We are very humbled and honored to be able to give back to our community through the Queen Bee Market and are so thankful for vendors who are willing to share part of their proceeds with local charities.
This go around we have thought long and hard about how to make a difference in the life of a local family and we are so excited to introduce you to a family that is very near and dear to us. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to give back to them in a way we would not be able to without the Queen Bee Market.

Sharlie Kaltenbach and her husband, Ryan

Sharlie Kaltenbach was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at just 14 months. Her younger sister, Lexi was also born with CF and their mother was told early on that the girls would be lucky to make it to age 10. Though CF is a chronic lung disease that can severely impact quality of life and complicate the simplest of physical tasks, Sharlie has spent much of her life amazing doctors with her resilience and optimism.  Though Lexi passed away 15 years ago after complications from a double lung transplant, Sharlie has continued the fight here on earth and at 31, lives her life to the fullest. She knows her sister Lexi is her angel, and she is constantly beating the odds and is an incredible example of truly living. She loves fully, she laughs a lot, and she inspires everyone she meets. Together with her husband Ryan, and 3 year old son, Harrison, the battle against CF rages on.
Sharlie lives the day to day life of a wife and mother with 18% lung function. You would never know from looking at her that every breath is a struggle and that she has walked through the lowest of lows. She radiates love and light and we feel blessed to call her a friend.
Sharlie and her family face the inevitable fact that a lung transplant is in their future. Having been through it once with her sister, she is brave enough to take that step when her body and her family are ready for it. We are so grateful to be able to donate to the Sharlie’s Angels Medical Fund knowing that we can contribute to help pay for months and months of medical expenses and physical therapy. Though we have been long time donors to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, it is an honor to be able to so directly help a true angel in our lives. We hope you will get a chance to meet Sharlie at the Queen Bee Market and feel of her beautiful spirit.
To find out more about Sharlie and read her inspiring stories, visit her blog, Sharlie’s Angels. (bring your tissues!)

5% of all sales at the November Queen Bee Market will go directly to Sharlie’s Angels Medical Fund.

Recently we came across a post on Someday I’ll Learn that touched us. An eleven month old sweet baby named Penelope was just diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. Because insurance isn’t covering all of her treatment, San Diego has rallied around her to help as much as possible- auctions, donations, and a media blitz to get the word out. You can read more specifics and updates on the site. You can follow pennies4penny on Twitter too.

So….what does this have to do with the Queen Bee Market? We thought that we could pitch in as well. We contacted Chelsea at Someday I’ll Learn and let her know that we’d love to help. She sent a sweet reply saying that she loved the idea and we were given the go ahead.
We will have buckets at the market to donate your pennies for Penny- every little bit helps. We would love to have you help us spread the word!
We are so happy to not only be able to host a great market with amazing vendors, but to be able to donate to worthy causes.