My Page Dedicated to
my friend JoAnna
I have an award that I give out to beautiful site, this wonderful lady applied for my award and we have become friends and I would like to share an article about her.
This article was printed in the Ardmoreite Newspaper
March 28, 2000
Bee pollinates with message of inspiration
by Leah J. Simmons
Beenie the Baby is back.
The bright yellow and black bee wearing a red and green beanie on one end and a removable diaper on the other has com soaring back into Ardmore to share a message of hope, destiny and overcoming obstacles.
Beenie is the creation of JoAnna Rambo, who was "inspired by God" to ceate this little bee, first as a gift for her daughter, Amanda, as a reminder that each of us has the ability to overcome even the worst of obstacles. Then, JoAnna was inspired to share Beenie's message with the rest of the world, first through
T-shirts bearing his likeness, and now through a stuffed toy.
Besides just being something cute to cuddle, Beenie has a message to share with those who take him home. Tucked into his little diaper is his life store, called "The Destiny." It recounts a conversation between Beenie and "A Voice" which tells the little bee he was born to fulfill his destiny, that nothing is impossible to him if only he believes in it. And, like all other bees, Beenie defies the laws of physics and learns to fly.
In the story, the voice tells Beenie "The world has become very unbelieving and children everywhere are being limited by challenges: size, shape, color, sickness and poverty. The list is endless. I need your help and I will go with you.
When Beenie asks the voice why it can't spread the message alone, he gets the response, "They aren't listening. They are too distracted, so I'm sending a precious newborn to get their attention, since humans love babiess of all types."
JoAnna said it's not so unusual that Beenie be a baby. After all, the idea isn't orginal.
"God said to me, 'Why would you be amazed that I would send you a baby to help you overcome? That's what I did 2000 years ago," she said "I really feel like wee were put on this earth to overcome instead of to be ovetcome. I feel that we have lost the ability to have a purpose. If we would get our lives on purpose, we could show our kids a purpose that they could live by."
That's what Beenie is -- "The Toy with a Purpose."
But, like any good venture, it took some work to see it to fruition. Beenie, althought born in Ardmore, is being manufactured in China. JoAnna said she tried to get an American company to take the idea, but was met with resistance.
"I got my first huge rejection. They said he's adorable, but he will not sell. They said they couldn't sell to (major toy companies) because he doesn't have any bells or whistles," she said. "The thin they've forgotten is, kids have a vivid impagination. I don't believe we need bells or whistles to give our kids a quality toy. If you add the bells and whistles, not only have you taken away a kid's imagination, you also raise the price.
Beenie's price: $12.99. His benefit to those who buy him: Unlimited -- at least that's what JoAnna hopes
This is my (and I say this proudly) friend JoAnna Rambo and Beenie the Baby
Please stop by and say hello to
JoAnna
