Full Circle Moment

I called Nancy Juetten to register for her Grande Sized Publici-Tea™ on Friday. She referenced a conversation we'd had a few weeks ago, during which I suggested she offer her fantastic Publici-Tea™ tips and wisdom in bite-sized tidbits, as I often feel too busy to read much more than a paragraph at a time when her blog posts, to which I subscribe, hit my inbox. Additionally, that morning I had resolved to cease chatting on my cell phone while driving. In the absence of my usual commute gab-fest, I popped in an audio CD. I mentioned to Nancy that I would much prefer her savvy PR advice to Pride & Prejudice for the tenth time, and suggested she consider offering CDs with a 1/2 hour programming format so that people can listen to them on-the-go.

Today Nancy told me that she percolated those suggestions* into a new idea: Publici-Tea™-TO-GO!, a do-it-yourself (DIY) publicity gift bundle delivered in a hot pink tote box. It's filled with tea, chocolate, biscotti, tips, and tools to help recipients learn how to get known as an expert, pitch an article the media can’t resist, and use other resources to earn their own publicity.

Nancy was further inspired (by the hot pink box!) to donate 10% of the Publici-Tea™-TO-GO! proceeds to Northwest Hope & Healing. It was when she got to this part of the story that the hair on my forearms began to rise. Northwest Hope & Healing is an organization founded by one of my all-time favorite people, Christine Smith.

I met Christine several years ago at Seattle Athletic Club - the day her girlfriends organized a 5-years-in-remission celebration at the club. Christine, a mother of two young children at the time, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 32. During a low-point in her struggle, she received a much-appreciated care package from a friend. That gift inspired her to create "Healing Baskets." She started Northwest Hope & Healing in 2000. It's mission is to provide financial assistance to patients in need, for non-medical support services such as child care, meal service, transportation, and emergency rent. In addition, their signature “Healing Baskets” filled with items such as a teddy bear that can be held during treatment, soothing hand lotion, herbal tea, hard candies, and handmade cards or notes of encouragement) are assembled and delivered, at no charge, to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.

I was thrilled to hear Nancy's story, and of her decision to benefit Northwest Hope & Healing. Although it's be several years since I've seen Christine, I've thought of her often and wondered how I could help increase awareness of the amazing things she's doing to help women fighting cancer. Now, inadvertently and through Nancy's benevolent burst of creative enterprise, I have!

It's this kind of synergistic connection, which I witness so often at the Village, that makes me feel we're creating something very special here. For more information and Nancy's (much better) version of this story, click on this link.

Amy Centers
Marketing Director, The Village Bellevue

*I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the plethora of helpful tips, advice and suggestions I've gleaned from Nancy's generosity over the past six months. Her kindness has resulted in a nationally syndicated article in which The Village Bellevue was prominently featured, increased attendance at our net-parties, member referrals and many other good things.