Five years ago, when we were broke and finally decided to do something about it, one of our motivating desires to be debt-free was having the ability to give above and beyond our tithe to God. At the time, a close friend of mine was struggling financially after her newborn son spent the first 2 months of his life in the NICU battling life-threatening birth "defects" (he is now a healthy, brilliant, active pre-schooler). I remember wanting to help them financially, and at times we did, but my husband and I wanted to do MORE.
Suddenly, we began to imagine the seemingly impossible. What if we paid off our stuff so that we could help others who needed stuff. What if a friend mentions that she needs a new washer dryer because hers broke, and we BOUGHT it? What if a stranger needed food and we PROVIDED it? What if a single parent needed a car, and WE HAD THE ABILITY TO BUY IT FOR THEM?
What if a sibling group needed a home and we GAVE it to them? Yea...that'll NEVER happen.
This past Christmas, I wanted to do something special for my OB/GYN who helped me through years of physical pain and illness, eventually performing the hysterectomy that radically changed my life. In her office, a rare thing happens when pharmaceutical reps come to promote their product. They are met with a sign that says if they want her business, they will bring, not the usual fare of cookies, cakes, and coffee, but rather donations for the local women's and children's shelter. So after much thinking and no planning, I sent out a call on Facebook for my local friends to donate items and bring them by the house. The response was overwhelming.
Most of those who donated didn't settle for generics. Instead, I received bath wash, sheets from Better Homes and Gardens (yeah, the $35 dollar ones!!), stuffed animals, two cases of toothpaste (from a friend who works in a dental office), blankets, kid's sheets with actual kid stuff on them, candy canes, scented body lotions, name brand diapers and wipes. Many of the women who donated actually bought stuff they would have bought for themselves, and even though I didn't reach my goal of filling a U-Haul truck, I was able to drop off over TWO SUV CARLOADS worth of donations at her office, all of which was picked up that day by the local shelter.
Truly amazing!!
And being a part of something that actually makes a difference is addicting.
Over the next few weeks, I want to compile a list of ways to give money, time, and goods in the community. For now, leave a comment about ways you have found to give in your area.
Autumn at the Pond
7 years ago
Tina, the things I try to do are provide kids at school with supplies they need. I don't just give them away freely to be wasted but if a kid needs it, I try to do what I can to fix it.
ReplyDeleteI have never even told anyone this, but once at one school I was at, the 'cafeteria fund' was in debt. Our fabulous principal would pay for the lunch of kids who had forgotten money or something. We were as a whole trying to find a solution bc she was running out of money and I put 40 dollars in an envelope and put in in her box anonymously so more kids could get their lunches. Now this involved the paying kids only, the kids with lunch programs didn't have to worry about it, but kids who had to pay did have to worry, and they would wind up in TEARS without a lunch. The cafeteria would provide a cheese sandwich and milk for those kids but it broke my heart...so I tried to help with that. I don't usually organize BIG things but I try to help with little things.
I crazily agreed to be Key Club Advisor and we are meeting in the AM to arrange a fundraiser for Haiti. This is all student driven though. Kids are really amazing when you let them be that way!
Christy
What a great idea! You got to bless your OB/GYN and the shelter :0)
ReplyDeleteWe help sponsor a "Great Expectations" home, run by the pro-life group in our area. Girls can live in this supervised home while they are expecting, and for a while after they deliver, and receive friendship, mentoring, counseling, etc.
We've been able to give different items for the home through the years - little things like bedside lamps for the bedrooms and things like our crib (still in good shape) when we finished with it, and also support them monthly. I'm hoping down the road to be involved more personally (mentor, big sister type thing).
I appreciate that this is a tangible way to live out our pro-life values.
Julie
Love it. Just love it. That's a great OB and what she's got going there. Good job supporting the good things that are already going on.
ReplyDeleteLisa, Stretch Mark Mama
Christy: Very cool! I am a big fan of the anonymous gifts because we get the joy of giving without all the recognition that can sometimes cloud our motivation. And kudos to the lunchroom and principal for meeting the needs of EVERY student.
ReplyDeleteJulie: I wonder how many lives have been changed by the volunteers at that home. AMAZING way to minister according to scripture and the call to help those in need. I have often said that if every family in the United States that professes Christianity chose to adopt ONE child, we wouldn't NEED a foster system. You may not be adopting these girls and their children, but you ARE choosing to hep take care of them!
Lisa: I will definitely be stealing some of your ideas for community and will be sending readers your way. Don't get a big head, but you are the QUEEN of making a difference and you spur me on to do bigger and better things in my city.