Join us on Facebook!

We are so excited that our fans are finding us on Facebook and Twitter.  Social media has given us the opportunity to really get to know our customers on a more personal level and that means a lot to us.  In return we give away prizes every week and have sponsored dozens of giveaways on other pages and sites.  Don't miss out on the opportunity to meet us on a more personal level, hear great tips and inspirational stories, as well as the opportunity to share your life experiences that may positively impact others.

Because of our close tie to Special Olympics, we have a great number of fans that either work with those with intellectual challenges, have a family member that has a special challenge, or themselves have lived with an intellectual ability different from others.  We really appreciate the posts from these individuals because it helps us as a company and other fans develop a greater understanding of the wonderful and sometimes difficult events that are unique to their situation. 

We all have a voice, an ability to speak up and speak out to help others.  Facebook and Twitter has given us (and you) an opportunity to share our beliefs and convictions on a grander scale.  Please join us to use this voice constructively and hopefully make the world a better place!

Happy Birthday USA

As we prepare the barbeque
And sip our lemonade
While kids play in the lawn sprinkler
Adults sitting in the shade

I hope we all remember
From here to over there
The sacrifices freely given
For the freedom we gladly share

Happy Birthday to our great nation
Wisdom gained as the years pass
May we prosper and grow with appreciation
Today we come together and raise a glass

Lovin' Scoopful Honors Youth with Lovin' Compassion Award

As most of you know, Lovin' Scoopful has collected nominations all over the country looking for kids that are involved in organizations or events that foster inclusion, equality, and respect for those with intellectual differences.  We wanted to reward these kids for their hard work and encourage others with the stories of what involvement in programs like Special Olympics, Unified Sports, and other programs meant to them.  We are pleased to introduce our winners to you.

NATIONAL WINNER

Caitlynn Cantrell (McMinnville Oregon)

Caitlynn was nominated by school and non-profit staff members based on work with Project UNIFY.  After attending a Youth Rally, Caitlynn was so inspired that she went back to her middle school and immediately went to work arranging programs to benefit those with intellectual disabilities.  We spoke to Caitlynn’s school Principal about the assembly proposed, planned, and arranged by Caitlyn.  She coordinated adult and youth guest speakers with intellectual disabilities to share their stories to help educate her middle school peers.  Students and teachers alike were inspired by her passion and dedication.  Alix Wasteney of Special Olympics Oregon said she is a true leader and is dedicated to spreading (the) message to all of her peers, educators, and family.  “She understands the importance of advocating against injustice, neglect, bullying, exclusion, and abuse.  I know that this will not be a onetime thing for Cait, but yet a lifetime commitment to fighting for equality, inclusion, and unconditional acceptance for children, youth, and adults with and without intellectual disabilities.”  Her mother adds, “Cait shines a very bright light on everyone she touches with her presence.”   So many individuals nominated Caitlyn and had beautiful things to say about her.  David Holmes, teacher, said “In a world of middle school students who struggle to see or reach beyond themselves, Caitlynn has found meaning in helping others.  She has given up electives to reach out to Life-Skills students and make their experience in middles school more meaningful… She has found a way to be compassionate, caring, and confident at the same time.  This is a rare quality in a person, much less a teenager.”  Many others lifted Caitlynn up and refered to her as a wonderful young lady with a big heart who is changing the face of middle school.  Caitlynn, we are humbled by the work you have accomplished at such a young age.  Thank you for all that you’re doing and keep up the great work!

NEW ENGLAND WINNERS

Lara Hawley (Woodbury, CT)

Lara was nominated by Lou Pear from Connecticut Unified Sports and by Chris Renstrom from Special Olympics Connecticut based on an essay she wrote on how being involved in Unified Sports impacted her.  Here are some excerpts I took from her essay.  “There are times in life when you lose faith in the world.  You find yourself engulfed by darkness and unable to find the way out… Last year was that time for me… Ultimately my encounter with a small group of very remarkable people would become my lifeline in this darkness… I realized that for me (Unified Sports) symbolized the small points of light in the night sky that helped me see the world more clearly…The special kids on the team were some of the nicest people I had ever met.  They greeted you with huge smiles on their faces and didn’t judge you, label you, or expect you to be anything more than who you were. … It’s hard to find people to look beyond the preconceived judgments and expectations of society and just enjoy life…. The partners in the Unified Sports Program were supposed to be role models for the students with disabilities… Their strength and their acceptance of overwhelming challenges gave me courage and I believe in the end they taught me more than I could ever teach them.”  Lara is now educating others her age on the benefits of involvement in Unified Sports.  She is also an advocate for equality and inclusion for those with intellectual differences. 

