Smarties, I’m super excited to introduce you to our newest Smarty, Cindy Johnson. Recently I met with Cindy to learn about an amazing organization that she leads here in Charlotte, Flashes of Hope. Cindy and a team of angels work together to photograph families who are battling life threatening illnesses. When I met Cindy, I knew immediately that she was going to be part of our Smarty team. She’s a wealth of knowledge in her parenting journey and she is quick to share tips that she has learned along the way. Cindy is also a foodie at heart and she is chomping at the bit {literally} to share her favorite spots in Davidson, Cornelius, Mooresville and beyond.
We are over the moon that Cindy’s part of our pink & green dream team and we can’t wait for you to meet her!
Cindy’s Smarty Mom Stats:
Married to: Mike Johnson – 15 years
Mom of: Hannah (13) and Austin (10)
Years in Charlotte: 18 years
Hometown: Daleville, VA
‘Hood: Lake Norman/Davidson area
Alma Mater: Virginia Tech
Occupation: Director of Marketing, Body Helix Compression and Volunteer Chapter Director for Flashes of Hope
Tell us about Flashes of Hope and how you got involved.
Flashes of Hope is a non-profit dedicated to providing uplifting portraits to families that have a child dealing with a life-threatening illness. We have professional hair stylists and professional photographers that volunteer their time to go into the local Charlotte hospitals once a month to photograph children and their families. We give them (and their family members) mini-makeovers and a 15 to 20-minute photo shoot. We then mail them the photos from their session, along with the digital files so they can share with friends and family.
In addition, we raise funds to go towards pediatric cancer research. Our mission is to photograph every child until there is a cure.
I initially got involved as a photographer and then became so passionate about the organization that I transitioned into the role of Director of the local Charlotte chapter.
Photo Credit: Bruce Williams
What is your most rewarding role at Flashes of Hope?
To be able to see these children smile from the time that they walk in the door until the time they leave. I know that this is a short blip during their day where for just a few minutes they, and their families, can forget about all the poking and prodding from the doctors and nurses. They can just smile and be a kid in front of the camera.
Photo Credit: Shea Alexander
What is your vision with Flashes of Hope?
To photograph every child until there is a cure.
Photo Credit: Kelly Patterson
How can Smarty Charlotte get involved with Flashes of Hope?
We are always looking for two crucial things that directly contribute to our organization and our ability to keep doing what we do:
1.) Volunteers (photographers, stylists or administrative volunteers to help out at events)
2.) Monetary donations (they can be made online at: http://flashesofhope.org/chapters/charlotte)
Photo Credit: Bruce Williams
Moving onto mom stuff…
You are an avid soccer family. What is your opinion on the state of competitive soccer in our area?
My personal opinion is that it’s huge and seems to be growing each and every year. My family definitely “drank the kool aid” and we are either at a game or practice practically every day of the week. In some ways, it’s exhausting, yes – but it’s a big part of our family time and we are always together when we are doing it. Nothing brings me greater joy than to see my kids doing what they love. Not to mention, the comradery and the character that being on such a competitive team has brought to my children – nothing can ever take that away from them. Now, if only I could create a clone of myself to get them to where they need to go 4 nights a week – then it would be a seamless process. Can I get an “Amen?!”
What options do families have for youth soccer?
I would recommend researching any club or organization’s recreational soccer league for kids who are just beginning or don’t want as much of a time or financial commitment. Otherwise, I would look into the local soccer clubs in your area and consider becoming a part of their competitive program. There are different levels of commitments (both time and money) within the competitive programs (e.g. Academy, Challenge, ECNL, Development Academy, etc), but most of the competitive programs require a level of commitment that is within the timeframe of August-May (with a longer break during the holiday months).
Do you think you need to do travel soccer to make your middle and high school teams? Do you think rec soccer is enough?
I am not sure I can fully answer that yet – seeing as how my oldest is just in seventh grade. But, my impression thus far is that it is all relative to the school that you go to as to whether the level of competition is as strong as in other schools. Therefore, playing in a soccer club may or may not have any bearing on the outcome of playing for a school.
Some schools draw from the local soccer clubs and have a really high level caliber of students playing for their teams. Others may not have as many club players that go out for the team because of the increased time commitment to tackle yet another team sport. It really all depends.
Tapping into your north Charlotte digs…what’s your favorite lunch spot?
Pickled Peach in Davidson, hands down. The soup choices are always amazing!
Favorite place to take the whole fam?
Our go-to is usually Barcelona Burger in Mooresville or Brickhouse in Davidson (great food and beer selections at both).
Favorite breakfast spot?
We usually hit up Toast in Davidson or Mooresville once a weekend.
Best chicken salad?
Hmmm…This isn’t really in my area, but I find myself near a Chicken Salad Chick every now and then and I LOVE the Lemon Basil Chicken Salad.
Favorite date night spot?
We have been going to the Prickly Pear a lot in Mooresville lately. Great food, drinks and it’s on the water, so that’s a nice bonus if it’s a nice night.
Best healthy meal?
I would have to say Barcelona Burger. When we want to go healthy, we opt for the Rotisserie Chicken and Roasted Veggies as a side. You can’t beat it!
Favorite summer outing for your family?
Bald Head Island.
Best boutique?
I find a lot of great stuff at Molly Molone’s in Mooresville.
Give us your little pink, kinda like black, book recos: pediatrician, orthodontist, dentist, obgyn, primary care doc, dermatologist, hair sytlist?
Pediatrician – Dr. Michelle Brody at Southlake Pediatrics in Huntersville
Orthodontist – Hill Orthodontics in Cornelius
Dermatologist – Riva Dermatology in Cornelius or Mooresville
Erin Royal – Best Hair stylist (EVER) in Cornelius
Favorite family summer tradition.
Bald Head Island every year. Hands-down, one of my favorite places on earth.
As our new CSP blogger in the north, tell CSP what types of features they can expect from you.
I plan on sharing a lot on my favorite restaurants and lunch spots. I seem to have a bit of a “lunch habit” that I share with my BFF – Jill Thomas. We have been formulating our own version of a blog for years (although it’s just a hypothetical blog at this point) of the best places in town (believe me, our husbands can attest to our passion for this project!) Now, we can share all of our delicious findings with you!
In addition, I would love to share more about the world of club soccer and what I have learned from it from the last several years. Maybe I can help families navigate what was a very intimidating world to me at first.
Lastly, I want to go a little more in-depth about the things I am most passionate about. More specifically, this includes the world of concussions and children (my daughter has had two serious concussions that resulted in YEARS of on-again, off-again symptoms). I have learned a lot about it and would love to share my resources. Additionally, as I mentioned before, I would love to share more about Flashes of Hope and the great work that our volunteers are doing for families dealing with a sick child.
Finish this sentence: Everyday I hope…
That my children are safe and happy.
