Behind the Button

Buttons of Hope | Pepsi Refresh Project | Neighborhoods

Thank you for checking out the Buttons of Hope on the Pepsi Refresh Project. We hope you like what we're trying to do at Buttons of Hope and that you'll vote for our project. We are excited about the opportunity to jump start our organization with the $250,000 grant. Please VOTE for us starting May 1!

Here's what some of our customers have had to day about their Buttons of Hope buttons...simply powerful!

a Mom says...

“I wear my button of hope every day because I need to see my daughter Janine’s face smiling back at me  each time I look in the mirror. I have had several opportunities to share her story with people who ask about the beautiful face on the button over my heart. Thank you, Michael for this chance to get the word out.” Mary Kelker | worn at Mothers Against drunk Driving Walk

a Dad says...

 “These buttons are priceless. I wear the original one you gave us everyday. Michael, you have no idea what you have done, how these buttons have helped fulfill our promise to our son Brandon that he will never be forgotten. Not a week goes by that someone doesn’t stop to ask me about the button. Again thanks so much for everything and thanks for your friendship.” 
Scott and Anita Elam | worn at LiveStrong Challenge

a Sister says...

“I received the buttons today. I am speechless...this means so much to me and I know it will do the same for my family. The only thing that came out of me were tears. They look wonderful and will be a great reminder of my brother while he is gone (on tour in Iraq). Thank you again so much!”  
Lindsay Sill | worn at deployment ceremony

a Wife says...

“I feel so blessed to have found your company and I will be sure to spread the word even further about what a great company this is! I think you have done a wonderful thing in bringing out the reason why people are doing fundraising walks. When you have someone’s story and photo it makes everything real and not just a fundraiser. So thank you.”
Jamie Hushower | worn at Out of the Darkness suicide prevention Walk

cancer Doesn't Stand a Chance Against That Smile!

For me it's always been about the "eyes". I've made thousands of buttons (by hand one by one) sometimes hundreds of the same photo - behind each face there is a powerful story of courage, spirit and hope - making the buttons can be zen-like as I feel like I get to know the person through their eyes - but today it's different, it's all about...THAT SMILE!

My good friend and fellow Mojorider Scott Helms asked me if I would make some buttons for his friend "across the pond". I'm always interested in the stories behind the buttons people make (hint: everyone's interested in the stories - sharing a story is the BEST thing you can do to support your cause - and a photo is the best way to grab somebody's attention!). Well Scott shared the story of Elizabeth Fallon - he met Liz through his mom Wendy who happened upon Liz on Facebook....in Liz' words

"Sometimes...people are so kind and thoughtful that it brings tears to your eyes!!

At the Isle of Wight festival last year (I am in the UK by the way) I was in a tent that sold joke wigs.  I was trying to decide between a green one and a purple one - I chose the purple. I then had a photo taken that ended up being my profile picture on Facebook.

Around this time, a lovely lady in the USA named Wendy, was looking for a long lost school friend on facebook with no success. When the list of all the names of the people who shared her friend's name came on the screen, along with their friends, my picture popped up and she noticed my photo and my purple wig.  She then sent me a message just to say "hello" as she is a "purple person" and loves everything purple. We have been writing to each other ever since and as it turns out she is a lung cancer survivor (and has had more than one recurrence so knows all about the fight!)

Ok...through Wendy, I have become friends with her son Scott who has joined my Facebook group "Elizabeth's 'on the road to recovery' running friends" as he has started running in the past year or so.  Another of his friends, Michael, also joined my running group (he is a cyclist and has a picture of him on his facebook page riding with Lance Armstong in a recent fundraising ride!!!). Michael runs a website called "buttons of hope".  (Buttons in the USA are what we call badges).  Are you with me so far??!!

So, Scott sent a message on facebook last week asking for my address as between the three of them they had a surprise to send me.... and boy what a surprise!!!  Today, a parcel arrived with my very own "Buttons of Hope"  So, what I have done this evening on facebook is tell people that I'll send them one (while stocks last) if they make a donation to Harbour Cancer Support Centre in Gosport http://www.harbourcancer.org.uk/.  What's more, Scott ran a half marathon last week and was true to his word when he said he was running in my honour as he included his finishers medal in the parcel.  Some people are so kind!!!!  And to think... I have never met any of these nice people!!!  What an act of kindness that has given me so much pleasure!"    

Wow! I've often said that the magic of Buttons of Hope is that photo buttons can help people share their story - to put a face on their cause. These little buttons are powerful they can engage (Scott and Wendy), motivate (me) and inspire us ALL to do remarkable things.

I'll leave you with this thought - my vision is to make a million buttons for a million different people - after seeing what one button has done for Liz, her friends and her family - I can only imagine what a million buttons might do! Yup...together we might just be crazy enough to CHANGE THE WORLD!

Godspeed Liz and thank you for your SMILE!