Dana A #1 - nominated by her friend, Betsy.

Dana is a mother who has been through alot! When she didn't think she could get pregnant, 
she adopted her son and shortly after became pregnant on her own. 
Her youngest child, Jill, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The doctors told Dana that 
Jill would never walk, talk, feed herself, or basically do anything independently. 
Dana wouldn't accept that and continues to fight to give her daughter the best life 
possible. Jill endures hours of therapy but she can walk with the assistance of braces 
on her feet, she can talk, and lives a fairly normal life-well as normal as it can be 
but it is all because of her mother.

Dana has spent years working in the special education field and now teaches preschool. 
She is active in her church and is an amazing friend and mother. 
She cares for her ailing parents and never asks for anything in return. 
She is such an inspiration to me. 

Dana deserves this prize because she gives so much to her family and to those around her. 
She deserves to be celebrated because she would never acknowledge that who she is and what 
she does, is extraordinary.

_____________________________

Tre C #2 - nominated by her husband, David.

I travel a lot for work, which means my wife, Tre, 
is home alone taking care of our son, Noah, along with cleaning the house, 
cooking and taking care of our 2 dogs. Its a lot to handle especially since our 
son doesn't like to take long naps, but she takes care of everything with a smile. 
On top of that, she is also involved in a moms club, a volunteer program and a 
rescue program for dogs. She is a wonderful mother, who wants all the best for our 
son and a wonderful wife who is willing to do anything for me. 
I am very lucky to have her in my life.

______________________________

Jessica E #3 - nominated by her husband, Andrew.

I nominate Jessica for the Dana Jackson Celebrating Moms Contest. 
Here are just a few reasons why she is such an exceptional mom...

The birth of our children...

Anna's birth: Posterior, Long labor, C-Section, they took her away from her and 
into the NICU, she walked across the hospital 3 hours after major abdominal surgery 
to see her, she spent countless hours trying to nurse her, not giving up or even 
contemplating the option of bottle feeding. 

Ben's birth: VBAC with no drugs. 12 months of extremely complicated nursing with 
milk duct infections, biting, wrestling. 

Single mom: I am a Merchant Marine and my job forces me to be away and Jessica 
has no help for 6 months out of the year. She wakes up with the kids and goes 
through her daily routine every day doing everything necessary to get the kids to their 
multiple activities. She doesn't accept the fact that she could just stay home and make 
it easy on herself because she is alone. She fills every day during the week with a 
stimulating environment for the kids and not one minute is wasted. 
On top of the 24 hour job of being a mother, she still finds time to take care of a house, 
the yard, the bills, the car, groceries, exercise, teach values to the kids and 
raise two extremely gifted children. She is a positive example in every way to the 
children and they love her with all of their heart. 

Simply put: Jessica deserves to win the contest because she is hands down the 
best mother I have ever met. Every other mother pales in comparison. 
She s always asked by her friends who are moms, or just by other moms that she 
meets at the kid's activities how she does it, being by herself caring for two kids. 
She doesn't make it seem like her life is tough to get sympathy from others. 
She simply does it because she enjoys spending time with her children and she wants the 
best for them in life. They are her priority, they come before everything else, 
including herself. Just thinking of what she does for our kids motivates me to be a 
better father. 

_______________________

Liz G #4 - nominated by her friend, Jessica.

If I had to use one word to describe Liz Giannattasio, it would be selfless. 
She is always giving to others, yet she completely forgets about herself in the process. 
Liz is a Special Education Teacher and has been for over 10 years. 
She works with children that have special needs—autism, learning disabilities, etc. 
Liz took a leave of absence for a short time to raise her son, Nicholas but had always 
planned to go back. The plan happened sooner than expected when she and her husband 
suddenly split and she found herself to be a single mom in need of an income to provide 
for her son. She was torn about returning to work. On one hand, it broke her heart to not 
be able to be with Nicholas all day but on the other hand, she is passionate about her job,
about helping others and frankly, she needed the money. So ultimately, she decided to go 
back. The beauty about Liz is that she goes to work with a smile on her face everyday, 
never letting those children know that she so wishes she could be home with her own child. 
That is Liz—professional, caring, and giving--generous with her time and energy for others. 

After a long day when Liz leaves work, she picks up her son. Most single, working moms 
would want to go home and put their feet up—not Liz. She grasps that last bit of energy 
from somewhere and finds it in her to take Nicholas to dinner to meet friends, 
or to Jungle Rapids for some fun or just the backyard to run around and be silly. 
On any given Saturday or Sunday, you can find Liz and Nicholas at the Train Museum downtown
or the Farmer’s Market or even just the local Park. She does whatever she can to be 
completely hands-on and expose Nicholas to everything a 3-year old boy should be doing, 
even though their lives have been turned upside down and their family is longer the way 
it used to be. She truly enjoys spending time with her son and tries her best to make life 
as “normal” as possible for him. Liz is a wonderful mother and a brilliant example for her 
son.

