Category: Real Life

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

On 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.

lm_kids_state_dinner_pre_weekend_headerSo 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 By BraedenIn 3B Outreach, Real Life1 Comment

heroWow, 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.

photo 4Before 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 UDThen 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 By BraedenIn Real Life3 Comments

awesome-foundation-3b

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 By BraedenIn Real Life1 Comment

Braeden Mannering at Legislative HallToday 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.

Braeden Mannering at Legislative HallMy 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

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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.

3b-delawareonline

Voting for the top finalists of the Jefferson Awards is still happening and you can vote one time per day every day until May 21st.

Please vote for 3B as a Lead 360 Challenge Finalist

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lead360-challenge-finallogo-2-_439x224I was supposed to update my blog last night to let everyone know that 3B: Brae’s Brown Bags is one of 27 super awesome service projects around the nation. There is a voting contest happening right now to choose the top 5 and those 5 will go to Washington, DC for a national ceremony. But I had school and then I had football practice and I completely forgot to write.

This morning I had the fun of watching my Mom try to tie a tie. I have two concerts today, I’m part of chorus at Keene and we are doing our Spring concerts for different grades today and I dressed up. I wanted to wear my blue tie and I asked her and she looked at me like I was crazy. So then I walked into the kitchen and I saw her trying to tie the tie on herself by looking at an image she found on google. I have to say she ended up getting it so thank you Mom.

More on the 360 Challenge with the Jefferson Awards. Like I said there are 27 really great projects that do good things for people, lots of people. I am happy and humbled that Brae’s Brown Bags is part of it.

braedenmannering-headshot2 There is a voting challenge which began yesterday and you can vote for your favorite project and the top 5 will be invited to attend the national ceremony in Washington, DC.

Please vote for 3B today and every day through May 21st. https://lead360.jeffersonawards.org/challenge/3b-braes-brown-bags/

The Leadership 360 Challenge Jefferson Awards

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Jefferson 360 Challenge Award On Saturday, May 3, my Mom and I went to the Leadership Summit in Newark, DE to meet other people who submitted projects to the 360 Leadership Challenge. Normally I have flag football on Saturday mornings but instead I got dressed up and went out to something called a “summit.” So I’m sure you know this wasn’t my first pick. But it ended up being fun.

There were a lot of college students there from a LEAD class at UD and they planned activities for us. I was part of Group 1 which ended up being because I’m in elementary school. Group 2 was middle schoolers and they joined our room, too. We did an activity where you are given dried spaghetti, I think maybe 20 pieces, and three strips of masking tape, some rope and a jumbo marshmallow. We were asked to build something that could hold the marshmallow on top. The grown ups were on one side of the room and the kids were on the other side. We were competing against each other, it was a timed activity.

So I’m sad to admit the kids lost. The grown ups built a tower taller than ours (which fell over) and it held the marshmallow. It wasn’t straight, it definitely leaned, but it didn’t fall.

We also did a magic carpet activity where we split into groups of three and we had to flip the carpet over without stepping off of it. This was tricky, but my group did a good job.

We made posters, too. I couldn’t think of anything to draw for my poster. I was tired.

There was an award ceremony. The Mayor of Newark, Polly Sierer, was there and so was Dr. Williams the superintendent of my school district. They handed out certificates to everyone who submitted a project. That was really nice. I thought maybe I wouldn’t get one because they didn’t call my name, but it ended up that I was in 1st place. When they called my named and started talking about Brae’s Brown Bags I was so surprised. My Mom looked at me and I looked at her and then she told me I should probably get up and go to the front of the room. We had no idea that I was winning anything. Really!

So they gave me a certificate and a heavy medal award thing that looks like a giant coin. It’s actually pretty cool, I like it, it came in a case to keep it safe.

I’m really proud that my project is doing good and helping people, but I’m also really proud of everyone else who was there on Saturday. I met new friends and learned about other projects happening near by that are really cool. Like the Zero Waste Team Delaware. I met three of the kids working on that project and they were pretty cool.

 

This resolution commends and honors Braeden Quinn Mannering

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Where do I even start?

Senator Townsend, Senator Poore and Me
Senator Townsend, Senator Poore and Me

If you follow Brae’s Brown Bags on Twitter or on Facebook then you have probably already heard all about my day at Legislative Hall on Thursday, May 1st. Wow! When we left I told my Mom it was one of the best days of my life, and I have met President Barack Obama. He was cool, too, but this was something unbelievable.

I read a book in school about Delaware and about Legislative Hall. I told my Mom when we sat down in the Senate Room that it looked just like the book. I waited while the session started and listened, but I was also nervous and thinking about what I would say. Senator Nicole Poore stood up and asked that Resolution #48 be read aloud in full. That’s when the guy (I can’t remember his name, it wasn’t Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn because I have met him before) in the front read a page all about me! Everyone looked at me! Then Senator Bryan Townsend stood up and he asked if I could have the privilege to take the floor and talk. I really hope Senator Townsend is proud of me. I really like him.

Here Representative Longhurst holds the microphone down for me as I address the House
Here Representative Longhurst holds the microphone down for me as I address the House

My Mom walked up to the front with me and at first it was confusing because I was too short to stand at the podium. Once we figured out where I could stand to talk my Mom sat back down. I think she was nervous, too.

I had my speech on note cards. My Mom practiced with me, she wrote down times for me to look up and she told me just to take my time.

I must have done a good job because everyone clapped and they stood up for me. I’m not sure I ever smiled so big or felt so proud of myself, not ever!

Some of the senators came up and shook my hand and gave donations to Brae’s Brown Bags right from their own pockets. This really surprised me and made me very happy.

I guess people really like what I said. I know my Mom cried, even though she heard me practice it before!

