Hello! Welcome to my website and blog.

When used as an Italian idiom, per caso implies a wonderful process by which stuff comes together to create an opportunity that is seemingly by chance.

There are many other words… luck [when preparation meets opportunity]; courage [putting what’s important to you above your fear]; karma, destiny, fate….

I like these concepts because they encourage us to increase our awareness and live in the moment.

Please enjoy my site… it challenges me to acknowledge my courage and prepare for my luck!

Katherine Zimmer
Artist • Writer • Coach
Marketing Diva

Children should feel special on their birthdays, especially those whose lives are difficult in the first place. This is the motivation for the “Road Trip” practicum group in the current class of Leadership Napa Valley (Class 21). Road Trip’s philosophy is all about the journey for them as developing leaders in our community and the destination by making a difference implementing a worthy program for the community. The group is made up of Olivia McCormick, Cyndi Kasten, Mike Manfred, Annie Madden, Michael Strong, and Katherine Zimmer.

Working directly with Cope Family Center and the Napa Valley Shelter Project (NVSP), the Birthday Buddies program will provide enough supplies for a monthly party at NVSP and will work directly with Cope’s Home Visitation Program to support individual families in crisis enabling them to provide a party for their child in their current home. The program will help families throughout Napa County.

The goal is to nurture successful family interactions by celebrating birthdays for children through community sponsorship; bringing joy, hope, and light to families in crisis. “We want to support the family and enable them to do as much on their own as they can to provide a birthday party for their child,” says Olivia McCormick.

“My six-year-old son Paul has always wanted a big party for his birthday. I have promised him that one day, when we have our own place, he will have one. Now, he will get his big birthday party with lots of people to help celebrate thanks to you!” said one of the parents.

Birthday Buddies celebrated its first party at NVSP’s Samaritan House in January. Three little boys had their Spiderman party dreams come true complete with cakes baked by their Moms, candles, theme decorations, a candy-filled piñata, and wrapped gifts that their parents shopped for with the gift card provided.

Birthday Buddies plans to provide birthday parties for children living at Samaritan House and Cope families in need through June and hopes to set up the program with sponsors in perpetuity to keep it going after the Leadership Napa Valley Class 21 graduates. They already have several organizations interested in taking the program over.

Buddies can be individuals, businesses, or organizations – anyone who would like to participate in sponsoring the program. The donations may be in-kind items needed for the celebrations or cash donations. For more information about sponsoring and becoming a Birthday Buddy, email me at katherine@per-caso.net.

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