From disasters, friendships are born. After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated our beloved Gulf Coast and the lives of thousands of Americans, like so many around the country, I wanted to help in the recovery. Once the survivors were given medical attention, housed, fed, and clothed, I knew that the charity I founded to empower women, families, and youth, Be the Star You Are! could be of assistance by providing books and resources that were lost in the hurricane.  Our teen volunteers scoured the internet to find just the right charity with whom to work..  The President of Cheerful Givers Karen Ktichel, introduced herself and immediately Be the Star You Are! began shipping books to Louisiana.  A few weeks into our collaboration, Karen and her husband, Larry, celebrated their anniversary in the Napa Valley so we arranged a meeting.  I was so impressed by this dynamic lady and her dedication to helping children smile, that it is our privilege to introduce you to this month’s Featured Lady-Karen Kitchel, the Ambassador of Smiles for Cheerful Givers.

Karen Kitchel-Ambassador of Smiles

What is the most intriguing aspect of your career?
The opportunity to touch so many lives in different ways. It's intriguing to see who will respond to requests for help.  Often it seems that those who have the least amount of time, money, or resources are the people who give and do the most.  For example, a four year old boy sent a note which said, "I am having my mom write this.  I took my allowance and bought a stuffed bear and gave it a hug before sending it to you. I want it to make some other child happy!"

How did you get involved with Cheerful Givers?
Being a parent, I could hardly imagine what it must feel like to know that today is your child's birthday, but you have no way to recognize them. When I heard about Cheerful Givers, I thought it was a unique organization addressing an unmet need (many other organizations provide holiday gifts). Hearing the stories about the children who receive the birthday bags convinced me that I wanted to be part of this organization.
I first got my family involved in assembling birthday bags at home. We started a tradition of filling birthday bags on Thanksgiving Day after our meal. Then I started a Cheerful Givers team where I worked and got others to join me once each month at lunch time to assemble bags. Eventually I left my management position, where I worked for 30 years, to work full-time for Cheerful Givers.

How does Cheerful Givers operate?
Cheerful Givers provides birthday bags filled with toys, games, books, stuffed, animals, and sweets to children who are living in poverty or homeless so that their special day will be celebrated and remembered. Both the  "givers" and the "receivers" benefit from this work. The "receivers" are the children who may have never had an opportunity to experience the joy of celebrating their birthday by receiving a gift from their parents. Receivers are also the parents who, because of their economic situation, cannot afford to recognize their child on their special day. "Givers" include various youth groups (schools, churches, civic groups, families, etc.) who have an opportunity to make a difference in their community by assembling birthday bags, which is also a fun activity. Anyone can donate and feel the joy of putting a smile on the face and in the heart of a child.

Who inspires you?
Take your pick
* Father Charlie, our Pastor. He is very down-to-earth and yet uplifting. He truly lives his faith.
* Robin Maynard, the Founder of Cheerful Givers.  She will help anyone in need no matter the circumstances.  She reinforces me as I work through my mission.
* My husband, Larry, and our kids.  Larry has a genuine caring attitude about life. He has a ton of interests and you can always count on him.  Our son Ryan, is 21 and has taught me what unconditional love is all about.  Our daughter Maria is 16. She has an uncanny ability to reach out and touch lives as she demonstrates her love for others in so many ways.
* Cynthia Brian-she has inspired me with her amazing energy, enthusiasm, insight, and giving spirit.  She is having a positive impact on so many lives and that's what I’m trying to do
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What is your greatest strength in your career?
Being passionate about what I'm doing is probably my greatest strength.  Because I feel so strongly about what I’m doing to make a difference in the lives of children who have nothing, I am able to devote endless time and energy to Cheerful Givers.
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What is your greatest weakness?
It sounds trite, however my greatest strength may be my greatest weakness.  I have a difficult time getting away from work as I love what I am doing.  Since I work from home, every time a new email pops up, I feel like someone is waiting for me to respond, so I want to answer their questions quickly.  I hate to keep anyone waiting.

What do you want your legacy to be?
I'd like to be remembered as a CHEERFUL GIVER in every aspect of my life-giving unconditional love to my family, living my faith, sharing the gifts. I have with whoever needs them and having kept a cheerful attitude throughout the journey.

What is the coolest thing you've been able to do because of your current
career?
Being involved with Cheerful Givers has given me the opportunity to experience so many really cool things.
Just a few of the opportunities I've experienced have included:
* visiting a shelter where I saw unbelievably excited kids receive birthday gift bags,
*Cheerful Givers was featured in People Magazine,
* we orchestrated a grand event at the Mall of America,
*USA Today listed Cheerful Givers as a "HOT WEBSITE",
*we've appeared on various radio and TV programs,
*the Governor of Minnesota proclaimed a "Cheerful Givers Day" throughout the state. 
*Dr, Maya Angelou sent us autographed poems,
* I threw the first pitch at the St. Paul Saints baseball game
I also thoroughly enjoy writing the monthly newsletter and most of all, it gives me great pleasure to touch the lives of so many people in need.

What words of wisdom do you want other women to hear?
There was a TV commercial that aired a few years ago that stated "Reach out and touch someone.   I think if we all did just that, the world would be more cheerful. It doesn't matter whose life you touch or how you do it, but don't hesitate to seize the opportunity, take time to identify your own personal mission, and then go live it! No one ever regrets making a difference in the life of someone less fortunate.

Are you living your dream?
I am more than living my dream.  About twenty years ago I was give a pad of paper with the words  "Make a dream come true!  which have sitting on my desk in front of me right now.  At that time I was struggling because I desperately wanted to adopt my daughter. I already had a son who was born in Korea and felt that another child would be a blessing for both of us.  Another child from Korea was not a possibility for a single parent. I didn't know where my daughter would come from but I knew deep in my soul that some where, some how, someday there would be a child I would call "Maria"". After false starts in  Mexico, India, and Honduras, I learned of a program in Paraguay.  Three years later and after a million miles of red tape, I brought Maria home. That experience taught me that whenever I have a dream, I can live it.

My passion for children ignited my desire to reach out to kids around the world
During the last twenty years, in addition to adopting my kids from Korea and Paraguay, I've also sponsored children in Africa, Paraguay, and Haiti  which has helped to provide an education for them…and incredible correspondence for me.
Currently I spend Sunday afternoons with two six year-old twin girls from Sudan as part of a mentoring program.  They have taught me so much about how precious the small things in life are…the importance of ice cream cones and butterflies!  When I add my career at Cheerful Givers to the mix, I find I have everything I need for a full and complete life.  And I'm here to tell you that dreams do come true!

About the Author
Cynthia Brian, NY Times best selling co-author of Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul, author  of Be the Star You Are!®, 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference , The Business of Show Business, and Miracle Moments®.  is an internationally acclaimed key note speaker, personal growth consultant, radio and TV personality, and acting coach  Cynthia is dedicated to helping others achieve their dreams by implementing their 925-377-STAR (7827) www.star-style.com. Tune into her nationally syndicated radio show, Starstyle-Be the Star You Are! every Wednesday live from 6-7pm PST/9-10pm EST or archived  at www.worldtalkradio.com/show.asp?sid=118.