Then I was brought to a room where I was introduced to the House. Representative Valerie Longhurst introduced me but she said I was 9 years-old. I was 9 when I started Brae’s Brown Bags but I am 10 years old now. That’s okay I don’t know how old she is either, but I always guess younger, too.

Here I am in front of Legislative Hall
Here I am in front of Legislative Hall

So then I gave my speech to this room of people. They also clapped and gave me a standing ovation.

Somehow the afternoon got even more awesome and do you know why? Because I got to meet Governor Jack Markell in his office. I think I was probably really quiet, his office was really big. I wish I could have read my speech to him but I didn’t think about it. He let me sit at his desk in his big chair and my feet couldn’t touch the floor.

I think another thing that really made me happy is that I met a lot of people from the Food Bank of Delaware. I never met them before and it was nice to have them come to Legislative Hall to hear my ideas. They invited me to go with them later next month for a legislative day where they will be teaching about hunger. Hopefully I can do that, too.

One thing I am glad to say is that today is Friday and while I do like talking to people and helping people I am really happy the weekend is coming up!

What do Ag Day, a 5K and Troop 1148 have in common?

On By BraedenIn 3B Outreach, Real Life1 Comment

Me!

troop1148-girlscout
Girl Scout Troop 1148 and Me

Troop 1148 is a Girl Scout troop I presented to on Monday, April 28th.  I liked being able to talk to them about Brae’s Brown Bags. They were interested in what I have done and how it is has helped people. They surprised me by donating a bunch of healthy snacks and water to my cause. Their kitchen table was piled high with stuff! It was very nice of them and I am grateful they put some of their cookie money to helping out Brae’s Brown Bags.

I also exhibited at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resource’s Ag Day which was on Saturday, April 26th. I had a table with a display and brochures and magnets and pens. I shared a tent with the Food Bank of Delaware which I was really excited about. I think it’s cool that I got to be in their tent with them. I handed out brochures near the ice cream stand to convince people to come look at my display. Some of the people told my Mom that she has a great marketer on her hands. My Mom and my Pop Pop helped me put my display together, it looks really nice, I have been able to use it two more times. Once at the Girl Scout presentation and also it was on display at the 5K event.

bolt-to-end-hungerSpeaking of the 5K event it was called the Bolt to End Hunger. A couple of weeks ago only about 30 people were signed up. So when we got there and over 250 people were racing I was really shocked and really happy. I told my Mom I wanted to run in it. She let me run ahead with the college kids most of them were from Alpha Phi Omega which is the service fraternity who helps me pack bags. I had to stop a couple of times but I think I did a good job. Everyone was really nice and cheered for me. I don’t know how much money we raised for Brae’s Brown Bags but I do know it was a chance for more people to learn about 3B.

One of the things I have learned is that it’s important to tell my story. I think it’s important because it shows other people they have the chance to go out and make changes in the world, too.

Last night I went to the Code Purple Celebration in Newark, DE. The celebration was a potluck dinner and it was held in Calvary Baptist. I brought two cakes from Acme but they looked like giant donuts which I thought was funny. I got to meet Richard Waibel who did a lot of the organizing behind the code purple nights. I also go to meet Tom Parkins who emails with my Mom sometimes about 3B. And I got to see some faces again from when I dropped off 3B bags over the winter. Everyone was so nice to me. They asked if I could talk about my project a little bit and they asked me some questions. I also learned a lot about the behind the scenes of code purple. On the way home I told my Mom it was interesting to hear more about the Friendship House and also learn more about how many people are in need.

The code purple celebration got me thinking more about other ways I can help. Tomorrow I am visiting the State Capitol in Dover, Delaware and presenting to senators and representatives. I am going to share with them some of my ideas. I am nervous but also excited. I will let you know how it goes.

The Governor’s Youth Service Awards

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Me with Lt. Gov. Denn and Secretary Rita Landgraf
Me with Lt. Gov. Denn and Secretary Rita Landgraf

Well this morning I’m getting ready for a football game at the YMCA in Bear. Then as soon as I’m done I will be joining my Mom at the Townsend Hall in Newark. The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is having their annual Ag Day. It’s really fun and we go every year but this year I’m exhibiting! 3B Brae’s Brown Bags will be sharing a tent with the Food Bank of Delaware out in front of Townsend Hall.

My Mom and I worked hard on my display. My Gram and PopPop helped figure out how to get it to be sturdy. We will also have brochures (my mom and stepdad folded and printed all night), magnets, pens, water bottles and t-shirts. For people who donate we will be able to give them a shirt. We’re thinking a $15 donation will get them a water bottle and a $25 donation will get them a t-shirt. I think that’s a really good deal! The bottles and shirts are really cool. I’ll be wearing one!

Getting my award yay!
Getting my award yay!

But what I really want to talk about before I head out if Wednesday night’s dinner celebration for the 2014 Governor’s Youth Service Awards. I was the youngest individual person to receive the award. I was nervous when we were waiting in line to go on stage. My family said you could not tell that I was nervous, but I really was.

I met Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn and he talked to me at my table for a little bit. He was pretty funny. Actually a lot of nice people introduced themselves to me and asked me about Brae’s Brown Bags. I felt pretty proud of myself. I also found out about a lot of other kids doing community service and volunteering places.

This is me and my Mom
This is me and my Mom
There really are a lot of young people in Delaware doing awesome things. Everyone should be proud and should keep up the good work.

This was the first time I had been to the Dover Downs. The dinner was in the ballroom. It was really nice. They had slides playing while we ate. I was happy to see that the race I hosted at my school, Keene Elementary, was on one of the slides which rotated through while they were showing what kids did in Delaware for Global Youth Service Day!