Nicholas went through a rough time (as any child would) when his father moved out and 
it crushed Liz. Somewhere along the way, Liz lost a piece of herself also and needs to 
feel that she deserves to get it back. 
I know that a new haircut or personal training sessions won’t do that alone, 
but it’s a start. I can think of no one more deserving of a makeover and some pampering! 
The photo session with Dana is what I believe will be invaluable to Liz because she 
doesn’t have any family in the area and rarely captures photos of she and Nicholas together. 
That would be so wonderful for her to have—a keepsake that I know she will 
appreciate and cherish more than anything. Above all, I think that Liz winning this contest 
would mean that she would be putting herself first for once. 
That is the greatest prize of all. 


_______________________

Sun Ye H #5 - nominated by her daughter, Victoria.

My mom deserves to win the Celebrating Moms Contest for her selflessness and constant love.
She is a single parent who raised my brother and I after my dad's death in 1988. 
She has taught my brother and I that with hard work and faith all things are possible. 

My mother is the most giving woman I know. A true "put others before yourself" person. 
I have never known her to take time for herself, but always to go out of her way to 
help others. 

I am so proud to call her my mom! Her example of motherhood is one that I will 
strive to live up to for the rest of my life!

_______________________

Elizabeth J #6 - nominated by her sister-in-law, Elizabeth.

Well.... where to begin.....

Elizabeth is married to my brother....(that in itself deserves credit) ha :)

Elizabeth and Barry have been married for almost 20 years.
They have 3 amazing kids who they dedicate their life to on a non-stop basis. 

Elizabeth is a social worker/case manager for the community alternative program 
and has worked there caring for patients for at least 18 years.

Elizabeth’s compassion and caring nature makes her the perfect person to help 
patients find the care and emotional support they need. 

Elizabeth deserves this wonderful honor due mostly in part to the pain she has 
endured over the last 2 years.

Elizabeth was diagnosed with multiple fibroid tumors in her reproductive system. 
She was given medication to help reduce the tumors that had an adverse effect 
and she developed multiple blood clots and was rushed to the hospital for surgery. 

Meanwhile, her 3 kids who are extremely active in school, sports and dance 
needed to be cared for along with her mother who at the same time suffered a 
small stroke and was tested for breast tumor. 6 months after the blood clot surgery, 
the doctors insisted she get a hysterectomy to help her live a more pain free life.

Elizabeth’s amazing attitude and hopeful outlook is what helped the family get through 
this tough time. Her ability to work a full time job that involves caring for others 
while being a wife, daughter and mother is inspirational.

Elizabeth did not complain once when she came home from the hospital and jumped right 
back into cooking meals, cleaning house, driving to class, driving to soccer tournaments, 
and doing homework all while remaining a dedicated wife, friend and employee.

Her unselfish nature has required her to save her pennies for her kids and not spend on 
herself. The pampering gifts you offered would be a fabulous way to give back to such a 
compassionate lady who is so deserving.

Elizabeth’s oldest son is hoping to go to college this year and having a family portrait 
prior to his departure would be the perfect celebration for her family and Mother’s Day.
 

__________________________

Jennifer K #7 - nominated by her son, JB.

Ever since I can remember, which is only a few years ago, 
she has been rock that my foundation has been set upon. She has raised me in a loving and 
caring way, through one of the hardest times in any of our family's life. 
When I was about 10 my father was arrested and my parents became divorced. 
She tried to find work but because she did not have a college degree it was hard. 
She decided to go back to school and try and handle raising her three kids at the time, 
school, and work. For about four years she did this until she married again. 
Doug was welcomed into our family at a time when we needed him most. 
It was not easy at fist but we all adjusted. My mom applied to many different colleges to 
try and get out of a state that had nothing left for her to prosper from. 
She got accepted to UNCW and we were off with out really even knowing how we were going 
to pull it off. It was exciting. She continued in school and graduated from UNCW with a 
BFA in Creativ Writing. We have lived under her constant love, care, compation, 
and watch here in Wilmington, North Carolina for five years now. I personaly feel she 
deserves this. She has yet to get a big break since she has begun the journey. 
She is a constant insperation to me and the rest of us. We want her to be recognized as 
who she is, a truly awsome mom.

_________________________

I saw this email and just had to enter my mom into the contest (although she has no idea). 
I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to my mom. 
I feel like I can’t put into words the kind of person she is and how much she means to me, 
but I may as well just give it a shot, so here I go…

To start off, a poem:

My Mom Deserves the Best 

She deserves the best and I’ll tell you why:
She’s psychic, invincible, and able to fly!
Not only in business, but also in love, 
This woman does anything anyone thinks of!
A cleaner, chauffer, dictator, and chef,
You should know that my mom is one of the best!

I pray and thank God each night in my bed
For a supporter like her through good and through bad,
A protector, provider, and my best friend;
She’s always there for me, to love and to mend.


And now, a few words from my heart:

She works so incredibly hard, not only at work as a dentist and business-owner, 
but also at home as a single mother of twins. She’s a strong and independent woman, 
yet also a loving and devoted mother, who is loved by countless people for so many reasons.
She is constantly working and doing her best to juggle her own busy schedule along 
with mine and my brother’s, which is no easy task, let me tell you! 
We’re both going off to college next year and with us being gone, 
along with our many live-in friends - or better yet, “adopted children,” 
I know she will miss us just as much as we will miss her. 

I think of my mom as one of my best friends and someone I can always come to for anything. 
We recently seemed to have grown even closer; we have a lot more in common, 
plenty to talk about, and several things to do together. 
Without her I don’t know where I would be today; she lifts me up when I’m down, 
mends my broken heart, and always has advice to give. I thank her so much for it, 
and I thank God so much for her. 

My brother and I both love her very much and are grateful for having 
such a wonderful and loving woman to take care of us and tell us, “I love you” every day. 
Being a mom is the biggest commitment a woman can make, and it’s one that she makes 
with an open heart. Mother’s Day is a day to celebrate this amazing woman in our 
lives and I think this would be a wonderful surprise for her this year. 
It’s the least we could do to show just how much we have appreciated everything 
she has done for us the past eighteen years.

Thank you so much for reading all of this, and I hope you have a wonderful day!

___________________________________

Jenn T #9 - nominated by her husband, David

There is no question in my mind that Jennifer deserves to win this contest. 
I am truly amazed at the balance she is able to provide to our family. 
Jenn is the most energetic and unselfish person that I have ever met. 
Somehow she is able to excel in her career as a Middle School Sex Education Teacher 
(not a job for the weak spirited!) while providing an endless supply of love and 
care to her two boys and her husband. As the only female in a very male dominated house 
(even our dog is a boy), Jenn does not receive the personal attention or time that 
she should. Winning this contest would give her the recognition and rewards that she 
definitely deserves.

________________________________

Brenda W #10 - nominated by her daughter, Melissa.

My mom deserves to win the Celebrating Moms Contest because she is the best mom 
that you could ever ask for. She is always there for you when you need her no matter what. 
She is never too tired to help in anyway possible even though she works 12 hour shift work. 
She is such a giving person and always thinks of others before herself. 
If it meant that she would be helping someone else out, she would give her last penny, 
her last shirt, her last meal without skipping a beat. She is also a wonderful "grammie" 
to my kids and gives them more love and attention than a child could ever imagine-even 
if she has just worked all night long and hasn't slept yet! 
That's why my mom deserves to win the contest-
she's the best mom (and grammie!) that anyone could ever dream of having!

_______________________________

Allyson Y #11 - nominated by her mom, Connie.

Allyson was sent from HEAVEN to very proud parents, 
Charlie & Connie. She was a very good baby. She was always independent, 
wanting to lay in her own bed and go to sleep beginning at approximately six weeks old. 
As she matured the love for others was extremely evident in her life. 

She studied her schoolwork on her own, attended college while a senior in public school, 
and was as Honor Graduate (tied 2nd place in her class). 

She always said, when anyone asked her what she would like to do when she grew up, 
“I want to work with babies!” She has always LOVED babies. 
On the other side, she has always LOVED the elderly. 
She shows compassion with young, middle-aged, and elderly. 
A calling is certainly on her life to minister to others. She has ALWAYS put others first! 
She wants to make life better for everyone else. 

While in college, she not only studied hard in Nursing, 
but visited the nursing home on a regular basis. I visited her one weekend at North Georgia 
College and she took me to the nursing home. When we entered the door 
I could tell how much they all loved her. Smiles burst out everywhere! 
There was one particular woman who was bed-ridden. She raised herself as high as she 
possibly could to see Allyson coming toward her when she heard her voice. 
I received such a blessing, and I know others did too! 

She finished college and entered the field of ministering to others in the field of nursing.
She became an RN. She had pursued the vision and dream in her heart as a little girl, 
and was seeing it come true. She began working with children in the hospitals and doctors 
offices. Not only is she fulfilling that portion of her dream, but, then again, 
I have been privileged to watch her in her day to day life. “She lives out her dream!” 
She ministers to other moms & babies, showing comfort, guidance, and answers that she 
believes and knows in heart that will help them, without any effort all. 
It comes so naturally. She has a friend that lives approximately five hours from her at 
this time. This mother has a child that has a rare disease and will most likely not live 
long. Allyson keeps in contact with her with encouragement and love. 
She is the one who receives the blessing. She is truly a God gifted minister & leader! 

She now has now been blessed with a wonderful husband and dad, Greg Yourkievitz, 
and two wonderful children (1 boy & 1 girl). This part of her life is just as loving 
and compassionate as the past part of her life. She ALWAYS puts them first and does 
what she thinks is best for them. She always wants to make it easier for them in every way. 
To see her love for her own children and husband is amazing in itself! 

As a daughter, I see love, mercy, caring, and all the characteristics of God in her! 
Just simply by the way she lives.

She deserves, more than anyone, to be rewarded in a GREAT WAY! 
I, her mom, love her very much, and would like to nominate her, 
Mrs. Allyson Yourkievitz to the “Best MOM in the World Award!”