Give a Little

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.