all the 2014 Healthy Lunchtime Challenge winners to the National Museum of American History and I really like that. I got to meet everyone and talk with them. It was funny because everyone kept asking me what my recipe was because they all got to Washington because they were winners for their recipes. So I tried explaining that I was a 2013 winner but that the new Delaware winner was Roisin Liew and she was very nice. I met her in the airport before we got to Washington.

I think people were surprised when they got to the White House and I was already there. I got to go early with Tanya Steel and my Mom. They let me walk in the ballroom and practice a line of my speech and make sure I would be tall enough at the podium. They had to cut down the stool to be just my size which was pretty funny. We were joking it was like Goldilocks the three bears.

brae-white-house — Me and the First Lady Michelle Obama

When it came time for the 2014 Kids’ State Dinner I stayed with First Lady Michelle Obama and with Tanya Steel and then we were introduced in the room and I was on stage with them. My Mom was in the front at a table. Tanya gave a speech and she introduced me, she said she is proud of me and that she hopes my story will inspire other kids. I hope it will, too. And then I gave my speech. I was nervous, but I just did like I practiced before and when people in the audience started clapping and laughing during funny moments I knew I was doing good and so then I wasn’t nervous anymore. The First Lady gave me a big hug which was an awesome feeling and then she told everyone that I did a great job but that I’m not supposed to make the First Lady cry. Of course she meant happy, proud tears, so it was okay. She seemed really, really proud of me.

I got to talk about Brae’s Brown Bags, but what was more important was to be able to talk about how everyone no matter their age or no matter if they are rich or poor that they should all have the opportunity to eat healthy. I think a lot of people agreed and seemed to understand. I think it is important that people think about it. Food insecurity is an injustice.

I know my Mom and really my whole family and all my friends were also very proud. Everyone watched and said I did good. And then I got like 100 tweets on my phone. Really, every time I cleared the screen I was getting more. I am still responding to people even now!

One thing I have learned about Tanya Steel and about First Lady Michelle Obama is that they are more than just inspiring leaders, they are Moms. I think people forget about that sometimes. They both talked about their kids and about how they love their families. But you can tell they love all kids and they want all of us to be happy and healthy.

So then after the trip to Washington, which was a crazy whirl wind, roller coaster ride, then my family went to the beach. We went to Fenwick Island, that is where we go every summer. It is always a lot of fun. It was nice to just be able to dig in the sand, watch Disney on TV and also swim in the ocean. I went out in the waves this year even without my boogie board. We all had a lot of fun and it was good to be able to unwind.

I’m heading back to the White House … and more! #2030NOW

On July 8, 2014September 16, 2014 By BraedenIn Announcements, Real Life3 Comments

If you follow 3B on Facebook than you most likely have already heard the BIG news.

I'm on the far left wearing my White House bag at the Julia Child FOOD exhibit July 2013. — I’m on the far left wearing my White House bag at the Julia Child FOOD exhibit July 2013.

I have been asked to attend the 2014 Kids’ State Dinner at the White House to be their guest speaker and introduce our First Lady, Michelle Obama.

Last night my Mom and I had a conference call with ladies from the White House and they asked me a little bit about what I might like to say.

I feel like I could probably answer them better today than I did last night because I’ve been jotting down some notes. I’ve also been thinking about it after hearing that they said about how the speech should include elements about healthy eating since that is that the Kids’ State Dinner and Healthy Lunchtime Challenge are all about. So now I have a much better idea on what is expected and on what I would like to include.

So next week, on Friday July 18th, you can tune in and watch the Kids’ State Dinner live from the White House to see and hear me talk but also to see all the new winners 🙂

Other very cool and exciting news is that I will be receiving a Young Hero Award from the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia. “This annual award, sponsored by TD Bank, recognizes young people who have championed liberty through their actions.” They will be taking my picture and putting it, along with my story, in their museum as an exhibit. WHAT! Isn’t that so cool? Thank you, thank you. This is really a great honor.

Oooo and I read about something called the Social Good Summit. It is happening in New York in September and the link I clicked on is asking for speakers. Do you think they’ll let a kid be a speaker? Because I’ve used the #socialgood hashtag before and I think I could give them a new perspective.

People helping me, helping people

On June 13, 2014 By BraedenIn 3B Outreach, Real Life1 Comment

hero Wow, wow! I have a lot to say, I bet you are not surprised.

Well one things is I received another grant this time from the Start A Snowball Organization who “a non-profit organization committed to empowering kids to engage in philanthropy.” So a few weeks ago I asked my Mom what does Philanthropy mean? Because I see that word a lot on people I follow through twitter. And she told me it means giving and sharing of yourself and your ideas to help other people. So that is what that means.