Kaitlyn Guild (Berlin, CT)

Kaitlyn was also nominated by Lou Pear from Connecticut Unified Sports and by Chris Renstrom from Special Olympics Connecticut based on an essay she wrote on how being involved in Unified Sports impacted her.  Kaitlyn found special needs athletes to be accepting & determined and opened her eyes to more similarities than differences. She used vivid imagery in her essay to really build a connection with her readers & show how much her work with Unified Sports meant to her.  Here are some excerpts from her essay.  “As I step on the rubber I shake off the nerves that attempt to take over my body.  Instead a chill of excitement rushes down my spine as the bright ball slips through my sweaty palm. … The wind blows in my face as my hand releases the ball… When I pitch I feel excitement and pride!  After participating in Unified Sports, I never would have thought that the same strong emotions could be present, but for a different reason; I was helping a special athlete accomplish her goal.  In doing so, I learned a lot about people…. I am in awe at how much more accepting of others the special athletes are than the majority of my peers.  As a partner I have learned how to accept others… Instead of looking at differences my eyes opened to focus on the similarities.”  If more adults found that same view and just opened their eyes to the similarities we would live in a much more peaceful world.  Kaitlyn and others like her will bring about peace for future generations as she successfully spreads her message. 

Mid Atlantic WINNER

Peter Bowman  (Syracuse, NY)

Peter is actively involved in Special Olympics and has been for the past 4 years.  He is an assistant coach to swimming and basketball.  His brother, Andrew, has Down Syndrome.  Peter takes an active personal role getting involved in all athletes, but in particular he has a gift in being able to calm down athletes that are having a melt-down moment.  His calm gentle nature makes him a wonderful influence.  Peter is very kind and treats all athletes with dignity and respect.  Peter goes above and beyond by giving up his study hall time in middle school to go into the inclusion class.  He helps in any way he can.  Peter stands firm on his belief that if more people were involved with those that are differently able, possibly 10 years from now every person would be treated the same and there would be no more “us” and “them”.   Peter also has a great sense of humor and is very committed to his work with Special Olympics.

SOUTHERN WINNERS

Kyleigh Clark and Sara Olvera (Abilene, Texas)

Kyleaigh and Sara were nominated by Martha Dorow, Project Unify Staff Member in Austin.  Both girls have participated (together) in Project UNIFY at their school and are on the state Youth Leadership Council.  As members of the YLC, they helped develop the first PU Youth Leadership Summit in Texas, addressing issues of leadership, strategies for addressing the use of the R-word and similar language, and action plans for local continuation of programming.  They are both advocates for inclusion and are both actively working to bring Project UNIFY into the high schools they will be attending together next year.  Kyleigh and Sara have researched ways to support students with intellectual disabilities at their middle school.  One plans to join ROTC and the other wishes to serve as a football team manager.  They are now trying to figure out ways to approach staff in charge of those organizations about (inclusion of those with disabilities interested in participating?).  The girls have shown strength of character, demonstrating initiative, honesty, and integrity.  Their enthusiasm as a Project UNIFY and Youth Leadership Council participant is contagious.  They are strong leaders now and have the potential to become even stronger leaders in the future.  Both are also involved in the R-Word campaign at their school.

WEST COAST WINNER
Emma Rose Earl (Chester Montana), nominated by a friend/Special Olympics Athlete (Stacey Johnson).  Thru intervention and education, Emma has been successful in getting most students of her K-12 school to stop using the R word.  With footage from the 2009 World Winter Games in Boise she and 4 other girls created and presented a film they put together on the "R-Word" and showed it to the community & peers.  Emma has also participated in the Polar Plunge and a truck raffle.  She has also volunteered to go to Greece to be part of the Youth Rally.  Emma continues to envision new ways to become involved in projects that improve education and better the lives of those with intellectual challenges thru increased inclusion and respect.  She is setting a wonderful example that we hope many others will follow.

Appreciating our Safety at Home

This week as I watched the various world news reports I began to think about what it might be like to live in one of the many war torn countries in this world.  I am grateful for the democracy set up by our founding fathers and for the freedom provided by our soldiers in action.  As we enjoy this beautiful holiday weekend, I hope none of us forget the loss experienced by thousands of families who have mourned the death of father, brother, sister, mother, and others in the pursuit of freedom here and abroad.  I think I can speak for all of our Lovin' fans and certainly for our staff when I say "Thank you!  Thank you for your sacrifices.  Thank you for the Christmas dinners with empty seats left by soldiers protecting us or that died doing so.  Thank you for what you've endured, for what you give up, and for being true American Patriots."

We will be giving out 50 certificates for Lovin' Scoopful Ice Cream this weekend.  If you or someone in your household is in the military, email TamaraGordy@LovinBrands.com and I'll sent it ASAP!  Have a Lovin' Memorial Day!!!!

