Porch Step Lifts Spirits of 84-Year-Old LaCrosse, WI Woman with Hot Air Balloon Ride
Cancer Survivor to Experience Longtime Dream.
Knoxville, TN, February 19, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Porch Step, a lifestyle media company has announced it will send 84-year-old LaCrosse, WI resident Ella Mae Callahan on a hot air balloon ride – something Callahan has longed to do for years.
On December 20th, 2010, Porch Step asked Americans, “How could $2500 help you or someone you love accomplish a meaningful goal in 2011?” Cathy Callahan, Ella Mae’s daughter, submitted, “Ella Mae – A Story of Survival”, one of numerous entries from throughout the U. S., sharing personal stories on how winning the Five Simple Things Challenge could bring about positive and significant change in their lives or the lives of loved ones.
“It inspires me how many people came to our site and were so open about how $2500 could positively change their lives,” said John Tolsma, Porch Step CEO. “What I found more remarkable is how many of the submissions were sent by people wanting to express gratitude for their good fortune or to use it to help somebody else.
The Five Simple Things Challenge was born out of Tolsma’s recently published book, 5 Simple Things, a journal and daily guidebook.
While Callahan was not the grand prize winner of the Five Simple Things Challenge, Porch Step will treat her mother to a hot air balloon ride. “Cathy wanted do something special for Ella Mae, a single mother and breast cancer survivor,” said Tolsma. “The key here is not votes or the challenge – it’s more about how Cathy’s story impacted us – and overall, how her passion and values represent the Porch Step brand and 5 Simple Things principles. With this in mind, The Porch Step team wanted to do something to help her acknowledge all that her mother has done for her.”
From December 20, 2010 until January 24, 2011, visitors to www.5SimplethingsChallenge.com cast their vote for the story they felt was most compelling.
“My hope is that those who submitted their stories and those who voted for their favorite stories will use this challenge to continue to refocus on what matters most – faith, family, community and the future,” said Tolsma. The simple daily principals of thanking, doing, believing, reaching out and practicing random acts of kindness allow us all to experience a more meaningful and satisfactory life.”
For more information, visit www.porchstep.com.
About John Tolsma
The founder and president of Porch Step, John Tolsma also leads Knowledge Launch, an educational media company that creates learning and leadership programs across the globe. A graduate of Duke University, Harvard Law School and the Harvard Business School, Tolsma started his first multi-million dollar company straight out of school. Recognized as one of Tennessee’s Top Forty Under Forty by Business Tennessee Magazine, Tolsma received the Pinnacle Visionary Award, which annually honors a young professional who represents leadership in business as a role model for other professionals.
About Porch Step
Porch Step is a lifestyle media company developing content focused on re-engaging and reinvigorating the values that are important in everyday life. With a community focused on Faith, Family, and Future, Porch Step connects people through the rediscovery of what matters most. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Porch Step is cultivating impactful resources around topics from parenting with purpose to impacting the world around you to managing your money. For more information, visit http://www.porchstep.com.
Media Contact:
Michelle Borja
Porch Step 865-329-9260
mborja@porchstep.com
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On December 20th, 2010, Porch Step asked Americans, “How could $2500 help you or someone you love accomplish a meaningful goal in 2011?” Cathy Callahan, Ella Mae’s daughter, submitted, “Ella Mae – A Story of Survival”, one of numerous entries from throughout the U. S., sharing personal stories on how winning the Five Simple Things Challenge could bring about positive and significant change in their lives or the lives of loved ones.
“It inspires me how many people came to our site and were so open about how $2500 could positively change their lives,” said John Tolsma, Porch Step CEO. “What I found more remarkable is how many of the submissions were sent by people wanting to express gratitude for their good fortune or to use it to help somebody else.
The Five Simple Things Challenge was born out of Tolsma’s recently published book, 5 Simple Things, a journal and daily guidebook.
While Callahan was not the grand prize winner of the Five Simple Things Challenge, Porch Step will treat her mother to a hot air balloon ride. “Cathy wanted do something special for Ella Mae, a single mother and breast cancer survivor,” said Tolsma. “The key here is not votes or the challenge – it’s more about how Cathy’s story impacted us – and overall, how her passion and values represent the Porch Step brand and 5 Simple Things principles. With this in mind, The Porch Step team wanted to do something to help her acknowledge all that her mother has done for her.”
From December 20, 2010 until January 24, 2011, visitors to www.5SimplethingsChallenge.com cast their vote for the story they felt was most compelling.
“My hope is that those who submitted their stories and those who voted for their favorite stories will use this challenge to continue to refocus on what matters most – faith, family, community and the future,” said Tolsma. The simple daily principals of thanking, doing, believing, reaching out and practicing random acts of kindness allow us all to experience a more meaningful and satisfactory life.”
For more information, visit www.porchstep.com.
About John Tolsma
The founder and president of Porch Step, John Tolsma also leads Knowledge Launch, an educational media company that creates learning and leadership programs across the globe. A graduate of Duke University, Harvard Law School and the Harvard Business School, Tolsma started his first multi-million dollar company straight out of school. Recognized as one of Tennessee’s Top Forty Under Forty by Business Tennessee Magazine, Tolsma received the Pinnacle Visionary Award, which annually honors a young professional who represents leadership in business as a role model for other professionals.
About Porch Step
Porch Step is a lifestyle media company developing content focused on re-engaging and reinvigorating the values that are important in everyday life. With a community focused on Faith, Family, and Future, Porch Step connects people through the rediscovery of what matters most. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Porch Step is cultivating impactful resources around topics from parenting with purpose to impacting the world around you to managing your money. For more information, visit http://www.porchstep.com.
Media Contact:
Michelle Borja
Porch Step 865-329-9260
mborja@porchstep.com
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Contact
Porch Step
Michelle Borja
865 329 9260
www.porchstep.com
Michelle Borja
865 329 9260
www.porchstep.com
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