And then I found out I was nominated for the JOLLY TIME Pop Corn Kernels of Kindness Award by a fan of mine who follows me through my Facebook page! Wow and thank you! JOLLY TIME is awarding 1,000 dollar grants to people who do good in their communities and the winners will be announced in late July.

And then I got a really cool award from “Kids Are Heroes” that certifies I am a hero because of my selfless generosity. Which made me think of philanthropy and so now I understand better. So Kids Are Heroes gave me an award and talked about me on social media and then invited me to their Young Leaders Summit at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia on February 7, 2015. And I will get to speak to the people who attend and also share information about Brae’s Brown Bags! I have never been to Georgia! I have been to a leadership summit before but I didn’t get a chance to speak at it and so that will be exciting.

Before lunch today my Mom and I went to the Newark Empowerment Center on Main Street in Newark to drop off some of our Brae’s Brown Bags to their group. They were very happy to see me and I was happy to see them still helping people, too!

Meeting at UD Then this afternoon I got to meet Mr. Richard Rind, Ms. Sue Bogan and Ms. Lynn McDowell from the University of Delaware. Plus Bryan Gordan who works at Legislative Hall attended along with Senator Bethany Hall-Long and so we met and I shared a presentation with them and talked with them about some ideas I have for the University of Delaware. Really I just want to do whatever I can to help homeless people have more access to food. I think we’re going to be working with the Food Bank of Delaware. Nothing has been finalized but a lot has been talked about. There is a possible “Pilot” project in the works for the UD campus which I am VERY excited about. I hope I get to meet with everyone again soon and keep this ball rolling!

School is out for the Summer and now I’m all done 4th grade! Something tells me I will be keeping busy until 5th grades starts though.

The Awesome Foundation thinks 3B is awesome!

On June 6, 2014June 5, 2014 By BraedenIn Real Life3 Comments

So in between eating dinner and listening to some country songs my Mom saw a new email for me. She started to read the email out loud and we all stopped and listened. I took her phone and read it again to myself, too.

It said, “I’m Trina King, Dean of the Awesome Foundation Philadelphia chapter. I’m contacting you to let you know that your Awesome project, 3B Brae’s Brown Bags, was chosen as the May 2014 winner of our $1,000 grant!”

So it’s super cool that there is a place called The Awesome Foundation and it’s even cooler that their Philadelphia Chapter things 3B is awesome enough to give me a $1,000 grant for my project!

Thank you so much!

Helping the Food Bank of Delaware

On June 3, 2014June 4, 2014 By BraedenIn Real Life1 Comment

Braeden Mannering at Legislative Hall Today I was back at Legislative Hall but this time it was to support and help the Food Bank of Delaware.

For their legislative day they had their culinary graduates serve food in the senate hearing room. They had nine life-size cardboard cut outs of people they have helped with their programs. I helped hand out booklets that shared stories of those people. I also for to talk with some people.

My Mom sat in the senate balcony during the resolution that honored the Food Bank but I got to sit on the floor near Senator Bryan Townsend. I was with Pat Beebe and Chad Robinson and their friend Edward who told his story about how the Food Bank has helped him. He seemed like a nice person and I was surprised to hear that without the Food Bank he wasn’t getting enough to eat and he even lost a lot of weight. And then the Food Bank, one of their services, it helped him get the food he needed. That means a lot to me. I hope it means a lot to you.

We waited around and talked with people for awhile and then we had a quick photo with Governor Jack Markell. I think it must be very tiring to be Governor or to be a Senator because they never stop moving!

I had a fun time and I am happy I got to visit Legislative Hall again!

Sharing good news, it’s all about heart

On May 16, 2014May 16, 2014 By BraedenIn Real Life1 Comment

We had DCAS testing at Keene this week. I did well, I am happy with my score. But I won’t try to make it seem like I’m not feeling a little bit tired now. Plus I have a football game tomorrow and I had practice last night. There is a lot happening.

But today I got home from school to find that there was a really funny and very cool article written by a guy named Jeffrey Gentry at The News Journal. He posted it on delawareonline.com and a lot of people have shared it. It’s like they are all cheering me on and happy about what we’re doing with Brae’s Brown Bags. You can click on the image below or click here, “Delaware boy’s brown bags nourish body, soul.”

So maybe it’s not so bad testing and practicing and feeling tired sometimes. Because then you come home and you find out that someone thinks what you are doing is really good. And that feels good. Anybody can help, that’s what I say now, just one bag at a time can make a difference. It’s important to help others. My new friend Father Paul Mast who is writing a story about homelessness said it’s about compassion. You don’t really need someone to write about it. You don’t even need to know the person you help. You just do it, because you would want someone to do it for you, because we can build a better world together.