During the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, I was glued to the TV. Annie was a newborn who ate every two hours, so I was extremely thankful to have ’round the clock entertainment. I especially liked watching at night – I rooted just as hard for the athletes that participated in the events that weren’t on during the prime viewing hours. I imagined my newborn one day being in the Olympics.
And then. I saw those commercials. The “Thank You Mom” commercials. Oh how they made me cry. Of course, the postpartum hormones didn’t help, but the commercials were so moving that even my stoic husband teared up.
Recently I was asked by Procter and Gamble, the company behind the “Thank You Mom” commercials, to be involved with their “Proud Sponsor of Moms” campaign. Based off the 2010 commercials alone I would have said yes, but then I heard the hook – the campaign would be focusing on the moms of Special Olympic athletes.
P&G has been a supporter of The Special Olympics for 31 years, and this year they’re not only a sponsor of Team USA, but they also donated $250,000 to help fund local programs. And, for every person that becomes a fan of the Thank You Mom Facebook page and/or leaves a comment, P&G will donate $1 to support Special Olympics Team USA’s trip to Athens—up to $250,000 above their other contribution.
Over the next couple months, I am going to be writing about one family in particular. I can’t wait to help them tell their story. Here’s a preview of what’s to come:
Happy Mother’s Day to all the proud moms out there.
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
Ohhh…tears in my eyes! That is so awesome!
Proud Mom to Taylor, a 7 year old girl who is non verbal and autistic. =) I am bawling over that video!
Chantelle´s last [type] ..I ♥ Faces Photo Challenge Pets
Happy Mother’s Day to you!!! Hope it’s a good day! XOXO
AmazingGreis´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday – Me…
I loved those Olympics commercials! The one where a female skier’s (I think it was Julia Mancuso) mom is crying at the finish line and you can see her mouthing, “That’s my baby!” made me tear up every time. So did this Special Olympics commercial.
And to you, Heather.
Jen´s last [type] ..Featured!
Happy Mother’s Day to you and your mama Heather! Hope you enjoy your weekend!
Saw that commerical for the first time on tv the other night and it brought me to tears. I’m so glad that more light is being shed on the moms (and parents in general) of the kids who have special needs and the kids who are in the special olympics. I hope you have a wonderful mothers day!!
I love this. That commercial was beautiful. I love that you are so active and involved in touching people’s lives. It is very very inspiring. I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day.
I am home sick today and was lying in bed watching TV when this commercial came on. I have to say my eyes are still puffy from all the crying I did after seeing it. One of my sons friends that lives across the street from us has a baby with special needs and they said he would never live to be 1 and he turned 2 a couple of months ago. Hayden comes over and visits us and I have to say he is one of the sweetest little boys I have ever been around. He has did so much that they said he would never do and its amazing to be around him and watch how he has beaten all the odds. I can’t wait for the day that I will be watching him in the Special Olympics and cheering him on along side his mom and all of us that love him so much. Thank you for taking part in something that is so dear to me. I hope you have a great Mothers Day Heather!
Aaaaaaand here come the water works. Happy Mama Day to all you mom’s out there.
Wow. I am sitting in my office crying. That is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Thank you so much for sharing it!
Michelle´s last [type] ..Easier
Beautiful. It’s so wonderful to see someone focus on the positive, so often, here in the UK at least, in order to get help and access the therapies needed we have to focus on the negative, what the child can’t do, it’s so great to see someone see what their child CAN do.
What a great cause.
Penbleth´s last [type] ..Tuck in
Can’t wait for the follow up!
When I was a teenager, my mother did some volunteer work with the Special Olympic and, probably trying to build me some character, volunteered me along with her. It was so much fun! And I don’t even like sports. Ha
Amanda M.´s last [type] ..You Deserve to Be Eaten by Zombies
Goosebumps!! Thank you P&G for all you do!
I don’t know how anyone can watch that and not tear up!
I have a question about the donation: It says for every “like,” “share,” or comment you leave on that page, P&G will donate $1. So does that mean if I leave 50 comments over there that they will donate $50? Or is it one per person? I couldn’t find the answer to that on their page. But then again, I usually can’t find stuff that is right in front of me
.
Anyways, I liked, shared and commented (once) so I’m hoping I just donated $3!
That 60 second video just brought me to tears. Happy Mother’s Day, Heather!
Okay….***CrYiNg*** – LOVED the ad!!! It is so true too. I worked with kids who had special needs and we would do the games every year. It was amazing to see & cheer with the families. It’s sooo true…you don’t focus on any difference they may have. You really only see the person they are and what they are accomplishing!! The absolute BEST part was seeing the smile on their faces as the past the finished line. It didn’t matter if they came in 1st or 51th – they got past that line and they felt such incredible joy as we all cheered for them. Out of the whole 14 yrs I did the games with “my kids”….there was NOTHING like seeing ANY child running, walking or rolling over the finish line. They were ALL WINNERS and I was so grateful and honoured to be there to witness such glory as their staff, friend, fan…. I couldn’t ask for anything more!!
And now I’m crying after watching that. What a lovely preview. Can’t wait for you to share your family’s story.
I totally teared up and I’m not even a mom. Not even mom age!
Happy early Mother’s Day!
Read your blog ALL the time (and saw you for the 3rd time at the March of Dimes walk this past Saturday) but had to comment now…this was BEAUTIFUL. I loved everything about it. I can’t wait to see more…what a wonderful thing you’re doing. Happy Mother’s Day to you this weekend. I’m sure it’s bittersweet but that sweet little Annie will make it all better I’m sure.
So great that you are supporting this amazing cause! I love the special olympics!!
Mommy´s last [type] ..Mommas on a Mission
We get a P&G ad here about thanking mothers, and everytime I see it my heart does a somersault. makes me weepy!
Mothers Day has been and gone over here in the UK, but Happy Mothers Day to all my US Mommys.
Becca_Masters´s last [type] ..the Birthday Bag
The part where they say, “I never saw what she couldn’t do, I only saw what she could do” Rings oh so true from deep within me. My son Joey has had many problems and he’s doing his own thing in his own time and he’s coming along just fine. He’s my little Olympic superstar!
Rebecca´s last [type] ..Fragments in Photos
Omg, that commerical totally made me cry! Can’t wait to read your upcoming stories on, “Proud Sponsor of Moms” campaign. And I’ll definitely join/and comment on the Thank You Mom Facebook page. ;o)
Happy Mother’s Day to your and your momma! <3
And to all the momma's on here, as well! ^o^
Being familiar with the commercials from the Olympics before, I was excited to see this one for Special Olympics. And WOW! I knew it would be emotional. But as I watched I noticed things looked a bit familiar. I know the town on the school bus, in one photo someone is wearing a sweatshirt from the University that I spent 5 years at. Then, in the podium shot? The resort I drive by on my way to work every morning is in the background.
That was a wonderful commercial.
Oh, good Lord. My mascara will never survive a series of commercials like THAT.
Proctor & Gamble tests on animals. Like.. a lot.
Not that this isn’t great. It is! Truly. I’m glad they asked you to be a part and that it’s for the special olympics. I worked on the special olympics once… it was awesome.
But yeah, just sayin’.
Amy´s last [type] ..Is This Art
This made me tear up, but what truth it has. When everyone says our children can’t us moms never give up. Happy B-day to all the mamas out there.
Amazing…