Monday’s are for Meet a Mom features on GLAMoms and this week…. Elizabeth Read. Beth is a #girlmom, wife, daughter and founder of the nonprofit organization T.W.I.G.S. – To Work In Grateful Service (TWIGS). Learn more about Beth, a great mom idea about what to do with a “crabby paddy!” Also, read more about TWIGS and how an idea her own mom had while undergoing treatment after her pancreatic cancer diagnosis 💜. AND why TWIGS so important to those in the Greater Lansing area undergoing cancer treatment.
Welcome to Greater Lansing Area Moms, Beth. We are glad you are here! 🙂
Please introduce yourself!
My name is Elizabeth but I have gone by Beth my whole life. I am from Battle Creek, but currently live in Holt.
I am a graduate of Michigan State University. I am married with two girls Emma and Abby. My husband Jessie and I have been married for 11 years this March.
How old are your children?
Emma is 9 and Abby is 5
What do you think is one of the best parts about being a mom?
I love watching them grow and find their own interests. Seeing each of their personalities develop and viewing the world through their eyes.
How did you meet your husband?
Do you have an area date night favorite? We met on my 30th birthday at a lugnuts game. We love to go to the State Room for special occasions.
What is TWIGS and how did it come to be?
I came up with the idea for TWIGS after losing my mom to pancreatic cancer 5 years ago this July.
We work in the greater Lansing area helping cancer patients with everyday tasks. TWIGS was my moms nickname in high school and it stands for To Work In Grateful Service.
When my mom was going through treatment she was lucky to be able to pay to have these things done or my dad could take time off of work to take her to treatment. She often wondered who helped people who didn’t have these resources.
Between my experience with my mom and my board member Kate’s experience with her mom who worked throughout her cancer diagnosis the idea of TWIGS was born.
What sort of services do you provide?
Housekeeping, Errand runs, rides to appointments and yard care.
What do you think your mom would think about TWIGS?
I think she would be proud to know that we are helping those that don’t have the resources she had and to see me creating a career out of giving back to the cancer community.
What is a piece of advice for new moms you wish you would have known when you were a new mom?
That nobody actually knows what they are doing but everyone has an opinion on how you should do things. The important thing to remember is that you love your kids and that makes you a great mom. . .the rest will follow.
Perfect isn’t a word in motherhood we are all just doing the best we can. Reach out to other women for support, we accomplish so much more together than we ever will alone.
What are you looking forward to in 2023….. and SUMMER!?
I am looking forward to continuing to grow TWIGS and spending quality time with my kiddos.
Summer is usually filled with fun stuff locally, hiking, swimming, camping and just enjoying the weather.
How do you balance being a mom, wife and running a nonprofit organization?
I am still learning daily how to do this. One thing I will say is I have to put myself first, I have learned to ask for help and not try to do it all on my own and to delegate when I can.
I have to continually remind myself that work while important doesn’t need to be 24 hours a day so I make it a point to put down my work and find time for me, my family and my friends.
Sometimes I’m successful and sometimes I fail miserably but I am a work in progress.
Here are a couple questions to get to know you better 🙂
What gets you up in the morning?
Coffee – And how do you take your coffee? Strong and with creamer. 🙂
Are you a reader? If so, current book? All time favorite book?
Reading is my favorite pastime. Stone Maidens by Lloyd Richards off of Amazon…interesting story behind the author, his daughter helped his book take off.
All time favorite… The Great Gatsby
What is a favorite children’s book you enjoy reading
She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton
Where are some of your favorite places locally to spend time with your family?
We love Old Town shopping, my kiddos love the jump places, Holt Farmers Market and walking on all the nature trails with our dog Murphy.
Mind sharing a mom trick another mom will be happy to learn?
Most moms probably know this one but “put a crabby paddy in water.” Any time my girls are cranky I put them in the bath… or have them run through the sprinkler… helps them to reset.
Thank you so much for joining us this week, Beth! 🙂
How do you prefer readers to connect with you if they would like more information?
Through our website at twigsinc.org
And are you actively seeking out volunteers? And if so, where should we direct people with interest in helping?
Yes we are. They can go to our website and fill out the volunteer inquiry form.
Professional photographs of Beth were taken by The Portrait Lounge
Today’s Meet a Mom featuring Elizabeth Read was bought to you by Boji Group. Boji Group specializes in Private-Public Partnerships with offices in both Downtown Lansing and Birmingham. Boji Group is headquartered in Downtown Lansing.