Mother's Day Poems by our Fans

(A Poem by DezaRay Mons to her Mother)

Thank You Mom 

I know how often I took you for granted

when I was growing up.

I always assumed you'd be there

when I needed you...

and you always were. 

But I never really thought about what that meant

till I got older and began to realize

how often your time and energy were devoted to me.

so now, for all the times I didn't say it before,

thank you, Mom...I love you so very much! 

Mother's Day Poems

My Mother

I've met hundreds of Mothers over the years

And one thing I've found to be true

There is no mother, near or far

That holds a candle to YOU

You were Mother, Father, Counselor, Friend

And never once did I hear you complain

That you never had enough time for yourself

I think I would have gone insane

The fussing, the fighting, the "He pulled my hair"

"I want this", "I want that", "Why can't I do what I want?"

With patience you stuck to your guns and your rules

And never showed the stress when we fought

I look back at those years when we didn't have much

Garage sales to buy most of our clothes

Making Macrame' hangers to buy he week's meat

And three kids covered with dirt head to toe

We cleaned ourselves up, always made it to church

With your help we presented quite well

If there's anyone now that questions the job that you do

Well quite frankly they can just go to... (um...)

Thank you for all the hard work you put in

To forming three very unique kids

If there's one thing I hope for in all of the world

It's that I'll do half as well as you did

I love you Mom.

My Nannie

There are so many grandmothers, we all have one or more I guess

There are Mima's, Granny's, Grandma's and such

But only one that can ever be called "My Nannie"

She's MY Grandmother and She is the best

Her eyes twinkle brighter than old Saint Nick

Her smile is as warm as the sun

And if there's a person on Earth I wish more to be like

I know right now she is the one

My Nannie has a halo that no one can see

She has wings so glorious too

No one can see them but me I believe

But I assure you it's no less true

She never is cross, always happy to see us

Never has an expectation big or small

She just wraps her wonderful arms around you

And looks over every one of our faults

My Nannie is forgiving and loyal and kind

She'll do anything for you she can

My Nannie is such a great person you see

Every thing's alright with a touch of her hand

I have to say that the one problem she has

Is that she can't see how great she has been

My Nannie can't see how special she is

She' My Angel, My Nannie, My Friend.

My Mother-In-Law

There's another woman in my husband' life

That he's loved even longer than me

She has held him and loved him as the years have gone by

And she's part of our life for eternity

She taught him to be loyal, she taught him to be kind

She helped him see right from wrong

She's a very special woman, my Mother-In-Law

And the list of things she's done for us is long

She's been there when we had trouble to give us a hand

She watched the kids without ever a grumble

This mother is loving and gentle and kind

And has always been very humble

She doesn't ask for anything

She gives more than she gets I am sure

My Mother-In-Law's a wonderful grandmother too

And her love for the kids is so pure

My Mother-In-Law isn't thanked enough

Her gestures so oft' overlooked

So today I want her to know in her heart

She's much more than a wonderful cook

She taught us lessons in life we wouldn't otherwise learn

And helped us see past all the mess

She's very dear to our hearts, this Mother to Brian

Having her in our life, we know we are blessed.

We would love to add your mother's day poems.  Post them or email them to TamaraGordy@LovinBrands.com and let us know whether we can use your name or not!  Thanks, and Happy Mother's Day!

The Lovin' Compassion Award Encourages Youth to Get Involved

Lovin' Scoopful is excited to announce its new Lovin' Compassion Award that recognizes young visionaries who are involved in programs that foster respect inclusion, and a true personal connection for people with intellectual differences. 

Award recipients will be selected from students age 8 to 15 who are involved with Special Olympics programs such as Unified Sports, the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign, Young Athletes, Get Into It, and Project UNIFY, as well as Best Buddies and other organizations that are designed to create more accepting communities.  Through program involvement, recipients must have exemplified characteristics that promote human rights, inclusion, equality, and leadership through education.

"The Lovin' Compassion Award celebrates young people who embody strength in character, leadership, and compassion for those with different abilities," states Lovin' Scoopful co-founder Maria Shriver.  "We are excited to kick-off the Lovin' Compassion Award and watch it grow as we continue to honor young men and women who foster understanding and respect and set an inspiring example for us all."

Lovin' Compassion Award hopefuls can be nominated online at www.LovinAward.com by parents, peers, or a representative from Special Olympics or other qualifying nonprofit organizations that promote human rights, equality, and inclusion.  Four regional winners from the West Coast, South, New England, and Mid Atlantic regions, as well as one national winner, will be selected from the online nominations.

Go to www.LovinAward.com for a list of prizes being offered to award winners or to nominate an individual for consideration.  Nominations will be accepted now thru Friday, May 20th, 2011.  Winners will be selected by a panel of judges including Maria Shriver and Tim Shriver and will be announced on Wednesday, May 25th, 2011.