What’s In Amelia’s Life Chest?

Growing up, I always kept a memory book. One part journal, one part scrapbook. The books were stuffed with photos, poems, letters, concert tickets, programs, drawings and mementos. As an adult, I’ve taken my memory books 3D and continued this tradition with my Life Chest.

 

It’s filled with travel journals from my three trips to China, two expired stamp-filled passports and a photo journal from 10 days scuba diving in Indonesia. There are wrist bands from my role as Crew Chief for my husband’s 320 Mile UltraMan triathlon and the team T-shirts I famously design for his each of his IronMan races. I’m proud to include Art Van Furniture Spring and Fall catalogs and invitations to the 50th Anniversary Gala to represent my work evolving the Art Van brand. There are family photos, the scooter rental receipt from our Caribbean honeymoon, a champaign cork from a special hot air balloon ride in Louisville, KY. Tickets to the Derby, VIP passes the Indianapolis Brickyard 400 and reserved seating stubs to Motown the Musical Detroit Premier. And, a piece of sea glass from Moloka’i, one of my favorite places in the world.

 

These are the memories, yet I can’t wait to fill it up with what’s to come. My Life Chest reminds me to make it a life worth remembering.

Amelia Tomasi Ellenstein

The Rhonda Walker Foundation Christmas Party

A sea of pink at The Rhonda Walker Foundations annual Christmas Party at The Genesis House II. 

The Detroit Rescue Missions Ministries Genesis House II is a transitional housing shelter, there are currently 45 women and 30 children of all ages living here. The foundation brings the holidays to the women and children of the shelter by providing toys and clothes for every child and a gift bag of goodies for every mother and woman.

We were lucky to take part in this incredible event.

AVG at the Snowball Express

Every balloon in this image represents a fallen soldier. Mike and the AVG team joined an estimate of 2000 children of fallen soldiers at the Walk of Gratitude, a part of the Snowball Express. 

Now in its ninth year, Snowball Express brings together families of post-9/11 fallen military members for an all-expenses-paid trip to create new memories and provide much-needed support.

http://snowballexpress.org/

Giving Thanks: Agata Wysokinski

Joining the Life Chest team in feeling grateful this year. One fond memory from this year was meeting Glenda MacPhail at Friesens.

I travelled to Altona Manitoba this year with Life Chest CEO Donna Yost to help her with the design of her new book, Pumptitude: My Journey from CEO Wife to CEO Life. We were also working on the final layout of her husband CEO Kim Yost’s 4th Book, The Life Chest.

Customer Service Representative Glenda MacPhail was waiting for us when we arrived in Winnipeg, her warm smile and positive nature was the first thing to hook me in, its funny how some people just make you instantly feel comfortable.

It happened to be Glenda’s birthday so the three of us went for a beautiful dinner at the the 529 Wellington, we chatted as if we were old friends and I learned that Glenda was a mother of two who absolutely adored her family. We laughed all night and later Glenda drove us to where we would be staying for the next few nights in Altona.

Working with Glenda over the next few days was a blast, the print world has always fascinated me and what I learned from her and the team at Friesens was both valuable and impressive. Leaving Friesens and Winnipeg I knew that I would remain in contact with Glenda, she has been invaluable to The Life Chest team and is an absolute pleasure. This year I am thankful for Glenda and for the opportunity to travel to Friesens with The Life Chest. It was truly a #LIFECHESTMOMENT

I can’t finish this post without acknowledging my favourite sidekick Henry.

Here is a photo of him playing a hybrid of a few sports.

Giving Thanks: Julie Donegan

On Thanksgiving I am Thankful for:

My Dog

Mashed Potatoes

Mike Elliott
Mike is truly a Life Chest Lifer! We are so grateful to have gotten to work with him. And what he does through the All Veteran Group is so inspiring and admirable we are honored to be connected with him. We wish Mike a happy, happy Turkey day!

Mark “Ranger” Jones
We met Ranger back in May and have been learning so much since! Not only does he have an impressive personal story of achievement but he does incredible work with the Fisher Foundation. Another Life Chest Lifer we are so grateful for! Happy Thanksgiving Ranger!

Giving Thanks : CEO Donna Yost

The day had started out just like all others at The Life Chest! People bustling around doing what we all do best, digging deep to create special moments not only for those that work at The Life Chest but for those Life Chest Lifers we are so focused on creating. You see, we all have stories, and these stories need to be shared. In sharing these stories we bring people together, in bringing people together we bring joy, healing and camaraderie; moments that may not have been shared otherwise.

It’s Thanksgiving, and what Thanksgiving means to me is simple. I thank God for giving me the presence of mind to be aware of those around me. I am thankful for the experiences in life that allowed me to be a good listener. I am proud of and thankful for my husband Kim and the vision of The Life Chest he shared with me long ago and his willingness to share that vision with others. I am thankful for The Life Chest Team and their undying and ever present love they share in our mission.

Most of all I am thankful to the Life Chest Lifers like Mike Elliott and the AVG TEAM for bringing us to Louise Cantrell this year. One day I eagerly answered the phone hoping to connect yet again with someone needing a Life Chest, and there she was, this beautiful soft voice on the other line. After a brief introduction Louise began to share her story with me and I was touched by it, I am thankful for her share and am inspired by her perseverance and goodwill.

Please read Louise’s story and learn about the Dancing Angels Foundation, created to honor and perpetuate the memory of Isabella & Natalia Cantrell who were tragically killed in a house fire.

http://www.dancingangelsfoundation.org

I hope that reading and learning about Louise and her family, seeing her photos and sharing a prayer this Thanksgiving will enable you to see why we so passionately do what we do every day. I LOVE The Life Chest Mission and for that I am THANKFUL every single day.

Detroit: The Crossroads of Past, Present & Future

At The Life Chest we take pride in our hometown. Detroit, best known for Motown, muscle cars, and its hard working people, is the perfect place for The Life Chest to call home. Every Detroiter has a story — hearing Diana Ross sing, watching the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup, or tasting their first Coney. Detroit is full of living memories. What’s more, Detroit is full of innovators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders guiding the way to a brighter future. We’re confident that Detroit will continue to grow and make history. Be a part of the Detroit story! Come and visit Detroit and The Life Chest today! In town but can’t make a visit to The Life Chest? Follow us on Instagram @thelifechest and share a photo from your Detroit #lifechestmoment.

STAY AT

Airbnb

The best way to see Detroit is as a local. Wake up to views of the Detroit River from a Downtown loft apartment or cozy up in a Corktown condo. www.airbnb.com

EAT AT

Cliff Bell’s 

The 1930’s jazz bar named after Detroit Entrepreneur John Clifford Bell is now beautifully restored and returned to the beloved haunt of Detroit locals. Step back in time as you enter under the gilded awning into the dimly-lit, art-deco club. Walk up to the bar and order any one of their classic cocktails – I recommend the Detroit Dirty Martini. Not nearly old-school, hardly hipster, and least of all kitsch, Cliff Bell’s draws a truly unique crowd of Detroiters. Stay into the evening for dinner and live jazz performances, from single acts up to 9-piece bands! Lest we forget their playful souvenir for all guests: a vintage Cliff Bell’s postcard to commemorate your visit. Choose to either take it with you or mail to a friend – courtesy of your waiter. Either way it makes for an unforgettable Life Chest moment! www.cliffbells.com

Sister Pie 

Got a sweet tooth? Make sure to visit Parker Street Market for Detroit’s Best Cookie! Sister Pie’s delectable Buckwheat Chocolate Chip Cookie among many other Sister Pie creations are sure to satisfy your sweetest of cravings. www.sisterpie.com

SHOP AT 

Shinola 

The uniquely Detroit watchmaker Shinola has grown into a nationally recognized brand.  Shinola operates out of the College of Creative Studies in Detroit. Shop their watches, journals, bikes and accessories at their flagship store on W. Canfield. www.shinola.com

CULTURE AT

Detroit Institute of Arts 

Most notably home to Diego Rivera’s twenty-seven fresco panels, Detroit Industry Murals, among countless other internationally renowned works of art, the DIA is an irreplaceable Detroit landmark. While there make sure to visit the beautiful, light-flooded Kresge Court where you can nosh on charcuterie and sip wine all while taking in live music.  www.dia.org



DSO

Make the DSO your home for live music and entertainment this holiday season! From Vienna Boys Choir to Home Alone with live orchestra, there’s fun for the entire family!

The DSO is proud to be the only American Orchestra to present free live webcasts all season long. Presented by the Ford Motor Company Fund and made possible by generous support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Next Live Webcast on dso.org/live 

www.dso.org

Sources:

totalhappyhour.com

nordstrom.com

naxos.com

Results Performance Mind – Health and Wellness

Please welcome RPM to the Life Chest team!

Results Performance Mind

With RPM we are learning how to maintain our minds and bodies so that we can continue to experience Life Chest Moments.

RPM’s enlightening videos are a source of information and inspiration to help you live a healthy, happy and productive life full.

Visit RPM’s Website for more information and stay tuned for RPM videos to keep you motivated.

Here are some tips for our NFDA Conference Visitors:

RPM 1 Video

RPM 2 Video

RPM 3 Video

RPM 4 Video

RPM 5 Video