Like many moms, Newtown's Michelle Rice faced a difficult decision- whether to give up a career she was passionate about to become a stay-at-home mother to her four children.  That was almost three decades ago; Michelle stayed with her kids & never looked back. Now, though, with the kids all grown up, she's given birth to a new passion- her “fifth child”- the Plant a Seed Foundation.

After years of volunteering with the Make a Wish foundation, Michele and her husband, Gene, realized they had the funds and resources to finally start their own charity. Born was the Plant a Seed Inspire a Dream Foundation (PAS) in 2008. Their mission is to provide children from low-income families with the opportunity to pursue their passions & interact with positive role models, the same way that Michele was able to support her own family. PAS has already helped hundreds of children and was even recently honored by People Magazine in their “Heroes Among Us” Segment. This October, PAS will celebrate it's 5th birthday.

Michelle spoke to Bucks Happening about her life as a Mover & Shaker:

BH: What motivates you to “Move & Shake” things up every morning?

MR: Definitely my family.

BH: How did you decide to become a Speech Pathologist? And then ultimately make the transition into starting a non-profit?

MR: I was about 12 years old when I had an opportunity to watch a sign language interpreter translating for a hearing impaired young man. It made a tremendous impression on me, so much so that I eventually attended college to study Speech and Language Development. I worked as a Speech Pathologist for 8 years until I left to start a family.

As the years went by, I felt a great need to give back. I embraced that desire by participating in many varied activities- helping a disabled gentleman weekly, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and the Make- A-Wish Foundation as well as community service. Eventually, my husband and I started the Plant a Seed Foundation, an organization that helps kids from low income families pursue their passions while connecting them with positive role models and other children who share their interests. The idea for our foundation stemmed, in part, from my personal experience of being exposed to sign language at an early age and the impression it made on me. I started speaking with other adults, asking them what made them decide to be a teacher, an engineer, a police officer, etc. and almost always it came back to the same thing, something they had experienced as a child “planted a seed” inside of them and grew into a passion. So many children don’t have the means to explore their interests and ideas, and that’s where Plant a Seed steps in to help them engage in activities that they are passionate about.

BH: What’s your idea of a perfect day?

MR: Waking up next to my husband, seeing my kids and grandson downstairs having breakfast, working out, talking to friends and ending my day with good conversation and good food with family and friends.

BH: Who do you look up to?

MR: Honestly, my husband is probably the best person I have ever known in my life. I truly admire and respect him. I’m not sure I would say I “look up” to him, but I certainly am inspired by him.

BH: Which achievement are you most proud of?

MR: Without a doubt, my family!

BH: What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?

MR: Probably accepting that I can’t fix everything and everyone, no matter how badly I want to. I can only work on “me”.

BH: What is the biggest thing that you’d like to achieve over the next 5 years?

MR: Perhaps finally finishing the parenting book my husband and I started years ago and seeing Plant a Seed continue to grow and have the means to help every deserving child.

BH: How do you think your friends & coworkers would describe you?

MR: Loyal, caring, funny, smart.

BH: Where’s your favorite spot in Bucks?

MR: I love to walk in Tyler Park.

BH: If you could go back in time and talk to yourself 10 years ago, what advice would you give?

MR: Don’t sweat the small stuff, be in the moment and love myself for who I am!!!!!

Find out more about Michelle and the Plant a Seed Foundation at www.plantaseedfoundation.org.

We Are Supported By: